Women need to have five children to save Hinduism, says Bengal BJP leader

 A BJP leader in West Bengal has gone a step ahead of controversial party MP Sakshi Maharaj, asking Hindu women to bear five children "to protect Hinduism".

Birbhum BJP Joint District President Shymal Goswami said while observing the Vivekananda birth anniversary at a school in Suri on Monday that Hindu women needed to have five children, so that Hindu religion is not endangered. "I want to tell my Hindu mothers and sisters that if they don't have five children, there will be no equilibrium in India in future. Don't misunderstand me. To protect Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma, it is necessary for all Hindus to give birth to five children," Goswami said.

Goswami on Tuesday remained firm on his comment, saying "let the sword of punishment come over my head, but I will not budge from my stand." Goswami's remark came on the heels of a similar statement made by Sakshi Maharaj, BJP MP from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, that all Hindu women should bear four children. His remark had sparked condemnation from opposition parties which alleged that the ruling party was trying to polarise society.

The BJP on Monday had slapped a show-cause notice on Sakshi Maharaj asking him to explain why action should not be initiated against him for his controversial remarks in the recent past. Meanwhile, BJP state president Rahul Sinha said the party issued a show-cause notice to Goswami demanding a clarification from him. "We have issued a show-cause notice to him and asked him to explain why has he made such remarks. He has told us that he won't make any such comments in future," Sinha said. Sinha said the party would not tolerate any such statements in future.