PM Modi slams INDIA over Khurshid's niece's 'vote jihad' remark
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday criticized the opposition for the "vote jihad" appeal made by Maria Alam, the niece of Congress leader Salman Khurshid.
During a poll rally in Gujarat, PM Modi raised questions over the political strategy of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
He claimed that Alam's remark exposed the "true intentions of the INDIA bloc".
He also accused the alliance of attempting to create divisions among various social groups.
Political strategy
PM Modi accuses INDIA of promoting division
In his address, PM Modi said, "INDI alliance has asked Muslims to go for Vote Jihad. This has come from an educated family, not from a child coming out of a Madrasa."
He also pointed out that no Congress leader had yet spoken against Alam's statement, suggesting an unspoken agreement within the party.
According to reports, during an election meeting in Farrukhabad's Kaimganj on Sunday, Alam exhorted her audience to "vote jihad."
Legal consequences
Alam was campaigning for Samajwadi Party candidate
"Together do vote jihad—with intelligence, without being sentimental and with silence. As we can only do vote jihad to drive away this Sanghi government. It is time to join hands, otherwise this Sanghi government will succeed in wiping out our existence," Alam said.
She was campaigning for Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Naval Kishore Shakya.
The SP is contesting the Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat as part of a seat-sharing agreement with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh.
Defense and disagreement
Khurshid defends Alam's statement
Following her comment, Uttar Pradesh police initiated legal action against Alam for allegedly inciting class hatred under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Representation of the People Act.
A case has also been filed against Khurshid, who was present at the event as the chief guest.
However, Khurshid defended Alam's statement by explaining that "jihad" means to fight against a situation, and her intention must have been to carry out vote jihad to protect the Constitution.