The Election Commission serves a showcause notice to BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj for his population control remarks. The EC said the MP violated the model code of conduct and has demanded a reply from him by tomorrow.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh had sought a report from the district administration on the allegedly communal remarks that the BJP MP from Unnao, Sakshi Maharaj, made at a religious event in Meerut on Friday. Besides, the Meerut Police has lodged an FIR against the MP on charges of promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion and caste.

Speaking at a gathering of holy men in Meerut, Sakshi Maharaj had said, Desh mein samasyaein khadi ho rahi hain jansankhya ke karan. Uske liye Hindu zimmedar nahin hain Zimmedar toh wo hain jo chaar biwion aur chalees bachchon ki baatein karte hain. (There are problems in the country because of the growth of population. Hindus are not responsible for that. Those responsible are the ones who talk of four wives and 40 children.) He also said that the money earned from cattle slaughter was being used to fund terrorism.