Bharatiya Janata Party MP Vinay Katiyar on Wednesday said there was no need for Muslims to live in India since “they had partitioned the country on the basis of population”, ANI reported. Later, BJP legislator Subramanian Swamy said Muslims should take an oath declaring that their ancestors were Hindu if they want to prove their citizenship.
The two leaders were responding to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s demand that the Centre should introduce a law penalising anyone who calls an Indian Muslim “Pakistani”. Owaisi dismissed Katiyar’s statements, the news agency reported. “His tenure is about to end. He is coming of age, what can we say?”
“There should be a bill that punishes those who do not respect Vande Matram, those who insult the national flag, those who hoist the Pakistani flag.” Katiyar said, adding that instead of living in India, Muslims should “go to Bangladesh or Pakistan”. “What work do they have here?”
On Monday, Katiyar had stirred another controversy when he said the Taj Mahal in Agra will soon become “Tej Mandir”.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!