‘Divisive’ Campaign Video Targeting Indian Muslims Triggers Police Investigation: Report
The investigation coincides with the ongoing national election, where Modi’s Hindu-nationalist party is anticipated to win a third consecutive term.
Despite the BJP’s denial of anti-Islam sentiment, opposition figures and notable Muslims have expressed concern over the party’s use of divisive language to energize their campaign.
A police report reveals that Karnataka state police are examining whether local BJP leader B. Y. Vijayendra and the anonymous operator of the party’s official local X account incited hostility between religious groups with an online video posted on May 4, CNN reported on Wednesday.
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The 17-second animation shows leaders of the main opposition Congress party favoring Muslims, with a warning caption in the local Kannada language.
It portrays Congress’s national leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah providing “funds” to a large bird symbolizing Muslims, while neglecting three smaller birds representing other marginalized minorities. The large bird then expels the other birds from their nest, prompting laughter from the Congress politicians.
Following a request from India’s Election Commission, the video was taken down on Wednesday.
Critics argue that the Congress manifesto does not propose wealth redistribution to Muslims. Congress lawmaker Manickam Tagore described the video as a “blatant demonization of minorities by ruling BJP,” and called on the Election Commission to address the party’s “divisive tactics.”
The video has heightened fears among India’s Muslim population, which exceeds 200 million, about Modi’s potential re-election. Critics suggest that the video is part of a pattern of openly Islamophobic rhetoric in the BJP’s campaign.
Last month, the BJP’s Instagram account shared another animation alleging that the Congress planned to prioritize Muslims. The voiceover in the removed clip warned, “If you are a non-Muslim, Congress will snatch your wealth and distribute it to Muslims.”
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This echoed similar remarks by Modi, who caused controversy with a hate speech last month during a campaign in BJP-governed Rajasthan state. He labeled Muslims, who have resided in India for centuries, as “infiltrators”. Modi’s comments sparked widespread outrage among Muslim leaders and opposition politicians, leading to calls for an investigation by election authorities.
Prominent Muslim journalist Rana Ayyub responded to the speech, stating, “This is not a dogwhistle, this is a targeted, direct, brazen hate speech against a community.”
Source: Agencies
