In the run up to the Jharkhand assembly election, BJP AD campaigns have constantly been spreading Islamophobic propaganda & dehumanizing Muslims, violating the model code of conduct.
Recently, the party posted a new ad to target majoritarian voting behaviors, which is rousing mammoth criticisms due to Islamophobic content and attempts to invoke hatred against the Indian Muslim community.
Taking action on complaints filed by the opposition, EC directed BJP Jharkhand via state poll chief to remove the “misleading and malicious” post from different social media accounts.
The AD displays a home with JMM posters on entrance and a small Hindu family when the residents are suddenly troubled by a group of marginalized Muslims. BJP portrays them as “Bangladeshi intruders”, “infiltrators” or “outsiders”.
The propaganda video showcases Muslims as illiterate, uncivilized and ill-mannered people by dehumanizing their respective ways of life, meanwhile a placard with punchline of “Pure Jharkhand ka kayapalat kar denge” (we would change the entire state of Jharkhand) pops up on the wall.
“Ye (Muslims) hamara ghar barbard kar rahe hain!” (They are ruining our homes), says a young man in the featured clip. Weaving an anti-Muslim narrative, the vicious advertisement appeals Hindu voters to choose BJP to ensure alleged safety.
Serving “A Threat” For Unfair Political Gains
The election commission called out BJP for an explanation on the violation of Model Code Of Conduct. According to TOI, the CEO is asked to remove the content under section 72 (3) (b) of the IT Act.
While the registered complaint mentioned that “BJP propagates a false narrative about members of a particular religious community with a sole purpose of unduly influencing voters and dissuading them from voting for any opposition party and for the BJP to make unfair electoral gains in the state of Jharkhand.”
Analysts criticized the hateful campaign as a “threat” which would boost stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination within society.
On November 10, a similar case was registered in Ranchi against @BJP4Jharkhand as they posted a deceptive video to defame pivotal opposition leaders by labeling them as anti-tribal figures. This advertisement mocked the faces who can potentially affect BJPs’ vote bank and the electoral results.
The social handles of BJP Jharkhand are flooded with hateful content which either target Indian Muslims or the Nehru family. Reports unveil that BJP has spent around 2.25 crores on IT-cell during Jharkhand assembly elections to fuel hate-agenda. These endeavors also include third party “shadow accounts” to boost fake-news for political gains.
“The bogus India coalition is providing shelter to infiltrators for the politics of votes. These are the same people who snatch our sisters-daughters and properties!” a post reads.
Using conspiracy theories like cow-vigilantism, love-jihad, and infiltrators, BJPs’ slogan of saving “Roti, Mati, Beti” has also presented Muslim men as rapists to pave a way for right-wing politics.
While Yogi’s slogan of “ek hain to safe hain” is being promoted in these ADs to polarize politics with saffron switch.
