By CJP Team
In the midst of the ongoing election campaigns in Jharkhand, two significant complaints have been filed by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) against prominent political figures for their communal and divisive statements that threaten the integrity of the electoral process. The first complaint is against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for his inflammatory remarks made during an election rally in Panki, Ranchi, on November 8, 2024. Yadav’s speech, which labelled Muslims as “Bangladeshi infiltrators” and linked their population growth to threats against Hindu cultural practices, is seen as a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the Representation of the People Act (RPA). CJP argues that such statements not only deepen communal divides but also risk inciting violence and fear, undermining social harmony and the democratic process.
The second complaint is directed at BJP candidate Satyendra Tiwari, who, during a campaign rally in Garhwa, made derogatory and exclusionary comments targeting the Muslim community. Tiwari’s remarks, which explicitly stated that votes from Muslims should be disregarded, violate key provisions of the RPA and MCC. CJP contends that Tiwari’s rhetoric undermines the principles of universal suffrage, religious inclusivity, and fair elections, posing a serious threat to Jharkhand’s social fabric. The complaint demands immediate action from the Jharkhand Election Commission to address these violations, ensure the fair conduct of elections, and prevent further communal rhetoric from influencing the electorate.
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Complaint 1: Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav for promoting communal divisiveness and electoral misconduct
The complaint filed by CJP highlights inflammatory and communal statements made by Madhya Pradesh’s Chief Minister Mohan Yadav during an election rally in Panki, Ranchi, Jharkhand, on November 8, 2024. CJP states that Yadav’s speech violates both the MCC and the RPA. His comments, which target the Muslim community by labelling them as “Bangladeshi infiltrators” and linking their population growth to threats against Hindu festivals, are seen as divisive and inflammatory. CJP contends that these remarks promote religious polarisation and undermine social harmony, potentially inciting communal violence and fear.
In his speech, CM Yadav claimed that the decline in the Hindu population and the rise of the Muslim population in Jharkhand were the result of the influx of “Bangladeshi infiltrators.” This narrative, according to CJP, wrongly portrays Muslims as outsiders and illegitimate citizens, which creates a divide between religious communities. Additionally, Yadav used the rhetoric of “saving culture” to frame the election as a religious battle, suggesting that Hindu traditions and festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, were under threat. Such language, CJP argues, directly appeals to voters based on their religious identity, violating the MCC’s prohibition on communal appeals during elections.
This story was originally published in sabrangindia.in. Read the full story here.