Editor's Pick | Congress seeks EC action against PM Modi’s ‘hate speech’

In a strong pushback against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that the Congress manifesto talks about redistributing wealth to Muslims, the Congress on Monday approached the Election Commission (EC), seeking action against Mr. Modi. The Congress alleged in its representation to the EC that the PM invoked religion and religious symbols to create enmity between groups and argued that “the only remedy compatible with the principle of zero tolerance against corrupt practices is disqualification of the candidates who try to create a divide…”. “The PM has to be held accountable by the EC for the brazen trampling of the Model Code of Conduct as well as the whole gamut of offenses — electoral and otherwise — committed by him and his party,” the Congress said, adding, inaction by the poll panel would tarnish its legacy. The EC has so far declined to comment even as the PM’s speech, made at a rally in Rajasthan on Sunday, has snowballed into a major political controversy. Separately, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who described Mr. Modi’s remarks as “hate speech”, sought an appointment with the PM to “educate” him about the Congress’s poll promises. In a series of questions on social media platform X, Congress’s P. Chidambaram, who headed the manifesto panel, asked the BJP to spell out when and where the Congress said it would distribute people’s land, gold, and other valuables among Muslims. The INDIA bloc parties further called upon citizens to send emails to the election panel raising this issue. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also shot off a letter to the EC demanding action against PM Modi for making inflammatory remarks. A fact check by The Hindu on PM Modi’s speech found that while one claim about Muslims bearing children in more numbers (than earlier) is erroneous, another regarding a statement by Manmohan Singh was deliberately misinterpreted. An editorial in today’s edition of The Hindu further said, “One of the main features of Narendra Modi’s politics is his reliance on an unapologetic brand of right-wing rhetoric that is moored in demagoguery, hate speeches against minorities and the use of dog whistles — political messaging intended to please the bigoted sections of his support base.” All these aspects were on full display when Mr. Modi claimed that the Congress party would distribute the wealth of Indians among Muslims and referred to them as those with “large number[s] of children” and “infiltrators,” it added. Meanwhile, unfazed by the row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday aggressively defended the remarks made by Mr. Modi at an election rally and suggested that the Congress was eyeing the wealth held by monasteries and temples in the country. At another election rally in Uttar Pradesh, the PM underscored his contribution to uplifting Muslim women and backward sections in the minority community. The PM accused Congress and the Samajwadi Party of following a policy of “appeasement” and yet doing nothing to uplift the socio-economic condition of the Muslim community. The Hindu’s Editorials Recourse to hate: On the Prime Minister’s speech in Rajasthan The lone candidate: On chess, India and D. Gukesh’s victory The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Which party in Maldives, with Mohamed Muizzu as its leader, secured a big win in the parliamentary elections? Maldivian Peoples Party Republican Party People’s National Congres Maldives National Party To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 23 April 2024 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]Open in browser [Mail icon]More newsletters Congress seeks EC action against PM Modi’s ‘hate speech’ In a strong pushback against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that the Congress manifesto talks about redistributing wealth to Muslims, the [Congress on Monday approached the Election Commission (EC]( seeking action against Mr. Modi. The Congress alleged in its representation to the EC that the PM invoked religion and religious symbols to create enmity between groups and argued that “the only remedy compatible with the principle of zero tolerance against corrupt practices is disqualification of the candidates who try to create a divide…”. “The PM has to be held accountable by the EC for the brazen trampling of the Model Code of Conduct as well as the whole gamut of offenses — electoral and otherwise — committed by him and his party,” the Congress said, adding, inaction by the poll panel would tarnish its legacy. The EC has so far declined to comment even as the [PM’s speech, made at a rally in Rajasthan on Sunday]( has snowballed into a major political controversy. Separately, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who described Mr. Modi’s remarks as “hate speech”, sought an appointment with the PM to “educate” him about the[Congress’s poll promises](. In a series of questions on social media platform X, Congress’s P. Chidambaram, who headed the manifesto panel, asked the BJP to spell out when and where the Congress said it would distribute people’s land, gold, and other valuables among Muslims. The [INDIA bloc parties further called upon citizens]( to send emails to the election panel raising this issue. CPI(M) general secretary [Sitaram Yechury also shot off a letter]( to the EC demanding action against PM Modi for making inflammatory remarks. [A fact check by The Hindu on PM Modi’s speech]( found that while one claim about Muslims bearing children in more numbers (than earlier) is erroneous, another regarding a statement by Manmohan Singh was deliberately misinterpreted. [An editorial in today’s edition of The HinduÂ]( said, “One of the main features of Narendra Modi’s politics is his reliance on an unapologetic brand of right-wing rhetoric that is moored in demagoguery, hate speeches against minorities and the use of dog whistles — political messaging intended to please the bigoted sections of his support base.” All these aspects were on full display when Mr. Modi claimed that the Congress party would distribute the wealth of Indians among Muslims and referred to them as those with “large number[s] of children” and “infiltrators,” it added. Meanwhile, unfazed by the row, Union Home Minister [Amit Shah on Monday aggressively defended]( the remarks made by Mr. Modi at an election rally and suggested that the Congress was eyeing the wealth held by monasteries and temples in the country. At another election rally in Uttar Pradesh, the PM underscored his contribution to[uplifting Muslim women]( backward sections in the minority community. The PM accused Congress and the Samajwadi Party of following a policy of “appeasement” and yet doing nothing to uplift the socio-economic condition of the Muslim community. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Recourse to hate: On the Prime Minister’s speech in Rajasthan]( [Arrow][The lone candidate: On chess, India and D. Gukesh’s victory]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Which party in Maldives, with Mohamed Muizzu as its leader, secured a big win in the parliamentary elections? - Maldivian Peoples Party - Republican Party - People’s National Congres - Maldives National Party To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here.]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[After Bitcoin Halving weekend, crypto market sees small gains] After Bitcoin Halving weekend, crypto market sees small gains]( [[‘Staggering’ number of workers face climate hazards, says UN] ‘Staggering’ number of workers face climate hazards, says UN]( [[Falling percentages, failing work conditions: A deeper look into women’s employment in India (for epaper, pics related to female workers in informal sectors would be ideal)] Falling percentages, failing work conditions: A deeper look into women’s employment in India (for epaper, pics related to female workers in informal sectors would be ideal)]( [[Analysis of campaign songs and newspaper ads of the BJP and Congress during Lok Sabha elections] Analysis of campaign songs and newspaper ads of the BJP and Congress during Lok Sabha elections]( Copyright© 2024, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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