Introduction
Amid India's ongoing general elections, certain Western media outlets have launched a concerted effort to sway Indian voters against the incumbent Modi administration. These outlets, through lengthy and repetitive opinion pieces, have portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a staunch Hindu nationalist, warning that a third term for him could lead to India becoming a Hindu state. In their bid to push this anti-India, anti-Hindu narrative, these outlets often employ individuals of Indian descent to propagate falsehoods, distortions, and prejudiced views about India.
CNN's Skewed Coverage and Selective Reporting
On May 1st, CNN, a US-based media outlet, published an article titled "Rising Hindu nationalism leaves Muslims fearful in India's holy city." The article attempts to suggest that Muslims in Varanasi (Kashi), Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency, are anxious about the possibility of his reelection. Despite acknowledging India's significant progress during Modi's tenure, CNN asserts that religious divisions have undeniably escalated.
The article laments the appointment of 'Hindu nationalists' to prominent positions within government institutions under Modi's administration, implying that unidentified Hindu leaders were given authority to alter laws to target Muslims. However, this assertion fails to recognize the democratically elected mandate of leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has overseen inclusive development initiatives beneficial to all religious communities without discrimination.
CNN's coverage also criticizes the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that the Modi government stripped away the autonomy of India's sole Muslim-majority state. Yet, it omits mentioning the significant investments and progress made in the region, which was once plagued by Islamist terrorism, anti-India demonstrations, and attacks on Indian armed forces.
The article further discusses the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), portraying it as discriminatory against Muslims. However, CNN fails to explore why persecuted Shias, Ahmadis from Pakistan, and Rohingyas from Bangladesh were not included in the CAA, suggesting a lack of understanding or intentional omission of the nuances surrounding the law.
Selective Reporting on Anti-Hindu Riots
CNN's coverage also highlights the case of Nasir Ali, who claimed to be targeted due to his Muslim identity during the 2020 Delhi Riots. However, the report downplays atrocities against Hindus during the riots, such as the brutal murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma. This bias becomes evident when incidents like the killings of migrant laborers in Kashmir by Islamist terrorists receive little attention compared to the plight of individual Muslims.
The report showcases a skewed prioritization, where the challenges faced by a Kashmiri Muslim finding housing overshadow the fatal consequences suffered by Hindus targeted for their religion. CNN's reliance on sources like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, known for their contentious stances on India and Hindu issues, further adds to the perception of selective reporting.
Propagating Falsehoods about PM Modi's Statements
In a bid to portray PM Modi as 'anti-Muslim,' CNN stooped to spreading falsehoods propagated by the opposition parties and their supporters regarding PM Modi's speech on April 21st. The article alleged that PM Modi referred to Indian Muslims as "Ghuspaithiye" (infiltrators). However, in contrast to these deceptive assertions, PM Modi did not label Indian Muslims as "infiltrators"; rather, he used this term to refer to illegal migrants.
Hindus' Quest for Reclaiming Historical Temples
According to the CNN report, the legal efforts by Hindus to regain control of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, revered as the rightful dwelling of Lord Vishweshwara (Shiva) and previously destroyed by the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb in the 17th century, are stirring apprehension among Muslims in Varanasi. The report suggests that any opposition to Hindu initiatives, such as the reclamation of the Ram Janmabhoomi site and the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, is often accompanied by emotional outbursts. CNN, aligning with critics, expresses concern over the restoration of Lord Rama's sanctity in his traditional home, lamenting that it deviates from India's constitutionally secular principles.
Misinformation by Islamists and Opposition Parties
On April 21st, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a critique against the Congress party, condemning Rahul Gandhi's inclusion of the ultra-leftist agenda of 'Wealth redistribution' in their manifesto. PM Modi likened this to the ideology of Maoists and warned that if the Congress were to regain power, they would redistribute the country's wealth among Muslims, intruders, and those with multiple children.
This speech stirred controversy among Congress members, Islamists, Leftists, and their media supporters. Immediately after PM Modi's address, there was a barrage of misinformation claiming that the Prime Minister had labeled all Muslims as 'intruders' in India. Maktoob Media, known for promoting hostility towards Hindus, published a report alleging that PM Modi's speech was "Islamophobic" for supposedly labeling all Muslims as infiltrators and those with more children.
On social media, numerous Islamists falsely accused PM Modi of referring to all Muslims as 'intruders,' including self-proclaimed 'fact-checker' Mohammad Zubair from AltNews, who consistently makes veiled attacks against Hindus and routinely spreads false information to protect Islamists.
Fact-check and Clarification
While Islamists and self-proclaimed fact-checkers assert that Prime Minister Modi referred to all Muslims as infiltrators, a closer examination of his speech reveals a nuanced distinction. He delineated between Muslims and infiltrators, articulating that the Congress would distribute wealth to both groups. The Prime Minister indicated that after conducting a wealth survey, resources would be allocated to individuals with larger families, illegal migrants, and Muslims, citing Manmohan Singh's assertion of their priority in resource allocation.
CNN's latest oped proves that the western media despises Hindus (Images: CNN, File, TimesNow)
Each aspect of the Prime Minister's remarks warrants separate consideration. Firstly, his mention of those with more children echoes Rahul Gandhi and Congress' advocacy for wealth redistribution based on population size. Secondly, the Prime Minister's assertion that Muslims would receive a significant portion of redistributed wealth aligns with Manmohan Singh's stance and Congress' historical inclination toward appeasing the Muslim community.
Only subsequently and after a pause did Prime Minister Modi reference infiltrators, specifically indicating illegal migrants like Rohingyas and Bangladeshis who have unlawfully settled in India, and those whom the Congress consistently appeases. These distinct segments delineated by the Prime Minister underscore the fallacy of portraying his remarks as labeling all Indian Muslims as infiltrators.
Conclusion
The Western media's coverage of India's elections and the Modi administration is marred by distortions, falsehoods, and selective reporting. By propagating an anti-India, anti-Hindu narrative, these outlets often employ individuals of Indian descent to spread prejudiced views and misinformation. From downplaying atrocities against Hindus during anti-Hindu riots to criticizing Hindus' legal efforts to reclaim historically significant temples, the Western media's coverage exhibits a concerning bias. Furthermore, the spread of misinformation by Islamists, opposition parties, and their media supporters regarding PM Modi's statements on infiltrators and wealth redistribution demonstrates a concerted effort to vilify the Prime Minister and the BJP-led government.
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