Indian politicians of Prime Minister Modi’s ruling BJP banned for ‘repugnant’ firebrand election comments
- One said Muslims may have their future requests shunned if they do not vote for her and she wins at the May polls, another said the election was a battle between Hindu and Muslim gods
- The tough measures came after the Supreme Court called on the election commission to target hate speech during the world’s biggest election. But it cannot formally disqualify candidates
India’s election watchdog on Monday banned four outspoken politicians, including two top members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, from campaigning in the country’s national vote for making provocative speeches.
The measures came after the Supreme Court called on the election commission to get tough on hate speech during the world’s biggest election, which started last Thursday and runs to May 19.
Indian politicians are often accused of using hate or intimidation to win support of the electorate, but soliciting votes on religious lines or threatening voters is prohibited.
Maneka Gandhi, the widow of former politician Sanjay Gandhi, received a 48-hour ban for saying Muslims should vote for her – or their future requests could be shunned if she wins.
The election commission said she had violated a provision against appealing “to caste or communal feelings for securing votes” and another against bribery or intimidation.