The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea seeking a ban on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for six years for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Filed by Anand S Jondhale, the plea aimed to disqualify PM Modi from contesting elections for his remarks made during a campaign event in Uttar Pradesh.
In his plea, Jondhale referenced PM Modi’s speech at an election rally in Pilibhit on April 6, where he made references to Hindu and Sikh deities. PM Modi accused the I.N.D.I Alliance parties of opposing the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and disrespecting Hindu and Sikh religious sentiments.
However, Justice Sachin Datta of the Delhi High Court ruled the plea as “thoroughly misconceived,” stating that the court cannot direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to act in a specific manner. The ECI assured that it would consider Jondhale’s representation in accordance with the law.
Advocate Siddhant Kumar, representing the ECI, informed the court that the poll body receives similar applications daily and will take appropriate action. The plea referred to PM Modi’s speech in Pilibhit, where he allegedly sought votes in the name of religion, violating the MCC.
Jondhale argued that PM Modi’s speech promoted disharmony and enmity between different religious and community groups. Despite approaching the ECI with a request to register an FIR against PM Modi and disqualify him from contesting elections for six years, no action was taken by the Commission.
The plea also highlighted the violation of MCC rules outlined in Compendium of Instructions Volume-III, which prohibits activities that may aggravate differences between castes, communities, or religions for securing votes. The Delhi High Court’s dismissal of the plea marks a setback for those seeking PM Modi’s disqualification based on alleged MCC violations.
Recently, the Congress filed a complaint with the Election Commission regarding the Prime Minister’s remarks on Muslims during a campaign rally in Rajasthan.
“The Congress manifesto suggests they will assess gold holdings of mothers and sisters, obtain information about it, and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom? Manmohan Singh’s government had stated that Muslims have the primary claim on the country’s assets,” Modi had stated.
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