Bihar minister, Vinod Kumar Singh on Tuesday triggered a controversy as he asked if people who hadn’t raised their arms while shouting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” were Pakistan supporters. His remark was hinted towards media persons present there.
The minister for mines and geology was speaking during a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) function. He raised the popular chant and also urged his audience to raise their hands. When he saw some people didn’t follow him, he said, “You are first sons of Bharat Mata, then media persons. If you did not join me to loudly shout ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, are you supporters of Pakistan Mata?”
Earlier in the day, Bihar BJP president, Nityanand Rai said the “sound of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ should replace azaan from mosques and bells from churches”. However, he later clarified saying he did not mean “in place of azaan and bell”.
RJD spokespersons, Bhai Virender and Shakti Yadav reacted against both the leader saying, “they have exposed their real agenda”. However, BJP’s new ally JD-U said it was a issue of personal freedom of expression.
