The Election Commission (EC) has taken cognisance of the controversial statement by BJP MP from Unnao Sakshi Maharaj. The EC issued a notice to him for violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Supreme Court ruling in his address in Meerut on January 6. The notice, issued yesterday, has given time till 11am onWednesday to submit his reply.
The two-page notice said “prima facie it seems that the leader has violated the Model Code of Conduct and willfully disobeyed the Supreme Court ruling on not giving statement on religion or caste during the elections”. The Commission further pointed out that the report sent by Meerut district authorities on January 7, regarding the statement of the MP on January 6, if read in entirety, has the effect of promoting enemity between classes of society in connection with election on ground of religion.
It also clarified that as per the MCC rules, inter-alia provides that there shall be no appeal to caste of communal feeling. Para 1(4) provides that all parties shall avoid scrupulously all activities which corrupt practises and offences under law. The Meerut police had registered a First Information Report (FIR) against BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj and Mahant Mahendra Das, on Jaunary 7, in connection with a controversial statement. FIR under Sections 188, 295(A), 298, 505(3), 153(B) and 171(H) of the IPC and 125 of the R P Act had been registered against both at Sadar Bazar police station by sub-inspector Ram kumar Singh.
During a religious function at Balajee temple on western road on January 6, Sakshi Maharaj had said, “Its not Hindus who are responsible for rising population, but those who are permitted to have four wives and 40 children.” Addressing a Sant Samagan event, the BJP MP said, “Jansankhya badhane ke liye hindu zimmedar nahi hain. Jansankhya per tab hee niyantran kiya jaa sakega, jab is per koi sakht kanoon banega (Hindus are not responsible for the population boom and it can only be controlled if strict laws are introduced in the system).”
His statement is being looked at as a clear violation of the recent Supreme Court order on keeping religion off the table during the campaigning for polls. UP is going to polls in seven phases next month and elections in Meerut is in the first phase on February 11. Earlier last week, the apex court had declared that religion and caste cannot be used to seek votes by political parties, asserting that religion has no role in the electoral process and that it is just a secular activity.