Spewing hate, slurring Muslims: an unchecked decade-long diatribe by Bharatiya Janata Party?

On April 21, 2024, an election speech delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Banswara, Rajasthan attracted a storm of severe criticism. Misinformed and stigma-driven, Modi claimed that the Congress manifesto meant that the “mangalsutras” and gold of mothers and sisters will be snatched away for distribution among, whom he imputed to be Muslims. While referring to the Muslim community, PM Modi had openly used anti-Muslim slurs like “infiltrators” and “those who have more babies”. This election speech is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, as it is a “corrupt practice” under the law defined as using religion (to influence voters’ choice)[1] marring a free and fair election. Modi had attracted severe criticism for this signature speech from the political and citizenry (20,000 citizens had written to the ECI in a complaint urging stringent action) for using such these singling out of a community for slur, stigma and attack.

Details of the entire speech can be read here.

PM Modi has through his political career mastered the use of hate and stigma. That he should resort to his time-tested tactic in the 18^th Lok Sabha Polls is no surprise. He continues to violate his position and impunity accorded by a compliant Election Commission of India (ECI). Opposition parties, human rights groups and citizens have taken it upon themselves to complain on this speech to the ECI for violation of Indian election law. Four days pursuant to the speech, the ECI –sparing Modi the star campaigner himself—sent a notice to Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda seeking a response on the allegations against PM Modi. The individual in question, Mr. Modi, were not individually put on notice. The response to the notice, which had to be filed by April 29, has not been made public yet.

This countrywide outrage and censor has not dampened Modi or his party functionaries and elected officials from spewing more hate and division as the seven phase election progressed. Targeting the Opposition party, the Congress, it is the Indian Muslim community that has been under constant attack.

How has the decade long rule by the Modi-led BJP been in terms of quality of public discourse? What has been the detailed track record of BJP leaders in delivering anti-minority, especially anti-Muslim, slurs and comments, especially as a part of their speeches?  Over the ten years of power at the Centre, BJP legislators have been free in their (mis) use of power and authority and consistently marred the discourse with targeted stigma and venom. We, at Sabrangindia have dug deep into our archives to bring readers this listicle of such speeches delivered by BJP top leaders and members in a whole decade, from 2014 to 2024. These speeches are in chronological order, further categorised into the issues/communities that they have targeted through their statements. A clear pattern of top leaders, including Chief Ministers of states and those with those legislators who hold union ministry portfolios, indulging in anti-Muslim diatribes has emerged. Predictably, such anti-Muslim speeches have spiked just prior to elections, both at the state and the Centre.

In the listicle provided below, CJP has tried to include as many provocative speeches delivered by BJP leaders as was possible. As can be observed, a few names can be found appearing repeatedly. Some of these are Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh CM Ajay Bisht (Yogi Adityanath), MLA Raja Singh, MLA Nitesh Rane and MLA Surendra Singh. PM Modi himself can be found delivering anti-Muslim statements consistently and peristently.

In these speeches, an overall common theme of anti-Muslim bashing can also be discerned in the listicle. From top leaders, such as the Prime Minister, to the elected representative of states, issues such as “Love-Jihad”, “Land-Jihad”, forced religious conversions, illegal immigration and destruction of religious places have been used as stereotypical triggers to cement divide and division and as a weapon of discrimination against the religious minority, time and again. Madrassas, Hijab, Burkha, Aurangzeb, Mughals and Pakistan are words that dot these speeches frequently.

The second term of the BJP was marked by a sharp hike in the quantum an spread of such officially spewed hate. In fact, as this listicle demonstrates, close to three-fourths (almost 72-73 % of the hate speech) has been delivered post mid-2019.

Year 2014

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community:

1. Party Leader Giriraj Singh states that all terrorists belong to a particular religion: On May 14, 2014, BJP leader Giriraj Singh stoked up controversy by stating that all terrorists belong to a particular religion.

“Is it not true that people in terror activities are from one religion? Not saying all people from that religion are terrorists.”

“My intention is not to say that everyone from a community is a terrorist. But when all those arrested are from one community, why are secular parties silent.”

2. The then BJP leader Amit Shah encourages audience to seek revenge for Muzaffarnagar riots: On April 6, 2014, in Shamli of Uttar Pradesh, Amit Shah, who was then a BJP leader and in charge of the BJP’s campaign in Uttar Pradesh, had given an instigating election speech in the riot-scarred Muzaffarnagar area in Uttar Pradesh. In his speech, Shah had told his audience to vote for BJP as this is a chance to seek “revenge for the insult” inflicted during the riots in Muzaffarnagar in September of 2013. Notably, the aforementioned riots had left 60 killed and thousands displaced.

“In Uttar Pradesh, especially western Uttar Pradesh, this election is one of honour, it is an opportunity to take revenge and to teach a lesson to people who have committed injustice.”

“(BSP leader) Mayawati gave tickets to a community that exploits you, neglects their own women, humiliates them…Those who insulted us and killed our people…can sitting with them be good for our honour? If you vote for the BJP, Narendra Modi will become PM, and Mullah Mulayam’s government will fall.”

3. Party leader Giriraj Singh asks those opposing Narendra Modi to go to Pakistan: On April 20, 2014, senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh delivered an election speech at Mohanpur Haat Maidan near the temple town Deogarh, Jharkhand which came under the scanner of the ECI as Singh had said all those opposed to Narendra Modi should go to Pakistan as they have no place in India. The remarks of the BJP leader alleged that Modi’s opponents of acting on behalf of Pakistan.

“Those opposing Narendra Modi are looking at Pakistan, and such people will have place in Pakistan and not in India.”

“Those who have united in Bihar and the country to stop Narendra Modi from becoming Prime Minister are pro-Pakistan. They have no right to live in India.” 

4. The then MP Yogi Adityanath blamed people of minority religion for the state’s communal tensions: On September 8, 2014, while rallying for the by-polls in Uttar Pradesh, the then BJP MP Adityanath had alleged that people of the minority religion were responsible for the state’s communal tensions.

“There have been 450 riots cases in West UP in two-and-a-half years of Samajwadi Party because the population of a particular community is rising manifold. Why there are no riots in Eastern UP? you can easily understand.” 

“In places where there are 10 to 20% minorities, stray communal incidents take place. Where there are 20 to 35% of them, serious communal riots take place and where they are more than 35%, there is no place for non-Muslims.” 

5. Union Minister of State Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti told voters to choose between ‘Ramzadon’ and ‘Haramzadon’: On December 2, 2014, while addressing an election rally in West Delhi’s Shyam Nagar area, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti asked the voters to choose their candidates from ones who are ‘Ramzadon’ (those born of Ram) and ‘haramzadon’ (illegitimately born). Jyoti also sparked off a controversy by claiming that everyone, including Muslims and Christians, are sons of Ram

“Aapko tay karna hai ki Dilli mein sarkar Ramzadon ki banegi ya haramzadon ki. Yeh aapka faisla hai (You must decide whether you want a government of those born of Ram or of those born illegitimately).”

Speeches encouraging exclusion of Muslims from Garba

1. MP Usha Thakur wants Muslims barred from “Garba”: On September 10, 2014, BJP MP from Madhya Pradesh, namely Usha Thakur, asked Garba organisers to stop Muslim men from entering Garba venues. She had claimed that the said decision was taken based on a meeting of “intellectuals” and that it is the only way to stop the alleged “love jihad”. She said that organisers must check the identities of people at the gates before allowing them inside. This was the starting of Hindutva groups stepping up their campaign against “love jihad”.

“We have got data that during the Garbha, on an average, four lakh girls convert to Islam every year. So we have started this awareness drive.” 

Speeches against Madrassas:

1. MP Sakshi Maharaj accused Madrassa of giving “education of terrorism”: On September 14, 2014, in Nademau in Kannauj district of Madhya Pradesh, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj made controversial remarks against Madrassas, religious education institutions of Muslims. Maharaj alleged that these particular institutes impart an education that encourages terrorism amongst Muslims instead of being taught about nationalism.

“Education of terrorism is being given in madrassas. They (madrassas)… are making them terrorists and jihadis. It is not in national interest.”

“Tell me about one madrassa where tricolour is hoisted even on August 15 and January 26.”

“Most of our schools do not take the aid but it is being given to madrassas having no connection with nationalism.“

Speeches targeting women:

1. The then MP Yogi Adityanath exhorted Hindu men to marry 100 Muslim women if even one Hindu girl converts: On August 29, 2014, a video of BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh was uploaded on Youtube which showed the then MP addressing a crowd of a thousand people and making provocative statements against Muslim women. In his speech, Adityanath could be seen and heard exhorting Hindu men to marry 100 Muslim women if one Hindu woman is forcibly converted.

“If they take one Hindu girl, we will take 100 Muslims girls.”

“The way Hindu girls are insulted, I don’t think a civilised soceity would accept it. One community is allowed to spread anarchy. If the government is not doing anything, then the Hindus will have to take matters into their own hands.”  

Note: In the year 2014, General elections were held in India in nine phases from from 7 April to 12 May 2014 to elect the members of the 16th Lok Sabha. State legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Andhra Pradesh (April-May), Arunachal Pradesh (April), Odisha (April), Sikkim (April), Haryana (October), Maharashtra (October), Jammu and Kashmir (November-December) and Jharkhand (November-December).

Year 2015

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community:

1. Union Minister Mahesh Sharma describes former President A.P.J Abdul Kalam as a “nationalist despite being a Muslim”: On September 17, 2015, while giving an interview to India TV, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma described former President A P J Abdul Kalam as a “great man” who was a “nationalist” and a “humanist” “despite being a Muslim”.

