New Delhi, The Indian opposition has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of hate speech following his inflammatory comments referring to Muslims as “infiltrators.” The remarks have drawn fierce criticism for promoting anti-Muslim rhetoric and violating India’s election rules, which prohibit candidates from aggravating religious tensions.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Modi made these statements at a rally in Rajasthan, suggesting that the Congress party, when in power, had stated that Muslims had the “first right over the country’s resources.” He implied that if Congress returned to power, they would distribute resources among those who “have more children.” Modi further accused Congress of supporting “infiltrators” and questioned if the audience believed that their hard-earned money should be given to them.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a spokesperson for the Congress party, condemned Modi’s remarks as “deeply, deeply objectionable.” He stated that the party had sought action from the Election Commission of India, which oversees the ongoing six-week voting period. Singhvi noted that the Election Commission’s model code of conduct forbids candidates from appealing to caste or communal feelings to secure votes.

Asaduddin Owaisi, a Muslim lawmaker and president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen party, criticized Modi’s speech, saying, “Modi today called Muslims infiltrators and people with many children. Since 2002 till this day, the only Modi guarantee has been to abuse Muslims and get votes.”

Modi, an avowed Hindu nationalist, has faced accusations of fostering religious intolerance and even promoting violence since his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won power in 2014 and secured a second term in 2019. Critics argue that his government’s policies have undermined India’s tradition of diversity and secularism. The BJP denies these accusations, claiming that their policies are intended to benefit all Indians.

The controversy surrounding Modi’s remarks underscores the growing religious and political polarization in India, with the prime minister’s comments fueling tensions and sparking calls for stricter enforcement of election rules.