Meerut (UP): BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj has stoked controversy with his remarks yet again by asking Hindu women to have at least four children, drawing criticism and ridicule from opposition which deman-ded a clarification from the government.
“We have accepted the slogan ‘Hum do, hamara ek’. Now these traitors are not satisfied. They have given another slogan ‘Hum do aur hamara…. They are advoca-ting marriage of a girl to a girl, boy to another boy. This is what the last govern-ment did.
“This is why I… want to request women to give birth to at least four children. Give one to sadhus and ascetics. Media says there are cease-fire violations happening, so send another to the border,” the saffron-clad MP from Unnao said at a religious convention here on Tuesday.
Sakshi had earlier stoked a row by describing Mahat-ma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse as a “patriot” and was forced to apologise in Parliament. The opposition reacted sharply to Sakshi’s controversial remarks with JD(U) taking a jibe at the Sangh Parivar and asking its leaders to lead by example. “Is the Indian population policy being changed? Why has the Prime Minister maintained silence for 24 hours. Why has the Home Minister, the party president, the finance minister maintained silence on the issue,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.
“Is this the new population policy? The nation wants an answer. We are confident that no answer will come,” he said. JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said, “There should not be any difference in what they say and what they do– Mohan Bhagwat and all other members of the Sangh. “It should be mandatory for them to get married and produce five children.
Then they should request the Hindu com-munity. That will be better.” Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharaks are required to take a vow of celibacy. The government had a tough time in Parlia-ment in the recent winter session after Opposition protested against inflam-matory remarks by several BJP MPs and over the conversion issue, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask his party men to exercise restraint.(PTI)