Source: Times of India

Madan Kumar | TNN | Aug 9, 2017, 10:49 PM IST

PATNA: Bihar's mines and geology minister and BJP's firebrand orator Vinod Kumar Singh is caught into a raging controversy after he mocked dozens of electronic and print media journalists, who did not chant "Bharat Mata ki Jai" on his prodding at a saffron party's event.

As media persons, sitting close to the podium, did not chant the "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", the minister asked, "Are you offspring of 'Pakistan Mata' if not of Bharat Mata?"

Vinod (48), a three-term MLA, is the first-time minister for mines and geology from BJP quota in the recently formed BJP-JD(U) alliance government led by Nitish Kumar.

Before beginning his speech during a 'Sankalp Sammelan' of the BJP at the S K Memorial hall here, a loud-mouth Vinod asked the gathering to chant "Bharat Mata ki jai." The audience, most of the BJP workers, responded positively and chanted "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" with full capacity.

When the minister noticed that the media persons who were sitting in the front alongside the podium, didn't chanted the slogan, he stopped his speech for a while and asked from media persons, "Kya Aap Pakistan Mata ke Santan hai, agar Bharat Mata Ke nahi hain To (Are you offspring of 'Pakistan Mata' if not of Bharat Mata? )" The minister also said, "We all are sons and daughters of Bharat Mata first and then a media person."

Bihar's Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, BJP state president Nityanand Rai and other ministers from BJP quota were also present on the dais when Vinod made his remarks on media persons.

State BJP president Rai expressed displeasure over the minister's remarks and asked him to express regret. On Rai's instruction, Vinod, minutes before conclusion of the function, expressed regret to media persons. By the time minister expressed regret, several media persons had left the venue.

Realising his fault, the minister on Wednesday approached some journalists to express regrets.

"I am active BJP workers since 1984. You all know my credentials. Yesterday's event was just a slip of tongue. I had no intention to heart the sentiments of any media persons who all are like my brothers and sisters," Vinod Singh told TOI over phone on Wednesday from Kursela where he had gone to attend a public meeting.

"It all happened because I was carried away by emotion. I have no negative sentiments against any journalists. I once again express regret from the core of my heart. You all are like my brothers," the minister told TOI.