Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that parties within the INDIA bloc aim to reduce the majority community in India to second-class citizens, while also alleging that "jihadis" from across the border are backing the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress.
Addressing rallies in Ghosi, Deoria, and Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh's Purvanchal region in support of BJP and NDA Lok Sabha candidates for the seventh and final phase of the general elections on June 1, Modi accused the opposition bloc of plotting to amend the Constitution to allow reservations based on religion.
"In Pakistan, 'duas' (prayers) are being made for the INDI alliance of Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress. Jihadis across the border are supporting them. The SP and the Congress are making an appeal for 'vote jihad'," Modi stated, referencing a comment made by an INDIA bloc candidate.
Modi criticized the opposition for their plans to reintroduce Article 370 in Kashmir and repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which grants citizenship to victims of Partition. He questioned whose interests these actions would serve, suggesting they align with anti-India forces.
"This (INDIA bloc) group is saying that if they come to power, they will reimpose Article 370 in Kashmir. They will repeal the CAA (Citizenship (Amendment) Act) which gives citizenship to the victims of Partition. Whose agenda is this... this is what these anti-India forces want?" he said.
The prime minister detailed three major conspiracies of the opposition, claiming they intend to rewrite the Constitution to provide reservations based on religion, abolish existing reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities, and allocate the entire reservation quota to Muslims. He highlighted a recent Calcutta High Court decision rejecting OBC status for 77 Muslim castes as evidence of this strategy.
"A third method has been created to circumvent the OBC reservation. They are declaring Muslim castes as OBC overnight. Recently, the Calcutta High Court has rejected OBC reservation for 77 Muslim castes."
Accusing the opposition of trying to marginalize the majority community, Modi labeled the INDIA bloc as communal and casteist. He singled out the SP, alleging they have historically opposed law and order, released terrorists, and kept Purvanchal underdeveloped.
"Today, the SP, Congress and the INDI people want to make the majority community in India second-class citizens."
Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Modi claimed the region has seen a positive transformation with the dismantling of mafia influence and the construction of homes for the poor. He contrasted this with the SP and Congress, accusing them of perpetuating dynastic politics and underdevelopment in Purvanchal.
"The SP used to release captured terrorists and its government used to suspend police officials for catching terrorist," Modi said
Modi reminded the audience of the SP's 2012 manifesto promise to provide Dalit-level reservations to Muslims, arguing that the INDIA bloc seeks to amend the Constitution for religious-based reservations. He emphasized his opposition to such policies and predicted electoral punishment for these parties in Purvanchal.
"During the SP government, mafias had built palaces on public land. But since Yogi Adityanath has come (as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh) the environment has changed. Now, the 'acche din' (good days) of mafias are over. Houses of the poor are being built in place of their palaces. This is the difference between the BJP and the INDI alliance," he said.
"families of the SP and the Congress had their dynastic mindset to turn Purvanchal into a region of mafia, poverty and helplessness".
The prime minister also alleged that the Congress obstructed international sales of BrahMos missiles, suggesting this was part of a broader strategy to hinder India's self-reliance in defense. He announced plans for BrahMos missile production in Uttar Pradesh.
"There has been a demand for these in many countries but the Congress does not like it. Many countries wanted to purchase the BrahMos but the Congress government created hurdles because the 'INDI' people do not want India to become self-reliant in the defence sector," Modi said.
The prime minister said, "The day is not far when BrahMos missiles will also be made in Uttar Pradesh."
Revisiting past manifestos, Modi criticized the SP and Congress for reallocating educational reservations from SC, ST, and OBC students to Muslims by designating institutions as minority establishments. He condemned this as a betrayal of disadvantaged communities.
"Before 2014, the Congress changed the law overnight to declare schools, colleges and universities as minority institutions. They declared thousands of educational institutions as minority institutions. Earlier, the reservation SC, ST and OBC students were getting there was completely ended and Muslims got reservation," Modi said.
"What can be a bigger betrayal than this of the sons and daughters of Dalits, backward tribals?" Modi asked and added that the INDIA bloc wants to "take back the country by several decades".
Highlighting the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Modi noted its global appeal and criticized SP and Congress leaders for boycotting its consecration ceremony. He accused the opposition of intending to reverse the temple's construction, likening it to their response to the Shah Bano case.
"They pretend to go to temples during elections. But these people started abusing the Ram temple when such a grand festival (consecration ceremony) of our faith came after 500 years. These people were angry with the construction of the Ram temple," he said.
"They issue fatwas of vote jihad against Modi but as long as Modi has the protective shield of mothers and sisters of the country and the blessings of all of you, no one can do any harm to Modi," he said.
Modi concluded by denouncing calls for his downfall, asserting his resilience due to public support. He campaigned for various NDA candidates in Purvanchal, urging voters to back BJP and its allies for continued development and security in the region.
