Notorious anti-Hindu activist Dr. Meena Kandasamy has ignited a firestorm of controversy with a provocative tweet threatening violence if the NDA alliance wins the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Her statement has drawn significant public ire and widespread condemnation.
On June 3, the Electoral Commission of South Africa announced the results of their national elections, with former President Jacob Zuma’s party securing a distant third place with just over 14 per cent of the votes. Prior to the announcement, Zuma issued a stark warning to the Election Commission, cautioning against declaring the results and threatening massive violence in response. Zuma’s statement read, “The results are not correct. Results should not be declared. If you’re declaring, you’re provoking us. Don’t start trouble. There’s nobody who is going to die if we do not announce tomorrow.”
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-02-violence-threats-inc-zuma-may-have-overplayed-his-violent-hand/
Reacting to Zuma’s threat, South African journalist Benjamin Fogel posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Jacob Zuma is basically attempting to repeat Jair Bolsonaro’s coup strategy of questioning the election results backed by rogue elements of the state security apparatus and mafias. He has the capacity to unleash violence. South Africa’s institutions are weaker than Brazil’s.”
So far in UP alone I'm seeing:
– taping over Congress buttons at the booths in Varanasi
– cops beating up Muslim voters
– electoral rolls mysteriously disappearing Muslim voters
– mayawati as vote cutter
– putting opposition leaders under house arrest— Naomi Barton (@therealnaomib) June 2, 2024
Drawing parallels with the South African situation, Dr. Meena Kandasamy responded to Fogel’s post with an alarming tweet about the Indian elections. She wrote, “Violence might be unleashed in India if BJP-led NDA alliance emerges victorious on June 4.” Kandasamy continued, “Exit polls are meant not only to demoralise the INDI alliance but also to subvert the democratic process. Fascism (BJP) hopes to fudge its way through postal votes. People will resist, they will send Ranga-Billa (Narendra Modi-Amit Shah) home.”
If the winner is anything other than non-biological, take it from me that we might witness something like this in India also https://t.co/1l3O7Ej3In
— Dr Meena Kandasamy மீனா கந்தசாமி (@meenakandasamy) June 2, 2024
The tweet has sparked outrage across social media and political circles, with many condemning Kandasamy’s comments as an incitement to violence. I.N.D.I Alliance supporter Girish VR echoed her sentiment but framed it as a defensive stance, posting, “Southern states will not allow single seats in favour of BJP. People are desperate to throw the BJP out of power, and citizens will hit the streets if they win.”
There is now way on earth or in this universe people want this regime to continue.
No southern states would allow a single seat in their favour.
That alone will kick BJP out of power.
People are desperate.
Citizens will hit the street.#ExitPoll— Girish (@girish_vr) June 2, 2024
Already Rahul Gandhi has been claiming “… If BJP wins these fixed elections, and changes the Constitution, the country will be on fire. Remember this.”
In a fitting reply, PM Modi said, “The Congress—the grand old party- wants to push the country towards anarchy and instability. He said this at a poll campaign in Uttarkhand on April 1 , “Congress has started instigating people against electoral verdict. The party with Emergency mindset does not have faith in democracy any more”.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP and veteran journalist Swapan Das Gupta in a tweet said “I am privy to the disturbing news that large-scale disturbances and disruptions are planned in the counting centres of 10 parliamentary constituencies of West Bengal. I urge the @ECISVEEP to take exceptional care to ensure that the counting is fair. Please learn the lessons from the 2021 counting. I am putting this out in the public domain to ensure that pre-emptive steps are taken. @AmitShahOffice. @SuvenduWB@narendramodi
I am privy to the disturbing news that large-scale disturbances and disruptions are planned in the counting centres of 10 parliamentary constituencies of West Bengal. I urge the @ECISVEEP to take exceptional care to ensure that the counting is fair. Please learn the lessons from…
— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) June 2, 2024
In the midst of heightened political tensions and apprehensions over the fairness of the Lok Sabha election results, a delegation led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on June 1. The delegation appealed to the ECI to ensure smooth and fair counting of votes on June 4, while also calling for action against any attempts to undermine the electoral process.
The meeting comes in the wake of alarming statements and actions from various political actors, raising concerns about potential disruptions and unrest surrounding the election outcome. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and veteran journalist Swapan Das Gupta took to X to express distressing news of planned disturbances at counting centers in 10 parliamentary constituencies of West Bengal. Das Gupta urged the ECI to take exceptional care to ensure fair counting, drawing attention to lessons learned from past instances of electoral violence.
The BJP delegation’s meeting with the ECI also follows recent outbursts from the I.N.D.I.Allinace, including inflammatory remarks from Congress leaders such as Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi’s statements about potential unrest if the BJP secures victory have stoked fears of post-election chaos. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of seeking to push the country into anarchy and instability, citing the party’s historical association with Emergency rule.
Adding to the tension, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote a letter to the ECI alleging intimidation of District Magistrates (Collectors) who serve as returning officers (ROs) ahead of counting. The ECI has requested further details from Ramesh and expects a reply soon. Ramesh, in a press conference on June 2, clarified that his letter was based on press reports and denied any wrongdoing. However, the controversy underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding the electoral process.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about potential external interference in the election process. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, announced action taken to disrupt deceptive uses of artificial intelligence in covert operations related to the Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, reports suggest the involvement of political campaign management firms like STOIC in generating content related to the elections and the Gaza conflict.
The cumulative effect of these developments suggests a grand conspiracy to foment trouble in the event of an NDA victory. International actors opposed to India’s ascent as a global power may be seeking to destabilise the country politically, economically, and militarily.
