New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Bihar has drawn attention after making controversial remarks regarding India’s Muslim community. Engineer Shailendra, representing Bihpur constituency, described Muslims as “harmful to the nation” and suggested that the community should actively pursue population control measures.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Shailendra made these statements during a gathering in his constituency, asserting that he would rather lose an election than accept votes from Muslims. “We stand firm on our statement. There’s nothing wrong with it. We don’t want Muslim votes,” the legislator declared, adding further provocative questions about the role of Muslims in civil disorder and terrorism in the country.

Shailendra’s comments also included a call for population control, contrasting Hindu and Muslim family sizes. This statement has sparked further controversy and criticism. The remarks are seen as part of a broader pattern of rhetoric from BJP leaders since the party came to power in 2014, often targeting religious minorities.