Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday courted controversy after he accused the incumbent Samajwadi party-headed government of practising discrimination on the basis of caste and religion.
At an election rally in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, Modi said, “Gaon me kabristan banta hai to shamshaan bhi banna chahiye. Ramzan me bijli aati hai to Diwali me bhi aani chahiye. Bhedbhav nhi hona chahiye (If land is given for cemetery in a village, it should be given for cremation ground also. If electricity is supplied during Ramzan, it should be supplied during Diwali also. There should not be discrimination.”

He also spoke about the ‘prevailing Goonda raj’ in the state and slammed the government for its failure to maintain law and order in the state.
His statements invited strong reactions across the political spectrum and many calling it ‘communal’. The Indian National Congress said it has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the Prime Minister.
Here are some critical reactions to the statement:
मोदी जी का ये बयान दिखाता है की भाजपा UP में बुरी तरह हार रही है और मोदी जी बहुत नर्वस हैं https://t.co/CIutV19Ogd
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 19, 2017
The mask falls. Whither “development”? https://t.co/oWdMTqvvCg
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 19, 2017
This desperation to win state elections, by fanning communal divides, diminishes the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister.
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 19, 2017
The people of UP need jobs, better lives and livelihood, not talk of cremation sites or graveyards.
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 19, 2017
B4 kabristan & shamshaan, we should have a khel maidaan where Hindu, Muslim, & kids of other faiths can play together. #AllianceRattledModi
— Salman Anees Soz (@SalmanSoz) February 19, 2017
400 mein Ek bhi musalman candidate nahin Bhedbhav nahin hona chahiye https://t.co/1dDSCwguA5
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 19, 2017
Zakia Jafri aur NAJEEB ki Maa Ko insaf Milna chahiye Yeh Bhedbhav nhi hona chahiye https://t.co/1dDSCwguA5
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 19, 2017
Goa mein Beef available ,Maharashtra mein Beef Ban,Bhedbav nhi hona chahiye Mitro, https://t.co/1dDSCwguA5
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 19, 2017
(Feature image source: PTI)