BJP today distanced itself from the remarks of its MP Sakshi Maharaj asking Hindu women to have at least four children, and asked its workers and public representatives to refrain from making such comments.
The remarks made in Meerut by the Unnao MP evoked sharp criticism and ridicule from opposition which demanded a clarification from the government.
"The remarks made by Sakshi Maharaj are his personal and the party has nothing to do with it," BJP's national Secretary Shrikant Sharma said.
He said the party has asked its public representatives and workers not to make such comments in public.
The saffron-clad Sakshi Maharaj had yesterday said at a religious convention in Meerut that, "We have accepted the slogan 'Hum do, hamara ek'. Now these traitors are not satisfied. They have given another slogan 'Hum do aur hamara....They are advocating marriage of a girl to a girl, boy to another boy. This is what the last government did.
"This is why I...Want to request women to give birth to at least four children. Give one to sadhus and ascetics. Media says there are ceasefire violations happening, so send another to the border."
He had earlier stoked a major controversy by describing Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a "patriot" and was forced to apologise in Parliament.
The opposition leaders reacted sharply to Sakshi's controversial remarks with JD(U) taking a jibe at the Sangh Parivar and asking its leaders to lead by example, while Congress questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party president on the issue.
Earlier Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti too had caused an embarrassment to the government with her offensive remarks at a rally in Delhi and later apologised in Parliament after the opposition had demanded her resignation.
