Is the Congress Using Dog Whistles to Target the Muslim Vote Bank?

Synopsis
The BJP has condemned Congress for a controversial social media post deemed to invoke a 'beheading' mentality. Amit Malviya accused Congress of using this imagery as a dog whistle to target Muslim voters, raising questions about political tactics amid recent terrorist attacks. The post has ignited discussions on social media about the party's intentions and the impact on national security.
Key Takeaways
- The BJP has condemned Congress for its controversial social media post.
- Amit Malviya accuses Congress of using dog whistles to target Muslim voters.
- The post is criticized for invoking a dangerous mindset.
- Recent terrorist attacks have heightened political tensions.
- The need for responsible political discourse in sensitive times.
New Delhi, April 29 (NationPress) The BJP has sharply condemned the Congress party for a recent social media post, which it asserts embodies the “Sar Tan Se Juda (beheading)” mentality.
Amit Malviya, who oversees the BJP's National Information & Technology Department, remarked that Congress's use of “Sar Tan Se Juda” imagery leaves no room for misinterpretation.
On Monday, Congress shared a post on its official X handle @INCIndia, featuring an image captioned 'At the time of 'responsibility' - Invisible (translated from Hindi).
The visual depicts a man dressed in a kurta-churidar, notably lacking a neck or head.
In response, Malviya stated, “The Congress leaves little doubt with its use of “Sar Tan Se Juda” imagery. This is not simply a political remark; it serves as a dog whistle aimed at its Muslim vote bank and a covert incitement against the Prime Minister. This is not the first instance of Congress employing such tactics.”
Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of inciting violence against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Rahul Gandhi, on several occasions, has instigated and justified violence toward the Prime Minister. Yet the Congress will never prevail, as the Prime Minister has the affection and support of millions of Indians,” he asserted.
“Conversely, if anyone's neck has been severed, it is the Congress—now a headless hydra, floundering without direction,” concluded the BJP leader.
The Congress post has stirred controversy on social media, prompting many to question the party's intentions.
This post follows a tragic terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including 25 tourists and one local.
During an all-party meeting on April 25, Congress pledged its support to the government in combatting terrorism. However, several of its leaders have made contentious statements that are being highlighted by the Pakistani media.
Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that there should be no war with Pakistan. “There is no need for war. We oppose it. Stringent security measures must be implemented. That is all,” he said on April 26.
The day after CM Siddaramaiah sparked a controversy, his minister, R.B. Timmapur, ignited another by stating that terrorists do not inquire about their targets' religions before killing them.
Timmapur, Karnataka's Excise Minister, told reporters, “A man who is shooting, will he ask caste or religion? He will just shoot and go. Think practically. He will not stop to ask and then shoot.”
The minister alleged that a “conspiracy” was being crafted to depict this as a religious issue. “I believe they didn't ask about religion during the terror attack. If they did, there should not be this madness of politicizing the issue based on religion,” he stated.
Another senior Congress leader from Maharashtra, Vijay Wadettiwar, echoed Timmapur's sentiments, asserting, “The government must take responsibility for the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack. The government claims that terrorists asked about their victims' religion... Do terrorists have time for this? Some claim that this didn’t happen... Terrorists have no caste or religion.”
Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra also questioned the need for war with Pakistan.
Furthermore, another senior party leader from Kashmir, Saifuddin Soz, suggested acknowledging Pakistan's claims of non-involvement until a thorough investigation is completed.