New Delhi: Even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nasty election speech in Rajasthan's Banswara has triggered a nationwide controversy, the Election Commission has so far not taken any action. Meanwhile the Opposition bloc INDIA called the speech an attempt to divert attention from "real issues".
Addressing the people Banswara, on April 21, (Sunday) Modi openly attacked India’s Muslims, suggesting they were “infiltrators” and went on to claim that the opposition if elected would give away “mangalsutras” and “land” of those listening to his speech to them (Muslims).
He referred to his immediate predecessor, Dr Manmohan Singh who was in office for 10 years as prime minister till 2014, and said, “Earlier, when his government was in power, he had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s property, which means who will they collect this property and distribute it to – those who have more children, will distribute it to the infiltrators. Will the money of your hard work be given to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?”
Modi went on to say, “This Congress manifesto is saying that they will calculate the gold of the mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute it. Manmohan Singh’s government had said that Muslims have the first right on property. Brothers and sisters, these urban Naxal thoughts will not let even your mangalsutra escape, they will go this far.”
Narendra Modi and the BJP so far in their campaign trail have invoked religious faith, the Ram temple and Lord Ram multiple times, directly using it to call for people to vote for them. The Election Commission has been completely silent on the messaging via videos, tweets and other exhortations.
Did Manmohan Singh really say that?
Modi’s claim that Dr Singh said that is not new and was refuted in 2006 itself by Singh’s PMO, when Modi had first made the false claim. The PMO had termed such remarks, “a deliberate and mischievous misinterpretation of what the Prime Minister said here yesterday at the meeting of the National Development Council, on fiscal priorities of the government.” It was termed “an avoidable controversy has been generated. The Prime Minister’s observations have also been quoted out of context in some sections of the electronic media, fuelling a baseless controversy.”
The full text of the paragraph in which the Prime Minister referred to the issue of minority empowerment to clarify the matter is as follows:
“I believe our collective priorities are clear: agriculture, irrigation and water resources, health, education, critical investment in rural infrastructure, and the essential public investment needs of general infrastructure, along with programmes for the upliftment of SC/STs, other backward classes, minorities and women and children. The component plans for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will need to be revitalized. We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on resources. The Centre has a myriad other responsibilities whose demands will have to be fitted within the over-all resource availability.”
The PMO’s clarification said. “it will be seen from the above that the Prime Minister’s reference to “first claim on resources” refers to all the “priority” areas listed above, including programmes for the upliftment of SCs, STs, OBCs, women and children and minorities.
Opposition reacts
Chairman, Media and Publicity department of the Congress, Pawan Khera said in a video message in a post, “We challenge the Prime Minister to show us if the word Hindu or Muslim is written anywhere in our manifesto. This kind of lightness is there in your mentality, in your political values. We have talked about justice for the youth, women, farmers, tribals, middle class and workers. Do you object to this as well?”
Khera was referring to earlier mistruths uttered by Modi about the “Muslim League” having influenced the Congress manifesto.
In Jharkhand’s Ranchi at an opposition rally, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is reported to have said by BBC Hindi, “If democracy and the Constitution end in the country, then the people will have nothing left. Babasaheb Ambedkar ji and Jawaharlal Nehru ji gave equal voting rights to everyone, due to which all classes got respect. But Narendra Modi wants to snatch their rights from the poor.”
B.V. Srinivas termed it as unfortunate that “this person is the Prime Minister of this country, and an even bigger tragedy is that the Election Commission of India is no longer alive.” He said that “due to the frustration of impending defeat, the Prime Minister of India is openly sowing the seeds of hatred, he is polarising by misquoting Manmohan Singh’s 18-year-old incomplete statement, But the Election Commission (Modi ka parivar) is bowing down.”
Modi’s past hate-speech
Modi, in his 12-year tenure as chief minister of Gujarat was known to have made speeches targeting the state’s minority Muslim community brazenly, terming camps where Muslims were forced to stay in after communal violence gripped the state in 2002. Frontline covered him on his Gujarat Gaurav Yatra started shortly after the violence, at a rally at Becharaji in Mehsana district in northern Gujarat, when he said, “What should we do? Run relief camps for them? Do we want to open baby-producing centres? But for certain people that means hum paanch, hamare pachees.”
