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Fact check: Did Manmohan Singh say Muslims have first right to wealth as claimed by PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked another controversy by making objectionable references to the Muslims of India, who form over 14 per cent of the total population of the country.

In his speech delivered to crowds at Banswara, Rajasthan on April 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called Muslims as “people producing more children”, “infiltrators”.

He also criticized the Congress party’s manifesto and past policies alleging that during Congress’ tenure, Muslims had the ‘first right’ to the nation’s wealth.

Challenging the manifesto of Indian National Congress, India’s main opposition, PM Modi arguably tried to woo the Hindu voters during the ongoing general elections by calling the Country’s main opposition as Muslim sympathizer, however, a deeper analysis reveals that PM Modi’s interpretation lacks context and is filled with misinformation.

 

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did mention prioritizing plans and schemes for upliftment, particularly focusing on Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), other backward classes, women, children, and minorities. Singh emphasized equitable distribution of development benefits among these marginalized groups, rather than singling out Muslims for preferential treatment.

Regarding the Congress’ 2024 manifesto, titled ‘Nyay Patra’, it includes proposals to empower minorities and economically weaker sections of society.

This involves initiatives such as ensuring fair access to institutional credit for minorities and conducting a nationwide socio-economic census to inform affirmative action plans. The manifesto also addresses income inequality and pledges to prioritize the welfare of the poor in resource allocation.

PM Modi’s assertions regarding the Congress manifesto’s plans to survey and redistribute wealth or gold are unfounded. The manifesto does not contain any such proposals.

Furthermore, PM Modi referred to a theory about Muslim families having more children, which has been debunked by data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).

While Muslim women indeed have slightly higher fertility rates compared to Hindu women, the difference is marginal.

In summary, PM Modi’s statements lack contextual accuracy and may misrepresent the intentions of former PM Manmohan Singh and the Congress party’s manifesto.

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