Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has triggered a controversy with remarks linking the use of public infrastructure and welfare benefits to those who refer to elected representatives as "Kafirs", The Indian Express reported.
The BJP leader made the comments on Sunday while inaugurating development works worth about Rs 2.4 crore in his Indore constituency, including road cementing and drainage projects. Referring to Muslims living in the area, Vijayvargiya said those who consider representatives as "Kafirs" should not use roads built under their leadership or avail benefits from government welfare schemes.
“This road is being built here. I saw that both Hindu and Muslim brothers live here. Many Muslim brothers call us ‘Kafirs’. If we are Kafirs and we have built the road, then don’t walk on it, brother,” TIE quoted the minister.
He specifically mentioned the state's Ladli Behna and Ladli Laxmi schemes while making the remarks.
“If we are Kafirs and if money from the Ladli Behna and Ladli Laxmi schemes is coming to your house, then don’t take it,” the minister said.
At the same event, Vijayvargiya said the Madhya Pradesh government had not discriminated against any community in implementing development projects and welfare programmes. He also reiterated the BJP's stated governance principle of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas".
The comments have sparked controversy and drawn attention to the minister's remarks made during the public inauguration programme in Indore.