"The day I do Hindu-Muslim, I will be unworthy of public life": PM Modi Stresses Poverty as Root Issue, Denies Religious Bias in Controversial Comments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, addressed recent controversy surrounding his remarks on "infiltrators" and "people who have more children", asserting that his statements were not intended to target any specific religious group. He expressed shock at the interpretation of his words, emphasizing that poverty, not religion, was the focus of his remarks.

"I am shocked. Who told you that only Muslims are referred to when people with more children are talked about? Why do you do injustice to Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle," PM Modi stated in an exclusive interview with News18.

During an election rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, PM Modi had alleged that the Congress planned to distribute resources to "infiltrators" and "those who have more children," drawing criticism from opposition parties. “Earlier, when their [Congress] government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed among those who have more children," said the Prime Minister. 

However, in his interview on Tuesday, he clarified, "I have neither said Hindu or Muslim. I have said you should have as many children as you can support.”

Regarding his prospects among Muslim voters, PM Modi expressed confidence in the electorate's support, stating, "I believe that people of my country will vote for me." Asserting his commitment to inclusive governance, Modi reiterated his stance against divisive politics. "The day I do Hindu-Muslim, I will be unworthy of public life. And I will not do Hindu-Muslim. It is my resolve," he emphasized.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination for the Varanasi seat, accompanied by Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, who had determined the date and time for the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The filing marked the beginning of Modi's bid for a third consecutive Lok Sabha term from the constituency. Varanasi is scheduled for polling in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha polls on June 1, with vote counting slated for June 4.