What Is ‘Saugat-E-Modi’? Inside BJP’s Festival Outreach For Minority Communities As Oppn Calls It Vote Tactic

The BJP launched the "Saugat-e-Modi" initiative, distributing food and clothing kits to economically disadvantaged Muslims ahead of Eid. Opposition MPs criticised it as a political ploy for votes, accusing the party of a "hidden agenda."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday launched a nationwide outreach initiative targeting members of the minority community, starting with the distribution of ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ kits containing food items and clothes among Muslims ahead of Eid.

What Is ‘Saugat-E-Modi’?

BJP Minority Morcha national president Jamal Siddiqui, who spearheaded the initiative, said the programme aims to extend food items, clothes, and similar assistance to economically weaker members of other minority communities during their respective festivals next month.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi always says that he is the guardian of 140 crore Indians and he takes part in all festivals. He participates in Christmas, Easter, Baisakhi and sends ‘chadar’ for offering at Nizamuddin Dargah and Ajmer Sharif,” Siddiqui told news agency PTI. “So we decided that we will give kits with food to our brothers and sisters, who are poor. Each kit will also have a cloth for our sisters.”

The BJP Minority Morcha has mobilised 32,000 workers, including state, district, and mandal-level office bearers, to implement the initiative. “Our karyakartas will meet people (Muslims) in their respective areas across the country and give them kits, greeting Eid Mubarak on behalf of the prime minister,” he said. The programme, launched in Delhi and other states on Tuesday, has set a target for each worker to reach out to at least 100 people with the kits.

According to BJP UP Minority Morcha president Kunwar Basit Ali, the Uttar Pradesh unit will distribute the ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ kits to 32 lakh economically weaker Muslims across the country on Eid. The kits will include essential items such as vermicelli (sevaiyan), sugar, dry fruits, and clothes for women.

Meanwhile, news agency ANI quoted Jamal Siddiqui as saying, “PM Narendra Modi participates in the celebrations of every festival and in the happiness of everyone. We are making efforts to make every festival full of colours. Today, we are distributing the ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ kits as it is the month of Ramzan… Everyone’s faith should be respected.”

Each kit is estimated to cost between ₹500 and ₹600, ANI reported, citing sources. The BJP has also planned to extend the initiative beyond Eid, distributing similar kits to members of the Sikh and Christian communities during Baisakhi and Easter next month.

BJP Would “Do Anything For Votes”: Akhilesh Yadav Among Oppn MPs Slamming ‘Saugat-E-Modi’

The initiative, however, drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who accused the BJP of using the scheme as a political tool to woo voters.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav remarked that the BJP would “do anything for votes.” “The BJP and its people should celebrate every festival. Samajwadis have always believed that all festivals should be celebrated, be it of any religion. It is a matter of happiness that the BJP is now celebrating festivals on a large scale. The BJP is such a party that it would perform anything to get even a single vote,” Yadav was quoted as saying by PTI.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) also hit out at the BJP, with MP Kirti Azad calling the initiative “the joke of the day.” He likened it to a crocodile’s smile, saying, “Have you seen a crocodile’s face? It appears as if the animal is smiling but when you go near, it will swallow you. The same scenario is with the BJP. The world knows about their acts, they have nothing to show. This is the biggest joke of the day.”

Congress MP Ranjit Ranjan accused the BJP of shedding “crocodile tears” ahead of elections. “Bihar elections are coming, and they are asking for votes in ‘saugat’ (gift). If he (PM Modi) is so keen, he should provide employment in Bihar. This is just for the sake of votes,” she said.

Azad Samaj Party (ASP) MP Chandra Shekhar raised suspicions over the BJP’s intent, suggesting a hidden agenda behind the initiative. “I am very surprised. There may be a hidden agenda. They brought the Waqf amendment bill to loot the Muslims, and now they are bringing Saugat-e-Modi. You are snatching away everything from them and giving them a token? I believe it is not Saugat-e-Modi, but Barbaad-e-Musalman (destruction of Muslims),” he said.

Independent MP Pappu Yadav also took a swipe at the ruling party, questioning whether the move stemmed from genuine concern or political calculations. “Is this politics or a change of heart? Is it Arab love, Gulf love or Bangladesh love? May God give them wisdom, and they may quit the politics of hatred,” he said.