Ballia: A BJP lawmaker from this Uttar Pradesh district has said India will become a "Hindu rashtra" by 2024 and once that happens, only those Muslims "who assimilate into our culture" can stay in the country.

"There are very few Muslims who are patriotic. Once India becomes a Hindu rashtra (Hindu nation), Muslims who assimilate into our culture will stay in India. Those who will not are free to take asylum in any other country," Bairia MLA Surendra Singh told reporters here on Saturday night.

Singh described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an " avatar purush" (reincarnation of a deity). "As the RSS completes 100 years in 2025, by 2024, India will become a Hindu rashtra. By the grace of God, India is going to be a global superpower thanks to the leadership of Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath," he added.

The MLA said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi lacked the strength and values to make India strong. "There are two sets of values in Rahul Gandhi - one is Italian, while the other one is Indian.... He can never become the torchbearer of the Indian thought." PTI