“Mein samajhta hoon ki Aurangzeb koi adarsh nahin the. Prernasrot hi prerak ho sakta hai. Aurangzeb Road ka bhi naam badal kar ek aise mahapurush ke naam par kiya hai jo Musalmaan hote hue bhi itna bada rashtravadi aur manavtavadi insaan tha, APJ Abdul Kalam, unke naam par kiya gaya hai (I don’t think Aurangzeb was an ideal person. Only a source of inspiration can be inspirational. Aurangzeb Road has been named after such a great man who, despite being a Muslim, was a nationalist and a humanist, A P J Abdul Kalam. The road has been named after him).”

2. The then MP Yogi Adityanath asks actor Shah Rukh Khan to go to Pakistan: Hitting out at Shah Rukh Khan two days after he added his voice to the protest by the intelligentsia against the ’climate of intolerance’, the BJP MP from Gorakhpur issued a threat to the actor. While asking him to leave to Pakistan, Adityanath stated that if the “huge mass” of people in the country would boycott his films then he would also have to wander on streets like a “normal Muslim”.

“Shah Rukh Khan should remember that if a huge mass in society would boycott his films, he will also have to wander on streets like a normal Muslim….I am saying these people are speaking in a terrorist’ language. I think there is no difference between the language of Shah Rukh Khan and Hafiz Saeed.”

“We welcome that people go there [Pakistan], at least people who defame India will understand their own originality.”

Note: In the year 2015, state legislative assembly elections took place in the state of the Union Territory of Delhi (February) and Bihar (October-November). 

Year 2016

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community:

1. Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria instigate Hindus against Muslims: On February 28, 2016, the BJP leader and Union Minister gave a highly provocative and polarising speech at a condolence congregation in Agra over the death of Arun Mahaur, a VHP worker from the region. Mahaur was alleged to have been stabbed to death by five Muslim miscreants belonging to his locality.

“Before we lose another Arun, we have to launch a struggle. These murderers should leave this place, before they could kill anyone else among us. If the administration here thinks that I am a Minister and my hands are tied, then they are wrong.” 

2. Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde calls for uprooting Islam: In March 2016, BJP leader and Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Anantkumar Hegde went on a diatribe against Islam and raised calls for its uprooting, deeming the same to be the ultimate solution against terrorism.

“As long as there is Islam in the world, there will be terrorism. Until we uproot Islam, we can’t remove terrorism.”

“If there is opportunity in the media – write exactly this. Telecast exactly this. Islam is a bomb for world peace. There will be no peace in the world as long as Islam is there.” 

3. MP Meghraj Jain calls being a religious minority is an insult to Jains as it puts them on a par with the ‘very violent’ Muslim community: In April 2016, BJP MP Meghraj Jain, who is from Madhya Pradesh, had addressed a press conference in Ratlam deeming the decision to give Jains minority status to be a “conspiracy by the Congress’’. As per Jain, being declared a religious minority put the Jain community “on a par with a very violent community”.

“We are pure vegetarian. We can’t even kill ants, and if they do get killed we make atonement…It’s an insult to the Jain community…I am talking about Muslims…They kill goat…kill cow…they eat meat daily. We were made to sit with them.” 

4. PM Modi asking for purification of Muslims- On September 25, 2016 while addressing a national level BJP conclave at Kozhikode, Kerala, PM shared his belief with his captive audience about Muslims being the ‘other’ or ‘different from ‘us’ borrowing directly from ideas buried deep with the archival reserves of the RSS.

“Fifty years ago, Pandit Upadhyaya said ‘do not reward/appease (puraskrit) Muslims, do not shun (tiraskrit) them but purify (parishkar) them’.” 

5. MLA Raja Singh attacks movie for starring Pakistani actor: On October 15, 2016, BJP MLA Singh had threatened that he would “attack” theatres in entire Telangana, starting from his constituency Goshamahal, if the Bollywood film “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”, starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan is screened there.

“My idea is that a message should go to Pakistan in all possible ways about India’s opposition and public anger against Pak-sponsored terrorism,” Singh said.

6. MLA Himanta Sarma on discrimination between Hindu and Muslim migrants: On November 1, 2016, As Sarma was answering questions pertaining to the opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Assam, he admitted that it is his party’s policy to differentiate between migrants on the basis or religion. He asked the people of Assam, who protest against the CAA for not being in tandem with the Assam Accord of 1985, to choose their enemy between “1-1.5 lakh people or the 55 lakh people?”

It is essential to note that it is often iterated by politicians that Assam has 55 lakh Bangladeshi migrants in the state, the number 1.5 lakh plausibly referred to the number potential Hindu migrants that may be eligible for Indian citizenship. 

7. MP Parvesh Verma deems Muslims to be un-patriotic– On December 17, 2016, BJP MP Parvesh Verma addressed a gathering in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh wherein he stated that Muslims don’t, and never will, vote for BJP as it is a “patriotic party”. Furthermore, he then asked media persons gathered at the event to think why all terrorists are Muslims. Verma also said that “no power on Earth” could stop the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“We don’t have any problem with the Muslim community but they have problems with us. Muslims prefer to stay away from the BJP and choose to vote for every party except for the BJP. My question was simple. Why is every terrorist a Muslim and why don’t they vote for BJP? That is because they don’t want to come into the mainstream and join the development process. Mayawati recently said that if Muslims vote for me then I can form the government. It is clear that all other parties see Muslims as a vote-bank. But Muslims don’t even want to become a part of the mainstream. Are their children are taught to vote against the BJP in madrassas? Are they incited against our party?” 

Note: In the year 2016, state legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Tamil Nadu (May), West Bengal (May), Kerala (May), Assam (April) and the Union Territory of Puducherry (May).

Year 2017

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community

1. MP targets Muslims for rising population: On January 6, 2017 BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, while addressing a public gathering in a run up to the UP election, targeted the Muslim community for giving birth to multiple children and marrying 4 times.

“If the population is growing alarmingly, if the problems are rising, let me tell you that the Hindus are not responsible for it… The people responsible are those who talk of having four wives and 40 children”

2. The then MP Yogi Adityanath calls for a ‘Muslim ban’ policy: On January 30, 2017, the then BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath, had addressed an election rally in Bulandshahr and called for imposing a ban on Muslims.

“Similar action is needed to contain terror activities in this country.” 

3. MLA Suresh Rana threatens to impose curfew in Muslim majority areas of UP: On February 2, 2017 BJP MLA Rana, an accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and the party candidate in the Uttar Pradesh state polls, had attempted to polarise the state of Uttar Pradesh along communal lines by stating that he will be impose curfew in three Muslim majority areas of the state.

“If I emerge winner, curfew will be imposed in Kairana, Deoband and Moradabad.” 

4. PM Modi brings in the Kabristan-Shamshaan troupe: As the 2017 UP assembly elections process progressed, PM Modi became more and more belligerent in his communal, polarising rhetoric.  Speaking at an election rally on February 20, 2017 at Fatehpur, the PM while raising the issue of ‘the appeasement of the Muslim minority in the State’ targeted the incumbent Samajwadi Party by accusing them of preferring Muslims over Hindus. As usual, to create a division amongst people of different faiths, PM Modi had forwarded his best argument that Akhilesh government was elected by Muslim voters so it naturally worked for the interest of its ‘Muslim vote-bank’ overlooking the needs or demands of Hindus.

“Ramzan me bijli athi hai tho Diwali me bhi ani chahiye; Bhedbhav nhi hona chahiye (If there is electricity during Ramadan then it must be available during Diwali too; there shouldn’t be any discrimination)”

Gaon me kabristan banta hai to shamshaan bhi banna chahiye (If there is a ‘kabaristaan’ (graveyard), there should be a ‘shamshaan’ (cremation ground) too”.

5. MLA Sangeet Sim called Mughal emperors Babur and Akbar “traitors” while calling Taj Mahal a “blot on Indian culture”: On October 16, 2017, while delivering a speech in Meerut, BJP MLA Sangeet Som dragged Taj Mahal monument into controversy by saying that the monument was built by “traitors” and is a “blot on Indian culture”.

“Many people were worried that the Taj Mahal was removed from the list of historical places in the UP tourism booklet. What history are we talking about? The man who built Taj Mahal imprisoned his father. He wanted to massacre Hindus. If this is history, then it is very unfortunate and we will change this history, I guarantee you” 

6. MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja threatens of death to those accused of smuggling and slaughtering cows: On December 25, 2017, After a series of cow vigilantism and mob lynching had surfaced from the state of Rajasthan, BJP MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja had stocked more fires by making extremist statements.

“If you smuggle or slaughter cows, you will be killed” 

Speeches invoking Ram Mandir

1. Party Leader Subramanian Swamy’s ultimatum to Muslims on Ayodhya: On March 22, 2017, Subramanian Swamy had taken to Twitter to issue an ultimatum to the Muslims leaders to give up their claims on the disputed Babri-Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi plot in Ayodhya or else none can stop the Union government will pass a law on the building of Ram Mandir at the spot the moment the BJP-led NDA government gains a majority in the Rajya Sabha in 2018. Notably, the issue was then sub-judice.

“Muslims should accept my proposal for a Masjid across Saryu. Or else in 2018 on getting the RS majority we will enact a law to build a temple.”

“There is already a temporary Ramlala Temple in Ramjanmabhoomi sanctioned by Supreme Court in 1994. Puja on. Can anyone dare to demolish it?” 

2. MLA Raja Singh threatens to behead those who oppose Ram Temple: On April 9, 2017, BJP MLA Singh indulged in delivering an inflammatory speech, threatening to behead those opposing the building of a Ram Temple at the site where the Babri Masjid once stood in Ayodhya.

“We can give our lives to build a Ram Mandir and we can also take lives. To those who warn of dire consequences if Ram Mandir [is] built…we were waiting for you to say this so we can behead you”.  

Note: In the year 2017, state legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Uttar Pradesh (February- March), Uttarakhand (February), Punjab(February) , Manipur (March), Gujarat (December), Himachal Pradesh (November) and Goa (February).

