Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has distanced herself from the reported anti-Muslim remarks made by General Bipin Rawat, chief of the Indian army.

Rawat had reportedly gone on record that Muslims’ population was on the rise in many parts of Assam where the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) was also registering steep progress against the BJP’s growth. The General had also reportedly said that the population increase could be attributed to non-stop influx of Muslim refugees from meighbouring Bangaladesh in a planned, phased manner.

AIUDF’s chief Fakhrudeen Ahmed had taken strong exception to the army chief’s comments. In the meantime, scribes posed a question to Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (who was in Lucknow this morning to attend an Investors’ Meet) about General Rawat’s comments.

Pat came the reply from the Minister who said that she can’t be held responsible for a statement made by the General. Defence Minister distancing herself from the comments of the Army chief has sent excitement in Defence circles in the national capital.