Police in southern India are investigating a senior leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over a political video targeting Muslims. The video has sparked criticism, with opponents accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a divisive re-election campaign.
The police probe comes amid India's ongoing mammoth weeks-long election, where Modi's Hindu-nationalist party is expected to secure a rare third consecutive term. The BJP has faced accusations of deploying openly divisive rhetoric to boost their campaign, despite denying being anti-Islam.
The Karnataka state police are investigating whether a local BJP leader and the holder of the party's official local X account promoted enmity between religious groups through the controversial video. The animation depicted leaders of the opposition Congress party allegedly favoring Muslims over other marginalized minorities, sparking outrage.
Critics have pointed out that the Congress manifesto does not mention redistributing wealth to Muslims, calling the video a blatant demonization of minorities by the ruling BJP. The Election Commission intervened, leading to the removal of the video.
Concerns have been raised by India's Muslim population, with many expressing fear over the potential re-election of Modi. The video is seen as part of a pattern of openly Islamophobic rhetoric during the BJP's campaign, including previous instances of divisive messaging.
Modi himself faced backlash for comments made during a campaign rally in Rajasthan, where he accused Muslims of being infiltrators with intentions to outgrow the Hindu population. The remarks were met with anger and calls for investigation by election authorities.
In response to the allegations, the BJP has been asked to provide a formal response by the election commission. Modi, in an interview, stated that the BJP is not opposed to Islam and Muslims, but skepticism remains among many in the Muslim community.
Prominent voices have condemned the divisive rhetoric, labeling it as targeted hate speech against a specific community. The ongoing investigation and public discourse highlight the sensitive nature of religious and political dynamics in India's election landscape.