Year 2018

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community

1. MLA Vikram Saini says “Hindustan is for Hindus”: On January 2, 2018, BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh called India a nation of only Hindus while speaking at a function in communally sensitive Muzaffarnagar, the epicenter of riots in 2013.

“I’m a hardcore believer in Hindutva. Our nation is called Hindustan, which means a nation for the Hindus. Today, everyone gets benefits without any discrimination.”

“Earlier the system was — the longer the beard, the bigger the cheque.“

“Some scatter-brained leaders made the bearded ones stay, which is why we are in trouble today. Had they left, all this land would have belonged to us.“ 

2. MP Vinay Katiyar questions why Muslims live in India, asks them to go to Bangladesh or Pakistan: On February 6, 2018, Senior BJP MP Vinay Katiyar stated that Muslims have “no business being in India” and they should go live in Pakistan or Bangladesh. In his speech, he also blamed Muslims for partition and demanded strict punishment for those who don’t respect Vande Mataram or the Indian flag. He also dragged Taj Mahal into his anti-Muslim diatribe.

“Muslims should not stay in this country. They have partitioned the country on the basis of population. So why are they here? Muslims have been given their share. They should go to Bangladesh or Pakistan… they have no business being in India.”

“Punish those who do not respect Vande Mataram, (and) those who insult the national flag, or hoist the Pakistani flag.”

“There is not much difference between Taj and Tej…Our Tej Mandir was turned into a cremation ground by Aurangzeb. Taj Mahal will be converted into Tej Mandir soon.” 

3. MLA Basanagouda Pati lyatnal makes discriminatory remarks against Muslims: A senior Karnataka MLA from BJP declared that “Hindus and Muslims were at war” while seeking votes from Hindus. In a video that had gone viral in June of 2018, the lawmaker could be seen making discriminatory and accusatory remarks against Muslims. Furthermore, Iyatnal also openly declared that he will only work for the development of Hindus, excluding Muslims.

“I never asked Muslims to vote for me, I had faith in Hindus that they would vote for me.”

“Hindus are the one who ensured my win in the elections. I will work to develop the Hindu community, not the Muslims.”

“Our intellectuals are harming us. These people (intellectuals) live in this country and use all the facilities for which we pay tax. Then they raise slogans against the Indian Army. Our country faces grave danger from intellectuals and seculars than anyone else.” 

Note: In the year 2018, state legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Tripura (February), Meghalaya (February), Nagaland (February), Karnataka (May), Chhattisgarh (November), Madhya Pradesh (November), Mizoram (November), Rajasthan (December) and Telangana (December).

Year 2019

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community

1. MLA Himanta Sarma indulges in fear-mongering over CAA in Assam: On January 6, 2019, as Assam was seeing protests over the Citizenship Amendment Bill (now Act), BJP top leader had indulged in spreading fear by stating that there is an alleged demographic invasion taking place in Assam and only bringing the CAA can resolve the same. He had used the phrase “drive out the Jinnahs” in an apparent reference to the Muslims of Bengali origin residing in Assam.

“This is a fight between the legacy of Jinnah and India. The NRC is a process to weed out the Jinnahs. If we do not implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, then Badruddin Ajmal will become chief minister and if there is no Citizenship Bill, at least 17 seats will go to the Jinnahs.” 

2. MLA Kapil Mishra invoked Pulwama Terrorist attack to spew venom: On February 18, 2019, in pursuance to the terrorist attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men killed in the line of duty in the terrorist attack at Pulawama, Kapil Mishra, an MLA from the Karawal Constituency in Delhi, had made series of deeply disturbing tweets that appeared to promote hate and violence in a bid to demand revenge.

“Not enough to kill 40-50 enemy soldiers to avenge ours, destroy the wombs that can give birth to terrorists.” 

3. Yogi’s Divisive Politics of Bajrang Bali vs Ali: On April 9, 2019, the current CM of UP had, at a rally in Meerut for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rajendra Agarwal, appealed to the crowd to vote for the BJP and save the nation from being infected by the ‘green virus’ referring to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

“If you have faith in Ali, we have faith in Bajrang Bal” 

4. (Then) BJP President Amit Shah calls ‘illegal’ immigrants “termites”: On April 10, 2019, at a rally in Raiganj, West Bengal, the then President of BJP had raked the issue of illegal immigrants to target the opposition TMC party as well as single out the Muslim community. Shah had declared that after the BJP is re-elected, it would find these termites and throw them out, but said that Buddhist and Hindu refugees would be granted Indian citizenship.

“We will ensure implementation of NRC in the entire country. We will remove every single infiltrator from the country, except Buddha, Hindus and Sikhs” 

5. Kerala BJP President P S Sreedharan Pillai stated Muslims can be identified by removing clothes: On April 15, 2019, while speaking at the campaign for the BJP’s Attingal candidate Sobha Surendran, Kerala BJP President P S Sreedharan Pillai had passed a reprehensible and communal remark directly targeting the Muslim community. His comment was in reference to the Balakot controversy over the number of people killed in the air strike where the BJP has given some ad hoc figures with no confirmation from the Indian Air Force. He had said that Muslims could be identified by removing their clothes, referring to circumcision.

“When our forces came back to the country after risking their life, our Rahul Gandhi, Sitaram Yechury and Pinarayi Vijayan are demanding they (security forces) should get down and check those killed…their country, their caste and their religion. If they were Muslims, they can be easily identified. If you undress them, you can make out (if they are Muslim).” 

6. Union Minister Giriraj Singh urges ECI to ban use of green flags: On April 25, 2019, Union Minister and the then BJP candidate from Begusarai, Giriraj Singh said that the Election Commission (EC) should ban the use of green flags alleging that they spread hate and create a perception of being used in Pakistan. The aforementioned statement had been made by the Minister while taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s nomination from Wayanad (a Muslim majority constituency). During his speech. Singh had also said that his fight from this parliamentary constituency is against a “gang” working for “breaking up” India, and asserted that he represents the agenda of cultural nationalism and development.

“Did you see the procession in Wayanad when Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers? It seemed he was going to contest from Rawalpindi in Pakistan. The flags seen there bore so much resemblance with Pakistan flags. They spread hate, not love,” further alleging that green flags gave an impression of Muslim-affiliated religious or political institutions.”

“If you say you cannot chant Vande Mataram, this nation will never forget you”

7. MLA Surendra Singh states that those who do not chant Vande Mataram should be sent to Pakistan: On April 26, 2019, BJP MLA from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, Surendra Narayan Singh had said that those who do not want to chant Vande Matram have no right to live in India and should be sent to Pakistan.

“Chanting Vande Matram may be an emotion. But if you are living in India, then Vande Matram is a must. It is in Sanskrit and can be translated into Urdu too. Those who do not want to chant it by heart have no right to live in India. If it is in my hand, I would send such people to Pakistan within one week after making their passports.” 

8. MLA Prasanta Phukan equated Muslims with cows that do not produce milk: On May 3, 2019, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Prasanta Phukan, who represents the Dibrugarh Assembly constituency stirred controversy in Assam when he said that Muslims were likes cows that don’t give milk.

“It is common knowledge that 90% of Muslims did not vote for us in the Lok Sabha election. There is no point in providing fodder to a cow that does not produce milk.” 

9. MLA Surendra Singh makes communal comment to defame Muslims: On July 14, 2019, BJP MLA from Ballia Surendra Singh had stirred controversy by giving a speech stating that Muslims who have many wives and children in large numbers have an “animalistic tendency.”

“In the Muslim religion, you know that people keep 50 wives and give birth to 1050 children. This is not a tradition but an animalistic tendency. In society, giving birth to only two to four children is normal.” 

10. The then BJP Mumbai Chief targets Muslims, invokes 1992 riots, 1993 blasts: On October 16, 2019, the then BJP’s Mumbai Unit President Mangal Prabhat Lodha called on the memories of riots and terror attacks, claiming that the bombs and bullets used in these incidents were manufactured “in lanes within 5 km”. Lodha was delivering the said speech in Mumbadevi. While Lodha did not name any locality, but it is common knowledge that the Dongri and Nagpada areas in the vicinity of Mumbadevi have a large Muslim population.

“Remember after the 1992 riots…how many blasts took place in Mumbai, how many bullets were fired, where were their manufacturing centres? They were manufactured in lanes within 5 km from here. A person who is elected with votes from those lanes, how will he take care of you in the times to come?”

“The bell has started tolling for the demon at the border, wipe out the sinner Pakistan from the map.” 

11. Party leader Rajeshwar Singh calls for wiping out of Muslims and Christians in India by December 31, 2021: On December 13, 2019, BJP and RSS leader Rajeshwar Singh had openly boasted of the BJP government’s intent to ethnically cleanse Muslims and Christians from India. Notably, Rajeshwar Singh had also been leading the highly controversial movement of re-converting Muslims and Christians back to the Hindu fold.

“Muslims and Christians will be wiped out of India by December 31, 2021.” 

Speeches invoking Ram Mandir

1. MLA Sadhvi Pragya states she is proud of Babri Mosque demolition: On April 20, 2019, as Sadhvi Pragya’s candidature from Bhopal constituency was announced by the BJP, the 2008 Malegaon blast accused delivered many communal speeches. On April 20, while speaking with a reporter from Aaj Tak, Sadhvi Pragya said that she did not regret that the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was destroyed in 1992, and that she was “proud” of it.

“Why should I regret over the demolition of the structure? I am proud of it. A few unwanted elements were trying to enter Lord Ram’s temple, we had to remove them. I am proud of it. This has awakened the self-respect of our country. We will construct the Ram temple,” 

Speeches targeting women:

1. MLA Surendra Singh’s misogynistic vitriol against women: On March 24, 2019, when news alleging induction of popular Haryanvi actress and dancer Sapna Singh into the Congress emerged, BJP MLA Surendra Singh passed a disgusting and misogynitic remark on former India National Congress (INC) President Sonia Gandhi. The MLA said that Congress President Rahul Gandhi is following the footsteps of his father, the late Rajiv Gandhi by inducting a “dancer” in Congress, insulting not only the politician but also the community of dancers and actors.

