Badruddin Ajmal, Chief of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) political party, seems to have stirred a hornet's nest with his statement, rejecting the state government's policy to keep the population under control by saying that the law will tamper with nature, and Muslims should produce as many kids as they want, alleging that India's ruling BJP government was not giving them jobs anyways.
"Islam doesn't believe in the concept of having only two children. No one can stop people who are bound to come into this world. The government is not giving us (Muslims) jobs anyway. We don't even expect jobs anymore," ANI quoted Ajmal as saying.
"I would say my people should bear as many children as they want, and educate them so they can open businesses, companies and shops to create job opportunities, and also provide jobs to their Hindu brothers and sisters so they can also be happy," Ajmal added.
Twitter was left abuzz after social media users, and India's national political party leaders went slammed Ajmal over his remarks and for using Islam for political gain.
Several people slammed him for making light of the decision, as it is was based on the need of the hour, and for using Islam to distort the issue.
The lawmaker also alleged that the government passed this law to forbid Muslims from having jobs.
Citing Sachar Committee’s report, he said that below two per cent of Muslims get government jobs. He added that the numbers of literate people in the Muslim community are now increasing, and they are working across the globe.
The comment also drew a sharp response from Congress leader Jitin Prasad, who said Ajmal is distorting the issue on religious lines and playing politics at the cost of people’s quality of life.
The Indian state of Assam is set to implement a two-child limit policy – candidates with more than two children will not be eligible to apply for government jobs in the State. The policy will come into effect from 1 January, 2021.