HomeIndia NewsPolitics NewsExplained: PM Modi's 'wealth distribution' remarks–Part of Congress Manifesto? Or an election manifestation
Explained: PM Modi's 'wealth distribution' remarks–Part of Congress Manifesto? Or an election manifestation
The Prime Minister’s repeated remarks alleging that the Congress manifesto promises "redistributing" people’s private wealth has triggered a new political Battle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments alleging that the Congress Party, if voted to power, would conduct surveys to seize the wealth of people, has triggered a controversy in the midst of polling season. The Prime Minister, while speaking at a rally in Rajasthan’s Banswara on Sunday, said in Hindi:
"Pehle jab inki sarkar thi, inhone kaha tha ki desh ki sampatti pe pehla adhikaar Musalmaanon ka hain. Iska matlab, yeh sampatti ekatthi karke kisko baatengey? Jinke zyaada bacchein unko baatengey. Gusphetiyon ko baatengey"
Translated into English, it reads: When they (Congress) ran the government previously, they said that Muslims had the first right to the nation’s assets. This means they would consolidate those assets. Who would they distribute them to? To those who have more children. They would distribute it to infiltrators.
In the same speech, Prime Minister Modi warned: “Yeh Congress ka Manifesto keh raha hain, ki mataao aur behano ka soney ka hisab karengey, uski jabti karengey, aur phir us sampaati ko baat denge”
As per the Prime Minister, “The Congress manifesto says that it would seize jewellery from women and redistribute them.” He reiterated the same charges while speaking at an election rally in UP’s Aligarh on Monday.
Does the Congress Manifesto promise wealth redistribution?
1. Point 1 under the Social Justice sub-header of the manifesto on page 6 reads:
"Congress will conduct a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. Based on the data, we will strengthen the agenda for affirmative action."
The Congress manifesto does not mention seizing private wealth. It discusses conducting a caste census to gather data on caste demographics, which may serve as the basis of any affirmative action policy. The Congress party has been promising a caste census if they form the government. Party MP Rahul Gandhi has referred to it as an X-ray of India.
2. Point 6 on page 6 reads:
"We will enhance institutional credit to SC and ST for homebuilding, starting businesses and purchasing assets."
The word 'redistribution' does not appear in the entire manifesto. However, on page 28, it reads, "We will address the growing inequality of wealth and income through suitable changes in policies."
Does the word Muslim find any mention in the manifesto?
The word Muslim does not appear in the manifesto. The Congress manifesto reads, "We will respect and uphold the fundamental right to practice one's faith and the rights guaranteed to religious minorities under Articles 15, 16, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 of the Constitution."
However, it does not explicitly mention any particular religious minority group. There is no mention of redistributing any kind of wealth to Muslims or for that matter, any religious minority group.
Affirmative action agenda: What it stands for?
Affirmative action typically refers to policies aimed at increasing workplace and educational opportunities for people who are underrepresented in society. Affirmative action, or what we refer to as reservation, is not new to India. Reservations in government jobs and educational institutions fall under the purview of affirmative action.
Congress' stance
The Congress highlighted the PM’s speech in its list of complaints to ECI, urging them to take action. ECI sources have told CNBC-TV18 that they have received the complaint and the matter is under consideration.
"Pehle jab inki sarkar thi, inhone kaha tha ki desh ki sampatti pe pehla adhikaar Musalmaanon ka hain. Iska matlab, yeh sampatti ekatthi karke kisko baatengey? Jinke zyaada bacchein unko baatengey. Gusphetiyon ko baatengey"
Translated into English, it reads: When they (Congress) ran the government previously, they said that Muslims had the first right to the nation’s assets. This means they would consolidate those assets. Who would they distribute them to? To those who have more children. They would distribute it to infiltrators.
In the same speech, Prime Minister Modi warned: “Yeh Congress ka Manifesto keh raha hain, ki mataao aur behano ka soney ka hisab karengey, uski jabti karengey, aur phir us sampaati ko baat denge”
As per the Prime Minister, “The Congress manifesto says that it would seize jewellery from women and redistribute them.” He reiterated the same charges while speaking at an election rally in UP’s Aligarh on Monday.
Does the Congress Manifesto promise wealth redistribution?
1. Point 1 under the Social Justice sub-header of the manifesto on page 6 reads:
"Congress will conduct a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. Based on the data, we will strengthen the agenda for affirmative action."
The Congress manifesto does not mention seizing private wealth. It discusses conducting a caste census to gather data on caste demographics, which may serve as the basis of any affirmative action policy. The Congress party has been promising a caste census if they form the government. Party MP Rahul Gandhi has referred to it as an X-ray of India.
2. Point 6 on page 6 reads:
"We will enhance institutional credit to SC and ST for homebuilding, starting businesses and purchasing assets."
The word 'redistribution' does not appear in the entire manifesto. However, on page 28, it reads, "We will address the growing inequality of wealth and income through suitable changes in policies."
Does the word Muslim find any mention in the manifesto?
The word Muslim does not appear in the manifesto. The Congress manifesto reads, "We will respect and uphold the fundamental right to practice one's faith and the rights guaranteed to religious minorities under Articles 15, 16, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 of the Constitution."
However, it does not explicitly mention any particular religious minority group. There is no mention of redistributing any kind of wealth to Muslims or for that matter, any religious minority group.
Affirmative action agenda: What it stands for?
Affirmative action typically refers to policies aimed at increasing workplace and educational opportunities for people who are underrepresented in society. Affirmative action, or what we refer to as reservation, is not new to India. Reservations in government jobs and educational institutions fall under the purview of affirmative action.
Congress' stance
The Congress highlighted the PM’s speech in its list of complaints to ECI, urging them to take action. ECI sources have told CNBC-TV18 that they have received the complaint and the matter is under consideration.
(Edited by : Swapnil Deshpande)
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