Ten controversial statements made by Indian politicians in 2015

By Nithin Sridhar

The year 2015 was full of controversies with politicians making objectionable remarks on various national and international issues. Here are ten such controversial statements:

1. Modi is a coward and psychopath: Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raised a huge controversy recently by calling PM Narendra Modi a "psychopath" and a "coward." This was probably the very first time that a chief minister has publicly used abusive and insulting language towards the Prime Minister of the country.

The incident happened after CBI raided the office of Rajendra Kumar, the principal secretary to the Delhi CM on December 15, over charges of corruption against Kumar. Following the raid, Kejriwal took to twitter and lashed out against PM Narendra Modi for the raid. He tweeted:

2. PoK is a part of Pakistan and it will continue to remain so: Farooq Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah made a controversial statement regarding Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on November 27. While speaking to the media, Abdullah said: "PoK is in Pakistan and will remain, Jammu and Kashmir is in India and will remain. We need to understand this."

Abdullah's remarks, which came across as an appeal to the Indian establishment to recognize POK as a legal part of Pakistan, drew sharp comments. Reacting to the remarks, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh of the BJP said: "A 1994 Parliament resolution clearly said PoK is constitutionally part of India."

3. Bring us (Congress), Remove them (BJP): Mani Shankar Aiyar in Pakistan

Former Union minister and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar made a controversial statement on November 18, while speaking in a panel discussion on Duniya TV, a Pakistani TV news channel.

When the channel anchor asked Aiyar about how to end the current stalemate in India-Pakistan relationship, Aiyar replied: "Hume le aiye, inko hatayiye" (Bring us, remove them) i.e. bring Congress and remove the Modi government. He was also reported to have said: "The first and the foremost thing is to remove Narendra Modi. Only then can the talks move forward."

Aiyar was severely criticized for what appeared as his attempt to get Pakistan's help to topple a democratically elected Indian government.

4. Paris attacks result of actions of global superpowers: Azam Khan

Following the ghastly terrorist attacks on Paris that resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people, Samajwadi party leader and Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan made controversy by stating that the attacks were direct results of the actions of global superpowers in the Middle East.

He stated: "Killing innocents whether in Syria or Paris is a highly deplorable act and the whole world should condemn it. But then, if you created such a situation, you have to face the backlash too."

He further added: "We should first see who killed the innocents first and who retaliated. Whoever kills innocent people, whether it is America or Russia or any group, is wrong…history will decide who is a terrorist and who is not."

5. We are ready to kill and get killed to protect our mother (cow): Sakshi Maharaj

Sakshi Maharaj, BJP MP from Unnao constituency in Uttar Pradesh made into national headlines after he made a controversial statement in the aftermath of Dadri lynching. He had stated: "We won't remain silent if somebody tries to kill our mother. We are ready to kill and get killed." Following the comments, the BJP MP was accused of adding fuel to the communally critical situation that had developed after the lynching.

6. Throw stones at a dog, blame Govt?: VK Singh

Following an incident in a Haryana village in which two Dalit children were killed when their house was set on fire, Union minister of state VK Singh created a controversy when he said central government cannot be held responsible if someone stones a 'dog.'

Speaking about the incident, he had stated: "Here it was a failure of the (local) administration. After that it comes on the (Central) government." He had added: "So in everything, (to say that) someone threw a stone at a dog, the government is responsible – it is not like that."

Following criticism from opposition over his apparent equation of Dalits with dogs, Singh had clarified that his statement was not about drawing analogy between them.

7. Rape by 4 Men, Is it Possible?: Mulayam Singh Yadav

While speaking at a function in the month of August, Samajwadi party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had made a highly insensitive statement suggesting that gang rapes are not practical!

SP leader had said: "Often if one person commits rape, four people are named in the complaint. Four people are named for rape, can it be possible? It is not practical. They probably say one was watching…another was there… If there are four brothers, then all four are named."

This was not the first time that Mulayam Singh Yadav had made controversial statements regarding the issue of rape. In 2014, he had stated: "Boys will be boys, mistakes happen" and had further added: "First girls develop friendship with boys. After that, when differences occur, they (i.e. the girls) level rape charges. Boys commit mistakes. Will they be hanged for rape?"

8. Something wrong with Nitish's political DNA: Modi

According to political analysts, this statement by the Prime Minister turned out to be the game changer in the Bihar elections. Nitish Kumar took thorough advantage and retorted, "I am son of Bihar, so my DNA is the DNA of the people of Bihar. Now I leave it to the people of Bihar how to reply to someone who says their DNA is poor,"

Converting it into a major political issue, Kumar started off a DNA collection campaign and sent hair, nail and other DNA samples of thousands of Biharis to PM Modi.

9. Those who consume beef deserve such actions against them: Sadhvi Prachi on the Dadri lynching

The Dadri lynching incident remained one of the biggest news of the year and led to the much highlighted 'award-wapasi' campaign. While a number of people harshly criticized the incident, the BJP motor-mouth Sadhvi Prachi did no harm to her image by saying that Mohammad Akhlaq deserved this!

10. Friends, remember if by mistake BJP loses here, and Nitish-Lalu win, the results will be announced in Patna but firecrackers will go off in Pakistan: Amit Shah

Shah's statement during the Bihar elections led to much outcry across the country. Shah played this card to polarize the voters and strengthen the BJP vote bank. He alleged that anti-national elements are trying to disintegrate the country and only BJP could stop them.(Photo: lizkeever.com)