BJP’s Election Tactics Under Fire for Violating Laws with Religious Appeals
Alt News Details Violations of Election Code and Representation of the People Act
Newsreel Asia Insight #224
May 17, 2024
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is under fire for breaking election laws by using religious appeals to win votes. Leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, are accused of invoking the Ram Mandir and Hindu symbols in their campaign, violating the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the model code of conduct (MCC), according to Alt News.
Hoe Minister Shah on May 10 delivered an election speech in Birbhum, West Bengal, saying, as quoted by Alt News, “Mamata ji became the Chief Minister of Bengal by using slogans of Maa, Maati, Manush. And now the slogan has changed to Mullah, Madrasa, and Mafia in the pursuit of appeasement. Mullahs have been given full freedom, Madrasas are given our wealth and the mafia are openly allowed to loot the poor population. Mamata Banerjee ji, these things won’t work in the future.”
In a recent interview with News 18 anchor Rubika Liyaquat, Prime Minister Modi said, “I believe that the people of the country would vote for me. On the day I engage in Hindu-Muslim politics, I will no longer be fit for public life. And I will not indulge in such politics, this is my resolution,” according to Alt News.
Around 36:50-minute mark in his speech in Banswara, Rajasthan, on April 21, Modi said, “When they [the Congress party] were in power, they had said that Muslims had the right to the properties of the state. This means that they would collect these properties and give them to the ones who produce more children”
The Prime Minister continued, “They will give it to the ghuspethiyon (infiltrators). Do you want to give away your hard-earned money to the intruders? This is what the Congress manifesto says — ‘we will measure the amount of gold your mothers and daughters own and distribute their wealth.’ They will distribute their wealth…(smiles) Manmohan Singh ji had said Muslims had the first right over the properties. Brothers and sisters, this urban Naxals mentality won’t even spare your mothers’ and daughters’ ‘mangalsutras’. This is how low they will stoop.”
In a previous analysis, Alt News said, in Karnataka, Tejasvi Surya, MP for Bengaluru South, faces charges for a tweet referencing the Ram Mandir and asking for votes for Modi, violating Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, which bans seeking votes based on religion. The tweet also breached the MCC, which came into effect on March 19.
Alt News reports that despite BJP leaders’ claims that the Ram Mandir isn’t a campaign tool, it’s been heavily featured in their election materials. The BJP’s official X handle (@BJP4India) and various state units have posted visuals of the temple, directly linking it to votes for the party.
In Bihar, on April 26, BJP’s official X handle urged voters to prevent “infiltrators” from taking their rights, showing images of Modi, Shah, and other leaders. This followed Modi’s speech in Banswara, Rajasthan, where he referred to Muslims as infiltrators, a statement now under ECI scrutiny.
On April 21 in Banswara, Modi made inflammatory remarks about Muslims, violating several MCC provisions. Amit Shah, in Pali, Rajasthan, on April 19, accused Congress of hindering the Ram Mandir issue and linked the temple’s construction to Modi’s leadership.
BJP’s West Bengal unit has also used the Ram Mandir in its campaign. On April 21, they quoted Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s call for “Ram Rajya” in India. Earlier, they ran a door-to-door campaign with the message “Sabke Ram” (Ram for everyone).
Rajasthan has been a hotspot for poll code violations. Modi’s and Shah’s speeches in the state used religious rhetoric to appeal for votes. The Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and other BJP leaders have also referenced the Ram Mandir in their speeches.
In Uttarakhand, BJP National President JP Nadda accused Congress of being anti-Ram and anti-Sanatan in a public meeting, shared via BJP’s official X handle.
In Chhattisgarh, Modi criticised Congress leaders for not attending the Ram Mandir consecration, calling it an insult to Hindu traditions and Ram.
On April 25, the Election Commission of India issued a notice to the BJP about Modi’s speech in Banswara, demanding a response by April 29. This is part of a broader investigation into MCC violations by the party. A petition filed at the Delhi High Court sought Modi’s disqualification for six years under the Representation of the People Act. The petition claimed that Modi sought votes by invoking religious deities during a speech in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, on April 9.
In Pilibhit, Modi credited the public for the Ram Mandir’s construction, accusing the Opposition of hindering the project and insulting Hindu sentiments. He alleged that Congress’s actions were part of a strategy of minority appeasement, claiming their manifesto resembled that of the Muslim League.
These instances show a pattern of the BJP using religious imagery and rhetoric in their campaign, despite legal restrictions.
It’s unfortunate that the ruling party, instead of highlighting how their governance has helped India and its people progress, seems to be diverting attention from their record. These are not the actions of a party confident in its ability to win.