“Rahul Gandhi’s mother (Sonia Gandhi) was in the same profession when she was in Italy. The way your (Rahul Gandhi’s) father started a family with Sonia ji, you should also start a family with Sapna Chaudhary. The best thing is both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law will be from the same dancing profession).” 

2. MLA Sangeet Som calls burqa a symbol of terrorism: On May 3, 2019, BJP MLA Sangeet Som lashed out at the burqa in a video posted to his Facebook page, alleging that the burqa is “encouraging terrorism,” and calling for it to be banned. In addition to this, Som also alleged that the burqa was now being used to sound a death knell to democracy in India.

“The manner in which fake voting is being done in the guise of the burqa, is dangerous for a country like India.”

“Has there ever been any incident of terrorism in the garb of the ghunghat? You are seen siding with the tukde tukde gang and you campaign for them.” 

3. The then BJP Mahila Morcha leader calls for gang rape of Muslim women: On June 25, 2019, taking to Facebook, the then BJP Mahila Morcha leader in Uttar Pradesh’s Ramkola, Sunita Singh Gaur, had said that Hindu men should enter into Muslim homes and gangrape Muslim women to protect Hindu as well as India. Notably, she was removed from her post pursuant to the outrage.

“There is only one solution for them (Muslims). Hindu brothers should make a group of 10 and gang rape their (Muslims) mothers and sisters openly on the streets and then then hang them in the middle of the bazaar for others to see. Muslim mothers and sisters should have their honour looted as there is no other way to protect India.” 

Speeches targeting Mosques:

1. MP Vinay Katiyar rakes up Kashi, Mathura issue prior to Ayodhya judgment: On November 3, 2019, days prior to the Supreme Court judgement on Babri-Ayodhya issue was to be delivered, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar had stirred the pot by openly declaring to pursue the ‘unfinished agenda’ of Kashi and Mathura once the verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute is out.

“We are waiting for the Supreme court verdict. After that, we will build the Ram temple in Ayodhya and then will also move towards liberating the Kashi and Mathura temples.”

Note: In the year 2019, General elections were held in India in seven phases from 11 April to 19 May 2019 to elect the members of the 17th Lok Sabha. State legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Andhra Pradesh (April), Arunachal Pradesh (April), Odisha (April), Sikkim (April), Haryana (October), Maharashtra (October) and Jharkhand (November-December).

Year 2020

Speeches targeting anti-CAA protestors:

1. PM Modi attacks those protesting against CAA: On February 3, 2020, in the run up to Delhi elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi openly made statements against people protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at an election rally.

“Be it Seelampur, Jamia or Shaheen Bagh, protests have been on for several days now. Is this just a coincidence? No, it is an experiment. It is a political design to break-up the unity of the nation.” 

2. MP Parvesh Verma delivers inflammatory speech instigating violence against those protesting at Shaheen Bagh: On January 28, 2020, during the anti-CAA agitation of Delhi, BJP leader Parvesh Verma minced no words in provoking people against the Shaheen Bagh and making the sit-in women led protest a poll plank ahead of the Delhi assembly elections.

“Shaheen Bagh protesters will enter your house, abduct your sisters and mothers, rape them, kill them the way militants had treated Kashmiri Pandits”.

“Lakhs of people gather there (Shaheen Bagh) and this fire can anytime reach households of Delhi. People of Delhi need to think about it and decide. These people will enter your house, will abduct your sisters and mothers, rape them, kill them, that’s why today is the moment.”

3. Leader Anurag Thakur incites crowd to complete violent slogans: On February 7, 2020Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, had incited a crowd in Delhi to complete his chant of what should happen to ‘traitors of the country…” with a “they should be shot”.

4. Kapil Mishra’s speech advocating for forcefully removing protestors: On February 23, 2020, BJP leader Kapil Mishra had delivered a short speech at Maujpur, in which he openly called for forcefully removing the protestors at Jafrabad in North East Delhi.

“but after that we will not listen to the police if roads are not cleared after three days…”

Note: In the year 2020, state legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Bihar (October-November) and the Union Territory of Delhi (February).

Year 2021

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community

1. MLA Himanta Sarma otherises Muslim community in Assam: On February 3, 2021, with the Assam state elections approaching, Hemant Biswa Sarma said that the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) does not need votes from the Bengali origin Muslim community in Assam to win the elections, and accused them of “openly challenging Assamese culture, language and the composite Indian culture”. The Minister also said that his party will not give tickets to those who identify themselves as Miya Muslims and urged the Congress to follow suit.

“They have started identifying themselves as Miyas. These so called Miya people are very communal and fundamental and they are involved in many activities to distort Assamese culture and Assamese language. So, I don’t want to be an MLA with their vote. I will not be able to sit in the Assembly if they voted for me.”

2. Party leader Suvendu Adhikari delivers communal speech against Mamata Banerjee: On February 16, 2021, In his election rally speech, the BJP leader had called Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “Begum” and claimed that she would turn West Bengal into “Mini-Pakistan”. 

3. Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that Highway was blocked for Namaz: On October 30, 2021, Politics targeting Namaz or the Muslim prayer was given more volatile fuel when Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his speech at Uttarakhand, had blamed the Congress led former state government for allowing Namaz on national highways. Notably, it was not clarified by the Minister which national highway had ever been blocked for namaz and when.

“When I came to Uttarakhand earlier, during the Congress tenure, my convoy was stuck in a traffic jam and some people told me that there is permission to block a national highway for namaz on Friday” 

4. UP Dy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya using anti-Muslims slurs and makes unfounded allegations: On December 3, 2021, while speaking at a BJP’s Mandal Traders Conference, Maurya targeted the Muslim community by using anti-Muslim slurs and calling Muslims “lungi chaap, jaalidaar topi goondas”.

“They were roaming the streets with revolvers in their hands and threatening businessmen.” He asked the crowds to tell him who these “goondas” were, and the public replied “lungiwale”.

Note: In the year 2021, state legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Assam (April), Kerala (April) and Tamil Nadu (April).

Year  2022

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community

1. UP CM Yogi Adityanath inflames communal passions by making “80-20” comment: On January 11, 2022, At a conclave organised by Doordarshan ahead of state assembly polls, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath sparked a political row with making inflammatory and divisive remarks against the Muslim community, pitying the Hindus against the Muslims.

“The 80 per cent supporters will be on one side while 20 per cent will be on the other. I think 80 per cent will move forward with positive energy whereas 20 per cent have always opposed and will oppose further.”

“It will be an 80% versus 20% in UP polls and the BJP will retain power.”

2. MLA Raghvendra Pratap Singh targets Muslims and skullcaps while seeking votes: On February 13, 2022, In the run up to the UP elections, BJP MLA Raghvendra Pratap Singh had sought votes by promising that if they elect him again, Muslims will stop wearing their skullcaps and start putting Hindu tilaks on their foreheads and say SitaRam as a greeting.

“Topi band hoiba, miyan log tilak lagai ke chalein… aur aap logan se hi kahi hei chacha SitaRam.” 

3. MP Brij Bhushan Singh indulges in communal hate campaigning before UP elections: On February 18, 2022, speaking at election meetings, Singh said ‘Inshallah’ be damned in Uttar Pradesh’s ‘shooter baba’s government.

“Uttar Pradesh has trigger happy/ shooter Baba and bulldozer baba’s government, your ‘Inshallah’ be damned.”

4. MLA Mayankeshwar Singh indulges in outrightly criminal and partisan campaign: On February 22, 2022, BJP MLA Mayankeshwar Singh made a blatantly violent and anti-Muslim statement while addressing a crowd of voters during one of his campaigns ahead of UP state assembly elections.

“If the Hindus are awakened, we will pull out the beards and make a chotia (a ponytail sported by Brahmin Hindus). If you want to stay in Hindustan you will have to say “Radhe Radhe” (a Hindu chant) else, just like at the time of partition people had gone to Pakistan, you should also go”

5. MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bauchal compares Muslims to Ravan: On May 8, 2022, in a video that went viral on social media, BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bauchal was caught openly calling for violence against Muslim minorities, comparing them to demons like Ravan (the chief antagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayan). As he was delivering the said speech in Bihar, he emphasised in his speech that the Ravanas in Bihar can be found in Muslim dominated regions of the state.

“We need Hanuman ji so that our youth could be strong, the people of our country could be strong. Just like Ravana’s Lanka was burnt by Hanuman ji, the demon-like Ravanas, who are hovering over Bihar and the country, should also be burnt.”  

6. MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bauchal uses derogatory term “jihadi” in targeting Muslims: On June 21, 2022, the said BJP MLA used the term “Jihadi” to describe those groups of youngsters that were protesting the Agnipath scheme for army recruitment. The statements made by Bauchal not only stigmatosed Muslims but also gave a communal turn to the protests being led against the Agnipath scheme.

“Who are indulging in violence? Those involved are the ‘jihadi’ people and also the ‘samikaranvadi log’ (people who believe in forging political equations to form a government).”

“Those who are desperate to form government by hook or crook are behind the violence,” referring to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) without actually naming it specifically.

“However, youths who nurse ‘desh prem’ and are ready to sacrifice themselves for it are happy (with the Agnipath scheme).” 

7. MP Parvesh Verma calls for total boycott of a “particular community”: On October 8, 2022, speaking at an event called Virat Hindu Sabha organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), BJP MP Verma had urged people to boycott people of a particular community. Though Verma did not specifically name the Muslim community, he was speaking in reference to an alleged case of murder where the victim was Hindu and the alleged perpetrators all hailed from the Muslim community.

