Invoke Goonda Act against Sakshi Maharaj: Lalu

PATNA: RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Sunday said BJP’s Unnao MP

Sakshi Maharaj

should be sent to jail by invoking provisions of the

Goonda Act

against him.

“Sakshi Maharaj is not a saint. He should be sent to jail under the Goonda Act,” Lalu said while reacting over the MP's recent controversial statement in which he blamed a particular community for rise in

population

.

RJD chief also said that some people in the country were continuously issuing controversial statements with an aim to disturb cohesive environment and Sakshi Maharaj is one of them.

Addressing a public meeting at

Meerut

in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on Friday, Sakshi had said, “This population rise in not because of the Hindus. Population has risen due to those who support the concept of four wives and 40 children.”

Clarifying his remarks, Sakshi Maharaj later denied seeking vote in the name of religion. “It was a meeting of sadhus where political activists were not present. I did not seek vote during my speech.”

However, majority of opposition parties including RJD, JD(U) and Congress in Bihar, have condemned the remarks saying it a violation of the election commission’s model code of conduct.

Sakshi Maharaj's controversial speech came merely two days after the Election Commission announced the dates for polling in five states including Uttar Pradesh. A few days ago, the Supreme Court ruled that no politician or political party was allowed to seek vote in the name of religion.

Reacting over the MP’s controversial remarks, Bihar Pradesh Mahila Congress (BPMC) general secretary Vinita Jha said, “Election Commission should take a suo moto cognizance of Sakshi Maharaj's hate speech.”

Jha also demanded that BJP’s central leadership should take necessary action against him. “BJP is trying to disturb communal harmony in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh with an aim of polarising the votes in the Assembly polls,” she said.