In a major outreach to economically backward Muslims, BJP’s Minority Morcha has launched “Saugat-e-Modi” scheme, under which Eid gift packs will be given to 32 lakh Muslims through 32,000 mosques across the country. On Tuesday, these gift kits, containing besan, vermicelli, dates, dry fruits, sugar, salwar-suit fabric for men, kurta-pyjama fabric for men, were distributed in Delhi and Navi Mumbai. 100 needy persons will be identified with the help of each mosque committee for receiving the gift pack. At a time when iftar parties are being held by political parties during the month of Ramzan, BJP has opted to distribute these gift packs. Each office bearer of the Minority Morcha will identify 100 needy persons from a mosque with the help of the mosque committee and will deliver the “Saugaat-e-Modi” kit to them as a gift. Congress leader Imran Masood described this as a “lollypop for Muslims”, while other opposition leaders said this scheme has been launched with an eye on forthcoming Bihar assembly elections. All India Imam Association president Sajid Rashidi welcomed this scheme and hoped Muslims would at least get a closer look for once at BJP for their own benefit. I fail to understand what opposition leaders think when they say these gift packs are for securing Muslims votes. What do they think of Muslims? Will a Muslim come out to vote for BJP because of a packet of vermicelli, dates and dry fruits? If these leaders think so, then let all other parties distribute similar gift packs to poor Muslims on the eve of Eid. Why didn’t they think about this earlier? I think, everybody should welcome such gifts for the poor at the time of festivals. No need to politicize such moves.OPINION | ‘Saugat-e-Modi’: Is it for Muslim votes?
In a major outreach to economically backward Muslims, BJP’s Minority Morcha has launched “Saugat-e-Modi” scheme, under which Eid gift packs will be given to 32 lakh Muslims through 32,000 mosques across the country. On Tuesday, these gift kits, containing besan, vermicelli, dates, dry fruits, sugar, salwar-suit fabric for men, kurta-pyjama fabric for men, were distributed in Delhi and Navi Mumbai. 100 needy persons will be identified with the help of each mosque committee for receiving the gift pack. At a time when iftar parties are being held by political parties during the month of Ramzan, BJP has opted to distribute these gift packs. Each office bearer of the Minority Morcha will identify 100 needy persons from a mosque with the help of the mosque committee and will deliver the “Saugaat-e-Modi” kit to them as a gift. Congress leader Imran Masood described this as a “lollypop for Muslims”, while other opposition leaders said this scheme has been launched with an eye on forthcoming Bihar assembly elections. All India Imam Association president Sajid Rashidi welcomed this scheme and hoped Muslims would at least get a closer look for once at BJP for their own benefit. I fail to understand what opposition leaders think when they say these gift packs are for securing Muslims votes. What do they think of Muslims? Will a Muslim come out to vote for BJP because of a packet of vermicelli, dates and dry fruits? If these leaders think so, then let all other parties distribute similar gift packs to poor Muslims on the eve of Eid. Why didn’t they think about this earlier? I think, everybody should welcome such gifts for the poor at the time of festivals. No need to politicize such moves.
