On the lines of Modi’s polarisation campaign, the BJP unit in Karnataka posted a cartoon video on X dehumanising the Muslims. Even though the video attracted wide criticism, it was not removed from the Time Line.
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been constantly targeting Muslims in his election speeches and claiming that the Congress party would give the reservation meant for the SC/ST and OBC communities to the minority community.
Clarion India tracked 16 election speeches of the prime minister in the last two weeks wherein he warned the majority community that Muslims would usurp their rights if Congress is voted to power in the ongoing general election.
This barrage of attacks on the minority community by the prime minister started with Rajasthan’s Banswara on 21 April where he called Muslims “infiltrators” and “the people who have many children” claiming that Congress will redistribute people’s wealth to Muslims.
Although the controversial speeches made by Modi sparked outrage, he did not back out from targeting the minority community by repeating more or less similar claims in his later rallies. The prime minister is harping on the issue and repeatedly making allegations against Congress even after the latter’s rejoinder that it has no such plan.
On 23 April in Rajasthan’s Madhopur, Modi said that Congress would snatch the properties of those in the majority and give them to the special vote bank (referring to Muslims). He also accused the Congress of attempting to give reservations to Muslims from the share of SCs/STs in Andhra Pradesh.
On the same day in Chattishgarh’s Surguja, the prime minister accused the Congress of snatching ‘Mangalsutra’ from women and giving reservations to Muslims meant for the SC/ST community.
Two days later on 25 April while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra, he again repeated the allegations of stealing reservations meant for the SC/ST community and giving it to Muslims.
Then in West Bengal’s Malda on 26 April, he accused Congress of taking over the properties of people and then redistributing them to the ‘special vote bank’ (Muslims). He also alleged that Congress was planning to give reservations based on religion.
On the same day in Bihar’s Munger, Modi said that Congress will distribute everyone’s property among the special people.
On 27 April in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur, the prime minister accused the opposition of supporting Aurangzeb. “In the land of Sambhaji Maharaj, they (opposition) are collaborating with those who believe in Aurangzeb,” he said.
On 28 April in Karnataka’s Belgaum, he again accused the opposition of siding with Aurangzeb and distributing the country’s wealth among its vote bank.
On the same day in Uttar Kannada, he said “Congress will take your wealth and distribute it among their ‘vote bank.’ You will never see them abuse a Muslim ruler because they want to please their ‘vote bank”.
“They (Congress) sides with Aurangzeb parties, the man who killed cows and razed temples…… Congress will take your wealth and distribute it among their ‘vote bank’,” he said.
On 29 April in Maharashtra’s Pune, Modi said “religious reservations can’t be allowed as they rob rights of SC/ST/OBCs and get transferred to Muslims. Can OBCs and SCs let their rights be given away to Muslims?”
On 30 April in Telangana’s Zaheerabad, he said “Muslims will be given the reservation meant for OBCs…. ‘Vote bank’ will be given the reservation meant for Dalits”.
On 1 May in Gujarat’s Banakantha, Modi said “They (Congress) will take away reservations from OBC, SC, ST and give it to Muslims…..To please their ‘vote bank’ they are ready to rob Hindus….. Congress will distribute your wealth to its ‘vote bank.’”
On 2 May in Gujarat’s Anand, the prime minister accused Muslims of carrying out “vote jihad”.
“I have heard of Land Jihad and Love Jihad, but now I am concerned about Vote Jihad,” Modi said.
On the same day in Gujarat’s Surendranagar, he said that Muslims would be given reservations meant for the SC/ST and OBC communities.
In Gujarat’s Junagadh on the same day, the BJP leader said “Muslims will be given the reservation meant for OBCs through a fatwa and they will do it through a constitutional change”.
In Gujarat’s Jamnagar on the same day, the prime minister talked about ‘Vote Jihad’, the Batla House encounter, and the Muslim reservation.
“Muslims will be given the reservation meant for OBCs through a fatwa,” he said.
In West Bengal’s Bardhaman on the same day, Modi said Congress will take away all your wealth and distribute it to their Jihad vote bank. OBC reservation will be taken away and given to Jihadi vote through constitutional change. They want to rob OBC etc to please Muslims and strengthen their vote bank.
On the lines of Modi’s polarisation campaign, the BJP unit in Karnataka posted a cartoon video on X dehumanising the Muslims. The controversial video claims that Muslims are taking away funds meant for the SC/ST and OBCs. Even though the video attracted wide criticism, it was not removed from the timeline.