Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh sparked yet another controversy during a public rally in Bihar’s Arwal district by making provocative remarks targeting a section of the Muslim community. Speaking before a crowd, the BJP MP from Begusarai declared that he did not want the votes of what he described as “namak haraams” — a term meaning betrayers — referring to those who, according to him, benefit from central government schemes but refuse to support his party at the ballot box.
Singh recounted an interaction he claimed to have had with a Muslim cleric. “I once asked a maulvi whether he possessed an Ayushman Bharat health card, and he said yes. I then asked if such cards were distributed based on religion, and he said no. When I asked if he voted for me, he initially said yes, but when I told him to swear by Khuda (God), he admitted that he had not. Muslims enjoy the benefits of every central government scheme but refuse to vote for us. Such people are ‘namak haraam’. I told the maulvi sahab that I don’t want the votes of such people,” Singh said to loud applause from sections of the crowd.
Continuing his speech, the Union Minister questioned the rationale behind the community’s voting preferences. “I asked the maulvi whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ever abused him or if I had ever insulted him. He said no to both. Then I asked why he didn’t vote for me. Someone who does not acknowledge goodwill and benefits is a ‘namak haraam’,” Singh asserted, accusing the community of being ungrateful despite reaping the fruits of central welfare schemes.
Defending his government’s work in Bihar, Singh listed a series of infrastructure and development projects undertaken under the NDA regime. “Roads in Bihar have not been constructed only for NDA leaders and workers but for everyone. The NDA government has worked for every section of society. Bihar has changed now, but despite this, Muslims do not vote for the BJP,” he said.
The remarks quickly drew criticism from opposition parties. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary condemned Singh’s comments, saying they reflected the BJP’s continued reliance on divisive politics. “It’s a well-known fact that BJP leaders cannot talk about anything other than Hindu-Muslim issues. They have no answers on unemployment, inflation, healthcare, or education. Whenever asked about development, they immediately shift the conversation to religion to distract people from real issues,” Tiwary told PTI Videos.
Giriraj Singh, often described as one of the BJP’s firebrand leaders, has a long history of making controversial remarks that have stirred political debates. His latest statement comes just weeks before the Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled to take place in two phases on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on November 14. Political observers believe his comments could heighten communal tensions as parties prepare for an intense electoral battle in the state.
