‘Do you support Pakistan?’: Bihar minister to journos not chanting Bharat Mata ki Jai

Addressing those who hadn’t joined in, the minister told them they were first the sons of ‘Bharat Mata’ and then journalist.

Bihar minister Vinod Kumar Singh on Tuesday sparked a controversy when he asked if people who hadn’t raised their arms while shouting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” were Pakistan supporters, indicating mediapersons at the front.

Bihar minister Vinod Kumar Singh was speaking at a BJP function in Patna when he raised he made the comment. (ANI)

The minister for mines and geology was speaking during a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) function when raised the popular chant, urging his audience to raise their hands too.

When he spotted that some hadn’t joined in, he said, “You are first sons of Bharat Mata, then mediapersons. If you did not join me to loudly shout ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, are you supporters of Pakistan Mata?” Singh said.

Except for a few, most from the media present at the function didn’t objected or protest against the minister’s statement.

Earlier during the function, Bihar BJP president Nityanand Rai said the “sound of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ should replace azhan from mosques and sounds of bells from churches”. However, he later denied saying so, clarifying he did not mean “in place of azhan and bell”.

RJD spokespersons Bhai Virender and Shakti Yadav strongly reacted against both minister Vinod Singh and BJP leader Nitayanand Rai. “They have exposed their real agenda”.

However, BJP’s new ally JD-U said it was a matter of personal freedom of expression.