PM Modi Opens Up On Backlash To 'Infiltrators' Remark: 'Haven't Mentioned Hindus Or Muslims'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened up on backlash to his "infiltrators" remark, denying religious bias. Modi's remarks sparked controversy, leading to an ECI notice to the BJP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come under scrutiny following his recent remarks suggesting that the Congress party if in power, would redistribute wealth to Muslims. During a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on April 21, Modi stirred controversy by referencing former PM Manmohan Singh's purported statement regarding the minority community's claim on the country's resources. He also used iterations like "infiltrators" and "those who have more children", drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties.

Responding to the backlash, PM Modi defended his statements, denying any religious bias. In an interview, he told CNN News 18, "I am surprised who said that when it comes to having more children, the Muslim community is being referenced. Why discriminate against Muslims? Even in our poor families, the situation is the same. Their children are unable to get an education. Wherever there is poverty in any society, there are more children."

"I have neither mentioned Hindus nor Muslims. I said have the number of children who you can raise. Don't make the government take care of them," he remarked.

 'Won't Be Worthy Of Public Life If I Do Hindu-Muslim': PM Modi

Addressing a poser about whether he expects Muslims to vote for him, PM Modi asserted, "I believe that the people of my country will vote for me. The day I do Hindu-Muslim (polarisation), I will not be worthy of public life. I will not do Hindu-Muslim (polarisation). This is my resolution."

"If I talk about giving homes, I talk about saturation. 100% delivery means in villages where there are 200 houses, it doesn't matter which society, religion, or caste they belong to. If there are 60 lakhs living in those houses, then those 60 lakh people should get it. 100% saturation is real social justice," he added.

PM Modi's 'Infiltrators' Remark In Rajasthan, ECI Notice To BJP

Notably, while his initial remarks in Rajasthan did reference the Muslim community, subsequent addresses omitted direct mention while attacking the Congress on an alleged wealth redistribution plan that the grand old party had denied proposing.

In his April 21 address, Modi targeted the Congress manifesto, alleging plans for wealth redistribution. He claimed, "The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it, and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom - Manmohan Singh's government had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets."

"Earlier, when their (Congress) government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right to the country's assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children. It will distributed to the infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?" he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Modi had further remarked, "This urban-naxal mindset, my mothers and sisters, they will not even leave your 'Mangalsutra'. They can go to that extent."

Notably, the Congress party had lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on April 22, condemning PM Modi's statements. The ECI issued notices to both Congress and BJP on April 25, invoking the Representation of the People Act. The notice to Congress was over a remark by Rahul Gandhi in Kerala. The poll panel held party presidents responsible initially and sought their responses by April 29.

Details regarding the submission of responses by the parties remain undisclosed.