"Cannot Say Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Are You From Pakistan?" Haryana BJP Candidate Sparks Controversy

BJP candidate and Tiktok sensation from Adampur, Sonali Phogat, on Monday, October 8 referred to a group of people in her rally as ‘Pakistanis’ for not chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. She said such a person should be ashamed.

A video of the BJP candidate’s comments went viral on Tuesday, October 9, which spurred a protest from locals.

In the video, Phogat is seen asking everyone to chant “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” twice the crowd does not respond and only those on the stage shout with her. She then goes on to say, “Kyon, bhai, Pakistan se aaye ho kya? Pakistani ho kya? Agar Hindustan ke nawasi ho toh Bharat Mata ki Jai bolo (Brothers are you from Pakistan? Are you Pakistanis? If you are Indians, then you must shout Bharat Mata ki Jai),” she said.

She shouted the slogan again but recieved a dull response from the locals, after which the villagers started protesting.

Sonali Phogat further said, “It is shameful that such kinds of Indians also exist, who play such kind of politics that they can’t even shout praise for their own country. A person who cannot say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ should be ashamed.”

Congress Member of Parliament Majeed Memon lashed out at Phogat for her contentious remark. He questioned the need to involve Pakistan in local elections in India.

“Why do they always invoke Pakistan? What has Pakistan to do with us? This is our local election in India, be it Harayana or Maharashtra. Voters would exercise their franchise on the basis of performance, on the basis of parties. Where is the question of Pakistan being involved? ,” Memon said.

Memon referred to her campaign remark as a corrupt practice of campaigning that could lead to division in the society. He further urged the election commission to take action against this as this is ‘gross violation’.

“She must apologise for her comment,” he added.

Also Read: ‘Nothing To Get Offended’: CPRF Responds To Woman Constable’s Video On Human Rights