By Muslim Mirror Desk
Over 17,400 citizens have written to the Election Commission (EC) urging action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what they term as hate speech. This outcry comes after Modi’s recent remarks during a campaign in Rajasthan, where he insinuated that the Congress party would allocate citizens’ assets to “infiltrators” if they were to win in the Lok Sabha elections.
A group of concerned citizens, in a petition to the EC, highlighted the divisive nature of Modi’s speech, which they believe directly targets the Muslim community and undermines the principles of India’s democracy. The petition, signed by 2,209 individuals, expressed deep concern over the prime minister’s use of pejorative language and its potential impact on communal harmony.
Modi’s specific statement questioning whether it is acceptable for the Congress to prioritize Muslims over other citizens in resource allocation was met with strong criticism. The citizens’ group emphasized that such rhetoric not only fuels communal tensions but also tarnishes India’s image as a democratic nation.
The petition also pointed out the Election Commission’s responsibility to address hate speech during election campaigns. Failure to take action, the petitioners argued, would undermine the EC’s credibility and autonomy, both of which are crucial for ensuring fair and democratic elections.
Additionally, a separate letter, signed by more than 17,400 individuals under the banner of Samvidhan Bacchao Nagrik Abhiyan, accused Modi of violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. They condemned Modi’s speech for its alleged aim of inciting hatred among Hindus against Muslims, based on misrepresentation of Congress party policies.
The letter called for censuring Modi and imposing a campaign ban, citing the potential damage to India’s social fabric. The controversy surrounding Modi’s remarks has sparked a broader debate on the responsibility of political leaders in maintaining communal harmony and the role of electoral authorities in curbing hate speech during campaigning.
While the BJP attempted to contextualize Modi’s comments by sharing a video clip of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statements, the opposition, particularly the Congress, rejected this interpretation as being taken out of context. The ongoing debate underscores the challenges of maintaining a respectful and inclusive political discourse, especially during highly charged election campaigns.