Stepping up its hardline Hindutva stand, the Shiv Sena on Monday targeted the Muslim community, saying it needed to take up family planning as its increasing population would cause geographical, linguistic and sentimental problems and affect the unity of the country.
It also dared the Centre to come up with the Uniform Civil Code, saying ghar wapsi campaigns would not solve the population problem.
In a controversial editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamna, the party also expressed doubts over the Centre’s ability to take a tough stand and bring in family planning measures to control the increasing Muslim population.
“From 2001-2011, Muslim population increased by around 24% and must have increased by another 5-10% till 2015. The increasing population causing linguistic, geographical and sentimental imbalances will eventually lead to cracks in the country’s unity,” it said.
The mouthpiece also alleged that the increasing population of Muslims was part of a conspiracy to take over the nation.
Taking potshots at the likes of BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, who are advocating increase in Hindu population and ghar wapsi, the Sena said the country needed a Uniform Civil Code and not a population spurt to contain the problem.
While Sena leaders sought to justify the remarks, state BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, “Our agenda is based on stability and well being, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.”
{{/usCountry}}While Sena leaders sought to justify the remarks, state BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, “Our agenda is based on stability and well being, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.”
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