The demonization of Muslims in Indian media, particularly television, is not a new phenomenon. Such portrayals have tangible consequences, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that frame Muslims as deviant “others” in contrast to the Hindu majority.
On November 16, the official Twitter account of BJP Jharkhand (@BJP4Jharkhand) released a controversial video amid the ongoing state assembly elections. The video portrays Muslims as “infiltrators” taking over a Hindu family’s home. Although the video has since been deleted, a screenshot of the same can be seen below.
The one-minute video depicts a house with the flag of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) at the entrance. The occupants, embodying an affluent lifestyle, see their morning peace shattered by the sudden intrusion of a group characterized as poor Muslims. The newcomers, dressed in tattered clothes, disrupt the household, displaying what the video frames as “uncivilized” behavior. In exaggerated and stereotypical portrayals, they jump on sofas, soil furniture, and hang laundry indoors. A man bathes in the house, while another uses a traditional instrument, a ‘pinjar,’ to beat cotton. These chaotic scenes reinforce damaging stereotypes, contrasting the “refined” Hindu family with the “disruptive” Muslim outsiders.
Towards the end of the video, two of these “infiltrators” suggest that the JMM, the political party the family supported, is responsible for their predicament. They argue that the destruction of their basti should include the destruction of the house itself.
After reviewing the complaint, made by JMM and the Indian National Congress, the Election Commission of India issued a notice on November 17, concluding that the social media post uploaded by the Jharkhand unit of the BJP is prima facie violative of the MCC, referring to the Model Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines issued by the ECI that political parties must adhere to during the time of elections. The notice cited Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, and advised the State poll chief to direct the party to take down the video. A notice was also issued to the BJP Jharkhand unit for them to explain their violation of the provisions set forth by the MCC.
Following complaints from the JMM and the Indian National Congress, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a notice on November 17, stating that the video violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The ECI directed BJP Jharkhand to remove the post and explain its actions under the guidelines of the MCC and Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.
ECI’s order directing BJP to take down a social media post, which was alleged to contain a “communal, malicious and misleading video.”
ECI prima facie finds the social media post to be violative of the Model Code of Conduct.#BJP #JharkhandAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/tPib1jthRc
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) November 19, 2024
Controversial video still available on WhatsApp Channel
While the video was removed from Twitter after being flagged, it remains available on BJP Jharkhand’s verified WhatsApp channel, where it continues to be shared and downloaded at the time of this writing.
The Right Wing’s take on the video
Right-wing influencers on social media rallied in support of the advertisement, amplifying its divisive message.
Self-professed ‘Hindu Rights Activist’ Raushan Sinha posted from his verified X account (@MrSinha_), retweeting the controversial video and applauding it for depicting something ‘…so close to reality.’ He urged his followers to amplify the video, which, had seen close to 3 lakh views through his account alone. He has now deleted the tweet. (Archive)
Mahesh Vikram Hegde (@mvmeet), whose X account is followed by the official handle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tweeted an incendiary message warning Hindus of alleged Muslim infiltration, claiming that Muslims are now entering homes “without permission”. (Archive)
Musl!ms have Successfully infiltrated into our “COUNTRY”!
Musl!ms have Successfully infiltrated into our “TOWN”!
Now slowly, Musl!ms are infiltrating into our “LAND”!!
Tommorow, Musl!m’s will directly enter our own “HOUSE”, even without permission!!
DEAR HINDU…Have you… pic.twitter.com/Oc7slK670c
— Mahesh Vikram Hegde
(@mvmeet) November 19, 2024
Journalist Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) also tweeted from his verified X handle, applauding the controversial advertisement for showing ‘educated Indians’ the consequences of their voting. (Archive)
This BJP ad is strong stuff.
Educated Indians must begin to realise who they are voting for, what they are bringing in with their casual indifference, selfishness, and shortsightedness. #Jharkhand https://t.co/eMwySWz30c— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) November 17, 2024
Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates), which regularly posts propaganda and disinformation on their channel, also complemented the BJP Jharkhand unit for the advertisment. (Archive)
BJP Jharkhand on front foothttps://t.co/zN52ZyiuZ7
— Megh Updates
(@MeghUpdates) November 17, 2024
The advertisement uses xenophobic undertones to depict Muslims as threats to Hindu households, mirroring BJP’s electoral promise of “driving out infiltrators“. It trivializes poverty and homelessness, employing stark visual metaphors to stir anti-Muslim sentiments. Such messages risk deepening societal divides, underscoring the need for responsible political discourse during elections.
The post BJP Jharkhand’s latest ad: A dogwhistle on ‘Muslim Infiltrators’; EC orders takedown amid Right-Wing support appeared first on Alt News.
This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Prantik Ali.
Prantik Ali | Radio Free (2024-11-21T15:09:17+00:00) BJP Jharkhand’s latest ad: A dogwhistle on ‘Muslim Infiltrators’; EC orders takedown amid Right-Wing support. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2024/11/21/bjp-jharkhands-latest-ad-a-dogwhistle-on-muslim-infiltrators-ec-orders-takedown-amid-right-wing-support/
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