Modis hate speech against Muslims sparks backlash as Indian elections get underway [Video]

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s comment accusing the opposition party Congress of “snatching” away and redistributing wealth to the country’s Muslims has drawn widespread condemnation.

Addressing an election campaign rally in western Rajasthan state’s Banswara area on Sunday, Mr Modi said that if the Congress was voted to power, it would redistribute wealth from “Hindu wives and daughters” to “those with more children” – a dog whistle that Hindu nationalists commonly employ against the country’s Muslims.

“Earlier, when they were in power they had said Muslims have the first right to the wealth of the nation,” Mr Modi said, referring to the Congress. “This means they will distribute this wealth to those who have more children, to infiltrators. Should your hardearned money be given to infiltrators? Do you approve of this?”

The PM went …