In 2017 it was time again for direct speech targeting Muslims when in February he spoke of ‘shamshaan versus kabristan’ campaigning for UP and then for Gujarat elections when the BJP had its worst performance this millennium, in a speech at Palanpur on December 10, 2017 Modi invoked a “secret meeting” to get Pakistan to fix Gujarat’s assembly polls. He said that a meeting was held at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s residence, attended by former PM Manmohan Singh, former Vice-President Hamid Ansari, former Army Chief Deepak Kapoor and distinguished diplomats to execute the plot. Modi’s PMO faced embarrassment when in response to an RTI filed by the Congress, his office was forced to say that Modi’s campaign speech could have been based on an “informal input”.
In the only question he has answered as part of a press conference with Joe Biden on June 22, 2023, Modi was asked, “India has long prided itself as the world’s largest democracy, but there are many human rights groups who say that your government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics. As you stand here in the East Room of the White House, where so many world leaders have made commitments to protecting democracy, what steps are you and your government willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and to uphold free speech?”
In response Modi appeared visibly frazzled and denied all charges. “I’m actually really surprised that people say so. And so, people don’t say it. Indeed, India is a democracy.”
The journalist was trolled online by BJP leaders and supporters to such an extent that the White House had to come out and defend her and strongly denounce the trolling and abuse.
Comments
Ibraheem Hussain Udupi, Just one thing If he is wrong he will be punished and Mashallah we know that he has a good reputation and if you are wrong Alaah will punish you. So It is only right and wrong. YOU ARE PURE JEALOUS.
Mohammad, Mangalore
The facts which I wrote is 100% true and nothing conceited. People of Kudroli know Masood and his family and their contribution to the Muslim Community. If you compare his economical condition from 50 years back to now, you will realize from where he got the money. He was henchman of Mr. Poojari, who brought him to political life, and bank loans approved to him for his various projects and hotels in undivided DK district while Poojari was central Minister. Poojari made him as MLC and he was not elected MLC. Masood was not born with Golden spoon, by hook or crook become rich man that everyone knows. He is a \PRACHARA PRIYA\".
I have no enmity with Masood, whatever I wrote it is fact and people from Muslim Community of Kudroli and Jodu Palli knows. With regard to Halal and Haram, he is answerable to Allah."
hey hang on Mr. George. Are you appreciating a classless goon who can illegally trespassed to an institute to show his brutality. If you are an uneducated illiterate coward man I have no issues, but I don't think so, you must be well educated civilized white collared man. My advise is to you, always try to stand with the truth, bcoz the truth will prevail. if the victim has done something wrong, what is your role if you are a neighbor? just to advise them in a peaceful manner, he repeats just give a complaint at the nearest police station, that's all. Who is this Kishore, is he appointed by the government or the local body to punish for those who creates nuisance in that place. Hey guyz stand up as a team irrespective of any religion and raise your voice, if required raise your muscles against such nasty criminals and smack them down. don't let anyone to destroy your community in the name of religion or politics. Bring peace & prosper with your neighbors, live lively and peacefully.
Ibrahim Hussain Udupi, One word may Allah give you good sense and take away the hasad you have in you towards people. My advice to you is good deep and check the facts and also the number of good deeds him and his extended family members have done to our community. Allah is watching and he is the one to decide on being wrong or right. Gain respect not demand respect. Thank Arakul Riyadh for your advice and Allah will reward the one who does good deeds be it us, him or anyone else.
Mr. Ibrahim Hussain, Udupi and Mr. Mohammad Mangalore. Please for Allah's sake donot quarrel each other. We are Muslim and one Umma. We should not show our behavior for other religion. This is not the place for arguing. Whatever we wrote here should give answer to Allah (SWT) at the time of resurrection. Pray ALLAH for forgive us for our unwanted behavior.
May ALLAH bless us and follow the religion with the foundation of our beloved prophet Muhammad (S.A)
Mohammad Mangalore,
I don't think you were not born during the Mangalore Riots. I dont want to elaborate the incident that may be healthy in this forum. Masood is one of the opportunist Politician ever lived in the Mangalore. His popularity is nil, he has no people support in Bunder Area. No.2 businessmen of his relatives residing in Dubai and forest Wood thieves donated large amount to the college and a Madrasa near Jodupalli just to avoid income tax. You are wrong to say two Masjid were built by Tippu sultan, except Zeenat Baksh masjid. You are in dark days in this 21st century. I think you are henchman of Masood, who has low respect in Mangalore.
However, let the readers know what Central Committee did to this incident, clarify.
Third class guys can only support this type of students in the name of religion. shame on them as they are linking with their religion ...well done kishor .we support you.
