Giriraj blames Congress’ appeasement politics for rise in Muslim population

Begusarai (Bihar), May 9 (PTI) Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday blamed the alleged appeasement politics of the Congress for the increase in the population of Muslims in the country since 1950.

The Congress government also gave shelter to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas in Bihar in particular and the country in general after 1971, Singh alleged while talking to reporters.

The BJP leader made the comments when reporters sought his views on the report of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM).

In a paper titled ‘Share of Religious Minorities: A Cross-Country Analysis (1950-2015)’, the EAC-PM said the share of the Hindu population decreased by 7.82 per cent between 1950 and 2015 in India, while that of Muslims increased by 43.15 per cent during that period.

“Hindus comprised 88 per cent of the total population in 1947 and it has come down to 70 per cent now. Muslim population, on the other hand, rose from 7 per cent cent 1947 to almost 20 per cent. It all happened because of the Congress party’s indulgence in politics of appeasement,” Singh claimed.

The Begusarai MP also accused the INDIA bloc constituents of being against Sanatan Dharma for their vote-bank politics.

“They (INDIA bloc) are promoting vote-jihad against the (Narendra) Modi-led NDA government. Congress and its allies want to make India an Islamic state through their appeasement politics,” Singh said.

Singh is pitted against Awadhesh Rai, a leader of the CPI which is part of the Mahagathbandhan.

Elections will be held in Begusarai Lok Sabha seat on May 13.