New Delhi: An election advertisement by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Jharkhand Assembly polls has ignited protests due to its portrayal of Muslims, which some have described as dehumanizing.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the advertisement has led to complaints from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress. In response, the Election Commission has instructed social media platforms to remove the video and has issued a notice to the BJP regarding the matter.
Prominent critics, including Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief minister of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, have condemned the advertisement, labeling it as “communal poison.” Ruhullah Mehdi, a Member of Parliament from Srinagar, compared the ad to Nazi propaganda. Senior journalist Suhasini Haider pointed out the detrimental effects of the advertisement on India’s secular image. The JMM has characterized the advertisement as a violation of election guidelines and accused the BJP of trying to polarize voters.