NEW DELHI: Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi on Saturday criticized a section of the audience in Kerala for not chanting the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” despite repeated requests.
Speaking at a youth conclave in Kozhikode, Kerala, the BJP leader concluded her speech by saying “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” further asking the audience to repeat it.
As the request was met with silence from the crowd, Lekhi retorted, “Is Bharat only my mother or your mother as well? Tell me… Tell me… Is there any doubt? No doubt?”
Emphasizing the need to express ‘enthusiasm’ for the nation, Lekhi repeated the slogan, noting that the response from the left side was poor.
Asking a woman from the audience ‘in a yellow dress’ to stand up, the minister said, “I am going to ask you a straight question. Is Bharat not your mother? Why this attitude?”
Lekhi chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” once again, but the woman remained standing without participating.
“I think you should leave the house,” she said.
Expressing disappointment, the minister said that individuals who do not take pride in their nation or feel embarrassed to talk about India need not be part of the youth conclave.
The youth enclave was organized by certain right-wing groups.
(With inputs from agencies)