As India geared up for its mammoth seven-stage national election set to conclude on June 4, voters were polled on their top concerns in April.
The responses indicated that jobs and inflation were the most pressing issues. However, amidst criticism from the opposition led by the Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced accusations of using anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Critics alleged that Modi engaged in hate speech against Muslims, prompting a warning from India’s election commission. Election laws prohibit the use of religion to gain votes, but Modi denied making inflammatory remarks.
Al Jazeera fact-checked several claims surrounding Muslims, India’s largest religious minority with a population of 200 million.
‘Those with more children’
What Modi said: During an April 21 rally in Rajasthan, Modi insinuated that the Congress party would redistribute the nation’s wealth to Muslims, specifically targeting those with more children as beneficiaries. He suggested that if the opposition came to power, resources would be allocated based on religion.
When questioned about his remarks, Modi denied targeting Muslims, emphasizing that the issue pertained to overpopulation in impoverished families rather than a religious prerogative.
However, Modi had previously alluded to Muslims having a high birth rate, employing language that insinuated a deliberate attempt by the community to outgrow the Hindu population.
The larger claim: The narrative of a Muslim population explosion perpetuates a Hindu majoritarian conspiracy theory, suggesting that Muslims are intentionally multiplying to surpass Hindus in the future.
Similar to the “great replacement theory” in the West, the concept of ‘population jihad’ is popular among India’s far-right factions.
Following a report indicating a decline in the Hindu population and a growth in the Muslim population, BJP leaders amplified fears that Hindus would be under threat if the opposition assumed power.
The facts: While Muslims do exhibit a higher birth rate than Hindus, data shows that the gap is narrowing. Muslim women in India have experienced a significant reduction in total fertility rates, indicating a declining trend over the years.
Fertility rates vary across regions in India, with different states reflecting diverse demographic patterns. Despite claims of a deliberate population surge among Muslims, the overall trend points to a convergence in birth rates between the two religious groups.
‘Congress will snatch mangalsutras, give them to its vote bank’
What Modi said: In an April 23 speech, Modi warned that the Congress party planned to seize possessions, such as the bridal necklace or mangalsutra, from Hindus and allocate them to their vote bank, which was implied to be Muslims. He criticized the Congress for allegedly favoring Muslims over Hindus through appeasement politics.
The larger claim: Modi and the BJP have consistently accused the Congress of prioritizing Muslims over Hindus, reflecting a longstanding belief that the minority community receives undue privileges in India.
The facts: Despite claims of Muslim favoritism, data suggests that Muslims are the most economically disadvantaged religious group in India. From education to income levels, Muslims face significant disparities compared to other religious communities.
Modi’s reference to former PM Manmohan Singh’s statement was perceived as a misrepresentation, as Singh had advocated for the allocation of resources to all underprivileged sections, not exclusively Muslims.
‘Congress will take away reservations’
What Modi said: During a rally in West Bengal, Modi accused the Congress of planning to revoke job reservations for underprivileged communities and redirect them to Muslims, stirring controversy over affirmative action policies.
The larger claim: Modi and the BJP alleged that opposition parties intended to reallocate affirmative action benefits, primarily meant for lower-caste Hindus, to Muslims.
The facts: India’s reservation programmes are based on caste and socioeconomic criteria, not religion. Affirmative action has historically targeted disadvantaged castes, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Caste-based reservations have been a cornerstone of India’s governance, ensuring that marginalized groups, including Muslims, have access to opportunities for socio-economic upliftment.
‘Love jihad’
What BJP says: The BJP and its allies perpetuate the ‘love jihad’ conspiracy theory, alleging that Muslim men entice Hindu women into converting to Islam.
The larger claim: ‘Love jihad’ is a baseless theory propagated by the BJP, accusing Muslim men of engaging in systematic efforts to convert Hindu women to Islam.
The facts: The ‘love jihad’ theory lacks substantiated evidence and has been debunked by Indian courts. Despite legislative measures in some states, the theory remains a divisive tool used to target interfaith relationships.
Claims made in popular media and political discourse often perpetuate unfounded narratives that demonize minority communities and stoke communal tensions, highlighting the need for responsible rhetoric and fact-checking in public discourse.
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2024-05-25 09:28:55
