Sakshi Maharaj on EC notice: Didn't mean to hurt sentiments of any community

Responding to Election Commission's notice to him for his controversial remark, BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj on TUesday said, "I didn't mean to hurt sentiments of any community. You can watch the video, have not named any community." "I expressed concern on increasing population in the country," he said. 

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission issued notice to the BJP leader for violation of Model Code of Conduct by his controversial remark on Muslim population. The commission has sought his reply by Wednesday. 

The Unao legislator had on January 7 sparked a row with his controversial statement on Muslims. Ahead of the crucial polls in Uttar Pradesh, Sakshi Maharaj said that Muslims and not Hindus are responsible for the sharp rise in population in the country.

"Population is increased by those who support the concept of four wives and 40 children."

Meanwhile, the Elections Commission has sought report on Sakshi Maharaj's speech from the Meerut District Magistrate.

Clearly speaking against the Muslim community, Sakshi Maharaj also spoke against the practice of triple talaq, asking the government to implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as soon as possible.

He also said that Hindus were not having enough children. "Hindu ghataa aur desh bataa," he said. "Whether Hindu or Muslim, mothers are not machines," he added.

The BJP distanced itself from the controversy. Reacting to Maharaj's remarks, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that such remarks could not be BJP's position.