New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday distanced itself from its Unnao MP Sakshi Maharaj's controversial remarks on Madarsas.
BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the party does not endorse what Maharaj has said.
"The BJP don't endorse Sakshi Maharaj's comment. This is not a party line. If someone has information about this they should share with government. No one should make such sweeping statements,” he said.
“We (BJP) believe in 'sabka saath sabka vikas'," he added.
The BJP MP from Unnao had on Sunday made a controversial statement against the minority community saying Madarsas were the breeding ground for terrorists. He said that children studying in Madarsas are trained to become terrorists.
“Education of terrorism is being given in madrassas. They (madrassas)... are making them terrorists and jihadis....It is not in national interest,” he said on Sunday.
He also said that students were not being taught about nationalism in these religious schools.
"Tell me about one madrassa where tricolour is hoisted even on August 15 and January 26," he said.
"Most of our schools do not take the aid but it is being given to madrassas having no connection with nationalism," he added.
Maharaj's remark drew sharp reaction from opposition parties which accused the BJP of trying to create communal polarisation by spreading ‘canard'.
The Samajwadi Party denounced Sakshi's ‘hate speech', saying it was an attempt to create division among communities.
“This is aimed at creating a wedge in the society,” Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaurdhary said.
The Congress said after ‘Love Jihad,'it was another attempt by the BJP to create a spectre of religious polarisation.
Earlier, Maharaj had labelled Madarsas as ‘hub of terror' and alleged that 'Love Jihad' prospers through such institutions.
