Even as the BJP distanced itself from its leader Raghvendra Singh’s controversial remark of giving jobs to Hindu youths who marry Muslim women, the former MLA doubled down on Tuesday, saying it was “necessary to send the message” to people in his area where Muslims are in a majority.
A video of the former Domariyaganj MLA went viral on social media in which he is seen telling youths in Sidharthanagar district to bring at least 10 Muslim girls (“kam se kam 10 musalman ladki lao”), and ask people to raise their hands of they are ready to do the same. Assuring that he would arrange their marriage, the former MLA is heard promising them jobs.
“Jo leke aayega, usko naukri, roji roti bhi dilayange (Whosoever brings them, they would be given a job and their livelihood would be taken care of),” Singh is heard saying.
After his video went viral, the Opposition demanded strict action against him for his “anti-women” and “communal remarks”.
BSP chief Mayawati condemned Singh’s remarks and asked the BJP government to take strict legal action against them instead of providing him “protection”.
“The narrow minded statement “bring a Muslim girl, get a job” along with the poisonous and violent game going on by mischievous elements in UP, Uttarakhand, as well as other states in the name of religious conversion, Love Jihad, and taking the law in their hands to spread communal and casteist hatred… leading to threat to life of people, their property and faith… is highly condemnable,” said Mayawati.
“Such criminal… anti-social elements pose an open challenge and threat to a civilized and threat to civilized and constitutional government. Instead of providing them support and protection, the government should take strict legal action against such people,” she said, adding that legal action is necessary in the interest of millions of people in the state.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said, “It is a very irresponsible statement. Such statements are often made by BJP leaders. The way BJP leaders are constantly giving statements against women, it reflects on the anti-women psychology of the party and its leaders.”
This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.