‘Don’t Want Votes Of…’: Giriraj Singh’s Remarks Against Muslims Ahead Of Bihar Polls Spark Row

Last Updated:October 19, 2025, 17:36 IST

The BJP leader also said that he asked the Muslim cleric whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi had abused him, to which he replied no.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh. (File)

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh has once again triggered a controversy with a scathing remark against a minority community, saying he does not need the votes of “namak haraams" (betrayers) in the upcoming Bihar elections.

While addressing a poll rally in Bihar’s Arwal district on Saturday, the Begurasai BJP MP said, “Once I asked a ‘maulvi’ (cleric) whether he has an Ayushman Bharat health card, and he replied in the affirmative. I asked whether such cards were distributed on the basis of Hindu-Muslim, and he replied in the negative."

“When I asked him whether he had voted for me, he replied in the affirmative, but when I asked him to swear on Khuda (God), he said no, he didn’t. Muslims take benefits of all central schemes but don’t vote for us. Such people are called ‘namak haraam’. I told maulvi sahab that I don’t want votes of ‘namak haraams’," he added.

The BJP leader also said that he asked the Muslim cleric whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi had abused him, to which he replied no.

“I also asked him whether I had insulted him, to which he said ‘no’. Then I asked him what my fault was that he did not vote for me. Someone who doesn’t acknowledge kindness is called ‘namak haraam’," the Union minister said.

Singh further spoke about the infrastructure development in Bihar, Singh highlighted that Bihar has undergone significant changes and growth.

“The people who have taken oaths…Are these roads made only for the vehicles of the NDA? A young man told me today that my car used to run on a tank lorry. In that, the tyre is used for three months. Today, it runs for three years. Maintenance of vehicles. This Bihar is a changed Bihar."

Stressing the public safety, particularly for women in Bihar, Singh said, “The security of this Bihar is in your hands. The security of my sister’s daughter is in your hands. Earlier, I did not have a son. I used to be able to come back after 5 in the evening. I used to leave my daughter’s matter. Today, my daughter also goes at night. She comes back open. Does she come or not? Who will protect her? Who will protect the daughters and daughters-in-law? This will be done by the government of the NDA."

JD(U) Echoes Similar Sentiments

Echoing a similar view, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told PTI, “It is true that the central government never discriminates in the distribution of welfare measures to the beneficiaries… Still, it does not get the votes of a particular community… This is certainly a matter of concern. As far as language and the terminology used in his (Giriraj Singh) speech is concerned, he is free to use words as per his choice."

Opposition Condemns Remark

Reacting to the Union Minister’s remarks, Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav said, “… He is crossing the limits of language. Everyone knows who betrayed the nation and stood with the Britishers. Giriraj should recall that history first…"

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut too slammed the Union Minister and asked, “If someone does not vote for you, are they all namak harams?"

“Giriraj Singh, a central minister has claimed Muslims benefit from all central government schemes but do not vote for the BJP. This is wholly untrue. Muslims voted for Modi in 2014 in large numbers, and the BJP received votes in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh," he said

The firebrand BJP leader had earlier also courted controversies on multiple occasions for his remarks.

The 243-member Bihar Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results set to be announced on November 14.

(With inputs from agencies)

News politics ‘Don’t Want Votes Of…’: Giriraj Singh’s Remarks Against Muslims Ahead Of Bihar Polls Spark Row

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