Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday expressed alarm at the “population explosion” in India and suggested that couples who have more than two children be stripped of their voting rights, while aiming a jab at Muslims.

Singh, known for his controversial remarks, posted a graphic that showed India’s population had grown 366 per cent since 1947, against 113 per cent in the US. He said this was “disturbing the balance of the economy, social harmony and resources”.

“Among the reasons (for the failure to check it) are religious obstacles,” he added, apparently hinting at Muslims, whom many Sangh parivar leaders blame for the spurt in the country’s population.

As Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi was quoted as taunting Muslims with “Hum panch, hamare pachis” — an allusion to the slur that Muslim men have four wives and father dozens of children.

Singh later told the media: “I believe that those who have more than two children should be stripped of their voting rights.” PTI