Narendra Modi, The 3rd Child out of 6, attack ‘Muslims’ as ‘Who have more children’ in Lok Sabha Election Rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speech has stirred controversy as he and his BJ Party (BJP) have framed the upcoming national election as a battle for Hindu interests, pitting Hindus against Muslims. In a rally in Rajasthan, Modi claimed that the opposition Congress party, if elected, would transfer wealth from Hindus to Muslims, inciting outrage and calls for action from various quarters.

Outrage Over Hate Speech

Modi’s statements at the rally on Sunday accused the opposition of conspiring with the Muslim community to deprive Hindus of their wealth and entitlements. He warned that the opposition would give Hindu wealth to those “who have more children,” clearly targeting Muslims. He further labeled the Muslim community as “infiltrators,” sparking widespread condemnation.

Citizens and organizations across the country have called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action against Modi for his hate speech. The People’s Union of Civil Liberties has even demanded Modi’s disqualification from contesting elections for inciting communal tensions.

Doubling Down on Communal Rhetoric

Despite the backlash, Modi reiterated his divisive rhetoric in another rally in Rajasthan two days later. He repeated the claim that the Congress party planned to redistribute Hindu wealth among “select” people, insinuating that it would take away reservations meant for backward classes and give them to Muslims. This tactic aims to instill fear among Hindu voters, particularly those from marginalized communities, to secure BJP votes.

Dog-Whistling and Historical Context

Apoorvanand, a professor from Delhi University wrote in an article that Modi’s speech reflects his expertise in dog-whistling, using coded language to target Muslims without explicitly naming them. This tactic is not new; during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat in 2002, he made remarks insinuating that Muslims were responsible for overpopulation.

In his recent speech, Modi directly referred to Muslims as “those who produce more children” and “infiltrators,” perpetuating the baseless theory of a Muslim conspiracy to outnumber the Hindu majority.

BJP’s Desperation and Election Commission’s Silence

Some analysts suggest that the BJP’s resort to communal polarization indicates desperation due to lack of expected support in the initial phases of the election. However, Modi’s strategy has been evident since the beginning of the campaign, portraying opposition parties as anti-Hindu and equating their policies with those of historical Muslim rulers.

Despite clear violations of the Model Code of Conduct and electoral laws, the Election Commission has remained silent on the issue. Critics argue that the Commission has lost its independence, evident in its failure to act against BJP leaders for inciting communal tensions.

Democracy at Stake

As the BJP’s divisive campaign continues, Muslims are advised not to react, fearing it may further polarize voters. However, the silence of the Election Commission and the courts on such grave violations raises concerns about the state of democracy in India.