Is the BJP Misusing Infiltration Concerns for Political Gain?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ajay Rai accuses the BJP of using infiltration for political division.
- Home Minister Shah claims infiltration poses a threat to democracy.
- Congress questions the validity of governmental statistics on illegal entrants.
- There are concerns over rising tensions and unrest in India.
- The ongoing debate highlights the need for accountability in governance.
New Delhi, Oct 11 (NationPress) In a strong critique of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ajay Rai, the President of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, asserted on Saturday that the BJP government is manipulating the issue of infiltration as a means of political division rather than addressing the growing tensions and unrest within the nation.
“If conditions are deteriorating, it indicates your failure. You hold the position of the responsible minister, along with Prime Minister Modi. Therefore, if the situation worsens, who is to blame? It is you,” Ajay Rai responded to Home Minister Shah's recent statements regarding infiltration.
“Why are you misleading the public? Your actions are contributing to the escalating unrest. It appears intentional, aimed at spreading propaganda, creating divisions between Hindus and Muslims, and inciting chaos throughout the nation,” he emphasized.
Ajay Rai’s remarks followed Home Minister Shah's address at the Narendra Mohan Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, where he stated that infiltration into India threatens democracy and accused opposition parties of treating infiltrators as a source of votes.
“Infiltration is not merely a political concern; it is a national concern,” asserted Home Minister Shah. “Why does infiltration not occur along the Gujarat and Rajasthan borders?”
His comments were made during a lecture titled 'Infiltration, Demographic Change, and Democracy.'
However, the Congress party has swiftly countered these assertions. Congress leader Rashid Alvi accused Home Minister Shah of distorting facts.
“The disparity between the Muslim and Hindu populations is only one or two percent. Amit Shah must clarify the number of illegal entrants. The government lacks concrete statistics, only making empty claims,” he stated.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput also criticized Home Minister Shah, remarking, “You rank 140th in per capita income. A staggering 800 million people in India live on five kilos of grain. Do you think people are migrating here for that? Cease the slogans and explain why our borders remain porous after 11 years of your administration. The BJP merely promotes Hindu-Muslim divides for electoral gains.”