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Human Rights Watch Report- A Conspiracy Against Bharat
Human Rights Watch Report- A Biased Attack on India’s Progress Under PM Modi
HRW Report Misguided and Baseless-A Political Hit Job on PM Narendra Modi and BJP
- Prof. Jasim Mohammad
On August 14, 2024 Human Rights watch (HRW) released a report titled “India: Hate Speech Fueled Modi’s Election Campaign”. The report appears to be a deliberate attempt to defame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by presenting a distorted and biased narrative of the 2024 election campaign. The report selectively interprets statements, misrepresents events, and overlooks context to portray the Prime Minister and his party as purveyors of hate and division. After reading and analysing the report thoroughly , it is a deeply flawed and misleading account that mischaracterizes the nature of the campaign and the political environment in India. The report overlooks context and relies on selective interpretations of events to advance a biased narrative against the Prime Minister and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The HRW report claims that Prime Minister Modi’s campaign speeches were rife with hate speech and Islamophobic rhetoric aimed at inciting violence against Muslims and other minorities. This assertion is completely exaggerated and overlooks the broader context of these speeches. Political campaigns, especially in a diverse and complex democracy like India, often involve robust debates on national security, cultural identity, and social cohesion. The references made by the Prime Minister were aimed at highlighting issues of national security and the dangers of appeasement politics, not at inciting hatred or violence.
The report’s portrayal of “bulldozer justice” as a targeted attack on Muslims is a gross misrepresentation. The term refers to a crackdown on illegal encroachments and constructions that violate the law, regardless of the religious or community affiliation of those involved. It is important to recognize that these actions are part of broader efforts to uphold the rule of law and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their background, are subject to the same legal standards. The law enforcement agencies have a duty to act against unlawful practices. The HRW report’s claim that violence against minorities has been normalized under the Modi administration is unfounded. India, like any other large and diverse country, faces challenges related to communal harmony. However, it is inaccurate to suggest that the government has fostered a culture of impunity. On the contrary, the Modi government has taken significant steps to address communal tensions, including stricter law enforcement, promoting interfaith dialogue, and ensuring swift action against those who incite or participate in violence. The HRW report selectively interprets Modi’s campaign statements to portray them as divisive and communal. However, these statements should be understood in the broader context of electoral rhetoric, where leaders across the political spectrum engage in sharp critiques of their opponents. Modi’s references to historical events and concerns about cultural preservation are part of a legitimate discourse on national identity and should not be construed as attacks on any community. The report also accuses the Election Commission of India (ECI) of failing to address violations of the election code by the BJP. This accusation is baseless and disregards the ECI’s independent and robust role in ensuring free and fair elections in the world’s largest democracy. The ECI has consistently monitored and acted against electoral malpractices, regardless of the party involved.
The claims presented in the report attempt to paint a one-sided picture of communal tensions in India, unfairly attributing every incident to Hindu groups while disregarding the complexities of local disputes and broader societal issues. Moreover, the report fails to recognize that law enforcement agencies in India are actively working to address these issues, and perpetrators are being brought to justice irrespective of their religious or political affiliations.
The allegations of political interference in criminal investigations are also speculative and unfounded. India’s judiciary and investigative bodies operate independently, and there are robust legal mechanisms in place to address any concerns about fairness in the judicial process. The assumption that cases are not being handled impartially simply because of the political affiliations of certain individuals is completely baseless. The report is totally a calculated attempt to defame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP by selectively highlighting incidents that paint a distorted picture of communal relations in India.
(Author is a Professor in Comparative Literature and Former Media Advisor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Email: [email protected] )
***Published under freedom of expression the article is author’s view of the topic, IBG NEWS neither agree not disagree with the same***
