BJP Removes Controversial Anti-Muslim Campaign Video

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of India has faced significant backlash for an election campaign video that portrays Muslims in a highly negative light, leading the Election Commission of India (ECI) to order its removal. Released in Jharkhand as part of the ongoing assembly elections, the video depicts Muslims invading a Hindu family's home, with derogatory gestures and actions that reinforce anti-Muslim sentiments. Critics, including prominent political figures, have condemned the ad as Islamophobic and damaging to India's secular values. The ECI stated that the video violated the Model Code of Conduct, prompting its withdrawal from all platforms. Complaints from opposition parties, such as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Indian National Congress, fueled the urgency of the commission's response. This incident underscores the ongoing theme of Islamophobia in BJP campaigns, raising concerns about the implications for communal harmony in India.