There is only some time left for the second phase of voting. This is the same stage from where BJP had maintained lead against the opposition at every stage in the last Lok Sabha elections. But before this second phase, the political temperature of the country has increased. The fight for 2024 elections has shifted from property survey to Muslims and Mangalsutra. Even though Congress has complained to the Election Commission about the PM’s statement, the rhetoric still continues. While PM Modi, while referring to the manifesto, targeted Congress over Mangalsutra and Muslim reservation, now Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi has hit back. Priyanka said that her mother i.e. Sonia Gandhi’s Mangalsutra was sacrificed for the country.
The issue raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the basis of Congress’s manifesto and Rahul Gandhi’s statement in Telangana 16 days ago, has now been raised by the entire BJP. From Amit Shah to Mohan Yadav and Gajendra Shekhawat are making it an issue. In fact, while addressing the election rally in Banswara, PM Modi had said that if the Congress government comes to power, it will take people’s properties and distribute them to people with more children and infiltrators. Modi had said, ‘Earlier when his government was in power, he had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s property. This means, after collecting the wealth, to whom will they distribute it? Those who have more children, we will distribute them. Will distribute the infiltrators. Will your hard-earned money be given to infiltrators? Do you accept this?’
He had further said, ‘This manifesto of Congress is saying that they will calculate the gold of mothers and sisters. Will take information about it and then distribute it. And will distribute it to those to whom Manmohan Singh’s government had said that Muslims have the first right on property. Brothers and sisters, these urban Naxal thoughts, my mothers and sisters, will not let even your mangalsutra be saved. They will go till here.
Now Priyanka Gandhi hit back on Mangalsutra
Congress General Secretary, while addressing a public meeting in Bengaluru, hit back at PM Modi’s statement on Mangalsutra. He said, “In the last two days, it has started that Congress people want to snatch your mangalsutra and gold. This country has been independent for 70 years, there was a Congress government for 55 years, then did anyone snatch your gold and your gold?” Mangalsutra snatched away? When there was war in the country, Indira Gandhi gave her gold to the country and my mother’s Mangalsutra (Rajiv Gandhi) was sacrificed for this country.”
He said, “If Modi ji had understood the importance of ‘Mangalsutra’, he would not have said such things. When demonetization happened, he took away the savings of women. 600 farmers lost their lives during the farmers’ protest, did Modi ji care about those widows?” Thought about ‘Mangalsutra’? When a woman was paraded naked in Manipur, did he think about her ‘Mangalsutra’? Today he is saying such things to women to scare them. So that they vote out of fear.”
What is written in the manifesto of Congress?
On the 4th of this month, Congress came out with a 48-page manifesto. In this, Congress gave five guarantees and 25 guarantees to the people. Now the question arises whether in the same manifesto Congress has talked about taking possession of Mangalsutra if it wins the elections, about distributing property among Muslims, or those other things, whose allegations have been made by PM thrice in three days since Sunday and Amit once. Shah, Yogi Adityanath three times and now BJP has started appointing Chief Minister, Minister, election in-charge, leaders associated with the organization, spokesperson?
The answer is no. It is not written anywhere in the Congress manifesto that Mangalsutra or women’s gold will be confiscated. Nowhere in the manifesto is it written that property will be distributed to Muslims. Nowhere in the manifesto is it written that Sharia law will be implemented. It is not written anywhere that if someone has two houses, one house will be taken away from him and it is also not written anywhere that if someone has two cars, Congress will snatch one of his cars and give it to someone else. But yes, in point number 21 of page number 28 related to economic justice, it is definitely written that Congress will solve the increasing inequality in terms of wealth and income by making appropriate changes in policies.
On page number 6 of the manifesto, Congress has written under equity justice and social justice that economic and social caste census will be conducted. Will find out the economic and social situation. Then Congress will take steps for reform. So is this what BJP is promoting on behalf of Congress with the claim of distributing people’s property? Now the next claim is that property will be distributed to Muslims? When we look at the manifesto in this regard, it is seen that on page number 7, under minority, it is written that there is no place for dictatorship or majoritarianism in the country. Congress is committed to maintaining and protecting the rights of minorities in India.
Talk about maintaining the fundamental rights of minorities
It is written on page number 8 that Congress will maintain the fundamental rights of minorities under the Constitution. Education will encourage and assist minorities to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in employment, business, services, sports, arts. A policy will be made to provide easy loans for the economic empowerment of minorities. Minorities should get fair opportunities without any discrimination in education, health care, government jobs, public works contracts, skill development, sports, cultural activities. After this, the PM and all the BJP leaders mention a statement given by Rahul Gandhi in Telangana. Allegations are made that Rahul Gandhi himself has talked about confiscation of excessive assets.
Now the next question knocking is that earlier the manifesto of Congress was said to be a copy of Muslim League. But then, was no movement seen among the public in the name of religion, which then exposed the ancient history of property survey, Mangalsutra and today Congress’s Muslim reservation. There is not even an iota of question that Congress has earlier tried to give reservation on the basis of religion, which was stopped by the Supreme Court. But the truth is also that in this time’s manifesto, Congress has not written anywhere that separate reservation will be given to Muslims or minorities in government jobs and education. However, till 2014, Congress kept talking about reservation for minorities in its manifesto. This is the reason why now the Prime Minister is cornering Congress on the issue of religious reservation.
…So this is why the issue of Mangalsutra, Muslims and property is gaining momentum
The question is, why suddenly after the first phase, things like appeasement and polarization have come so fast? Is the issue of Mangalsutra, Muslims, Manifesto, Muslim reservation and property gaining momentum now because Congress cornered it by showing the fear of changing the Constitution and BJP is now cornering it by showing the fear of distribution of property? Is the lack of increased voting enthusiasm in the first phase the reason for the intensified statements now? Is BJP reminding its core voters before the second phase that if Congress comes, only appeasement will be in the name of religion? Has BJP now raised this issue because out of 88 seats in the second phase, BJP alone had won 52 i.e. 59 percent seats in 2019 and NDA had won 61 i.e. 69 percent seats. That means now every phase is where BJP had lead over the opposition last time. So have all the statements come to maintain the same lead?
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