Feb 26 • 05:27 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

Due to insulting Modi.. Indian politician deprives Muslim women of assistance

An Indian politician from the ruling Hindu nationalist party has come under fire for depriving Muslim women of blankets he was distributing in a village in Rajasthan, claiming it was due to their perceived insult to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A former Indian Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced widespread criticism after he refused to distribute blankets to Muslim women in a village located in Tonk, Rajasthan. During a distribution event, former MP Sukhebir Singh Junapuria publicly denied Muslim women their share of the blankets, asking for their names and subsequently withdrawing blankets that had already been given to them. He justified his actions by stating that those who insult Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not receive blankets. This decision has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about discrimination based on religion.

Community members from the village reacted strongly to Junapuria’s actions, emphasizing their unity and condemning his attempt to spread division for political gain. In a video statement shared widely on local platforms, residents insisted they live as one family, rejecting any form of racial or religious discrimination. Many recipients of blankets returned their gifts as a statement against the former MP's behavior, solidifying their stand against the divisive politics often seen in the region.

This event highlights ongoing tensions and polarizations in Indian society, especially in the context of growing Islamist-Hinduist divisions. It raises critical questions about the intersection of politics and community welfare in a diverse society, as well as the implications of politicizing humanitarian aid. The incident not only serves as a reflection of current societal rifts but also exemplifies how political figures can manipulate social issues for electoral advantage.

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