PM Narendra Modi statement comes as the Opposition accused him of targeting Muslims after he allegedly referred to Muslims as “infiltrators”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he does not oppose Islam or Muslims and wants the community to think about their future growth as they vote in an ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 that completes its third phase on Tuesday, May 7.
PM Narendra Modi‘s statement, which he made in an interview with Times Now, comes as the Opposition accused him and the Bharatiya Janata Party of targeting Muslims for electoral gains and the allegations grew after Modi allegedly referred to Muslims in a recent speech as “infiltrators” who have “more children”.
He denied discrimination against Muslims and linked his recent comments to what he called the opposition Congress party’s electoral plan to redistribute much of Hindu wealth among Muslims. Congress denies making such a promise.
“We are not against Islam or Muslims,” PM Modi said in an interview broadcast on Monday.
“This is not our domain.When it comes to their abuses, they have been spreading this story since the Nehru regime. They always called us anti-Muslims. Second, they insulted us for being able to make a profit with so little work.
So they slandered us as anti-Muslims and then claimed to be friends of Muslims. Thus they benefited. That’s why they created this atmosphere of fear. They profited from the extortion act. But the Islamic community is now aware of this.
When I abolished triple talaq and ended the practice, my Muslim sisters felt that I was taking their concerns seriously. When I give the card to Ayushmann, they say I am a real man. When I get the COVID-19 vaccine, they say I’m a real man.
“You know I’m not discriminating against anyone. The problem with the opposition is that their lies have been exposed. So in order to deceive, you have to keep telling all kinds of lies. “No,” Prime Minister Modi said when asked about being branded as anti-Muslim.
Prime Minister Modi is seeking an unusual third consecutive term in office in a seven-phase election starting April 19 and ending June 1. The third phase of voting is scheduled for Tuesday in 11 states and union territories, with opinion polls predicting an easy victory for Mr. Modi when the results are declared on June 4.
“I would like to say to the Muslim community, look within yourself and think. This country is progressing. If you see any shortcomings in your community, what are the reasons?
“I don’t want that for any community,” Prime Minister Modi said, referring to Muslims and elections. They live like workers because someone scares them,” he added.
In an interview, the Prime Minister also said that the country’s poor include all Hindus, Christians and Parsis and that all should benefit from reservations.
“I have never said that Muslims cannot get reservations. All I am saying is that religion cannot be the basis for reservations. For the poor people of this country, This includes all Hindus, Christians, and Parsis.Although Dalits and tribals have faced injustice for thousands of years, there is a special reason why the framers of the Constitution took the right decision. We are very grateful.” “No political party is against it,” Modi said.