The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) on Wednesday moved the Madras High Court, seeking judicial intervention against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged communal statements during campaigning for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The TNCC president, K Selvaperunthagai, said PM Modi’s speeches have not only been inflammatory but also derogatory, particularly targeting the Muslim community and the Congress party.
The petition states that even though multiple complaints were lodged with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against hate speeches by PM Modi, the ECI has only issued one show cause notice to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) instead of directly addressing Narendra Modi, Bar and Bench reported.
PM Modi is the “individual culprit” for the hate speeches, the plea adds.
“Mr Modi is solely responsible for these inflammatory remarks, derogative and divisive speeches. This leniency of the ECI sends a wrong signal to the citizens and undermines the integrity of our nation’s whole electoral process,” the plea stated.
The matter was mentioned before the vacation Bench of Justices AD Jagadish Chandira and R Kalaimathi. The Bench, however, asked the petitioner to get the matter numbered by the Registry first.
In his petition, K Selvaperunthagai alleged that the BJP is attempting to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by hook or by crook, and therefore, was indulging in a divisive campaign along communal lines spanning multiple venues since April 21.
He said the Prime Minister himself had termed Muslims as “infiltrators” and those who “have more children.”
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Such rhetoric, according to the TNCC, not only sows communal discord but also aims to instill fear among citizens, fostering an environment of inter-community strife.
Refusal to expedite the process, citing the sensitive nature of allegations against the Prime Minister, prompted the TNCC to seek judicial guidance.
The petition asserts the broader concern that Prime Minister Modi’s speeches, though made in regional contexts such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, has the potential to stoke tensions even in states like Tamil Nadu.
In the petition, the TNCC asked the Madras HC to direct the ECI to take swift and decisive action against Modi.
The action has been sought not only to curb the dissemination of false and derogatory statements but also to restore a level-playing field for all political parties, ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process, Indian Express reported.