“If you want to set their minds right, if you want to cure them, there is only one solution – complete boycott.”

“We will boycott them completely. We will not buy anything from their shops and establishments. We will not pay them any wages.” 

8. HM Amit Shah says “more Mazars than population”: On November 15, 2022, in the race up to Gujarat State Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel for having demolished illegal mazars or Muslim shrines that had “mushroomed” in Beyt Dwarka which is a small island off Dwarka coast.

“I want to congratulate CM Bhupendra Patel for demolishing illegal mazars (a Muslim shrine or enshrined tomb) and other illegal constructions which mushroomed in Beyt Dwarka (a small island off the coast of Dwarka) over years. There were more mazars than the population.” 

9. MP Pragya Singh incited violence, urged Hindus to retaliate and use knives to protect themselves: On December 25, 2022, terror accused and BJP MP from Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur had made inciteful and anti-Muslim remarks while speaking at Hindu Jagarana Vedike’s South Region annual convention held in Shivamogga, Karnataka. Raising the bogey of ‘Love Jihad’, Thakur had said that Hindus should “answer those involved in love jihad the same way”. She added that girls should be protected and taught the “right values”.

“Love jihad, they have a tradition of jihad, if nothing they do love jihad. Even if they love they do jihad in that. We (Hindus) too love, love the god, a sanyasi loves his god.”

“Keep weapons in your homes, if nothing else, at least knives used to cut vegetables, sharp…Don’t know what situation will arise when….Everyone has the right to self-protection. If someone infiltrates our house and attacks us, giving a befitting replay is our right.” 

Speeches directly targeting Muslim culture and Islam

1. CM Himanta Biswa’s pointed remarks at opposition Muslim leader’s culture: On April 3, 2022, during the Assam State Assembly election of 2022, where there was some controversy related to cross voting and alleged “vote wastage” for two Rajya Sabha seats, CM Himanta Sarma had said that he was not against Badruddin Ajmal, leader of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), but against his culture.

“Proof of my actions against Ajmal are evident in Gorukhuti, Lumding and Lahorijan. Let me make one thing clear. I’m not against Ajmal the individual, but his culture.” 

2. Spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s derogatory statement against Prophet Mohammed: On May 26, 2022, during a News Hour debate show named ‘The Gyanvapi Files’ that aired on Times Now, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma had spread hatred, stigmatised and demeaned the Muslim community. But the shocker was when she alleged that Prophet Mohammed, revered by all Muslims, married and defiled a child.

“They (Muslims) should be told to shut up and stop insulting our (Hindu) religion. Otherwise, we are also capable of hitting them where it hurts. They may call it a fountain as much as they want, but the reality is that even the Supreme Court ordered immediate protection of the area…”

“Claims made in the Quran about your flying horses… that the earth is flat …should I make fun of it?”

3. MLA T. Raja Singh makes objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammed: On August 22, 2022, two days after a stand-up comedy show was organised by comedian Munawar Faruqi under complete police protection, BJP MLA Raja Singh has Singh had released a video on a YouTube channel titled ‘Jai Shree Ram’. In the said video, Singh had made derogatory comments in regards to Prophet Mohammed. Notably, during the said show, Singh had been put under house arrest to prevent him from disrupting the same.

“I thought to myself, He (Faruqui) is abusing Lord Ram and Sita so I should research this almighty of his and people who wear round caps (Muslims). The moment I did it, I found something very shocking in the video. In that, it says that the man married a six-year-old (referring to the Prophet Muhammad).”

Note: In the year 2022, state legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Goa (February), Uttarakhand (February), Punjab (February), Manipur (February-March), Uttar Pradesh (February-March), Himachal Pradesh (November) and Gujarat (December).

Year  2023

Speeches directly targeting Muslim community

1. MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal raised the Tipu Sultan anti-Muslim discourse: On February 28, 2023, BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, known for his anti-Muslim stance, had sparked a row over his comments comparing Muslims in the state of Karnataka to Tipu Sultan. While addressing a rally in Vijayapura, keeping the Assembly elections in mind, Yatnal had raised the Tipu Sultan discourse.

“All MLAs ask me, in your constituency there are one lakh Tipu Sultans (Muslim votes) how a Shivaji Maharaj descendant won from Bijapur. Going forward in Bijapur, none of the followers of Tipu Sultan will win. Even by mistake you should not cast your votes for Muslims.”  

2. MLA T. Raja Singh called for genocide against and economic boycott of Muslims: On March 14, 2023, BJP MLA Raja Singh had used stigmatizing and dehumanizing language while giving speeches in Maharashtra. through his speech, threatens Muslims who oppose the establishment of Hindu Rashtra with dire consequences, accusing them of “Land-Jihad,” “Love-Jihad,” and receiving money in exchange for trapping Hindu women.

“In the name of Land Jihad, these people have captured government lands. Through any means possible, we will take over Shri Ram chowk and build a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Will you all help us?”

“If a case of Love-Jihad happens anywhere, make it viral and tell your sister and daughters that see, we lost a sister today. She has been abducted and taken away.”

“They have even set rates for the women- if the girl is from a Brahmin family, the rate is 5 lakhs, if the girl is from a Rajput family, the rate is 4 lakhs, 3 lakhs if the girl is from the Jain community, and 2 lakhs if the girl is from the OBC, ST or SC community. If the girl is from the Gujarati community or Marathi community, they get 6 lakhs and for Sikh girls, they get 7 lakhs.”

“These people marry the Hindu girls, and then make them a machine to give birth to their children. If she refuses to given birth, they sell the woman for prostitution.”  

3. MLA Raja Singh delivers communal anti-Muslim speech as a part of election rally: On May 6, 2023, BJP MLA T. Raja Singh had made misinformed and offensive claims against the minority community at two separate incidents while rallying for another party candidate in Karnataka.

“A lot of the people say that the Muslims will not vote for Modi in these elections. To those Muslims, I want to just remind them that this is the same Modi that has saved the honour of your sisters and daughters by banning Triple Talaq in India. Before Modi had brought in the issue of Triple Talaq, your sisters and daughters had to suffer through Halala. You should be grateful that he saved you honour.”

“Our mother cow will be openly slaughtered then, they will commit Love-Jihad and Land-jihad, if the PFI comes back after the Congress wins. Understand this, if all this happens, whoever works for the Hindutva cause or calls themselves a Hindu, there will be a great risk for them.” 

4. MLA Raja Singh made misinformed, provocative and offensive claims against Muslims: On May 23, 2023, BJP MLA Raja Singh delivered an anti-Muslim hate speech in Kota, Rajasthan.

“If you want to kill a “Love-Jihadi”, then get associated with Bajrang Dal.”

“In that time, there was only one Akbar, and now, in every nook and corner, I can see multiple illegal children of Akbar roaming around. We have no problems with you, no enmity with you. But, if you people even dare to raise your eyes to look at our sisters and daughters, then we will speak the same language as you, and do things in the way that are understandable to you.”

“Be it Abdul or be it Aftab, all of these people have read only one book through which they are taught various types of Jihad.” 

5. CM Himanta Sarma targets the Bengali Muslim community, calls it “Fertiliser Jihad”: On June 12, 2022, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma concocted a new anti-Muslim slur while warning the audience about the overuse of fertilisers in farming. Instead of addressing it as a health concern for all, Sarma painted it in communal colours and alleged that the Muslim farmers “fertilizer jihad”. Through this, Sarma attempted to create suspicion and link the state’s primarily Bengali-Muslim vegetable growers to some sinister and malicious plan.

“When we started governing Assam, we informed the public that there is a rise in heart, kidney disease in the state due to excessive use of fertilisers in various food items. The state is fighting “fertiliser jihad.” 

6. Assam CM used divisive language, made remarks against ‘Miya Community’: On June 23, 2022, at a time when former President Barak Obama had urged President Biden to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the treatment of Muslim minorities in his country, CM Sarma had lashed out at him and by using anti-Muslims slurs.

“There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities.”

“The price of vegetables is much lower in our villages, however, the price suddenly increases when ‘Miya’ traders bring them to cities to sell.”

“The roads of the cities had less traffic on Eid as they went to celebrate Eid. Most of the bus driver, Ola, Uber drivers are Miyas. We should not offend the Ajmals rather participate in the challenge to provide competition to them. If more Assamese drivers comes forward the government can clean up Gauhati”. 

7. MP targets a Muslim MP by calling him “Muslim terrorist and militant” during the Lok Sabha: During the special session of the Parliament, in September 2023, a BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri had targeted a fellow Muslim MP, namely Danish Ali of the Bahujan Samaj Party, by  using anti-Muslim slurs and calling him “Muslim terrorist and militant”. In the clip that had caused an uproar, Bidhuri could be heard using filthy and violent anti-Muslim slurs against the Muslim MP on September 21, 2023. The video had also showed another senior BJP member and former government minister, namely Harsh Vardhan, sitting behind Bidhuri and laughing at the anti-Muslim diatribe.

“Throw the Mullah (anti-Muslim slur) out”

“B****a (pimp)”

“K***a (circumcised)”

“Mullah Atankwadi (Muslim terrorist)”

“Mullah Ugrawadi (Muslim militant)”  

8. Assam CM Himanta Sarma’s election rally speech filled with anti-Muslim dog whistling: On November 12, 2022, With the aim of gaining votes in the Madhya Pradesh state assembly elections, CM Sarma had delivered a speech with anti-Muslim vitriol while targeting opposition leader Digvijay Singh by accusing him supported the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

“They (Congress party members) go to every temple except for the Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya as they know that if they go there, the Babars and Aurangzebs will be upset. All the Hindus are ready to visit Ram Lalla temple on January 22, are we not? But only the Congress people are not willing. If one has to rule based on the votes of Babars, they should rather sit at home and not rule at all.”

