NEW DELHI - In a fresh and explosive controversy, Indian Union Minister Giriraj Singh has made a deeply provocative statement targeting the country's Muslim community, saying that if India's founding generation had "sent all Muslims to Pakistan" at the time of Partition, the country would be "heaven today."

The remarks, made during a public address in Bihar, have triggered a political firestorm, with opposition leaders demanding immediate action and an unconditional apology from the minister, who serves as the Union Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries.

"We have to accept the truth. At the time of Partition, if our ancestors had made the decision to send all Muslims to Pakistan, India would be heaven today," Singh said, according to video clips widely circulated on social media. "But they didn't. And now we are paying the price."

The minister, known for a long history of incendiary statements, did not clarify or walk back his comments in subsequent remarks. His office has not issued an official clarification or apology.

Political Uproar

Opposition parties condemned the statement as blatantly unconstitutional, hate speech, and a violation of India's secular ethos. The Indian National Congress called for Singh's immediate dismissal from the Union Council of Ministers, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "openly endorsing communal venom" by remaining silent.

"The Minister of the Government of India is openly calling for the ethnic cleansing of 200 million Indian Muslims. This is not an opinion. This is a crime," said a senior Congress spokesperson.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has filed a formal complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and demanded the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Singh for promoting enmity between religious communities-an offense under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), and other opposition leaders also condemned the remarks, with some calling for a no-confidence motion against the government if no action is taken.

BJP's Response

The Bharatiya Janata Party has so far maintained an uneasy silence. Senior party leaders have neither defended nor distanced themselves from Singh's remarks. However, sources within the party suggest that the leadership is "uncomfortable" with the language used, though no formal censure is expected given Singh's history of controversial statements without facing consequences.

When asked for comment, a senior BJP functionary told reporters: "The minister was speaking in a personal capacity. The party does not endorse any views that violate the Constitution." No official statement has been issued on the party's letterhead.

Constitutional and Legal Experts Weigh In

Legal experts note that Singh's remarks may constitute a direct violation of Article 15 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, as well as Section 196 of the BNS (formerly Section 153A of the IPC) dealing with promoting enmity between different groups.

"Calling for the expulsion of an entire religious community from the country-even hypothetically-is not free speech. It is hate speech. And coming from a Union Minister, it is an abuse of office," said a Supreme Court advocate.

Muslim Leaders React

Indian Muslim leaders and intellectuals expressed shock and grief, warning that such statements from a sitting federal minister legitimize violence and discrimination against the community.

"This is not Giriraj Singh's personal opinion anymore. This is a minister speaking from a government platform. When such words come from power, they become policy. And when they become policy, people die," said a prominent Muslim lawmaker.

International Reactions Still Awaited

Foreign governments and international human rights organizations, including the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, are yet to issue formal statements. However, diplomatic sources suggest that the remarks could affect India's image as a secular democracy on the global stage.

What Comes Next

Opposition parties have announced plans to raise the issue in both houses of Parliament when the session reconvenes. Protests have already erupted outside BJP offices in several states, with civil society groups demanding Singh's resignation and prosecution.

As of this report, Giriraj Singh has not deleted the video of his speech nor issued an apology. His social media accounts remain active but silent.