Patna: Union Minister and BJP MP from Begusarai, Giriraj Singh, has stirred controversy once again after making an offensive remark against Muslims during a public rally in Bihar’s Arwal district. Addressing supporters, Singh said he did not want the votes of “namak haraams,” a term meaning “betrayers,” while referring to Muslim voters.
Recounting a conversation with a Muslim cleric, Singh claimed he asked the cleric whether he possessed an Ayushman Bharat health card. When the cleric confirmed, Singh said he questioned whether the government distributed the cards based on religion. The cleric denied any such distinction. Singh then accused Muslims of availing welfare benefits while refusing to vote for the BJP. “Such people are called namak haraam,” he declared, adding that he had told the cleric he did not need their votes.
Singh went on to ask the cleric if either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or he himself had ever insulted him, to which the cleric reportedly said no. Singh then questioned, “What was my fault that you didn’t vote for me?”
The minister claimed that the NDA government had worked for the development of all communities, including Muslims, through infrastructure projects and welfare schemes. He alleged that despite these efforts, Muslims continued to reject the BJP at the polls.
Reacting to his statement, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said the BJP was deliberately using communal rhetoric to divert attention from issues like unemployment, inflation, and poor healthcare. Bihar is set to go to Assembly polls on November 6 and 11.
