India’s Modi Denies Opposing Islam or Muslims as 2024 Election Unfolds

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that he does not oppose Islam or Muslims and encourages the community to consider their future progress as they vote in the upcoming general election, which concludes its third round on Tuesday.

Critics accuse Modi and his party of targeting minority Muslims for electoral benefit, and the claims intensified after Modi referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” with “more children” in a recent address.

He denied discriminating against Muslims and related his recent remarks to what he described as the opposition Congress party’s election plan to shift the wealth of the majority Hindus to Muslims. The Congress denies making any such promises.

“We are not opposed to Islam and Muslims,” Modi said in an interview with Times Now on Monday. “The opposition is concerned with its own profit. “The Muslim community is intelligent… the opposition is concerned that their lies have been exposed.”

Modi is running for a remarkable third consecutive term in the seven-phase election, which began on April 19 and finishes on June 1. Eleven states and territories will vote in the third phase on Tuesday, and polls indicate Modi will win convincingly when the results are announced on June 4.

His campaign began by highlighting the economic gains of the previous ten years, but after the first phase of voting, he shifted gears, denouncing rivals as pro-Muslim.

“I want to encourage the Muslim community to reflect and consider. The country is improving; if you notice any faults in your community, what is the cause? Why didn’t you receive government benefits when Congress was in power?

Analysts say Modi and his Hindu nationalist party have made inflammatory remarks to energize their hardline base since voter turnout is lower than in past years. According to Reuters, voters’ top worries are jobs and inflation.

“Think of your children and your own future,” Modi urged, alluding to Muslims and elections. “I don’t want any community to live like labourers because someone is scaring them.”

Elections in India

India’s elections are a spectacular display of democracy in action. Millions voted, seeking to influence the country’s future. However, claims of vote-buying, intimidation, and fraud frequently cloud the election process.

Rival parties accuse each other of dirty tricks, and the Election Commission strains to remain fair.

Despite the hurdles, India’s elections demonstrate the durability of its democracy. In isolated villages, the elderly and crippled face long waits to exercise their rights.

Young voters in cities swarm to polling stations, eager to have their voices heard. The campaigns are emotional events, with rallies drawing large crowds and social media playing an important part.

When the results are announced, jubilation spread across the country. The victorious party celebrates, while the losers pledge to fight another day.

But the true victors are the Indian people, who have reaffirmed their dedication to the democratic process, however faulty it may be. India’s elections serve as a reminder that democracy is a never-ending struggle, but one worth fighting for.