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India MP Sakshi Maharaj: Hindus must have more babies | India MP Sakshi Maharaj: Hindus must have more babies |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A hard-line Indian MP has sparked outrage by urging Hindu women to have at least four children "in order to protect the Hindu religion". | A hard-line Indian MP has sparked outrage by urging Hindu women to have at least four children "in order to protect the Hindu religion". |
Analysts say the comments by Sakshi Maharaj, from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are aimed at stirring up tension with Muslims. | Analysts say the comments by Sakshi Maharaj, from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are aimed at stirring up tension with Muslims. |
Opposition Congress party spokesman Sanjay Jha called his comments "ludicrous and provocative". | Opposition Congress party spokesman Sanjay Jha called his comments "ludicrous and provocative". |
Last month, Sakshi Maharaj said the killer of Mahatma Gandhi was a patriot. | Last month, Sakshi Maharaj said the killer of Mahatma Gandhi was a patriot. |
The hardliner, who dresses in saffron robes, is known for creating controversies. | The hardliner, who dresses in saffron robes, is known for creating controversies. |
"The concept of four wives and 40 children will not work in India," the MP is reported to have told a gathering in an apparent reference to Muslim men, who are legally allowed to have four wives. | |
"The time has come when a Hindu woman must produce at least four children in order to protect Hindu religion." | "The time has come when a Hindu woman must produce at least four children in order to protect Hindu religion." |
The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi says hard-line Hindus regularly accuse Muslim women of being "breeding machines" who have lots of children in a bid to overtake the Hindu population. | The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi says hard-line Hindus regularly accuse Muslim women of being "breeding machines" who have lots of children in a bid to overtake the Hindu population. |
More than 80% of India's population is Hindu, while Muslims make up less than 14%. | More than 80% of India's population is Hindu, while Muslims make up less than 14%. |
But the Hindu nationalists insist there is a real threat of the minority community becoming a majority, our correspondent adds. | |
Sanjay Jha wrote on Twitter: "There is only one way to describe Sakshi Maharaj's ludicrous and provocative call for Hindu women to have four children; beyond a boundary." | Sanjay Jha wrote on Twitter: "There is only one way to describe Sakshi Maharaj's ludicrous and provocative call for Hindu women to have four children; beyond a boundary." |
Priyanka Chaturvedi, also of the Congress party, wondered if women were born only to have children: | Priyanka Chaturvedi, also of the Congress party, wondered if women were born only to have children: |
Academic Prerna Bakshi questioned the "irony" of the statement: | Academic Prerna Bakshi questioned the "irony" of the statement: |
Many like journalist Kanika Gahlaut have been using sarcasm to poke fun at the MP's comment: | Many like journalist Kanika Gahlaut have been using sarcasm to poke fun at the MP's comment: |
Journalist TS Sudhir wondered if this was what Prime Minister Narendra Modi meant when he launched the "Make in India" campaign to turn the country into a manufacturing hub: | Journalist TS Sudhir wondered if this was what Prime Minister Narendra Modi meant when he launched the "Make in India" campaign to turn the country into a manufacturing hub: |
Journalist Nistula Hebbar wanted Sakshi Maharaj to shut up: | Journalist Nistula Hebbar wanted Sakshi Maharaj to shut up: |
Comedian Rohan said the comment suggested the MP had never had to deal with the tough nursery school admission process in the country: | Comedian Rohan said the comment suggested the MP had never had to deal with the tough nursery school admission process in the country: |
Sakshi Maharaj won a seat in last year's general election in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. | Sakshi Maharaj won a seat in last year's general election in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. |
In recent months, several BJP figures have been in the news for making controversial remarks. | In recent months, several BJP figures have been in the news for making controversial remarks. |
In December, Minister for Food Processing Niranjan Jyoti used an abusive term to refer to non-Hindus, by asking people at a public rally to choose between Ramzada (children of the Hindu God Ram) and Haramzada (bastards). | In December, Minister for Food Processing Niranjan Jyoti used an abusive term to refer to non-Hindus, by asking people at a public rally to choose between Ramzada (children of the Hindu God Ram) and Haramzada (bastards). |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he disapproved of her language but refused to sack her. | Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he disapproved of her language but refused to sack her. |
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