NEW DELHI: A Bharatiya Janata Party MLA in Assam sparked a controversy with his remark in which he compared the Muslim community with an ‘unproductive cattle’ that does not yield milk.
Prasanta Phukan, the MLA representing Dibrugarh Assembly constituency reportedly equated Muslims with cows that do not yield milk as they do not vote for the the ruling party.
While talking to a local TV channel, Phukan said, “Ninety percent Hindus voted for the BJP, and 90 percent people from the Muslim community did not vote for us. If a cow is not giving milk, what is the point of feeding it fodder?”
As his comments drew controversy, Phukan on Friday speaking to The Indian Express, insisted his statement was misinterpreted and said that he only meant that seeking voted from the Muslim community is of ” no use”.
“My point was simple. I said 90 percent Muslims do not vote for us. I used an Assamese proverb – what is the use of feeding a cow fodder if it does not give milk… I never intended to call the Muslim community ‘cow’. I said it is no use seeking their votes.”