Giriraj Singh’s remarks against Muslims trigger political row in Bihar

Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh has sparked controversy with remarks made at a rally in Arwal on October 18, where he said he did not want the votes of “namak haram” (betrayers) while referring to Muslims. His comments went viral on social media the following day.

In the video clip, Mr. Singh criticised members of the minority community for not voting for the BJP despite, he claimed, benefiting from various government schemes.

Recounting a conversation with a cleric, Mr. Singh said, “I asked the cleric if he received the Ayushman card or not, he said yes. Then 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 said he did not give vote.”

He added at the rally that those who do not acknowledge favours are called “namak haram”. “I clearly told the cleric that we do not want the votes of ‘betrayers’,” Mr. Singh said.

The remarks drew sharp criticism from Opposition parties. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Mirtunjay Tiwari accused the Union Minister of attempting to stoke communal divisions. “Whenever elections take place in any State, BJP leaders always play the Hindu-Muslim card. They cannot think beyond that. He is the same leader who earlier said that those who don’t vote for BJP will be sent to Pakistan. BJP has been ruling the Centre for 11 years; have they sent anyone to Pakistan?” Mr. Tiwari said in Patna.

He added, “Even the people of Bihar are fed up with such leaders and are not going to support those who believe in distributing swords.”

Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, also criticised Mr. Singh, saying, “First the BJP leader should look within himself and identify who were the traitors during the freedom struggle. Identify India’s biggest enemies – those who served the British and perpetuated their rule were the traitors.”

Meanwhile, the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which had earlier announced plans to contest 100 seats in Bihar, released its first list of 25 candidates on Sunday, including two non-Muslims.

The list includes State president and sitting MLA Akhtarul Iman, who has been renominated from Amour. Former Rajya Sabha MP Sabir Ali, who was expelled from the Janata Dal (United) 11 years ago, will contest from the same constituency where 2020 runner-up Saba Zafar has been replaced.

Most of the AIMIM’s candidates are from the Seemanchal region, a flood-prone area in north-eastern Bihar with a high Muslim population. In Sikandra constituency, the party has fielded Manoj Kumar Das, while in Dhaka, Rana Ranjeet Singh will contest.

The party announced the list on X, saying, “We are happy to announce the list of AIMIM candidates for upcoming Bihar elections. The candidates were finalised by AIMIM’s Bihar Unit, in consultation with the party’s national leadership. Inshallah, we will be a voice of justice for Bihar’s weakest and most neglected.”