NEW DELHI: The Congress Party, India’s main opposition, has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of delivering “hate speech” during recent election rallies.
Modi’s remarks, made amidst ongoing campaigning for India’s phased elections, have drawn criticism for allegedly targeting the minority Muslim community to garner support from his Hindu voter base.
During a rally in Rajasthan, Modi said that if the Congress Party were to come to power, it would redistribute wealth to those with more children and to “infiltrators,” widely interpreted as a reference to Muslims. The Congress Party swiftly denounced Modi’s comments, asserting that their manifesto advocates for equality and justice for all, without any mention of wealth redistribution.
The Congress Party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, labeling Modi’s remarks as divisive and a direct violation of electoral laws prohibiting canvassing based on caste or communal sentiments. Other opposition parties joined in the condemnation, accusing Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of polarizing voters for electoral gain.
Modi further criticized the Congress Party in subsequent rallies, alleging their intent to implement religious-based reservations, a reference to affirmative action programs for lower castes. The BJP defended Modi’s remarks, claiming they merely echoed the sentiment of equality held by all citizens.
Analysts view Modi’s comments as a shift in strategy, aiming to energize his Hindu voter base by positioning the opposition as favoring minorities, particularly Muslims. Critics argue that Modi’s tenure has seen a Hindu nationalist agenda advanced, including actions like revoking Kashmir’s special status and enacting a citizenship law perceived as discriminatory against Muslims.
Despite criticisms, the BJP remains popular among Hindu voters, with opinion polls predicting a comfortable victory for Modi. However, concerns persist about the erosion of secular principles and the targeting of minorities under his leadership, contentions vehemently denied by the BJP.
