EC Issues Notice to Giriraj Singh Over His Controversial ‘Grave’ Remark, Seeks Reply Within 24 Hours

Giriraj Singh is contesting Lok Sabha election from Begusarai seat. He has been pitted against former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and RJD's Tanveer Hassan

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Monday issued notice to Union Minister Giriraj Singh for violating the Model Code of Conduct and Supreme Court order with his controversial ‘grave’ remark. The poll panel has expressed objection over Singh’s speech on April 24 in GD College, Begusarai.

“Those who cannot say Vande Mataram or cannot worship the motherland, the nation will never forgive them. My ancestors died at the Simaria ghat and no grave was built for them but you (Muslims) need three hand spans of space,” the BJP leader had said in Hindi. The EC has asked the BJP leader to file his reply within 24 hours.

On April 25, taking suo motu cognizance, the Begusarai district administration in Bihar had booked Singh for violating the model code of conduct and the Representation of the People Act by making controversial remarks against Muslims at a rally, where BJP president Amit Shah was also present.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the firebrand BJP leader was barred from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand for communal remarks. This time Singh has been pitted against former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar (CPI) and RJD’s Tanveer Hassan from Begusarai Lok Sabha seat, which has been lying vacant since the death of sitting MP Bhola Singh.