What is 'vote jihad' which PM Modi brought up at Gujarat rally?

You’ve heard about ‘love jihad’ – the claim that Muslim men are luring Hindu women into romantic relationships under false pretences to convert them to Islam.

You’ve also heard about ‘land jihad’ – the claim that Muslims are occupying public land to build religious structures.

Now, you can add ‘vote jihad’ to the list.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke took aim at the INDIA bloc at a rally in Gujarat by speaking about ‘vote jihad.’

“INDI alliance has asked Muslims to go for Vote Jihad. This has come from an educated family, not from a child coming out of a Madrasa. INDI alliance is saying that all Muslims should get together and vote. The INDI alliance has insulted democracy and the Constitution,” NDTV quoted Modi as saying.

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“They have a tacit understanding. On one hand, the INDI alliance is trying to divide SC, ST, OBC and general categories and on the other, they are raising the slogan of Vote Jihad. This shows how dangerous their intentions are,” he added.

But what is ‘vote jihad’ exactly?

Let’s take a closer look:

The issue first came up after Samajwadi Party leader Maria Alam, the niece of Congress leader Salman Khurshid, urged the public to practice ‘vote jihad’ in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

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India Today quoted Alam as saying, “Together do vote jihad — with intelligence, without being sentimental and with silence. As we can only do vote jihad to drive away this Sanghi government. It is time to join hands, otherwise this Sanghi government will succeed in wiping out our existence.”

Alam made the statement while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad for INDIA bloc candidate Naval Kishore Shakya Kaimganj.

“People say that the Constitution and democracy are under threat. But I say that ‘insaniyat’ (humanity) is under threat. Now there is an attack on ‘insaniyat’. If you want to save the country, its beauty and ‘ganga-jamuni’ (composite) culture, then vote very intelligently without getting influenced by anyone,” Alam added.

“I felt ashamed to hear that some Muslims organised a meeting here for Mukesh Rajput (BJP’s). I feel the society should boycott them. Don’t become so selfish and play with lives of our children,” Alam was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Alam’s remarks, made at a rally in which Khurshid was chief guest, soon went viral on social media.

ANI quoted police officer Vikas Kumar as saying, “A video of Maria Alam Khan, an SP leader, is going viral on social media, where she is seen asking for votes on religious grounds. This is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.”

The Farrukhabad Police then lodged an FIR against both Alam and Khurshid.

Both were charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 188, 295(A), and violating the Model Code of Conduct.

Sections 295-A of the deals with deliberate and malicious acts to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs, while 188 refers to disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant.

ANI quoted police officer Vikas Kumar as saying, “A video of Maria Alam Khan, an SP leader, is going viral on social media, where she is seen asking for votes on religious grounds. This is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.”

The SHO of Kaimganj police station, Ramautar, on Tuesday told PTI, “A case was registered against Maria Alam and Salman Khurshid on the basis of a complaint made by the Flying Squad and Surveillance Team.

“The case was registered under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the IPC and section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the Representation of People Act,” he said.

‘No intention to offend’

Alam later defended her own remarks.

She told Indian Express, “I urged them to exercise their right to vote and to actively participate in the democratic process. My intention was never to offend anyone. My family includes individuals from diverse castes and religions, so there is no reason for me to make any objectionable remarks.”

She received support from Samajwadi Party district president Chandra Pal Singh Yadav.

“Salman Khurshid’s niece Maria Alam used the term ‘jihad vote’ to encourage Muslim women to participate in the electoral process. Jihad, an Urdu word signifies struggle,” he told Indian Express.

Khurshid, asked about his niece’s comments, said he generally he avoids using such words because its literal meaning is misinterpreted.

“Jihad means to fight against a situation. Her intention must have been to carry out vote jihad to protect the Constitution,” he said.

On his candidature from INDIA bloc from the Farrukhabad seat, Khurshid said he was offered a Congress ticket from Aligarh. But he politely declined saying that “I am Salman Khurshid from Farrukhabad and I stay that only”.

This was the first public meeting of the INDIA bloc in Farrukhabad with most of the senior leaders of the Congress and the SP present together on the dias.

But the BJP slammed Alam and Khurshid.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya posted on X, “Muslims need to be saved from Muslim leaders if they have to progress”.

“Shaming Muslims for supporting a non-Muslim is a recipe for building an Islamic Caliphate. And the Congress claims to be secular,” Malviya added.

“If an educated Salman Khurshid’s extended family is so radicalised, one can imagine the plight of ordinary Muslims. This is not to suggest that Salman Khurshid is any better, but he does manage to hide his bigotry behind the glib talk,” he said.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed Alam.

“INDI Alliance says Elections need Vote (votebank) Jihad. We consider elections to be a pious festival, they take it as Jihad. We request Janta support , they seek Jihadi support. First Jihadis ke saath (SP, Congress, RJD,etc) now they do Jihad ki baat. From Muslim league manifesto to Muslim league mindset and manifestation. Should ECI not act on this?” Poonawalla posted.

Modi on Tuesday attacked the Congress and Rahul Gandhi.

“The weak Congress government used to give dossiers to the masters of terror. But, Modi’s strong government kills terrorists on their ground. It is a coincidence, today Congress is getting weaker in India. Congress is dying here and Pakistan is crying. Now Pakistani leaders are offering ‘dua’ for Congress. Pakistan is eager to make ‘shehzaada’ the Prime Minister, and the Congress is already Pakistan’s fan. This partnership between Pakistan and Congress has now been completely exposed,” Modi said as per NDTV.

With inputs from agencies