Amid 'Hate Speech' Backlash, PM Modi Repeats 'Snatch Property' Charge On Cong, Also Brings Up 'Hanuman Chalisa'

Unaffected by the backlash over his 'minority' remark on the Congress manifesto that is being termed 'divisive' and 'hate speech', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday repeated, for the third straight day, his claims that the Grand Old Party wants to "distribute" Indians' property and resources among "selected people".

In another controversial remark, PM Modi said in the rule of Congress, "even listening to Hanuman Chalisa becomes a crime," referring to a March incident in Congress-ruled Karnataka's Bengaluru wherein a a shopkeeper was allegedly assaulted by a few men for playing the 'Hanuman Chalisa' over loudspeaker during ‘Azaan’.

PM Modi on Sunday triggered a debate after making a statement at a rally in Rajasthan, which triggered reactions by a section of people and the Congress party. Addressing the rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday, PM Modi said the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children", naming the Muslim community. Elections 2024 News LIVE Updates

"This urban Naxal mindset, my mothers and sisters, they will not even leave your 'mangalsutra'. They can go to that level," PM Modi had said on Sunday, after which Congress said it would "educate" the Prime Minister about its manifesto.

ALSO READ | PM 'Minority' Remark Row: Day After Controversial Cong Manifesto Claim, Modi Goes For It Again | What He Said

On Monday as well, PM Modi made a similar statement at a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh and, in a "warning" to the people of the country, said "Congress and the INDI alliance have their eyes on your earnings and your property."

PM Repeats Statement For 3rd Straight Day Amid Backlash, Takes 'Hanuman Chalisa' Jibe On Cong

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday repeated for the third straight his statement slamming the Congress day despite backlash for making a remark that was "toxic, "vile", "highly deplorable" and an "attempt to create communal polarisation" as per the Opposition.

Addressing a public gathering in Rajasthan's Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that his Sunday speech sent the "entire Congress and INDI alliance into panic".

"I put forth the truth that Congress is plotting to snatch your property and distribute it to their special people...When I exposed their politics, they got so angry that they started abusing Modi...I want to know from Congress why are they so afraid of the truth?" PM Modi said on Tuesday in Tonk.

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"Why do they hide their policy so much, when you yourself made the policy then why are you afraid to accept it now...If you have the courage then accept it, we are ready to face you...," PM Modi added.

PM Modi also said that "in the rule of Congress, even listening to Hanuman Chalisa becomes a crime." He was referring to a incident that took place in Congress-ruled Karnataka's Bengaluru in March wherein a shopkeeper was assaulted for playing 'Hanuman Chalisa' on loudspeaker during 'Azaan', Islamic announcement or call to prayer.

"For the first time on Ram Navami this time, Shobha Yatra procession was taken out in Rajasthan...In a state like Rajasthan where people chant Ram-Ram, Congress banned Ram Navami...," PM further said on Tuesday.

On Monday as well, PM Modi made a similar statement at a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh and, in a "warning" to the people of the country, said "Congress and the INDI alliance have their eyes on your earnings and your property."

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The 'Shehzada' of Congress [Rahul Gandhi] says that if their government comes to power, they will investigate who earns how much, who has how many properties...Our mothers and sisters have gold. It is 'stree dhan', it is considered sacred, the law also protects it," PM Modi said on Monday in Aligarh.

Rahul's Wealth Redistribution Remark From Old Speech Goes Viral

While PM Modi may have made the remarks at the rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday citing former PM Manmohan Singh's alleged statement that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks from a public meeting in Hyderabad on party's plan of "wealth redistribution" has gone viral amid the row over Prime Minister's controversial statement.

On April 6, a day after the Congress released its manifesto, Rahul Gandhi at a rally in Hyderabad had said if voted to power, the party will conduct a financial and institutional survey to ascertain the distribution of wealth among the people in the country.

“We will first conduct a nationwide caste census to determine how many people belong to the Other Backward Classes [OBCs], Scheduled Castes [SCs], Scheduled Tribes [STs) and minorities. After that, we will conduct a financial and institutional survey in a historic step to ascertain the distribution of wealth.”

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Asserting that the Congress will ensure representation of all communities in all sectors, Rahul Gandhi said the party will ensure that it will give the rightful share of the people.

Rahul Gandhi's April 6 Hyderabad speech where he spoke about "financial and institutional survey is now going viral, with people on social media having many things to say about it.

"If land , Gold and other valubles are not properties then what do you mean by properties as mentioned in your manifesto and as told by your leader Rahul Gandhi? It was Rahul Gandhi who had said in Hyderabad on 06/04/24, a day after the release of your manifesto mentioned about Financial and Institutional survey for redistribution of the country's wealth and jobs after the caste census. Why should there be a mention of 'minorities'? Why should the then PM on 'December 6' use the word 'Muslims'? What made him bring the religion here?" Tamil Nadu BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy said in a post on X.

'Toxic, Vile, Communal Polarisation...': What Opposition Said On PM's Remark

The remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, first made on Sunday, rubbed the Opposition the way the way he intended to, sparking reactions from Congress and other rivals of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who called PM's remark "divisive" and "hate speech".

Launching a strong campaign over the Prime Minister's remarks against its manifesto, the Congress said on Monday that party chief Mallikarjun Kharge has sought an appointment with Narendra Modi to "educate him" about its poll promise document.

PM Modi made the remarks at a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday, citing former PM Manmohan Singh's alleged statement that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources.

ALSO READ | Modi 'Minority' Remark: Congress To 'Educate' PM About Its Manifesto As Row Explodes - Who Said What

The Prime Minister had said something that was not in our manifesto and attempted to create communal polarisation in the country for electoral gains, Congress leader KC Venugopal told a press conference in Delhi on Monday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, hitting out at PM Modi on Monday for his "Congress will give your wealth to infiltrators," jibe, alleged the Prime Minister has resorted to hate speech to avoid imminent defeat.

Stalin, in a post on X said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s toxic speech is vile and highly deplorable. Fearing public anger against his failures, Modi has attempted to whip up religious sentiments and resorted to hate speech to avoid what seems to be an imminent defeat. Hate and discrimination are the real guarantees of Modi."

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that it was "unfortunate" that the Election Commission (EC) was not acting in a non-partisan manner by taking immediate action in connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent alleged remarks against Muslims.

Vijayan contended it was a situation where the EC ought to have acted immediately, but till now it has been silent on the issue.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owai on also on Monday took strong exception to the "stereotyping" of Muslims in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Sunday speech.

READ MORE | 'I Have 6 Children...Modi Has 6 Siblings': AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Calls PM Modi's Claims 'Lies'

Addressing an election rally in Bihar, Hyderabad MP Owaisi said he would like to conduct a “post mortem" examination on PM Modi’s speech. “Modi said Muslims have more children. That is a lie. Fertility rate has declined in the community and, according to official data, it is 2.36 per cent. Though, admittedly, the fertility rate is lower among our Hindu brethren,” Owaisi told the rally in Purnea district.

Alleging that the prime minister “told a lie, as he has always done” at the Banswara rally, Owaisi said the remarks were “divisive”.