‘Bring At Least 10 Muslim Girls...’: BJP Leader's Jobs Promise To Hindu Youth Sparks Row

A controversial statement by Raghavendra Pratap Singh, a former BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh, has ignited a firestorm of criticism and accusations of promoting communal disharmony. Singh, while addressing a public meeting in Dumariyaganj, allegedly urged Hindu youths to "bring" Muslim girls, promising them jobs and security in return.

A video of Singh's speech, which went viral on social media, purportedly shows him saying that for every two Hindu girls taken by Muslim men, Hindu youths should bring back at least ten Muslim girls. He allegedly assured those who participated that he would arrange their marriages and provide them with jobs. Singh also said that his government would bear the expenses incurred on the marriage. He further added that there was no need to worry because the state is under the government of Yogi Adityanath, and not the Samajwadi Party which he accused of Muslim appeasement.

The remarks have been widely condemned as a blatant call for abduction and forced conversion, sparking outrage across political and social spectrums. Critics argue that such statements incite violence, promote enmity between communities, and undermine the secular fabric of Indian society.

Sanjay Singh, the national spokesperson for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), reacted strongly to the video, calling the remarks "a direct incitement to criminality". He demanded immediate police action against Singh, stating that there should be no double standards in law enforcement. He also raised concerns about the message such statements send to society, questioning what kind of identity this would create for Hinduism in the world.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati also criticized Singh’s remarks, calling them shameful and demanding stern action.

Local human rights lawyers have pointed out that Singh's exhortations could attract charges ranging from criminal intimidation and abduction to offenses under provisions dealing with hate speech and attempts to coerce conversion. They have urged the district administration to register a First Information Report (FIR) and to protect potential victims.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of repeated allegations by opposition groups that state agencies in Uttar Pradesh selectively enforce laws, often targeting Muslim communities while ignoring inflammatory actions by Hindutva actors.

While BJP leaders have yet to comment on the video, the controversy has put the party on the defensive. The incident has further strained communal relations in Uttar Pradesh, a state that has witnessed a number of instances of religious polarization in recent years. Some have observed that the leader has a track record of making hate filled remarks against Muslims.

The controversy surrounding Singh's remarks continues to escalate, with many calling for his arrest and demanding that the BJP take decisive action against him. The incident has also reignited the debate about the rise of hate speech and communal polarization in India, and the need for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.