• Following Modi’s anti-Muslim remarks during the Indian elections, many on social media likened him to Hitler.
• A letter has been forwarded to the Election Commission of India regarding Modi’s comments. His potential re-election portends exacerbated living conditions for Indian Muslims.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing condemnation for his hate mongering rhetoric against Muslims. The inflammatory comments were made during a crowded rally in the western state of Rajasthan.
Modi equated the Muslim community to “infiltrators” and perpetuated anti-Muslim tropes amidst the country’s ongoing general elections.
He warned the audience that if the opposition, led by the Congress party, were to come to power, they would redistribute the nation’s wealth to “those who have more children,” seemingly targeting Muslims.
Modi questioned whether the hard-earned money of the people should be given to “infiltrators” and insinuated that the opposition would even seize mangalsutras (symbolic necklaces worn by Hindu brides) if given the opportunity.
In response to the speech, over 17,400 Indian citizens have submitted a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking action against BJP’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
So far, the petition has been signed by 2,209 individuals.
The letter asserted:
“Shri Narendra Modi blatantly violated” the MCC by “aiming at not only appealing to ‘communal feelings’ but also instigating and aggravating hatred in the Hindus against Muslims.”
There has been a notable trend on the X platform, with many have drawing paralegals between Modi and Hitler, some expressing their sentiments through memes.
Modi’s anti-Muslim rhetoric has garnered coverage in the mainstream media:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is vying for a third consecutive term in office as Indians commence the process of selecting their next parliament through voting. The voting process is scheduled to conclude on June 1st.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, religious minority groups, notably Muslims, have experienced a growing sense of marginalisation within Indian politics. They encounter systemic discrimination in various facets of their lives – from public spaces to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and workplaces. Moreover, educational materials are being revised to foster animosity among schoolchildren toward non-Hindu communities.
Assaults on minority groups, notably Muslims, including a rise in documented cases of lynching since Modi assumed office, along with escalating unemployment rates, cow vigilantism and curbs on freedom of expression and media, are additional concerns that are expected to exacerbate should Modi secure a re-election.
As a consequence of these escalating challenges, many Indian Muslims who have the means to do so have either already left their homeland or are currently considering emigration.
