Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s Anti-Muslim Remarks at Bihar Rally Spark Widespread Backlash
Singh says he doesn’t want votes from “betrayers”; JD(U) and opposition parties condemn divisive comments.
Arwal, Bihar – Union Minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh has drawn sharp criticism across the political spectrum after making controversial remarks targeting the Muslim community during an election rally in Bihar’s Arwal district on October 18.
While addressing the public gathering held to kick off the NDA’s campaign for BJP’s Manoj Sharma (Arwal) and JD(U)’s Pappu Verma (Kurtha) Singh used the term “namak haram” (betrayers) in reference to Muslims, alleging they had benefited from government schemes but still did not support the BJP at the polls.
In a now-viral video, Singh is seen narrating a conversation with a Muslim cleric:
“I asked the cleric if he received an Ayushman card. He said yes. I asked if there was any discrimination between Hindus and Muslims. He said no. Then I asked, ‘Did you vote for me?’ He said yes. But when I asked him to swear in the name of Allah, he admitted he had not.”
Singh then added, “Those who don’t acknowledge favours are called namak haram. I told the cleric we don’t want the votes of such people.”
The comments triggered immediate political backlash. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) condemned the remarks and demanded Singh’s removal from the Union Cabinet.
RJD spokesperson Subodh Kumar Mehta said, “The Prime Minister must immediately sack Giriraj Singh. But he won’t because BJP’s politics thrives on hate and division. Every election, leaders like Singh are deployed to polarise voters.”
RJD leader Mritunjay Tiwari added, “This is a repeated strategy turn elections into Hindu vs Muslim debates. Singh had once said those who don’t vote for BJP should be sent to Pakistan. Has the BJP sent anyone yet?”
Pappu Yadav, MP from Purnea, also criticized Singh: “Before labelling citizens as traitors, Singh should reflect on who actually betrayed the country during the British era. Those who served colonial interests were the real traitors.”
In a rare show of disagreement within the NDA, even ally Janata Dal (United) distanced itself from Singh’s remarks. JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar, who attended the same rally, told The Indian Express that Singh’s words were not in line with the government’s policies.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time, with elections in Bihar drawing near. Singh’s comments have renewed concerns about the use of communal rhetoric in political campaigns a tactic critics say is aimed at dividing voters along religious lines.
Despite the uproar, Singh has not withdrawn his remarks, and the BJP leadership has yet to respond publicly.
