Modi Faces Criticism Over Communal Rhetoric in Indian Election Campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come under fire for making controversial remarks with communal overtones during the ongoing Indian general election campaign. In recent speeches, Modi has accused the opposition Congress party of favoring Muslims and planning to redistribute wealth to "infiltrators" if elected to power.

At a campaign rally in Rajasthan, Modi claimed that the Congress party's election manifesto advocates for taking money from the majority Hindu community and giving it to Muslims. He alleged, "The Congress party is eyeing the wealth held by monasteries and temples to give it to the Muslim community. They want to redistribute your hard-earned money to infiltrators and those who have more children."

The Congress party has strongly denied these allegations, calling Modi's statements baseless and designed to divert attention from substantive policy discussions. The party has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing Modi of violating the electoral code of conduct by invoking religion to create enmity between groups.

Over 17,400 concerned citizens have also petitioned the ECI, urging action against Modi for his divisive speech. The petition highlights the potential impact of such rhetoric on communal harmony and India's image as a democratic nation. Citizens' groups and opposition parties have condemned Modi's remarks as hate speech that undermines the principles of secularism and pluralism enshrined in India's constitution.

Why this matters: The controversy underscores the charged atmosphere of India's elections, where issues of religion and nationalism are highly sensitive. It also highlights the polarized nature of Indian politics, especially concerning the treatment of minorities and the use of divisive rhetoric for electoral gain.

Despite the criticism, Modi has continued his attacks on the Congress party, accusing them of planning to implement reservations based on religion. The BJP has defended Modi, stating that his comments "resonated with the people of the country" and reflect the sentiment of citizens who believe in equality. As the election campaign intensifies, the debate over communal rhetoric and its impact on India's social fabric is likely to remain a contentious issue.

Key Takeaways

• PM Modi accused of making controversial communal remarks during election campaign.
• Modi claimed Congress plans to redistribute wealth from Hindus to Muslims and "infiltrators".
• Congress denied allegations, filed complaint with Election Commission over Modi's divisive speech.
• Over 17,400 citizens petitioned EC, condemning Modi's remarks as undermining secularism.
• Controversy highlights polarized Indian politics, use of divisive rhetoric for electoral gain.