Sakshi Maharaj stokes another controversy, asks Hindus to have 4 kids

Meerut: BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj has stoked controversy with his remarks yet again by asking Hindu women to have at least four children, drawing criticism and ridicule from opposition which demanded a clarification from the government.

"We have accepted the slogan 'Hum do, hamare ek'. Now these traitors are no satisfied. They have given another slogan 'Hum do aur hamara.... They are advocating marriage of a girl to a girl, boy to another boy. This is what the last government did.

"This is why I... want to request women to give birth to at least four children. Give one to sadhus and ascetics. Media says there are ceasefire violations happening, so send another to the border," the saffron-clad MP from Unnao said at a religious convention here yesterday.

Sakhi had earlier stoked a row by describing Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a "patriot" and was forced to apologise in Parliament.

The opposition reacted sharply to Sakshi's controversial remarks with JD(U) taking a jibe at the Sangh Parivar and asking its leaders to lead by example.

"Is the Indian population policy being changed? Why has the Prime Minister maintained silence for 24 hours. Why has the Home Minister, the party president, the finance minister maintained silence on the issue," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

"Is this the new population policy? The nation wants an answer. We are confident that no answer will come," he said.

JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said, "There should not be any difference in what they say and what they do—Mohan Bhagwat and all other members of the Sangh.

"It should be mandatory for them to get married and produce five children. Then they should request the Hindu community. That will be better."

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharaks are required to take a vow of celibacy.

The government had a tough time in Parliament in the recent winter session after Opposition protested against inflammatory remarks by several BJP MPs and over the conversion issue, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask his party men to exercise restraint.

Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti too had caused embarrassment to the government with her offensive remarks at a rally in Delhi and later apologised in parliament after the opposition demanded her resignation.