Saturday, May 4

CPI(M) Files Complaint Against PM Modi Over His Communal Speech In Rajasthan

Edited by Aishwarya Krishnan
CPI(M) Files Complaint Against PM Modi Over His Communal Speech In Rajasthan

The Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat and Delhi State Secretariat member Pushpinder Singh Grewal of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) lodged a complaint against Prime Minister Modi over his recently made communal speech referring to the Muslim community in India.

The complaint has been lodged by CPI(M) for “promoting enmity between groups and making statements that are imputations and assertions that are prejudicial to national integration.”

The official party handle added that the Mandir Marg police station refused to accept the complaint. The letter has been sent to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi.

The letter states that PM Modi’s words constitute hate speech because he “intentionally and strategically used anti-Muslim tropes” to suggest that the property of the Hindu community, such as the gold and mangalsutra of Hindu women, was under threat and that it would be distributed to Muslim people by the Congress. Calling it “utterly illegal to appeal for votes using hate speech,” the letter states that the prime minister’s speech targets individuals “based on their membership in a group and exposes the group to hatred.”

Referring to the often-used “feature of communalism” to characterise Indian Muslims as “intruders, looters, and a threat to Hindus and particularly Hindu women,” and Muslims being linked to the Mughals, the letter states that PM Modi’s use of the word “ghuspethiye (invaders or intruders)” spreads the fear of “Hindu marginalisation at the hands of Muslims” and threatens national unity.

The letter further highlighted that the phrase used by PM Modi, such as “jinke zyada bache hai (those who have more kids),” is a clear reference to the Muslim community. “Using these stereotypes and tropes results in the vilification of the Muslim community and severely damages the national integrity and unity of this nation,” it stated.

The CPI(M) urged the authorities to conduct an urgent investigation into the offences, which could “lead to disastrous consequences.” The letter asked the Mandir Marg police station to file an FIR against PM Modi, stating, “No citizen, no matter how high his position is above the law.”

During an election rally in Banswara, Rajasthan, PM Modi claimed that Congress was aiming to distribute the wealth of the people to Muslims, referring to the manifesto of the opposition party. Several opposition leaders criticised the speech for “spewing hate speech” and urged the Election Commission to take action. However, a spokesperson for the ECI said, “We decline to comment.”