The hate speeches are in clear and flagrant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Both the MCC as well as the Representation of People Act, 1951 (RPA) proqhibit any conduct and activity that could aggravate the existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and religious or linguistic communities.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Campaigning for the state assembly elections in Rajasthan slated for November 25 has been marred by anti-Muslim hate speeches delivered by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Hindutva leaders with impunity.
In all the speeches, BJP and Hindutva protagonists unabashedly targeted the Muslim community and spread their divisive policies. A common thread of the anti-Muslim themes and conspiracies associated with forced religious conversions, “Love Jihad”, demolition of Hindu religious structures and illegal migration of Rohnigyas could be discerned in almost all the speeches.
The hate speeches and the vilification campaign against the Muslim community are in clear and flagrant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Both the MCC as well as the Representation of People Act, 1951 (RPA) prohibit any conduct and activity that could aggravate the existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and religious or linguistic communities.
Clause 3 of the general conduct guidelines under the MCC, clause 3 provides that there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. It further says mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda.
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), a human rights movement dedicated to upholding and defending the freedom and constitutional rights of all Indians, has documented poll rallies wherein several BJP leaders could be seen delivering hate speeches at different locations.
All the CJP documented speeches have been uploaded on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) by the Hindutva Watch initiative which documents hate crimes and hate speeches against religious minorities in the country.
In Kekri city, about 80 km from Ajmer, BJP leader Shatrughan Gautam raked up the issue of the exodus of Kashmiri pundits to instigate and polarise voters. He also advocated violence against anyone perceived to be working against Hinduism. “Every eye that is raised against Sanatan will be destroyed, every hand that is raised against Sanatan will be cut. This is the land of Hindu saints,” he said in his speech on November 16.
In Pipalda tehsil of Kota District, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath boasted of his involvement in the Babri Masjid demolition of 1992. He also raised contentious and violent slogans.
He alleged that they (the Muslims) desecrated and destroyed our temples during the Mughal era and constructed such large symbols of slavery upon them. “Ayodhya is a living proof of this. Around 500 years ago, Babar demolished Lord Ram’s temple and constructed this controversial structure. When we used to protest, the Congress government would torture us,” he said.
In Jaipur two days earlier, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi made problematic statements related to hijab, giving it a communal and biased colour.
“I want to remind you all that some time ago, CM Ashok Gehlot had promised to make Jaipur ghunghath (veil) free. But these people have no problems with hijab. These people condemn veils but support hijabs. They should make it clear their stand on the hijab?”
He recalled that it was in Jaipur where in 2013 the then state home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had said that RSS members are involved in organising terrorist camps. He (Shinde) had to withdraw the statement when late (BJP leader) Sushma Swaraj had called him out.”
In Tonk on the same day, BJP leader and Lok Sabha member from Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri, claimed that Lahore was interested in the outcome of Rajasthan and especially Tonk’s election results. He also accused certain people in Tonk of providing shelter to members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
“I will tell everyone that not only this country but even Lahore is keeping a watch on the elections taking place in Rajasthan, especially the elections of Tonk.”
“Who provides shelter to the members of PFI? Who feeds food to those members of the PFI who are caught? It’s the people sitting in Tonk. That is why even Lahore is interested in these elections. On November 25, we will see if sweets are going to be distributed in this country or in Lahore. We will see whether those pimps who are sheltering the PFI will get sweets or not. Terrorists like that of Hamas are sitting here waiting for us.”
Senior Congress leader and the state’s former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot is contesting from Tonk. He faces BJP’s Ajit Singh Mehta. Pilot received a shot in the arm on Saturday when the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate, Ashok Bairwa, extended support to him. Bairwa made the announcement in the presence of the local influential leaders. He said he would campaign for Pilot.
