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The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking to bar Prime Minister Narendra Modi from contesting elections for allegedly making hate speeches and violating the Model Code of Conduct during campaigning. The bench directed the petitioner to first approach the relevant authorities for redressal before seeking judicial intervention through a writ petition. Following the court’s suggestion, the petitioner withdrew the plea, leading to its dismissal.
The petition, filed by Fatima through Advocate Anand S Jondhale, sought a direction to the Election Commission to disqualify PM Modi from elections for six years under the Representation of People Act. It alleged that the Prime Minister made inflammatory and divisive remarks amounting to hate speeches while flouting the Model Code of Conduct during his campaign rallies.
PM Modi’s Controversial Statements in 2024 Polls
As the high-stakes 2024 Lok Sabha elections approached, PM Modi’s campaign speeches came under intense scrutiny and criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups, and constitutional watchdogs. Several of his remarks were condemned as promoting religious polarization, vilifying minority communities, and violating the spirit of the Model Code of Conduct.
PM Modi’s speech in Gujarat, where he claimed that the opposition parties were “anti-national” and working against the interests of the country. He accused them of siding with forces that wanted to break India into pieces. These allegations were vehemently rejected by the opposition, who termed them as baseless and divisive rhetoric.
Perhaps the most controversial statement came during a rally in Bihar in 2019, where PM Modi questioned the loyalty of certain communities. “You can recognize them by their clothes,” he said, in an apparent reference to Muslims. This remark was widely condemned as blatant discrimination and an attempt to marginalize a segment of the population for electoral gains.
The Election Commission received numerous complaints regarding PM Modi’s speeches from opposition parties, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens. While the poll body issued advisory notices and temporary campaign bans in some instances, no major disciplinary action was taken against the Prime Minister.