TN Congress moves Madras High Court alleging ECI has failed to act against hate speeches by PM Modi

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) has moved a petition before the Madras High Court urging it to direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to call for an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly making hate speeches during the ongoing election season. .The petition states that even though multiple complaints were lodged with the ECI against hate speeches by Modi, the ECI has only issued one show cause notice to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) instead of directly addressing Narendra Modi. Modi is the "individual culprit" for the hate speeches, the plea adds. "Mr. Modi is solely responsible for these inflammatory remarks, derogative and divisive speeches. This leniency of the ECI sends a wrong signal to the citizens and undermines the integrity of our nation’s whole electoral process," the plea states. .The matter was mentioned before the vacation Bench of Justices AD Jagadish Chandira and R Kalaimathi today. .The Bench, however, asked the petitioner to get the matter numbered by the Registry first. The petition has been filed by the TNCC through its President, K Selvaperunthagai. He told the Court this morning that the Prime Minister had made unsavoury remarks against Muslims in multiple election meetings since April 21..In his petition, he has alleged that the BJP is attempting to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by hook or by crook, and therefore, was indulging in a divisive campaign along communal lines. He said the Prime Minister himself had termed Muslims as "infiltrators" and those who "have more children." The petitioner has also stated that Modi has made misleading and derogatory remarks about the Congress party's manifesto, and that the BJP leader should be restrained from making such derogatory comments. Protest was also registered to alleged remarks by Modi that the "opposition’s victory would mean Hindus’ wealth going into Muslim’s hands.".The TNCC president added that he submitted a representation to the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Chennai on May 1, calling for immediate and decisive action against Modi's "derogative statements and communal rhetoric."However, no response was received. Therefore, the TNCC president has now moved the High Court calling for directions to the ECI to call for an explanation from Modi. ."Mr. Modi’s derogatory remarks about specific communities such as Muslims, including his recent comments regarding the mangal-sutra and birth rates among Muslims, are not only disrespectful but also shameful and treacherous as they fuel communal tensions and sow division among our people. These communal tensions are not exclusive to the States among which the Prime Minister, Mr. Modi has made these speeches, but rather, the blatant disrespect of Muslims were targeted to all the Muslims residing all over India. Mr. Modi is trying to create fear psychosis in the minds of the people and trying to whip up communal passions. He wants Indian citizen among themselves to fight and shed blood in the streets of India to force the majority people to vote for BJP," the plea said.