In a recent speech in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a rather vicious dig at the Congress party, claiming that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had advocated for Muslims to have the ‘first right’ to the nation’s resources.
There’s obviously no dearth of information on this incident online. Everyone is up in arms trying to either slam or support Modi over the speech. And then there are some saintly few who give you explainers and fact checks. I have a bit of an evil streak so I’m going to play the devil’s advocate and present both sides so you can decide for yourself what to do with that information. Sounds like a plan?
So, here we go. Let’s get straight into the details and separate fact from fiction.
1. Manmohan Singh’s Statement on Resource Allocation
Prime Minister Modi’s claim stems from a speech by Manmohan Singh in 2006, where Singh emphasised the need for equitable development, especially for minorities like Muslims. Singh’s actual words were, “plans for minorities, especially Muslims, must have the first claim on resources so that the benefits of development reach them equitably.”
Contrary to Modi’s interpretation, However, the former PM was advocating for prioritising plans and schemes that uplift marginalised groups, including SCs, STs, OBCs, women, children, and minorities, not just Muslims. Singh did not say that Muslims have the ‘first right’ to resources, as misinterpreted.
Manmohan Singh Speech Context:
The context of Singh’s statement was the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council, where he highlighted the importance of inclusive growth and ensuring that development initiatives reach all sections of society. His emphasis was on empowering marginalised communities and ensuring their equitable participation in the country’s development journey.
2. Congress Manifesto and Wealth Redistribution
Prime Minister Modi also claimed that the Congress’ 2024 manifesto includes plans to survey and redistribute wealth and gold. However, a closer look at the manifesto, called the ‘Nyay Patra,’ reveals no such statements. You must check out my analysis on Congress’ Nyay Patra, it is a freakishly long document that addresses the issue better. I’ve linked the story so, read it and help a brother out, folks.
Back to the topic, the manifesto focuses on empowering minorities through measures like ensuring institutional credit without discrimination and conducting a socio-economic census to inform affirmative action.
The manifesto does mention a ‘first charge’ on resources for the welfare of the poor, emphasising the party’s commitment to addressing income inequality. There is no mention of surveying gold or redistributing wealth among specific groups, as claimed by Modi. But if some of you bright young minds have spotted something that could totally slam me for it, I’d love to hear your thoughts and be royally schooled.
3. Muslim Community and Population Boom
In his speech, Modi also referred to a theory about Muslim families producing more children, leading to a demographic imbalance in India. However, data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) shows that while Muslim women have a slightly higher total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.36 children per woman compared to Hindu women’s 1.94 children per woman, the difference is not significant enough to support claims of a population boom solely due to Muslim families, which account for 14% (17.2cr) of the country’s population, according to a 2011 census.
Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi also weighed in on the issue and highlighted that while Muslims do have lower levels of family planning (45.3 per cent), Hindus are not far behind (54.4 per cent), indicating a broader trend of fertility rates in India, rather than a specific community issue.
How has PM Modi responded to this development?
In true fighting spirit, Modi isn’t backing out after severe backlash, in fact, he has doubled down and is hitting the Congress harder.
“Congress wants to snatch women’s Mangalsutra,” and reiterated on Tuesday that he had put the truth before the country that Congress is hatching a deep conspiracy to snatch people’s property and distribute it to its “special people.”
Addressing a public meeting in the small town of Tonk in Rajasthan today, PM Modi said that his speech had created panic in the entire Congress and INDIA bloc.
“When I came to Rajasthan the day before yesterday, I had presented some truths before the country in my 90-second speech. This has created panic in the entire Congress and INDI alliance. I had put the truth before the country that Congress is hatching a deep conspiracy to snatch your property and distribute it to its special people. I exposed their vote bank and appeasement politics. After all, why is Congress so afraid of the truth?” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Modi’s claims regarding Manmohan Singh’s statement and the Congress’ manifesto are misleading but not entirely incorrect. Singh’s statement emphasised equitable development for all marginalised groups, not just Muslims. The Congress’ manifesto focuses on empowering minorities and addressing income inequality, without any mention of surveying gold or redistributing wealth among specific groups. However, Congress spokespersons have time and again voiced similar and dubiously phrased responses, which the BJP has weaponised in its campaigns. Here are a few instances:
Karnataka congress government has categorised the entire Muslim community as a backward caste for reservation purposes in the state. The National Commission for Backward Classes has slammed the decision saying it undermines the principles of social justice. Why? Because the money isn’t trickling down to those who will really need it efficiently when hundreds of thousands of people who are not morally eligible become qualified for it for the sake of vote bank.
Congress’ North-West Delhi candidate Udit Raj has come out in support of Congress’s Sam Pitroda’s Idea of inheritance tax, with this gem of a statement: “Govt Snatching properties after citizen’s death is not wrong, we must do it. India is the most ideal country to impose this.”
It is essential to remember around election season, people say the craziest things. It’s all about the shock value and usually, it should not be taken seriously. It’s not like the Congress or any of the opposition parties have not casually called Modi a fascist or BJP a casteist party, when in reality it has also consistently given seats to people from marginalised communities.
It’s imperative that we fact-check political claims and not fall prey to misinterpretations or misinformation. I guarantee you, that’s the most logical thing to do. In the complex landscape of Indian politics, understanding the nuances of statements and policies is crucial to making informed decisions.
And while we’re at it, can we please have some quality opposition in place, fighting the “big man” and his entourage in the centre? Because if abusing Modi is the only time they’ll unite despite being in an alliance, then there’s no wonder why they keep biting the dust election after election. Just do better, there’s a lot at stake for all of us.
