A senior leader from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a federal minister has ignited a major controversy by using derogatory terms for Muslims ahead of the crucial Bihar elections, sparking accusations of religious polarization.
Federal Minister Giriraj Singh, while addressing a rally in Bihar’s Arwal district on October 18, allegedly used the term “Namak Haram” (a highly negative term meaning ungrateful or traitor) when referring to the Muslim community. His speech quickly went viral, leading to a political firestorm.
In the video, Singh criticized the minority community, claiming they receive full benefits from government schemes but fail to vote for the BJP.
He recounted an alleged conversation with a Muslim cleric to justify his remarks: “I asked him, did you get the Ayushman (health) card? He said yes… I then asked, did you vote for me?… When I asked him to swear on it, he admitted, ‘No, I did not vote.'”
Giriraj Singh then added that those who are not grateful are called “Namak Haram,” and stated, “I clearly said we don’t need the votes of the ungrateful.”
The statement drew severe backlash from opposition parties. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mritunjay Tiwari accused the federal minister of deliberately fueling religious hatred. “Whenever there are elections, BJP leaders play the Hindu-Muslim card. This is the same leader who previously said those who don’t vote for BJP will be sent to Pakistan,” Tiwari stated.
