Sakshi Maharaj blames population rise on ‘those supporting 4 wives, 40 children’

Controversial BJP parliamentarian Sakshi Maharaj has waded into another controversy by appearing to blame Muslims for the population boom and urging all political parties to come together for framing “population control” laws.

“This population rise in not because of Hindus. The population has risen because of those who support the concept of four wives and 40 children. It is not acceptable,” the Unnao MP said in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut.

The state goes to the polls in about a month and the BJP is locked in a tough fight with regional rivals Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the Congress.

The remark came days after the Supreme Court barred candidates from seeking votes in the name of religion. The Congress said the comment was “offensive” and violated the model code of conduct.

“We will definitely move the election commission,” Congress leader KC Mittal told ANI.

Read | Elections a secular exercise, illegal to seek votes in the name of religion: SC

The SP also slammed the BJP, highlighting the Supreme Court’s ruling. “I would urge the BJP to stop such things. Elections cannot be won by creating a stressful environment,” senior party leader Naresh Agarwal told ANI. The BSP called for stringent action

But the BJP, however, distanced itself from the remark – clarifying that it did not share his opinion. Later, the Unnao MP himself claimed that he was misquoted. “I have not commented on any community. I have been misquoted and am ready to face the election commission,” CNN-News 18 quoted him as saying.

Sakshi Maharaj is no stranger to such controversies. He triggered outrage in 2015 after urging all Hindu women to give birth to at least four children to increase the Hindu population and counter rising Muslim numbers.

Read | Religious groups hail Supreme Court’s ruling on caste, creed vote

At the rally, Sakshi Maharaj also criticised the ‘triple talaq’ system and said it was unethical to desert a life partner by simply saying the word ‘talaq’ thrice. The Islamic practice has gained national focus after the government came out against it and a number of women challenged it in the Supreme Court.

Maharaj further said the BJP was pursuing a ‘common civil code’ and added that the party would not make the Ram Temple construction an issue in the upcoming elections.

Sakshi was addressing a gathering of Hindu saints. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed whatever the BJP had achieved was because of the blessings of saints.

Sakshi Maharaj said the PM eanted a ‘white revolution’ in the country that would lead to ban on meat exports. “There is a ban on keeping cows in Delhi’s Lutyen’s zone and I faced protests for keeping a cow in my residence but nobody could stop me.”

(with agency inputs)