AIUDF president apologises for remark on Hindus
His comments were twisted, he didn’t target any community, says Ajmal
AIUDF Supremo and Lok Sabha MP from Assam Badruddin Ajmal on Saturday apologised for his remarks purportedly targeting Hindu community and said he was “ashamed” of the controversy it stoked, even as police complaints were lodged against him across the state. He, however, maintained that his comments were twisted and he had not targeted any community.
Mr Ajmal had said that Hindus should adopt the “Muslim formula” and get their children married at a young age. In response to a question about the rise of Muslim population, the AIUDF chief told reporters: “Hindus don’t marry at the right age, they keep 2-3 affairs, but they don’t marry. They marry at the age of 40, that too under family pressure, tell me how will they reproduce?” (Hindu sahi umar mein shaadi nahi karta, 40 saal tak 2-3 illegal biwiyan rakhta hai, fir shayad family ke pressure mein shaadi kar le, batao, bacche kahan se hongi?)
Pointing out that Muslim girls are married as soon as they turn 18 and boys get married as soon as they turn 22 he said: “Hindus should also adopt Muslims’ formula of marrying off their daughters at the age of 18. “Banjar zameen pe kheti nahi hoti, fertile zameen pe hoti hai”.
Mr Ajmal also responded
to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent remarks on “Love Jihad” in reference to the Shraddha Walker murder case. “Assam chief minister is one of the top leaders of the country today. He is seen as number two in BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union home minister Amit Shah. So, who is stopping him, you also go for four to five ‘Love Jihad’ and take away our Muslim girls. We will welcome it and won’t even fight. It will also be seen how much power you have,” said Mr Ajmal in an oblique remark.
Apart from various Hindu organisations, Assam BJP MLA Diganta Kalita also issued a stern warning to Mr Ajmal over his remarks. “By saying such things, you are making allegations about your mother and sister. I condemn it and warn you not to do it otherwise go to Bangladesh and do it. Hindus won’t accept it. Don’t stoop so low for politics and sell your mother and sister, don’t trample upon their dignity,” said Mr Kalita.