BJP legislator Engineer Shailendra from Bihar’s Bihpur constituency has labeled Muslims as harmful to the nation, sparking widespread condemnation.
Speaking at a public gathering on Sunday, Shailendra accused the Muslim community of creating disorder and posing a threat to national security.
He openly declared his unwillingness to seek votes from Muslims, stating, “We don’t want Muslim votes. There’s nothing wrong with standing firm on this statement.”
Shailendra further escalated tensions by making provocative claims linking Muslims to terrorism and violence.
“Who creates disorder in the country? Who opposes Sanatan Dharma? Who are the terrorists? Why are temple remnants found in mosques?” he questioned, alleging that Muslims were complicit in acts of unrest and violence.
Additionally, he criticized Muslim families for having higher birth rates, urging the community to adopt population control measures.
According to him, the growth of Muslim families was detrimental to the nation’s progress—a claim that plays into communal stereotypes and has been widely denounced.
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) accused Shailendra of using communal rhetoric to polarize voters ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
Opposition leaders warned that such statements threaten the state’s fragile social harmony and deepen religious divides.
Political analysts see Shailendra’s comments as part of the BJP’s strategy to consolidate Hindu votes by invoking nationalism and religious identity.
His confidence in the BJP-led NDA’s electoral prospects, particularly with support from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Hindu voters, underscores this divisive approach. (With agency inputs)