Are Congress and RJD Exploiting Muslims as Vote Banks?
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Synopsis
In a bold statement, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju alleges that Congress and its allies are manipulating the Muslim community for electoral gains. He emphasizes PM Modi's efforts to truly uplift the community, urging voters to be cautious of being used as mere vote banks. Discover the implications of these claims on Bihar's political landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Kiren Rijiju believes Congress exploits the Muslim community.
- PM Modi is seen as genuinely supporting their upliftment.
- The 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' aimed to address alleged voting irregularities.
- Participation in the yatra was predominantly from the Muslim community.
- Rijiju critiques Congress’s narrative on minority rights.
New Delhi, Sep 2 (NationPress) Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has claimed that the Congress and its allies are exploiting the Muslim community as a vote bank, asserting that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is genuinely striving to improve their circumstances.
He made these remarks during a conversation with IANS regarding the Muslim community's involvement in the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', organized by the Congress and RJD to reveal supposed discrepancies in the Bihar voter list amid the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In response to the claims made by Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Tejashwi Yadav, who led the yatra, accusing the central government of conspiring with the ECI to commit 'vote theft', Rijiju stated, 'LoP Rahul Gandhi comes from a privileged background, and Tejashwi Yadav is relying on his father's legacy for votes. I doubt they can instigate any genuine change in Bihar. Their focus on a specific community won't help them in the elections.'
Urging the community, Rijiju expressed, 'As the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, I appeal to the Muslim electorate to recognize that Rahul Gandhi and his associates are treating Muslims as a mere vote bank. During this yatra in Bihar, the entire Muslim community participated, while individuals from other communities did not.'
Rijiju further criticized the Congress and RJD for 'misleading and enticing the Muslim community' to join the yatra.
'I want to convey to Muslims that, from my perspective as the Minister for Minority Affairs, if Muslims in this nation are impoverished, it is primarily due to the Congress. PM Modi is dedicated to uplifting them. Rahul Gandhi's false assertions are most detrimental to the Muslim community. I urge them not to allow themselves to be used as a vote bank by the Congress and its partners. This exploitation is detrimental to them and our nation,' he added.
When questioned whether the Congress should appoint a Muslim as its chief ministerial candidate in Bihar if they consider themselves 'well-wishers of Muslims', Rijiju accused the party of 'perpetuating poverty' among the community.
'They (Congress) claim that Muslims have a primary right. It is incorrect to assert that Muslims should have priority over the nation's resources. The primary rights should belong to the impoverished, those in dire need. Claiming that Muslims have the first claim is not accurate. Furthermore, the poverty faced by Muslims has been engineered by the Congress itself. They manipulate sentiments to secure votes without any genuine intention to assist,' he concluded.
Point of View
We recognize the complexities surrounding communal politics in India. Kiren Rijiju's assertions highlight a critical discussion on the representation and treatment of minority communities. It's essential to explore all perspectives while upholding the values of inclusivity and understanding.
NationPress
02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kiren Rijiju accuse the Congress of?
Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress and its allies of using the Muslim community as a vote bank.
Who is working to uplift the Muslim community according to Rijiju?
Rijiju stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is dedicated to uplifting the Muslim community.
What was the purpose of the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra'?
The 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' was organized by Congress and RJD to expose alleged irregularities in the Bihar voter list.
What did Rijiju say about the participation of the Muslim community?
Rijiju noted that during the yatra, the entire Muslim community joined, while other communities did not.
What did Rijiju suggest about the Congress's claims regarding Muslim rights?
Rijiju argued that claiming Muslims have the first right to resources is incorrect and suggested that the poor should have that priority.
