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. Also Read - 'I Apologise... Just Forgot the Name': Kamal Nath Explains 'Item' Jibe After Controversy, EC Takes Note
“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. Also Read - Bihar Assembly Election 2019: 'Our Jale Candidate Was Never Aligned With Jinnah's Ideology', Surjewala Hits Back at Giriraj
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. Also Read - Bypolls to One Lok Sabha, 56 Assembly Seats on November 3, 7; Results on Nov 10: Election Commission
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.
