BJP faces backlash for divisive social media post

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, the BJP, recently faced backlash for sharing a cartoon video on social media that targeted minority Muslims during the ongoing national election. The video, which depicted opposition politicians allegedly planning to divert affirmative action programs from marginalized Hindu groups to Muslims, was deemed as violating India's election code by promoting communal incitement.

The Election Commission swiftly intervened by contacting the platform's Indian office and labeling the post as objectionable and against Indian law. Subsequently, the original post was taken down following the Commission's directive. The opposition Congress party also took action by filing a police complaint, accusing the video of sowing discord between different religious communities.

Prime Minister Modi, who is poised to secure a third term in office in the upcoming general election, has come under fire for his divisive rhetoric targeting Muslims. His controversial remarks, including labeling Muslims as 'infiltrators' and 'those who have more children,' have drawn criticism from both opposition leaders and election authorities.

While Modi's government's focus on the majority faith in Indian politics has bolstered his popularity, it has also raised concerns among the country's sizable Muslim population, exceeding 220 million. The BJP's utilization of provocative content, such as an animated video on Instagram warning of wealth redistribution to Muslims if the opposition wins, has further exacerbated tensions and was removed for violating hate speech regulations.

The removal of the contentious cartoon video underscores the sensitivity surrounding religious and communal issues in India's political landscape. As the nation gears up for the upcoming general election, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical campaign practices and fostering unity among diverse communities for a harmonious democratic process.