NEW DELHI: India’s main opposition political party on Thursday condemned Hindu-nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi for anti-Muslim rhetoric in election campaign speeches that have heightened concerns over sectarian tensions in the country.
Modi, who enjoys widespread popularity and leads the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has intensified his rhetoric on religious divisions during campaign speeches since voting commenced last month. In a bid to rally voters, the 73-year-old premier has termed Muslims as “infiltrators” and alleged that the opposition Congress party would favor Muslims in wealth distribution if it were to win the election.
- Chidambaram, a prominent figure within the opposition Congress party and former Indian finance minister, condemned Modi’s remarks, accusing him of perpetuating division between Hindus and Muslims. Chidambaram emphasized the negative impact of Modi’s statements on India’s international standing.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress party’s general secretary, dismissed Modi’s claims regarding a supposed “Muslim budget” planned by a former Congress prime minister as “nonsensical” and criticized Modi’s rhetoric as bombastic.
Modi’s tenure has been marked by a concerted effort to align India’s political landscape with Hinduism, despite the country’s secular constitution. While this stance has garnered him widespread support, however, it has fueled serious concerns among the Muslims, comprising over 200 million persons, regarding their status and future under his leadership.
Modi refuted the claims in a television interview, however, at a subsequent campaign rally, Modi accused Congress of mobilizing Muslims to vote against him. Such rhetoric has prompted opposition parties to lodge complaints with the election commission, citing violations of the poll code which prohibits sectarian campaigning.
Modi’s party members have also faced backlash for echoing his divisive rhetoric. A BJP candidate in Hyderabad, Madhavi Latha, drew widespread condemnation for demanding veiled Muslim women remove their facial coverings at a polling station to verify their identity documents.
Narendra Modi is a hate monger. He repeatedly attacks Indian Muslims. Indian public must defeat Modi in this election otherwise he would become another Hitler @BJP4India @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/mt2bGaDEc3
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) May 15, 2024
