A day before the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections scheduled on May 25, the BJP”s official Instagram handle today released a new hate-filled video, depicting that Congress favours Muslims over others, and inciting the voters against the community.

The video shows a man introducing himself as a Congress party representative, taking pictures of the property of a local resident, who apparently appears to be Sikh in attire. The owner asks the man scanning his properties why he is doing this, and the man then replies the property needs to be redistributed for the justice (a reference to Congress various Nyay).

As expected, when the owner asked, “Have you taken pictures of the Irfan Miya”, a reference to the Muslim community, then the man replies, “If we do, then I would not be considered a Congress man,” sending the message that the Congress has to favour the Muslim community.

Noting the Sikh character in the video, many users have pointed out that the saffron party is now inciting the Sikh community against Muslims for votes as Sikh dominant Punjab”s all 13 constituencies are left to the final phase on June 1 for voting. The state with the second most Sikh population, Haryana, notably, goes to cast its vote for all ten Lok Sabha seats tomorrow, during the sixth phase. 

“After dividing Hindus and Muslims, BJP wants to provoke Sikhs against Muslims,” wrote a user, Alishan Jafri, sharing the video released by the BJP. Referring to the long silence of the poll body on repeated violations of the Model Code Of Conduct (MCC) and anti-Muslim rhetoric, he wrote “RIP”” to the polling authority.

After dividing Hindus and Muslims, BJP wants to provoke Sikhs against Muslims.
RIP @ECISVEEP. pic.twitter.com/S8bHQwN7hZ

— Alishan Jafri (@alishan_jafri) May 24, 2024

However, the BJP”s handle has been flooded by netizens trolling the party”s frequent videos and narratives against a particular community. Journalist and founding editor of the Wire, Siddharth, taking to his social media platform X wrote, “Just saw one more anti-Muslim ad by @BJP4India on Instagram. Presumably timed for Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab voting. After inciting Hindus against Muslims, this one tries to incite Sikhs against Muslims. 

He also lambasted the silence of the Election Commission saying that the Commission”s “Three blind mice know about this but clearly don”t give a damn.”

Just saw one more anti-Muslim ad by @BJP4India on Instagram. Presumably timed for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab voting. After inciting Hindus against Muslims, this one tries to incite Sikhs against Muslims.@ECISVEEP“s three blind mice know about this but clearly don”t give a damn.

— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) May 24, 2024

The latest hate ad that appeared on the official handle of the saffron party follows a series of earlier similar content. Notably, the Prime Minister himself began the anti-Muslim rhetoric in one of his election rallies amid the ongoing general election. The Prime Minister had claimed that the Congress party would redistribute the nation”s wealth including land among Muslims if they are voted to power.

Following the Prime Minister”s remark, several other BJP leaders including ministers, echoed similar statements, and the party has been, since then repeatedly releasing political ads alleging Congress favours Muslims. 

Political analysts point out that the ruling party believes its frequent remarks that “wealth will be redistributed among Muslims by Congress” would turn all other communities” votes in its favour, with no other options left for the electorates of the country.