In comments widely interpreted as referring to Muslim Indians, Prime Minister Modi said that if the Congress party returns to power, “they will collect all the wealth of the people and have more children.” It will be distributed to the people.” “They will distribute it to the intruders,” he continued.
“Do you think your hard-earned money should be given to the infiltrators?” PM Modi added to applause.
Prime Minister Modi’s remarks referred to a 2006 pledge by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the Congress party that outlined the need to economically empower India’s minorities.
National Congress party leader Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the accusations. Posted on Sunday X He characterized PM Modi’s comments as “hate speech” and “a ploy to divert public attention.” Kharge said the Congress’ political manifesto is “for all Indians” and champions equality and justice “for all”.
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi told reporters on Monday that the party had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India.
More than 500 million Indian voters are expected to cast their votes in the world’s biggest election, with Modi widely expected to win. Staggered voting in the country of more than 1.4 billion people will begin on Friday, end on June 1, and be counted on June 4.
Prime Minister Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has traditionally attracted more support in the north since coming to power nearly a decade ago. The election could give Mr. Modi an unusual third term in power and pit his party against a coalition led by the Congress and other regional parties.
Prime Minister Modi’s party advocates a more explicitly Hindu vision of India’s identity, in contrast to post-independence leaders who saw India as a more secular, multicultural democracy. . Hinduism is practiced by approximately 80% of the population.
The BJP has not directly responded to criticism of PM Modi’s comments. The Prime Minister repeated similar remarks in the Uttar Pradesh city of Aligarh on Monday.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi stoked religious tensions after inaugurating a grand Hindu temple on the site of a destroyed mosque in the northeastern city of Ayodhya. At the event, he spoke of his restored pride and the glorious “new era” that awaits his fellow Lord Ram followers.
The implementation of a nationality law that excludes Muslims from fast-track naturalization is also an issue in the country. The law has been criticized for using religion as a criterion for citizenship, violating the secularism espoused by India’s founders.
“Prime Minister Modi today called Muslims infiltrators and people with many children,” said Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of the Muslim party All India Council of Islamic Unity. Mr. Imim I wrote this on Sunday’s X.. “From 2002 till date, Modi’s only guarantee has been to mistreat Muslims and win votes.”
