'He jokes a lot': Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan defends party MLAs 'Muslim population rising' remark

MORADABAD: Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan expressed support for party member Mehboob Ali on Wednesday, following his remark that "the population of Muslims is increasing and the BJP's rule will come to an end soon," stating that he jokes a lot.
Hasan also commented that even if Hindus practice family planning, it would take 2,000 years for the Muslim population to equal that of Hindus.
"He jokes a lot, he must have made fun of someone. He also knows this, I also know, if the Muslims of our country do not do family planning at all and all the Hindu brothers do family planning, then it will take 2000 years for the Muslims to become equal to Hindu brothers. I think before 2000 years, either judgement day or Pralay (end of the world) will arrive, given our current situation, " Hasan said.
Mehboob Ali, a Samajwadi Party MLA, has ignited a political controversy in Uttar Pradesh following his reported remarks at a public gathering in Bijnor. During his address, Ali stated the population of Muslims is increasing and that the BJP's rule will come to an end soon.
In response to Ali's alleged statement, an FIR has been filed against him and Shaikh Zakir Hussain, the Samajwadi Party chief of Bijnor. The FIR accuses the MLA of making a statement that "promoting enmity and hatred between Hindus and Muslims on the basis of religion "during his public address at the event.
Keshav Prasad Maurya, the deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, strongly denounced Ali's statement. Maurya firmly declared that the BJP government is currently in power in both Uttar Pradesh and the country, and it will remain so in the future.
"The government of BJP has not been formed because of them, so it will not come to an end because of them. There is BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and the country. And it will exist," deputy CM Maurya said.
(With inputs from agency)