Azam Khan sparks fresh controversy, says Muslims deliver more kids as they are unemployed

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has stoked a fresh controversy by saying that Muslims deliver more children as they are unemployed.

Addressing an election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj, Azam Khan said, ''Muslims deliver more children as they are unemployed and have no work to do,'' adding, ''if the people from the minority community get work, they won't do so.''

In an attempt to attract the Muslim voters, the SP leader reportedly said that Hindus don't deliver more kids as they are employed. Khan further quipped that Hindus have learnt to deliver more children from Muslims.

Khan made the remarks in response to Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sakshi Maharaj's statement that “Population is rising rapidly, and so are the country’s problems. But Hindus are not responsible for this. Those who talk about four wives and 40 children are responsible.”

The Model Code of Conduct is in place in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh for the Assembly elections. The Supreme Court in a ruling last week said that any appeal for votes on the ground of “religion, race, caste, community or language” amounted to “corrupt practice” under the election law provision.

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Shockingly, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Juhi Singh refused to condemn Khan's statement, saying that there was no reason for a controversy over her party leader's remarks.

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party and BJP heavily criticised Khan's statement.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Azam Khan's statement has lowered women's dignity.