I could see statements made by some non muslim brothers is really intensive which produces wrath among different communities. I have my condolences to the victim and his family. However, I strongly disagree with the action of the accused who could barge into college premises and assault the student. I am sure the reason for this attack is not the bike nor the roaring silencer , the real motive is something else. When the street dog becomes mad, there is no point of taking it for medical treatment, but it must be treated the way it should be treated. Hope the message is clear.
Ibrahim Hussain SS Udupi, Go check your history as per our knowledge Mr. Masood was married in the year 1966 and not 1965. THe riot was started by Putthan (beary) and this can be vouched by the urdu speaking persons of that locality. I will have to forgive your knowledge on when the two masjids were built in Jodupalli (it was in the time of Tippu Sultan). The two masjids were made one thanks to Mr Masood when he was the Chairman of the minority commission and the president of the mosque. For the college of Kashipattana there huge money was donated by Mr. Masood, his brother, brother in-laws and I can vouch that you are not one of them. Go to Bunder and check how many weddings of poor girls are being donated by them. Go and check the accounts of the Central committee and you will know how much money has been given to riot victims and innocent muslims be it for theirvpersonal heath or marriage. I know that he has personally given money from his own pocket many a times as I reside near his house. Come to Mangalore and check what the central committee has done and not stay in Udupi and comment. May Allah give you good sense.
Mohammed Mangalore,
I know Masood's old story. 1965/66 first Mangalore Hindu- Muslim riot was perpetrated by Masood family and entire community sufferred, and he is man behind the whole incident. Central committee is only doing the job of representing the memorandum to the DC or Police commissioner that's the end of it. No follow up or solution. Kudroli Two masjids one place? As per quran and hadees all muslims brothers and equal, then why this two Masjid's in one vicinity?
Regarding Kashipatna Girls college is not a charity college, its a commercialized educational institution. Did Masood pay full amount for this school building? Or what is his contribution, you have to elaborate.
Constructive criticism are always brings some sort of solution to problems, Mr. Mohammad.
Give me one example of one instance of Ullal Riots or Kavoor/Bajpe riots, what is the contribution to the victims of the riots by Central Committee?
Mohammed SS, It clearly shows how the muslim community is divided (Hanafi and Shafi). You point one finger at someone and the other 4 will point at you. If we have to postmortem the so called MUSLIM LEADERS whom you support (we very well know which language they speak) then all their wrong doings will spill out. Do not wash your dirty linen in public.
Dear Ibrahim Hussain, don't you remember Masood's old story, what you are expecting from him
Ibrahim Hussain Udupi, I can scense your jealousy in naming some politicians name when you do not know what good Mr. Masood has done to his community. Come to Jodupalli,Kudroli, Bunder etc and see. The Central committee is doing a good job and people like you are always there to point fingers at someone or the other. If you think you can do a difference stand for elections or let us know what good you do to out community. It is easy to write negative comment but to write a good one you need to be good at heart. By the way ask the Kazi of Mangalore what Mr. Masood has done and is doing for the community. go visit Kashipattana where a girls college is coming up go to Kudroli and visit the old age home for women. Come out of your dreams bro. Grow up and learn to appreciate.
The main mistake here is from parents. They should not provide either Motor Bike or Mobile to student. Let them start earning in their own, then let them buy Motor Bike, Car or Mobile or whatever they need.
Here one mistake made by home guard by handling law and order by himself by hitting him. It should not happen in future. There should be severe enquiry needed for both the party to find out the culprit behind this.
May Allah (swt) protect our all muslim Ummthis from bad and prohibited things.
Do home guards can handle law and order situation and arrest any one? They are third rate guards as Mr. Kishor. This matter have to be investigated and stripped out from the Home guard role.
Why only Muslim Students are vulnerable to arrest these days. Recently a Muslim student was tortured by the Police allegedly, having contact with the missing Girls were found in Kerala state.
Why muslim Central Committee led by former politician Masood is silent?
look at him. slept like a buffalo, he deserves more punishment, if some strange person is coming and beating a strange one?, readers must feel the pain behind that, making loud sound on the public road rash idriving is not a culture of civilized person
police must investigate the matter if any evidence of rash driving both must be punished kishor for taking law in hand and student for rash driving on public road.
who is he to beat the student, if they are doing rash driving let police take the action, he is targeting student because they are muslims, so intolerance. must take action against him in future there is no wonder if he enters the college and shoot students.
Good Work by kishor, this rash riders are not only killing themselves but also killing innocents.
i too heard silencer loud sound, all the way irritating pedestrians, its not about hindu or muslim, better to warn their parents before taking charges on them otherwise media will carry this headline mentioning the religion's name, each and every one should be punished.
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