“If I don’t speak about Babar, Akbar and Aurangzeb, then who do I talk about because the Hindu of India remains in trouble because of these rulers only? I have told the Election Commission of India that till the time I am in politics; I will keep on making statements against Akbar and Babar and no one can stop me.” 

9. During an election rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spread anti-Muslim sentiments: On November 15, 2023, weeks prior to the state assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Union HM Amit Shah had promoted baseless Hindutva’s conspiracy theory of “love jihad” during an election rally to spread anti-Muslim sentiments.

“If you bring in the BJP government in these elections, no one will dare to commit a crime like ‘Love-Jihad’ here I promise you that.” 

10. Union Home Minister Amit Shah indulged in hate-mongering against Rohingya refugees: On November 15, 2023, in an election rally in Chhattisgarh, Union HM Amit Shah indulged in hate-mongering by making unsubstantiated statements on the issue of Rohingya refugees and stone pelting in Kashmir during an election rally.

“PM Narendra Modi is the one who has efficiently curbed the menace of illegal migration of Rohingya refugees. He has made our country safer.”

“When I stood in the Parliament with the bill [on abrogation of Article 370], Rahul [Gandhi] asked me not to remove it. I asked him why, to which he said that there will be rivers of blood flowing after this. I want him to know that under our governance, no one could even throw a stone.”

Speeches targeting Madrassa:

1. Assam CM Himanta Sarma spreads communally divisive ideology and distorts history: On March 20, 2023, in poll bound Karnataka, BJP CM Sarma had indulged in anti-Muslim speeches and communal diatribe as a part of his election rallies. He also launched a targeted diatribe against Madrassas.

“We have to bring the Bharatiya Janata Party to power here. We do not need Babri Masjid anymore, we want Ram Janma bhoomi.”

“I am from a state like Assam. I have come here every day with people from Bangladesh to take over our civilisation and culture. They pose a threat. The TV anchor told me that you have closed 600 madrasas. What is your intention? I said I have closed 600 madrasas now but my intention is that all madrasas have to be closed. We don’t need madrasas, we need schools, colleges and universities to become doctors, engineers. There is no need for madrasas in new India.” 

2. MLA Raja Singh stirred communal tensions on Janmaashtami, makes violent statements: On September 7, 2023. to mark the occasion of Janmashtami, BJP MLA Raja Singh made aggressive and incendiary remarks against the Muslim community, openly calling for violence.He also alleged that Madrassas serve as a training ground for terrorists.

 “This is my country; this is my society. I am ready to give my life. Should anybody look twice in the eye at a Hindu, I will cut his head off! Today we can see the country’s environment. There is power who wish to vanquish our Dharma, those who want to enact Ghazwa e Hind. We have to give them a collective response. I have to die today or tomorrow, but after I die, I want to be able to tell Bhagwan (god) that I have protected the cow, and I gave those who do Love Jihad a fitting reply, and have given those who oppose Hindus a befitting response!” 

 “No power in the world can stop us. Have you ever asked where are these (Jihadis) getting trained? They are sent to the Madarsas at the age of 4-5, where they receive training. Assam CM (Himanta Kumar Biswa) did a very good thing by banning Madarsas! They actually found in a survey that training for stone pelting was given at a madarsa. Kasab, incriminated for the 26/11 Mumbai blasts, was also trained at a madarsa. We have to save the Bhagwa flag, we must save it so we can save our family. We must save it so that our children, including my young four-year-old, can go around safely in the future wearing a tilak.” 

3. Assam CM Himanta Sarma delivered a communal speech at an election rally to polarise voters: On November 11, 2023, weeks prior to Madhya Pradesh state election, CM Sarma targeted Madrassas in his speech, spread anti-Muslim sentiments and accused the Congress party of Muslim appeasement by refusing to visit the Ayodhya temple after its inauguration.

“Three years ago, I became the Chief Minister of Assam. In the beginning of my tenure, I received a file regarding giving salaries to the teachers of a Madrassas. I asked what kind of a shops is this Madrassa, are the students at Madrassas becoming engineers or doctors? And then they told me that only M***a are manufactured here at Madrassas. And then I told my subordinate that am I responsible for making a M***a? I asked them to close down this shop, to which my subordinate said that we cannot do that there will be an uproar. I told him that now that there is a BJP government in the state, no one will have the power to create any chaos.”

“In the last three years, did you see any Congress party member going to the Ram Lalla temple? They have no such plans because these people do not want your votes, they only want the votes of the Babars and the Aurangzebs.” 

Speeches targeting Mosques:

1. MLA KS Eshwarappa promised building of temples after demolishing Mosques: On March 5, 2023, in the run up to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections, BJP MLA K.S. Eshwarappa had given an anti-Muslim hate speech. In the speech, he had been seen addressing an audience claiming that Masjids were built in Mathura and Kashi after demolishing temples while promising the rebuilding of temples after demolishing the said Mosques.

“Modi will become the PM again in 2024. Masjids were built in Mathura and Kashi after demolishing temples, those Masjids will also be destroyed on the lines of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya& temples will be rebuilt there too.” 

2. UP CM Yogi Adityanath boasts of his involvement in the Babri Masjid, raises contentious and violent slogans: On November 16, 2023, in the run up to Rajasthan state assembly elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had delivered a communal speech at an election rally while boasting his involvement in the Babri Masjid demolition of 1992. He also raises contentious and violent slogans.

“How can one play with our religious sentiments? They desecrated and destroyed our temples during the Mughal era and constructed such large symbols of slavery upon it. Ayodhya is a living proof of this. Around 500 years ago, Babar had demolished Lord Ram’s temple and constructed this controversial structure. When we used to protest, the Congress government would torture us. When we used to raise the slogan of ‘Ram Lalla aenge, mandir vahi banaenge (Lord Ram will come, we will construct our temple there itself)’, the Congress members would laugh at us and make fun of us. And then, we had changed our slogan to ‘Ram Lalla aenge, pehle dhancha hataenge (Lord Ram we will first come and destroy the structure)” 

Speeches targeting Women:

1. MLA Raja Singh urges Hindus to beware of Muslim women: On June 7, 2023, in this hate speech, BJP MLA Singh not only targeted Muslim community, but also made anti-women statements. Through his speech, he specified that only tilakbearing men can be his friends, and also urged Hindu women not to become friends with “burqa-wearing women”.

“Whoever has a tilak on his forehead is my brother and a Hindu. I will befriend only people who sport a tilak. And our sisters, please do not form a friendship with any burqa-wearing women. There was a time when we were under threat from Aftab, but now there is a threat from Ayesha as well. These are the Ayeshas who are introducing [Hindu] women to Aftabs.” 

2. MLA Raja Singh’s hateful rhetoric against Muslims, advocating for anti-women violence: On October 4, 2023, in Rajasthan, a state that was supposed to see state elections by the end of the year, BJP MLA Raja Singh delivered a provocative and divisive speech wherein he used derogatory slurs against Muslims and openly calling for the militarisation of the Hindu community. He even advocated for committing acts of violence against Muslim women to seek revenge.

“If they take one Hindu girl, we’ll take 10 of theirs.”

“Mullahs, you had the vehem (belief) that Ram Temple won’t be built in Ayodhya, you had the vehem that Article 370 won’t be brought down, and today, but did that not happen? Now they still hold the belief that India will never be a Hindu Rashtra. But India will become a Hindu Rashtra in 2026! When this happens, the capital will not be Delhi, but instead it will be Mathura or Ayodhya!” 

3. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi makes problematic statements related to Hijab: On November 14, 2023, in poll-bound Rajasthan, BJP leader Trivedi had raked up the issue of Hijab, had alleged that the now incumbent Congress CM, Ashok Gehlot, is against the Hindu practice of Ghunghat (veil) but supports Hijab. In the election rally speech, the leader made problematic statement to mislead the audience.

“I want to remind you all that some time ago, CM Ashok Gehlot had promised to make Jaipur Ghunghath (veil) free. But these people have no problems with Hijab. These people condemn veils but support hijabs. I want to ask him directly today that you wanted to make Jaipur veil free, what is your stand on Hijab?” 

Note: In the year 2023, state legislative assembly elections took place in the state of Tripura (February), Meghalaya (February), Nagaland (February), Karnataka (May), Chhattisgarh (November), Madhya Pradesh (November), Mizoram (November), Rajasthan (November) and Telangana (November).

Year- 2024

Speeches directly targeting Muslims:

1. MP Anantkumar Hegde’s call for “taking revenge on the minority Muslim community”: On January 13, 2024, while delivering a speech during a meeting in Karnataka, BJP MP advocated for the razing of several mosques, which, according to him, were built over the “demolished” Hindu temples. Having cited the excuse of temple desecration, he exhorted the public to take revenge on the Muslim minority.

“Revenge, revenge, revenge…if we do not take revenge for the 1000 years, then the Hindu community can clearly say that ours is not Hindu blood” 

2. MLA Nitesh Rane accuses Muslims of Islamising historical monuments and places: On February 18, 2024, while delivering a provocative and inciteful speech in Nimba village, Balapur, Akola, BJP MLA Rane charged at Muslims, and alluding to Babri Masjid and Tipu Sultan, accused them of Islamising historical monuments and places. Furthermore, he had engaged in fearmongering by falsely claiming that Muslims are on a mission to reduce Hindu population, thus promoting fake conspiracy theory, often named ‘population jihad’.

“…Now there is no benefit in further insulting the person whose name is Jalil. His parents have named him Jalil. What else should I do to him? But remember, brothers, the purpose for which he came here. The miscreants here are doing the work of reducing the population of the Hindu community, driving away the Hindu community from here and creating an Islamic nation in the name of this party…These people are praising Tipu. What did that bastard do…if anyone has converted more Hindus, it is Tipu…And the name of that Tipu has been given to our auditorium here…You should change that name in time otherwise Nitesh Rane will blacken that board and you will not be able to do anything.” 

