Sakshi

Maharaj

controversially said those who "marry four wives and keep 40 children" were responsible for the population "explosion", local police today filed an FIR against the MP for making a ‘objectionable and communally charged statement against a particular religion.’

Sakshi's remarks were clearly targeted at Muslims, although he didn't name the religion while making them. His exact words were: “The Hindu is not responsible for the population explosion (in India). It is those who keep four wives and produce 40 children."

Sakshi

Maharaj

) statement, I believe, is not (the) government’s view and also not of (the) BJP. It is wrong to perceive his statement as that of BJP,” Union Minister of State for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters in Delhi.

Maharaj, who has often triggered controversies with his comments, had two years ago said from the same venue that "Every Hindu woman must produce at least four children in order to protect the Hindu religion”.

On Friday, too, he said, "Hindu ghata toh desh banta (If Hindu numbers go down, the country will be divided)."

FIR against Sakshi Maharaj for ‘population explosion’ comment

MEERUT: A day after BJP MPMahender Das, the organiser of the religious event where Maharaj made, was also booked.The action was taken after the intervention of the Election Commission, which this morning directed District Magistrate of Meerut B Chandrakala to file a report on the matter “within two hours”.SSP Meerut Ravindra Gould told TOI: “Police has filed an FIR in Sadar police station against Unnao MP Sakshi Maharaj and mahant of Balaji temple, Swami Mahindra Das for making communally charged statements at a religious function on Friday. Both have been booked under sections 188, 295a, 298, 505(3), 153B and 171s of IPC (Indian Penal Code).”Maharaj has defended his comments, saying he only meant that a woman isn't a (child-bearing) machine.The BJP, on its part, distanced itself from Maharaj’s statements.“This country runs as per law, constitution and not baton. His (Earlier in the day, Meerut DM B.Chandrakala, told TOI, “We had been asked for a report in the matter on Friday event and soon after SP City and ADM city were deputed to look into the matter and file a report within two hours.”After establishing the facts and seizing the video recording of the religious function, police on Saturday afternoon, filed an FIR against the MP and the mahant.