Begusarai: Making yet another controversial remark, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, “I want to say who don’t say Vande Mataram, can’t worship the motherland – Giriraj’s father and grandfather died on the Simaria ghat by the banks of the Ganga and did not need a grave. You on the other hand, need three-arm’s-length of land. If you don’t do it, the country will never forgive you.”
The sharp message was ostensibly meant for an RJD candidate from Darbhanga, Abdul Bari Siddiqui. Singh said, “The RJD candidate said in Darbhanga that he won’t say Vande Mataram.”
Giriraj Singh is long known for his controversial and polarising comments. The veteran BJP leader has been pitted by NDA against former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar from Begusarai.
As reported by NDTV, the minister has long been known for his communal remarks. He had ordered critics of the BJP to “go to Pakistan”. On Tuesday, he had called on a ban on green flags — often associated with Islam – by the Election Commission. In November, his comment that the Islamic seminary of Deoband was a “temple of terrorism” had drawn protests.
However, after the seat sharing with Nitish Kumar’s party was finalised, Giriraj Singh, had publicly said that he would uphold communal harmony.
Accusing the opposition of “trying to spread communal fire”, he claimed, “As long as the Bharatiya Janata Party is there, we won’t let it happen, neither in Bihar nor in Begusarai.”
Without naming Kanhaiya Kumar, the minister says, “Some people have also come to Begusarai, wearing big brother’s kurta and little brother’s pajama, who are spreading poison.”
Begusarai, which is witnessing a triangular contest, will go to polls on April 29.
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