The Controversial Statements

On Tuesday (April 23, 2024), Prime Minister Narendra Modi stirred controversy by stating that reading Hanuman Chalisa under Congress rule has become a sin. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that Congress wants to bring in Sharia law.

Modi’s Allegations

Addressing a rally in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, PM Modi said, “A few days ago, in Congress-ruled Karnataka, a small shopkeeper was brutally beaten simply because he was listening to Hanuman Chalisa while sitting in his shop.”

Yogi’s Accusations

On the other hand, UP CM Yogi Adityanath stated in Amroha, “Look at the Congress manifesto. They say they will implement Sharia law. India will follow the Constitution. Congress people say in their manifesto that they will enforce personal laws, which means they will implement Sharia law.” Reacting to PM Modi and CM Yogi’s statements, Congress retaliated.

Congress Response

What did Congress say? Sachin Pilot, former Deputy CM of Rajasthan and Congress leader, said, “BJP is on the back foot. We prioritize real issues for the public, but there will be no benefit in diverting people’s attention and dividing them with issues that don’t matter. BJP leaders’ statements are deeply worrying.”

Political Context

PM Modi and CM Yogi’s statements came at a time when the opposition, including Congress, was already critical of divisive statements.

Modi’s Rally Speech

PM Modi, addressing a rally in Banswara, Rajasthan, recently said, “This urban Naxal ideology won’t even spare your mangalsutra, my mothers and sisters. They will go to such lengths.”

Modi’s Criticism

He claimed, “Congress’s manifesto says they will take account of mothers and sisters’ gold, gather information, and then distribute that wealth. They will distribute it to those whom Manmohan Singh’s government said have the first right to property – Muslims.”

Modi’s Questions

He asked, “When their government was in power, they said that Muslims have the first right to the country’s wealth. What does this mean? Whom will they distribute this wealth collected from?… They will distribute it to those who have more children.”

Modi’s Concerns

He said, “They will distribute it to infiltrators. Will your hard-earned money go to infiltrators? Do you approve of this?” In this situation, people are starting to speculate whether this Lok Sabha election will be a 80-20 affair.