In an interview about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election speeches, N. Ram, the former Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of The Hindu, has said they are “immoral, unethical and unacceptable”, adding that Modi owes Indian Muslims “many apologies”.
In an interview to The Wire, Ram says the Election Commission should punish Modi by barring him from campaigning, as they did during the 2014 election in the case of Amit Shah, who was then president of the BJP. Ram adds that because Modi is prime minister, the punishment meted to him should be more severe than would be given to a normal minister or politician for a similar infringement of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of People Act.
Speaking about the Election Commission, Ram said it has “ceased to be an independent body” and called it “servile”. He said the Election Commission has got “worse and worse” over the last three elections.
Ram said that after three days the Election Commission’s silence about Modi’s Rajasthan speech and Aligarh speech is “shocking”. He said “he can’t find words strong enough to deplore and condemn”.
Asked if the present situation is a test of the credibility of the Election Commission, Ram replied: “Yes, to put it mildly”. However, Ram added he’s “not confident at all” the Election Commission will act.
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