13 May 2024: Amidst a wave of controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Amravati MP Navneet Rana has stirred outrage by replicating a controversial gesture near a mosque in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. This incident follows closely on the heels of Madhavi Latha’s similar action in Hyderabad, further fueling tensions and raising concerns about communal harmony.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Rana, adorned with a saffron scarf, can be seen making an arrow gesture towards the mosque while passing through it during an election rally. The gesture, accompanied by cheers from supporters, has drawn sharp criticism for its potential to incite communal discord.
Additionally, another video captures Rana holding a placard with the inscription “Hindu Rashtra” during the rally, aligning herself with the agenda promoted by radical Hindutva outfits. This agenda, which seeks to establish Hindu supremacy and transform India into a Hindu nation, has further intensified the debate surrounding religious polarization in the political landscape.
These incidents have prompted widespread condemnation and calls for action from various quarters, including citizens and political observers, who have urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intervene and address the violation of the code of conduct.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign has been marred by a series of Islamophobic speeches and provocative gestures, with BJP candidates facing accusations of polarizing communities for electoral gain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has been at the forefront, delivering speeches that have been deemed incendiary, including references to Muslims as ‘infiltrators’.
In a recent development, a BJP video, subsequently removed, propagated the notion that a Congress-led government would redistribute wealth from non-Muslims to Muslims, adding fuel to the fire of communal tensions.
These developments underscore the urgent need for responsible and inclusive political discourse, as well as measures to safeguard communal harmony and uphold the principles of secularism in the country.
As the nation grapples with the repercussions of such incidents, it remains to be seen how political leaders and institutions will address the growing concerns surrounding religious polarization and communal tensions in the electoral arena.
