Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election campaign for the 2024 Indian general elections has sparked significant controversy due to its Islamophobic rhetoric. Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been accused of using hate speech and divisive tactics aimed at the Muslim community to gain electoral support.
One of the most contentious issues arose from an animated video posted by the BJP on Instagram, which portrayed Muslims negatively and falsely claimed that the opposition Congress party would redistribute wealth from Hindus to Muslims if elected. This video was removed after significant backlash and accusations that it violated the election code of conduct (The Independent) (Voice of America).
Modi has made several speeches during his campaign that have been criticized for their inflammatory language. At a rally in Rajasthan, he suggested that the Congress party would give wealth to “infiltrators” with many children, a veiled reference to Muslims. He also claimed that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Muslims should have the first claim on resources, a statement that has been widely debunked (The Independent).
The opposition and civil rights groups have condemned Modi’s rhetoric, arguing that it demonizes Muslims and increases their risk of human rights violations. Amnesty International and other organizations have called for the Election Commission to take action against Modi and the BJP for these violations. Despite this, some BJP leaders have defended Modi’s comments, claiming they resonate with the public (Voice of America).
Critics argue that Modi’s strategy is to polarize voters along religious lines, portraying himself as the defender of Hindu interests against an alleged Muslim threat. This approach has been described as turning the election into a “war between Hindus and Muslims,” with Modi positioned as the savior of Hindus (Voice of America).
The divisive campaign has raised concerns about the impact on India’s social fabric and the potential long-term consequences of such hate speech. While Modi seeks a third term in office, the backlash against his campaign’s Islamophobic elements may influence voter sentiment and the overall election outcome (The Independent) (Voice of America).
