Modi's Election Speeches are 'Immoral, Unethical, Unacceptable', He Owes Indian Muslims Apology

Summary

In a recent interview on The Wire, Mr. N. Ram, the former editor-in-chief of The Hindu, discusses the implications of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches during the election campaign. Ram asserts that Modi's remarks, particularly those made in Rajasthan, which targeted Indian Muslims, were not only in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and Section 123 of the Representation of People Act but also morally and ethically wrong. He emphasizes that political morality, or constitutional morality, should be a priority and that Modi's statements are unacceptable. Ram also addresses the Election Commission's lack of response to multiple complaints regarding Modi's speeches, suggesting a loss of independence and a failure to uphold the principles of democracy. He calls for the Prime Minister to apologize to Indian Muslims and for the Election Commission to take appropriate action, viewing the current situation as a low point for India's democracy.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Rajasthan speech by the Prime Minister of India is described as immoral, unethical, and unacceptable by Mr. Ram, a highly regarded former editor-in-chief of The Hindu newspaper.
• 🗣️ Mr. Ram suggests that Prime Minister Modi should apologize to Indian Muslims for his remarks, which were perceived as divisive and against constitutional morality.
• 🚫 The speech is believed to violate the model code of conduct and Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, which prohibit the promotion of enmity and hatred between citizens.
• 📉 Mr. Ram criticizes the Election Commission for their silence and inaction following complaints about the Prime Minister's speeches, which he sees as a sign of a compromised and non-independent body.
• 🤥 It is asserted that Prime Minister Modi's claim about the Congress Manifesto was a lie, and such disinformation is strategic despite being easily fact-checkable.
• 🈲 Under Section 124 of the Representation of People's Act, deliberate dissemination of false information that impacts elections is considered a corrupt practice.
• 📉 The Prime Minister's alleged nervousness and desperation are inferred from his divisive rhetoric and untruthful statements regarding the opposition's manifesto.
• 📉 Mr. Ram connects the Prime Minister's actions to a broader pattern of communal hate and appeals to religious sentiments, which are seen as breaches of both law and political morality.
• 😶 The Election Commission's lack of response to multiple complaints against the Prime Minister's speeches is viewed as a significant concern and a sign of a failure to uphold democratic principles.
• 🏛️ There is a call for a campaign to change the current state of the Election Commission and to hold it accountable to the principles of independence and impartiality.
• 🌐 The discrepancy between the Hindi and English versions of the Prime Minister's speech on the PMO website is seen as an attempt to target different constituencies with varying messages.

Q & A

What was the main concern raised by the speaker regarding Prime Minister Modi's Rajasthan speech?

The main concern was that Prime Minister Modi's speech was deemed immoral, unethical, and unacceptable as it was believed to have breached the model code of conduct and section 123 of the Representation of People Act, which prohibit the promotion of enmity and hatred between citizens.

According to the speaker, what should be the Prime Minister's course of action after delivering the Rajasthan speech?

The speaker suggests that the Prime Minister should apologize for his remarks, acknowledging that they were inappropriate and recognizing the public discourse around them.

What does the speaker believe the Election Commission's silence on the matter indicates?

The speaker believes the Election Commission's silence is eloquent and indicative of its lack of independence, suggesting a failure to act in accordance with its constitutional duties.

How does the speaker view the Prime Minister's claim about the Congress Manifesto in Aligarh?

The speaker views the Prime Minister's claim as a lie, stating that it is completely false and falls under the category of disinformation.

What is the speaker's opinion on the Election Commission's role in the current political scenario?

The speaker is critical of the Election Commission, stating that it has failed to act independently and has not taken prompt action on complaints against the Prime Minister's speeches.

What does the speaker suggest is the appropriate punishment for the Prime Minister's actions?

The speaker suggests that the Prime Minister should be barred from campaigning for an extended period, possibly for the remainder of the election phases, due to the severity of his breaches.

Why does the speaker believe the Election Commission's response to the Prime Minister's speeches is a test of its credibility?

The speaker believes that the Election Commission's response is a test of its credibility because it has a constitutional duty to ensure fair elections, and its failure to act promptly and independently in this case raises questions about its commitment to that duty.

What is the speaker's view on the Election Commission's lack of action in previous instances?

The speaker expresses disappointment and a lack of confidence in the Election Commission's past actions, citing instances where it failed to penalize politicians for hate speech or false information.

What does the speaker imply about the different versions of the Prime Minister's speech on the PMO website?

The speaker implies that the omission of offensive content in the English version of the Prime Minister's speech on the PMO website suggests a strategic attempt to target different constituencies with different messages.

How does the speaker describe the current state of India's democracy in light of the discussed events?

The speaker describes the current state as a low point for India's democracy, indicating a significant concern over the erosion of constitutional morality and the rise of authoritarianism.

What is the speaker's call to action for the viewers regarding the program's editorial independence?

The speaker calls on viewers to support the program to ensure it remains bold, independent, and defiant, suggesting that viewer support is crucial for maintaining editorial independence.