RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui made the remarks during an event last week.
New Delhi:
A senior leader from Lalu Yadav’s party RJD in Bihar has said that he has advised his children to get jobs abroad, and if possible, settle there. Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who is the national general secretary of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), made the comments while referring to what he alleged was bias against Muslims in the country.
The BJP has accused the RJD leader of making “anti-India” remarks and has suggested that he should “move to Pakistan”.
“I wish to cite a personal example to highlight the country’s atmosphere (desh ka jo mahaul hai). I have a son who is studying at Harvard and a daughter who has a degree from the London School of Economics. I have told them to find jobs abroad and, if possible, take citizenships there,” the veteran leader is heard saying at an event that took place last week.
A former state minister, Mr Siddiqui says, “When my children reacted with disbelief, pointing out that I was still living here (in India), I told them they will not be able to cope.”
The comments of the RJD leader have been endorsed by its coalition partner and Nitish Kumar’s party, the Janata Dal (United)).
Though the RJD leader cannot be heard making any direct reference to Muslims or the BJP government, the BJP’s Bihar unit slammed his remarks.
“Siddiqui’s remarks are anti-India. If he is feeling so stifled, he should give up the privileges he enjoys here as a political leader and move to Pakistan. Nobody will stop him”, fumed state BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand.
“Siddiqui is a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his utterances are reflective of his party’s culture of Muslim appeasement,” added the BJP leader.
