NEW DELHI: India’s main opposition Congress party lodged a complaint to the Election Commission on Monday accusing Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “blatantly targeting” minority Muslims in a campaign speech.
In the complaint, the Congress party accused Modi, a Hindu nationalist leader, of “blatantly targeting” Muslims in violation of the country’s secular principles and electoral laws.
India, known as the world’s most populous country, strictly prohibits election campaigning that stirs “communal feelings.” However, Modi’s political strategy, which often emphasizes Hindu-first policies, has been a cornerstone of his electoral strategy, drawing criticism from opponents who argue that it marginalizes India’s huge Muslim population, estimated at around 200 million.
Modi’s recent remarks at an election rally in Rajasthan have sparked controversy. The Hindu nationalist leader claimed that a previous Congress government had stated that “Muslims have the first right over the nation’s wealth” and insinuated that if Congress were to win, resources would be allocated to those with more children, including “infiltrators.” “Do you think your hard-earned money should be given to infiltrators? Would you accept this?”
Critics interpreted these remarks as targeting Muslims, particularly in the context of India’s ongoing debate over immigration and citizenship laws.
In response, the Congress party denounced Modi’s comments as “divisive, objectionable, and malicious,” asserting that they were aimed at a specific religious community and constituted clear violations of electoral laws. The party’s spokesperson, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, characterized Modi’s statements as “far worse than any ever made by a sitting Prime Minister in the history of India.”
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia defended Modi’s remarks, stating that the Prime Minister was speaking candidly and reflecting popular sentiment.
Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s campaign have been marked by frequent references to Hindu symbols and causes. Earlier this year, Modi oversaw the inauguration of a grand temple dedicated to the deity Ram, built on the site of a demolished mosque. The BJP has consistently invoked the temple during their election campaign.
