Joining an anti-Muslim campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a social media post on X by the Bharatiya Janata Party Karnataka made false accusations against Congress and spread Islamophobic rhetoric.
The post titled “Congress Manifesto or Muslim League Manifesto?” claims that the Congress manifesto promises ‘Hijab Enforcement in Educational Institutions’, ‘Wealth Distribution to Muslims’, ‘Special Reservations for Muslims’, ‘Freedom to Practice Personal Laws’, ‘Direct Appointment of Muslims as Judges’, and a ‘Mandate for Public & Private Entities to Hire Muslims’. Apparently, all the contents of the post, except for the freedom to practice personal laws, are blatant lies. Meanwhile, the freedom to practice personal civil laws is a constitutional right for every Indian citizen.
“The Congress’ sinister designs are clear: To take away the hard-earned money of Indians & to gift it to Muslims. They will seize our land, wealth and rights, only to gift them to ‘Peacefuls’,” the post by saffron party further said.
The Hindutva party even said: “In fact, CM Siddaramaiah has already started ‘Wealth Distribution’ to Muslims by taking away SC/ST funds.”
The new X post by BJP Karnataka echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hate speeches, in which on April 9 he compared the Congress manifesto to the Muslim League manifesto. Addressing a poll rally in Pilhibit, he stated, “The manifesto that Congress has made looks more like a manifesto of the Muslim League. Whether it’s Congress or the Samajwadi Party, under the pressure of appeasement, they oppose the CAA. My Hindu and Sikh brothers and sisters who are forced to flee due to persecution on foreign soil,… tell me – if India doesn’t grant citizenship to them, who else will?”
On 21 April, Modi targeted the Congress manifesto again and delivered hate speech against Muslims while addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Banswada. He said, “When they (the Congress) were in power, they said that Muslims had the first right to the properties of the state. This means that they would collect these properties and give them to the ones who have more kids (insinuating Muslims). They will give it to the ghusapethyon (infiltrators). Do you want to give away your hard-earned money to the intruders? This is what the Congress manifesto says — the amount of gold that mothers and daughters own will be measured, collected and distributed. They will distribute their wealth among those…(smiles) Manmohan Singh ji had said Muslims had the first right to the properties.”
The Election commission of India declined to comment on the hate speech made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against Muslims during BJP’s poll campaign in Rajasthan. A spokesperson for the Election Commission (EC) said: “We decline comment.”
Modi is facing accusations of spreading hatred against Muslims after controversial comments on Sunday. The speech triggered widespread anger from Muslims and members of the opposition.
The BJP Karanataka’s post comes three days after a case was registered against BJP Karnataka chief BY Vijayendra by the Election Commission for a “derogatory” post on the party’s official X handle.
The office of Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer stated on X that the FIR was lodged by the Election Commission’s Flying Squad Teams (FST) of Bengaluru for a “derogatory post posted on the official X handle of BJP Karnataka on 19.04.24. The FIR has been lodged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for “disturbing public tranquillity”, the poll body said.