3. MLA Raja Singh uses anti-Muslim slurs and provocative words at a rally permitted by Bombay High Court: On February 25, 2024, A ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha’ was taken out in Mira Road area of Thane, Maharashtra in February after communal violence had taken place in the area in the previous month. At the rally, Singh uttered a distorted re-telling of the tales of Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji Maharaj, while also targeting the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. Singh selectively told the stories of Shivaji Maharaj where an Islamic ruler was involved in order to spread propaganda and hatred against the religious minority community. The issue of temples being demolished and mosques being built over them was raised again and again by the habitual hate-speaker to incite his audience. Referring to the recently inaugurated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and the violent act of demolition of the Babri Mosque, the BJP leader called for repeating the same in mosques present in Kashi and Mathura towns.

 “Today, on the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj, all of us will take a pledge that till the time we are alive, we will fight for the establishment of a Hindu nation. We will take a pledge to keep fighting against Love Jihad, cow slaughter and forced religious conversions.”

“What Aurangzeb did to our Sambhaji Maharaj should not be forgotten by us or our coming seven generations. They used to cut one part of Sambhaji’s body each day to force him to convert to Islam. Sambhaji had refused to do so and had died doing so.” 

 “Illegal Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladesh are hiding all over India. Even in the state of Maharashtra, Rohingyas are there.”

“Those who do not respect the Constitution of India and do not say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’, such people do not have the right to live in India.”

“Hey Owaisi (AIMIM leader), listen to me son, till now we have only reclaimed Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura are still left. All those 40 thousand temples are left that were destroyed by Aurangzeb and structures have been built over it. You say that you will tell about the Babri Mosque to your next generations, listen to me as I say this- we will teach our coming generations Kar seva. We will teach our coming generations how to reclaim those 40 thousand temples.” 

4. MLA Nitesh Rane gives authorities ultimatum to take action against “migrants”, threatens violence in case of failure: On February 27, 2024, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane was caught on camera openly threatening violence against what he claimed to be migrants from Bangladesh and Rohingya refugees in the presence of police officers in Mumbai’s Thane. During the speech, Rane propagated the conspiracy theory of “land jihad.” The MLA also gave an ultimatum of 15 days to the authorities and also threatened that failure to comply would result in his group taking matters into their own hands, promising to enter buildings and forcibly removing people who he tags as Bangladeshi, and sending them “back to Bangladesh.”

 “I will put you in the generator and burn you. If you want to maintain law and order situation under control, then you must stop all this illegal activity. It is the police’s responsibility. We have told you and come today. Otherwise, we will come tomorrow and get into the buildings and send all the Bangladeshis to Bangladesh. That’s why we have come to give a final warning. We are giving you a period of 15 days, we are giving this to them, a last chance to the BMC to MAHDA departments. You must sit together and discuss. If anything has wronged or threatens the Hindu Samaj, then whatever we do, we will take up the responsibility. We will not t tolerate. If you want to bully and threaten, we also know how to do it.”

“…You people understand that tomorrow if some big trouble, big riot happens, then whom to arrest, the police do not know. Where these Bangladeshi and Rohingya are coming from, nobody knows…We will let any Bangladeshis take our rightful land. Now under ‘land jihad’, if anyone tries to evict Hindus, then they must know we are all standing here like a wall for our Hindu people.” 

5. MLA Raja Singh makes inflammatory anti-Muslim remarks at an event celebrating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: On March 4, 2024, at the said event, which was reportedly organised by Janatha Seva Group, saw BJP MLA Raja Singh using derogatory language while also reportedly encouraging attendees to take a pledge for a “war” against “love jihad and religious conversions.”

“History is witness, that these *slurs* have always attacked from the back. They don’t have the guts to fight from the front. They will always attack from the back, that is their nature. When you people were in the parliament, you said that Babri was, will be there and you say you will tell your coming generations about the martyrdom of Babri Masjid. Then, listen, we will also tell our generations about Veer Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj’s bravery and Sahu Maharaj’s bravery. I will tell these slurs who say slogans favouring Pakistan, child this is Bharat. And in Bharat, the saffron (bhagwa) rules. And in Bhagwa rule, who says Pakistan Zindabad, they will be kicked. We need to prepare veers (soldiers) like Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj. Because back in the day, there was only one Afzal Khan…but now, there is one ‘Afzal Khan’ in every lane. So we need to prepare as many Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj. You have to be prepared and ready.”

“I will protect my desh, and until I am alive, I will protect my dharma. I will fight a war against religious conversion, ‘love-jihad’. I will protect my cow, I will protect my women.” 

6. BJP’s Tathagata Roy calls for CAA procedures to conduct genitalia check to confirm religion: On March 17, 2024, Tathagata Roy, BJP member and former governor of Meghalaya, had stirred controversy with his vulgar remarks against the Muslim community. Roy had taken to post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to urge the home ministry to check genitalia of male candidates seeking citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act to confirm their religious background. Notably, CAA excludes the Muslim community from attaining fast tracked citizenship if India.

“The test of the religious status of a male must be CIRCUMCISION OR OTHERWISE.” 

7. MLA Nitesh Rane urges members of Hindu society to boycott Muslim hawkers: On March 10, 2024, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane delivered a hate speech at the event organized by Sakal Hindi Samaj in Ghatkopar, urging members of Hindu society to boycott Muslim hawkers, whom he indirectly referred as Jihadis and illegal Bangladeshi Rohingyas. He assurance the crowd that the government is on their side and not to worry about anything else, suggesting violence against them.

“Take an oath, if you see any hawker anywhere…we will not allow him to stand here. And if we still see him standing here, we will not apply saffron on ourselves again. Keep in mind, everything was caught on camera! The more you show this, the more these Jihadis, these Bangladeshi Rohingyas will think of destroying Mumbai, so please keep in mind. If any hawker here sees us from tomorrow, I will tell all my Hindu brothers, my brothers, sisters, friends, the government is with you, don’t worry about anything.” 

8. PM Modi targets MP Danish Ali, alleges he has objections to saying “Bharat Mata ki jai”: On April 19, 2024, while campaigning for BJP in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha Lok Sabha seat, PM Modi targeted sitting MP and Congress candidate Danish Ali, accusing him of having objections in chanting “Bharat Mata ki jai”.

“Will a person, who cannot accept Bharat Mata ki jai, look good in the Indian Parliament? Should such a person who does not like to pay gratitude to his motherland be allowed to enter Parliament.” 

9. PM Modi refers to Muslims as “infiltrators”, “those with more babies”: On April 21, 2024, in Banswara district of Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute wealth of people to Muslims and misconstrued former PM Manmohan Singh’s remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country’s resources. He also used stereotypical anti-Muslim slurs while referring to the Muslim community.

“This urban-naxal mindset, my mothers and sisters, they will not even leave your ‘Mangalsutra’. They can go to that level.” 

“The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom — Manmohan Singh’s government had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s assets.”

“Earlier, when their (Congress) government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children.”

“It will distributed to the infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?” 

10. UP CM peddles conspiracies, targets Muslim community: On April 21, 2024, at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath promoted anti-Muslim conspiracy theory of Love Jihad during an election rally.

“Sometimes I think about how cows had also been handed over to smugglers and butchers. Love-Jihad was taking place openly.” 

11. UP CM targeted Opposition leaders for allegedly reading the Fatiha: On April 22, 2024, during an election speech, the Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath targeted Opposition leaders for allegedly reading the Fatiha (a short sura of the Quran considered an essential element of ritual prayer) on the graves of criminals and gangsters. He then asked the voters to give such leaders a break of five more years to continue doing so.

“These people are reading Fatiha on graves of gangsters, you must give them five more years so they can keep doing so. The policies of the SP, Congress and BSP have jeopardised citizens’ safety.”

“Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after 500 years of struggle to find his abode in the grand temple of Ayodhya, it happened under the BJP government.”

12. UP CM Yogi Adityanath falsely claimed that Congress party intends to implement Sharia Law: On April 23, 2024, in Amroha, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath repeated PM Narendra Modi’s communal talking points by repeating that Congress will redistribute country’s resources and wealth among Muslims and falsely claimed that Congress party intends to implement Sharia Law.

“The Congress and its allies have betrayed the country and have once again come to you with their false manifesto. If you look at the Congress’ manifesto, they say that if they form a government, we will implement Sharia law.” 

“You tell me, will this country be run by the Constitution made by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar or by Shariat?”

“They say that we will again restore personal law. These people will implement Sharia law.” 

“Look at the condition of these shameless people. On one hand, they are eying on your property and on the other hand they are making the mafia and criminals their necklace and reciting Fatiha in their name.”

13. PM Narendra Modi spreads anti-Muslim sentiments while targeting opposition party: On April 23, 2024, PM Narendra Modi delivered another divisive speech during the election rally in Surguja, Chhattisgarh. While attacking the opposition Congress Party, PM Modi targeted the Muslim community and spread misinformation.

“Congress wants to loot away your wealth, even your gold. You all know whom they will give it to. You know.”

“I want to unveil the “Muslim League” thinking of Congress. The Manifesto of Congress has taken up the idea of the Muslim League.” 

14. PM Modi terms Congress Manifesto as ideology of Muslim League: On April 25, 2024, in Agra area of Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi spread misinformation regarding the Congress Manifesto and indulged in fear-mongering.

“The Manifesto that has been released by Congress, I can 100% guarantee you that it has gotten its stamp of approval from Muslim league.” 

15. HM Amit Shah spreads misinformation by claiming that Congress party intends to implement Sharia Law: On April 26, 2024, at Guna, Madhya Pradesh, Home Minister Amit Shah used similar words in targeting the Muslim community and the opposition Congress party as was used by PM Modi. He spread misinformation and indulged in dog whistling.

