Modi's 'Ghuspethia' Speech Sparks Outcry: 20,000 Petitions Seek Election Commission Action

Amid growing public outcry over Narendra Modi’s “Ghuspethia” speech targeting Muslims during a public event in Rajasthan’s Banswara, as many as 20,000 individuals, including several activists, have submitted two separate petitions to the Election Commission, urging action against the Prime Minister for his remarks. The petitioners asserted that Modi's statements have deeply disturbed the sentiments of millions of Indian citizens, labelling his speech as a direct attack on the Muslim community. The Election Commission had initially declined to comment on the issue, however, amid increasing scrutiny, the poll body is now said to have commenced an assessment of the complaints lodged against Modi's speech.

"This 'urban Naxal' mindset, mothers and sisters, will not even leave your 'mangal sutra'. They can go to that extent," said the Prime Minister during a public rally in Banswara on April 21, alleging that the Congress manifesto implied distributing property, including gold possessed by mothers and sisters, primarily to Muslims. "Earlier, when their [Congress] government was in power, they had stated that Muslims have the first right to the country's assets. This implies to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children. It will be distributed to the infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money go to the infiltrators? Do you approve of this?" said the Prime Minister. In addition to criticizing the Congress manifesto, PM Modi accused it of being a "Muslim League imprint" and a "bundle of lies."

The Election Commission's silence on Modi's remarks has drawn criticism from various quarters. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused Modi of equating the Muslim community with "infiltrators" and exploiting Hindu symbols in his speech. Legal experts and human rights organizations have also condemned Modi's rhetoric, labelling it divisive and potentially inciting further human rights violations against the Muslim community. Meanwhile, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) founder Jagdeep S Chhokar has written to the Election Commission, urging action against Modi for violating electoral laws.

In response to the mounting pressure, the Election Commission has reportedly initiated an examination of complaints against Modi's speech. However, the Congress and the CPI-M have called for immediate action, alleging Modi's remarks to be divisive and malicious. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi warned that the Election Commission risks tarnishing its legacy and shirking its constitutional duty by failing to act decisively in the face of such inflammatory rhetoric.​