I will never do Hindu-Muslim divide, says Modi in Varanasi
Says attempts have been made to sully his image since 2002 and his governance model does not discriminate on the basis of religion or caste
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that there had been attempts to sully his image since 2002 and his governance model does not discriminate on the basis of religion or caste.
The statement comes amid raging controversy against Modi’s reported statements against Muslims during the Lok Sabha poll campaigning.
Speaking to News 18 at Varanasi parliamentary constituency, where he is seeking a third win on the trot, he said, “I celebrated Eid with my neighbours in childhood and had a lot of Muslim friends. I have lived among Muslim families since childhood. I have many Muslim friends. However, after 2002, efforts were made to tarnish my image,” PM Modi said, referring to communal violence in Gujarat in 2002 when he was the CM.
Asked why he talked about Muslims “having more children”, the Prime Minister said in the interview, “It’s shocking. Why do people assume I’m talking about Muslims when I talk about people having many children? Even poor Hindu families face this issue. I have neither named Hindus nor Muslims. I’ve just appealed.”
He also said even Muslims would also vote for him in his pursuit of a third term as PM.
“I believe the people of the country will vote for me. The day I start doing Hindu-Muslim, I won’t be fit to live in public life. I will not do Hindu-Muslim divide, this is my commitment,” the PM told News 18.
