Discussions for the Lok Sabha polls in 2024 initially focused on growth and development. But now the focus has been shifted to the benefits from development—based on categories, religions, and castes. This shift has effectively brought religious issues into the campaign discourse. In today’s episode of DNA Zed News, anchor Sourabh Raaj Jain analyzed this evolving narrative, highlighting how the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election’s focus has pivoted from developmental matters to religious themes.
Speeches during election rallies have transitioned from reservations in general to more specific religious reservations, sparking concerns about the division of land among various faiths. As the discourse has intensified, it has taken on an eighty-twenty divide, leading to conversations around concepts such as Ghazwa-e-Hind through the prism of religious reservations.
This situation brings us to a fundamental question: does the Hindu-Muslim divide impact everyday life, or is it merely a tactic for electoral politics?
In general, no political party is immune when it comes to integrating religious themes into their campaign strategies. A review of various comments and statements reveals that religious undertones seem to resonate well for all parties during election times.
One particular example reflecting this shift is the remarks made by BJP leader and Amravati candidate Navneet Rana. During a rally in Hyderabad, Rana directly challenged Akbaruddin Owaisi and his brother Asaduddin Owaisi. She asserted that if the police were removed from duty for even 15 seconds, the brothers “would not know from where they came and where they went.”
“I always stand by my statement. I am not afraid of anyone. We are committed to giving a reply to those who are working for Pakistan in India. If they will take 15 minutes, we will take 15 seconds,” Navneet Rana stated. The video clip, which she posted on her social media handle, showed her tagging the Owaisi brothers and reiterating her bold claim. “The younger brother says, ‘Remove the police for 15 minutes so that we can show them what we can do’. I want to tell the younger brother (Akbaruddin) that it might take you 15 minutes, but it will only take us 15 seconds. It will take us all of 15 seconds if we come to the forefront,” she declared.
Reacting to BJP leader Navneet Rana’s “15-second lagenge” remark, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give her one hour instead of 15 seconds and asserted that they are not “scared” of the BJP leader.
“I tell Modi ji – give her 15 seconds. What will you do? Give her 15 seconds, give her 1 hour. We, too, want to see if you have any humanity left in you.
. Who is scared? We are ready… If someone is making an open call for it, then so be it. PM is yours; RSS is yours; everything is yours. Do it. Who is stopping you? Tell us where we have to come; we will be there. Do it,” Owaisi told reporters on Thursday.
This issue can be traced back to a 2013 meeting where Akbaruddin Owaisi warned “100 crore Hindus” that his community would show their strength if the police were withdrawn for ’15 minutes’. Following Navneet Rana’s controversial ’15 seconds lagenge’ remark, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Madhavi Latha on Thursday clarified that Rana’s statement intended to reflect that it only takes 15 seconds to cast a vote, which contributes towards the nation moving towards ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
Commenting on the ongoing controversy, BJP’s Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat candidate, Madhavi Latha, explained, “We do not threaten anyone. We do not say to remove the police force for 15 minutes. We just want to say that you should take 15 seconds instead of 15 minutes and cast your vote. Do not go to attend provocative speeches. If you want to move towards ‘Viksit Bharat’. Go and cast your vote. This is what she (Navneet Rana) meant.”
Facing off with Latha is Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM and a four-time member of the Lok Sabha, who stands as a formidable opponent. Latha is the first female candidate from the Hyderabad constituency fielded by the BJP, challenging the long-established stronghold of the Owaisi family in Hyderabad.
It is noteworthy that in 2022, the Sessions Court cleared Akbaruddin Owaisi of all charges related to his 2013 speech, which had landed him a 40-day jail sentence, citing insufficient evidence. Allegations of biased evidence presented by the police to protect Akbaruddin have surfaced, and the case is still under review by the High Court.
One would wonder why Asaduddin Owaisi did not mention his brother’s acquittal amid all the controversy. Perhaps the resurfacing of an eleven-year-old grudge is of little concern to him in this high-stakes electoral landscape.
(With inputs from ANI)
