Modi’s Muslim hate speech prompts 2000 citizens to write for action from EC
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No action from the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his controversial remarks targeting Muslims during an election campaign prompted nearly 20,000 citizens, including activists to write two separate letters to the Election Commission seeking action against PM Modi.
Despite mounting pressure, the poll body has reportedly declined to respond to PM Modi’s derogative remark.
The demand for action stems from Modi’s speech on April 21st, where he alleged that the Congress party planned to distribute the nation’s wealth among "infiltrators" and those with large families, a veiled reference to Indian Muslims.
He further claimed that the Congress manifesto included a provision to seize gold from Hindu women and distribute it to Muslims, a statement debunked by fact-checkers.
Despite the gravity of these accusations, the Election Commission has chosen to remain tight-lipped, declining to comment on Modi's controversial speech in Banswara. This stance has only added fuel to the fire, with critics lambasting the Commission for failing to uphold its constitutional mandate to ensure fair and transparent elections.
A three-member delegation from the Congress party, led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, accusing Modi of violating the model code of conduct by using religion to sway voters and making false statements against the opposition.
Singhvi highlighted the Prime Minister's attempt to equate the Muslim community with "infiltrators," a move that has been condemned as divisive and inflammatory.
Legal experts have also weighed in on the matter, with Gautam Bhatia, a renowned commentator on law and the Constitution, criticizing the Election Commission's silence as unacceptable. Bhatia argued that the Commission cannot simply decline to comment, likening its role to that of a constitutional body tasked with overseeing democratic elections, not serving as a public relations arm.
Amnesty India condemned Modi's remarks as incendiary and warned that such rhetoric only serves to further marginalize and endanger the Muslim community, putting them at risk of human rights violations.
Jagdeep S Chhokar, founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), has written a letter to the Election Commission, urging action against Modi for alleged violations of electoral laws. Chhokar cited specific sections of the Representation of the People Act, arguing that the Prime Minister's statements crossed legal boundaries and warranted immediate intervention.
The current controversy has reignited concerns raised during the 2019 general elections when the Supreme Court admonished the Election Commission for its perceived inaction against politicians making divisive remarks based on religion and caste. At that time, the Commission had issued notices to leaders such as Mayawati and Yogi Adityanath for hate speech but faced criticism for not taking more decisive measures.
In addition to demanding action against Modi, the Congress delegation has submitted a list of 16 complaints to the Election Commission, ranging from the alleged misuse of governmental schemes in political advertisements to the portrayal of religious figures in campaign materials.
The party has also raised objections to the portrayal of the armed forces in political advertising and voiced concerns over a new saffron logo adopted by Doordarshan News during the election period.
Among the grievances listed is a representation against the cancellation of the nomination of Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani in the Surat Parliamentary Constituency, prompting calls for an investigation into the decision.
