PM Modi accused of anti-Muslim hate speech amid India election

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing accusations of spreading hatred against Muslims after controversial comments on Sunday wherein he equated the community to 'infiltrators' and peddled anti-Muslim tropes in the middle of the country’s general elections.

During a rally in the western state of Rajasthan, Narendra Modi made contentious comments equating Muslims to "infiltrators" and perpetuating anti-Muslim stereotypes. He warned the crowd that if the opposition, led by the Congress party, were to come into power, they would distribute the nation's wealth among those with larger families, implying Muslims.
Modi's rhetoric continued, suggesting that the opposition would even take away traditional Hindu symbols like mangalsutras, arousing cheers from the audience. Following these remarks, local election officials in Rajasthan acknowledged receiving at least two complaints against Modi, urging for his campaign activities to be suspended and calling for his arrest.
Renu Poonia, a nodal officer of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Jaipur, confirmed that complaints had been lodged by the Azad Adhikar Sena, a regional political party, and a local non-profit organization. India's election regulations prohibit politicians and parties from making speeches that incite religious or caste-based divisions. However, watchdogs and activists have frequently criticized election officials for their sluggish response, particularly when powerful figures are involved.
Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Hindu-majoritarian allies have a history of portraying Muslims, who make up around 200 million of India's population, as outsiders. Muslim refugees and asylum seekers from Bangladesh and Myanmar are often labeled as "infiltrators." Additionally, the BJP has propagated the conspiracy theory that Muslims aim to outnumber Hindus by having more children, despite government data indicating a decline in Muslim fertility rates over the past few decades.
Modi himself has perpetuated such stereotypes, notably during the 2002 anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat, where he served as chief minister. He infamously referred to relief camps as 'baby-producing factories.'