PM Modi made over 100 Islamophobic remarks in campaign speeches: Human Rights Watch
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made over 100 Islamophobic remarks during his electoral campaign this year, according to a report published by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday. The report, titled 'Hate Speech Fueled Modi’s Election Campaign,' analysed 173 speeches and found that in at least 110 of them, Modi repeatedly incited discrimination, hostility, and violence against marginalised groups.
The report highlighted how Modi's campaign speeches involved raising fears among Hindus with false claims that their religion, places of worship, wealth, land, and the safety of women and girls would be threatened by Muslims if opposition parties gained power. Modi also alleged that Muslims have higher birth rates than other communities, suggesting that Hindus, who make up around 80% of India’s population, could become a minority.
HRW’s report further indicated a surge in anti-Muslim rhetoric in India since Modi’s government came to power in 2014. Popular Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, among others have also made speeches that stoked Hindu-Muslim tensions.
During a speech in Dharm (Madhya Pradesh) on May 7, Modi falsely claimed that the Congress Party “intends to give priority to Muslims even in sports.” In another speech in Koderma (Jharkhand) on May 14, he alleged that the “idols of our gods are being destroyed” and that “these infiltrators (Muslims) have threatened the security of our sisters and daughters.”
Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at HRW, condemned these speeches, stating they have further normalised abuses against Muslims, Christians, and others. “The Indian government’s claims of plurality and being the ‘mother of democracy’ ring hollow in the face of its abusive anti-minority actions,” she said.
HRW also noted that violence against religious minorities has continued since the election, citing the deaths of 12 Muslim men and a Christian woman in 28 reported attacks across the country.
The report further highlighted that BJP leaders and affiliated Hindu nationalist groups have made statements over the past decade that have incited mob attacks on churches. These incidents have included pastors being beaten, prevented from holding religious meetings, and being accused under anti-conversion laws. Churches have also been vandalised in several instances.
Pearson emphasised that the new Modi government must reverse its discriminatory policies, take action against violence targeting minorities, and ensure justice for those affected.
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Kerala polls: ‘People rejected 10 years of misrule’, says AICC gen secy
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal on Monday said the Congress-led UDF’s sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly polls was a clear verdict against the “arrogance”, corruption, and nepotism of the CPI(M)-led LDF government headed by CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Addressing a press conference as counting of votes for all 140 Assembly constituencies neared completion, Venugopal said the outcome reflected public anger against what he termed “10 years of misrule” by the Left government.
He claimed that Vijayan’s victory in his home constituency, Dharmadam, was “only technical”, alleging that the CM trailed the UDF candidate in the initial rounds of counting and failed to secure a majority in his own village.
“He just escaped. He suffered a setback even in his home turf. He was the only person who did not realise the people’s mood in this election,” Venugopal said.
Alleging that the CPI(M) and the LDF had resorted to “communal and opportunistic politics”, he further claimed that the ruling front had entered into a “secret understanding” with the BJP in a bid to retain power for a third consecutive term.
He said that when a government driven by power and arrogance attempts to align with anyone to stay in office, even its own cadre turns against it.
Referring to the results, Venugopal said that while the UDF expected rebel CPI(M) leaders, including K Kunhikrishnan in Payyannur, to impact the vote share, their victories came as a surprise.
Describing the UDF’s performance as a “historic victory”, he attributed it to coordinated teamwork, grassroots mobilisation, and the dedication of party workers, adding that the alliance accepted the mandate “with humility”.
Venugopal also credited Rahul Gandhi’s campaign guarantees, calling them a “trump card” that helped voters focus on real issues and reject what he described as the LDF’s “false narratives”.
He claimed that the Congress witnessed one of its lowest levels of rebellion in this election, which contributed to the alliance’s strong performance.
The senior Congress leader further alleged that the BJP managed to win two seats with the help of the CPI(M), and asserted that forces attempting to divide society on communal lines should “learn a lesson” from Kerala’s verdict.
“This is the real Kerala story,” he said.
On the question of the next Chief Minister, Venugopal said the party leadership would decide at the earliest after due consultations.
The counting of votes began on Monday morning for all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala, where the Congress-led UDF secured a decisive majority, defeating the CPI(M)-led LDF, which was seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in office.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) posts, "Thank you to my brothers and sisters in Keralam for a truly decisive mandate. Congratulations to every UDF leader and worker for a hard-fought, well-run campaign. As I said before, Keralam has the talent, Keralam has the potential… pic.twitter.com/6T4IZbEmp4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026
