Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks at a campaign rally, where he referred to Muslims as “infiltrators,” have sparked controversy and accusations of hate speech from India’s main opposition party, Associated Press reports.
Modi’s speech in Rajasthan accused the Congress party of favoring Muslims over other citizens and implied that they would distribute resources to “infiltrators.” Modi’s statement referred to a 2006 remark by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the Congress party, who said that India’s lower castes, women and Muslim minority deserved to share in the country’s development equally.
The Congress party denounced these remarks as hate speech and has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India for violating rules that prohibit candidates from aggravating religious tensions. Critics argue that Modi’s rhetoric perpetuates anti-Muslim sentiments and undermines India’s tradition of diversity and secularism.