“They want to bring back Muslim personal law. Do you think this country can be run by Shariat Law? Do you think we should let them bring back triple talaq? Till the time BJP government is there, we will not let them bring back personal law. This country will only be run by UCC (Uniform Civil Code).”

“We say that the resources of our country belong to SC, ST and OBC. They say that Muslims have the first right to every resource.” 

16. PM Modi refers to Muslim Community as Congress party’s vote bank: On April 26, 2024, at Malda, West Bengal, PM Modi alleged that TMC party is working on settling illegal immigrants from Bangladesh into the country while Congress wants to give away a major part of the country’s resources to Muslims

“They want to bring in a very dangerous law which will take away the mangalsutras and gold of Adivasi women. They will take away the property of every citizen and give away a big chunk of it to their vote bank.”

“The TMC party works towards bringing infiltrators from Bangladesh into the country. They let these infiltrators take over your land. And now Congress wants to give away your wealth to such infiltrators.” 

17. PM Modi uses Mughal ruler Aurangzeb to attack Congress: On April 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Karnataka’s Belagavi on Sunday, claimed Congress stalwart Rahul Gandhi had accused “kings of India” of committing atrocities but never spoke a word against the “nawabs, nizams, sultans and badshahs”. PM Modi further said Gandhi and the Congress had never criticised Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who destroyed Hindu temples.

“They (Congress) side with Aurangzeb parties, the man who killed cows and broke Temples…… Congress will take your wealth and distribute it to their ‘vote bank’.” 

“Shehzada of the Congress (Rahul Gandhi) had accused kings of India of committing atrocities but never spoke a word against the nawabs, nizams, sultans and badshahs. Congress does not remember the atrocities committed by Aurangzeb who destroyed thousands of our temples. Congress forms political alliances with parties who praise Aurangzeb. They do not talk about all those who destroyed our pilgrimage sites, looted them, killed our people and killed cows. The Shehzada of the Congress made the remark to appease the Congress party’s vote bank.” 

18. PM Modi vows to not let reservations be distributed to Muslims till he is alive: On April 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a public meeting at Alladurga in Telangana’s Medak district as part of the ongoing election campaign. In his election speech, PM Modi bashed the Congress party by accusing them of appeasing Muslims by including them under reservation schemes.

“The Constitution makers led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had decided against religion-based quota and made it only for the SC/ST/BCs. But the Congress party and its ‘prince’ (Rahul Gandhi), are undermining the Indian Constitution by snatching away the rights of the marginalised sections by bringing quota for the Muslims through the backdoor for their vote bank politics.”

“As long as I am alive, I will not allow the Indian Constitution-mandated reservations for the SC/STs and BCs to be distributed to the Muslims at any cost”.

“It is not Modi who built Ram Temple but your vote. Your vote is above everything but for Congress, their vote bank is above all.” 

19. UP CM Yogi alleges Congress wants to bring back cow-slaughters, Islamitize the country: On May 1, at Hatkanangale, Maharashtra, UP CM Yogi Adityanath delivered a highly polarising election speech. Top themes of the said speech were inheritance tax, Aurangzeb, children of Mughals, Muslim personal law and Islamisation of India.

“Congress wants to impose similar taxes on us and our inheritance today as Aurangzeb had done in his time. Will you accept this? These children of Aurangzeb are doing the work of rickshaw pullers in the current scenario and Congress wants to bring in inheritance laws.”

“In the Congress Manifesto, these people have mentioned that they will let the minority communities eat as they please. What is it that the minorities cannot eat as the majority community does not let them? These Congress people want to allow cow slaughter in our Maharashtra, in our India.”

“By giving reservation to Muslims, the Congress party wants to Islamitize the country.” 

20. PM Modi uses Jihad trope to attack Muslims, allege that “Vote Jihad” is taking place: On May 2, in Anand, Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly promoted anti-Muslim conspiracy theories of “love jihad” and “land jihad”. In addition to this, he also accused the Muslim community of committing “vote Jihad”.

“[The opposition alliance] is asking Muslims to do ‘vote jihad’. This is new because we have so far heard about ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad’.”

“I hope you all know what the meaning of jihad is and against whom it is waged.” 

21. PM Modi rakes up Godhra train arson to accuse opposition political parties of appeasement: On May 4, at an election rally at Darbhanga in north Bihar, PM Modi raked up the 2002 Godhra train arson, he charged RJD president Lalu Prasad with having tried to “save” those responsible for burning alive more than 60 kar sevaks “during the rule of Sonia madam”. Recalling the incident that took place while PM Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he attacked alleging that the opposition parties for always practicing politics of “appeasement”.

“It is because of this appeasement politics that the father of Bihar’s ‘shehzada’ [allusion to Tejashwi Yadav] had tried to save those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning incident. After all, it was the rule of Sonia madam.”

“The INDIA bloc is trying to divert reservations to Muslims. They are going against the views of Babasaheb Ambedkar and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, neither of whom was in favour of reservations on religious lines”

22. PM Modi alleges that “infiltrators” are being encouraged to take over Adivasi land: On May 4, while speaking at an election rally at Lohardaga, Jharkhand, PM Modi raised allegations regarding opposition parties encouraging “infiltrators” to settle on Adivasi land. PM Modi also claimed that Congress will give religion-based reservation to Muslims.

“Infiltrators are being encouraged to settle here, they are being allowed to grab the land of Adivasi people.”

“They especially target women; These people used to do “land Jihad “and “Love Jihad”, now they want to do “vote jihad”.”

“They want to go against the Constitution of India and give reservation to the Muslims.” 

23. PM Modi states that it needs more than 400 seats to stop Congress from putting “Babri lock” on Ram Temple: On May 7, while addressing rallies in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone and Dhar districts and Maharashtra, PM Narendra Modi  said that the National Democratic Alliance, led by his BJP, requires more than 400 seats in Parliament so that the Congress cannot put the “Babri lock” on the Ram temple in Ayodhya or reinstate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Modi needs 400 seats so the Congress cannot bring back Article 370 in Kashmir and create trouble. Modi needs 400 seats so the Congress cannot put the Babri lock on the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.”

“Is ‘vote jihad’ acceptable to you? Can this be allowed in a democracy? Does the Constitution of India permit this kind of jihad?” 

24. PM Modi accuses Congress of making separate budgets for Hindus and Muslims, states party wanted to give 15% of budget to only Muslims: On May 15, while addressing two separate election rallies in Nashik and Kaylan areas of Maharashtra, PM Modi alleged that the Congress will be dividing the union budget into separate budgets for Hindus and Muslims. He also claimed that the past regime had wanted to dedicate 15% of the union budget to only Muslims, and it was his government that had prohibited them from doing the same.

“The Congress regime at that time had wanted to spend 15% of the entire budget of India on Muslims only. They had to shelve the plan after strong opposition from me in my role as the Gujarat Chief Minister. But now they are bent on reintroducing their previous agendas.”

“If Congress is elected, it will make two budgets on the basis of religion. I will not allow the Budget to be divided as a ‘Hindu budget’ and ‘Muslim budget’ and will not allow quotas based on religion.”

“They had to create a nation in the name of religion and so they did. Congress was helpless and gave it. Now you will say ‘Hindu budget,’ ‘Muslim budget.’ Can this country have a separate budget for Hindus and Muslims?”

“You can imagine how dangerous the thinking of dividing the budget this way is. For Congress, there is only one minority community — its dear vote bank.”

Note: Based on these anti-Muslim and hate filled speeches by BJP top functionaries, especially the Prime Minister, animated social media videos are being made by the BJP IT cell. These videos use the same inciteful anti-Muslim language as was done by the party leaders. One such video can be viewed here.

Speeches targeting Mosques:

1. Calls for raising arms and a violent anti-Muslim slogans mar rally taken out by MLA Nitesh Rane: On February 11, 2024, in Govandi’s Shivaji Nagar, a rally was taken out reportedly led by BJP MLA Nitesh Rane. The rally, filled with saffron flags, also reportedly saw violent anti-Muslim slogans along with calls for raising up arms.

“Band karo, band karo, Love-jihad band karo”

“Tu Durga ban, tu kali ban, kabhi na burqe wali ban.”

“Chun chun ke marenge!!! Jai Shri Ram.”

“The goal is that the Bangladeshi and Rohingya population have been increasing here like anything.”

“Shivaji Nagar will also have the bulldozer. The Hindu here is also not safe. All of our Mankur-Shivajinagar area is becoming a mini-Bangladesh. Today our Hindu samaj stepped on the streets. Today here, a huge number of ‘illegal’ Masjids and madarsa are created by land jihad, these should be removed. Otherwise, we will do whatever we can – with the government. What happened in Mira Road, will happen here too, the bulldozer will be deployed.” 

2. CM Yogi Adityanath delivers inciting election speech, advocates for demolishing Mosques: On April 22, 2024, while addressing a public gathering in Fatehpur Sikhri, Agra, the state’s CM raked up the issue of Babri-Ayodhya mattr and advocated for demolition of the other disputed mosques.

“Ayodhya and Kashi have achieved its target, it’s now Braj Bhoomi’s turn.”

Note: In the year 2024, General elections are being held in India in seven phases from 19 April to 1 June 2024 in seven phases to elect the members of the 18th Lok Sabha.

While the phenomenon of the misuse of religion and religious symbols for political ends is not entirely a new phenomenon in India, the decades since the late 1980s that have seen the rise of the right-wing majoritarian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that is the parliamentary wing of the parent, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have both weaponised and legitimised the mise of hate speech as a political weapon. The decade-long trajectory of the Modi-led BJP has taken this offensive, both legal, social and political to unspeakable heights with little commiserate actions from constitutional bodies like the courts and the ECI.

[1] Section 123 (3A) The promotion of, or attempt to promote, feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language, by a candidate or his agent or any other person with the consent of a candidate or his election agent for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting the election of any candidate]

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