Liberation filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gross violation of Section 123(3A) of RPA and Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and promoting enmity and hatred on grounds of religion.

In this widely reported speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajasthan’s Banswara on April 21, 2024 while referring to the Congress Manifesto has engaged in blatant lies, crudity and communal dog-whistling against the Muslim community, which is violative of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951 and the Model Code of Conduct for the elections.

In this speech, Modi has insinuated that the Congress intends to survey, appropriate and distribute properties including gold and silver of common citizens to the members of the Muslims community.

The speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Banswara, Rajasthan on 21st April 2024 violates section 123(3A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 that clearly prohibits the promotion of, or attempt to promote, feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language, by a candidate or his agent or any other person with the consent of a candidate or his election agent for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting the election of any candidate. It is also in blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct and the “Advisory to political parties on plummeting level of public discourse during campaigning” dated 1st March 2024.

This speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi follows up on his various speeches (speech on 6th April at Ajmer, Rajasthan, 7th April at Nawada, Bihar, speech on 9th April at Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh) where he has repeatedly made references to the Ram temple at Ayodhya and the Hindu community. We understand that there are several complaints pending with the ECI in regard to these speeches.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resorted to such a speech, unbefitting the position he holds as the Prime Minister. CPI(ML) Liberation urged the Election Commission of India to take strict action against PM Narendra Modi to protect any possibility of free and fair elections. The party also urged the ECI to implement Model Code of Conduct in a strict manner and take strict action against Narendra Modi for this disgraceful speech which is highly venomous, communal and hate-filled in nature, aimed at promoting enmity between the citizens of India on grounds of religion, and seeks to vitiate the poll atmosphere and spread hatred against the Muslim community.

Full text of letter can be accessed is available at www.cpiml.net