“If You Truly Care…”: PM Modi Challenges Congress to Name Muslim President, Slams “Appeasement Politics”
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, daring the opposition party to appoint a Muslim president while accusing it of practicing divisive appeasement politics.
Speaking at a public meeting in Hisar, Haryana, after paying tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary, Modi questioned the Congress’s commitment to Muslims, citing its opposition to the amended Waqf Act as proof of its “fundamentalist appeasement.”
“Why No Muslim Congress President?”
“If you have so much sympathy for Muslims, why not make a Muslim the party president? Why not give them 50% of election tickets?” Modi challenged, framing the Congress’s stance as selective empowerment.
He accused the party of prioritizing “fundamentalist appeasement” over genuine welfare, leaving the broader Muslim community—particularly the marginalized Pasmanda Muslims—in poverty and disadvantage.
Defending the Waqf Act Amendments
Modi positioned the amended Waqf Act as a safeguard for tribal and marginalized communities, asserting that it prevents unjust land encroachments while protecting vulnerable Muslims.
“The amended law ensures tribal lands cannot be seized by Waqf Boards. It secures rights for poor Muslims, widows, and children—this is real social justice, not Congress’s hollow symbolism,” he said.
Constitutional Contrast: Modi vs. Congress
The Prime Minister sharpened his critique by contrasting his government’s policies with what he called Congress’s “betrayal” of Ambedkar’s vision:
- Emergency Overreach: “Congress trampled the Constitution during the Emergency whenever power slipped from its grasp.”
- Uniform Civil Code: “Ambedkar advocated a common civil code, but Congress blocked it for vote-bank politics. We implemented it in Uttarakhand—yet they oppose it.”
- Historical Disrespect: “They humiliated Ambedkar, engineered his electoral defeats, and tried to erase his legacy.”
Political Backdrop
The remarks intensify the BJP’s narrative ahead of the 2024 elections, framing the Congress as hypocritical on social justice while positioning Modi as the inheritor of Ambedkar’s constitutional ideals. The debate also underscores the enduring clash over secularism, with the BJP pushing for uniform policies and the Congress accusing it of majoritarianism.
Key Edits:
- Stronger headline capturing the provocation and policy clash.
- Tighter narrative flow, grouping arguments thematically (challenge, Waqf defense, constitutional contrast).
- Sharper quotes edited for impact without altering meaning.
- Added context on electoral timing and broader ideological battle.
