Sakshi Maharaj says 'Muslims should be cremated' as graveyard for 20 crore people will lead to no place to live

Controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj kicked up yet another controversy on Tuesday when he advocated that Muslims should also be cremated, saying the land for qabristan (graveyard) will lead to no place to live and no place for agriculture in future.

Claiming that the practice was prevalent in Muslim countries, he said that the last rites of all should be carried out at the same place irrespective of religion.

"Whether it is named Kabristaan (graveyard) or Shamshaan (crematoriums), nobody needs to be buried. There are 2-2.5 crore Hindu saints in this country who should have a memorial after their death. That will require land. There are 20 crore Muslims, all of them need a grave.

Where is the land in Hindustan?" he said while addressing a public rally in Unnao.

He said that "this will check terrorism as terrorist indulge in terror acts as they are promised paradise after death" where they will be in the company of 'hurs' (female angels).

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Meanwhile, Sakshi Maharaj has drawn flak for his controversial remarks. 

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav questioned his character and demanded a thorough probe against the BJP MP.
"Sakshi Maharaj is a very controversial man. His character is not good, he should be investigated," Lalu said.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja termed Sakshi Maharaj's statement as "communal and provocative" against the Muslims. He also said that the Election Commission should initiate an action against him.

"Sakshi Maharaj is known for making such absurd statements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is totally failing to uphold the Constitution of the country and all BJP leaders including Sakshi Maharaj," Raja said.

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"I would like to ask the Prime Minister that is he endorsing the statement made by his leaders because he is not uttering a single word and keeping quiet," he added.

Prime Minister Modi recently raised the issue of Kabristaan and Shamshaan during his election rally in Fatehpur. He had said that there should not be any discrimination in the allotment of land for both.

"If you create Kabristaan in a village, then a Shamshaan should also be created. If there is uninterrupted electricity in Ramzan, it should also be given during Diwali. There should be no discrimination," he had said.