Didn’t Blame Muslims for Population Boom, Sakshi Maharaj Tells EC

The Election Commission had issued a notice to him for his remark blaming the Muslim community for population boom.

BJP leader and Unnao MP Sakshi Maharaj. (Photo: Reuters)

Responding to the Election Commission notice against him, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MP Sakshi Maharaj has said that he did not make any inflammatory comments against Muslims.

The Election Commission had issued a notice to him for his remark blaming the Muslim community for the country’s population explosion.

I was speaking at a programme organised for ‘saints’. It was not a political rally. I didn’t take any community’s name... Population must be controlled, women are not machines to deliver babies.

Sakshi Maharaj, BJP Leader

The BJP MP was issued a notice on Tuesday for the violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The body had sought a reply from him by 11 January.

Last week, Maharaj allegedly blamed Muslims for fuelling the population explosion. He made the comments at the inauguration of a temple in Meerut, reported CNN News18.

As per the report, the politician said:

Population is increased by those who support the concept of four wives and 40 children.

An FIR has been filed against him under Section 298 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) among others. He has been booked for causing disharmony and enmity and for violating model code of conduct.

During his address, he also urged the government to implement the Uniform Civil code (UCC) as quickly as possible.

The BJP MP has often courted controversy by making hate comments against the Muslim community. In 2015, he had urged Hindu women to produce at least four children each.

His Remarks Violate Polls’ Code of Conduct: Congress

While Sakshi Maharaj later defended his comments, the Congress approached the Election Commission.

The Congress called for action against the BJP MP, claiming that his remarks were a violation of the Supreme Court’s recent order prohibiting politics of religious polarisation.

Also Read: Supreme Court Makes Use of Religion to Seek Votes Illegal

Sakshi Maharaj’s speech based on caste and religion is very offensive, it’s a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and the recent Supreme Court judgement... Action has to be taken and we will move to the Election commission on this.

KC Mittal, Congress

BJP Distances Itself From the Remarks

The ruling party was quick to distance itself from Sakshi Maharaj’s comments and said that his remarks did not represent the party’s views.

This shouldn’t be seen as the BJP’s stand.

Abbas Naqvi Mukhtar, Union Minister

The BJP MP’s speech came two days after the announcement of elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh – in the same week where the apex court ruled against the use of religious rhetoric to seek votes.