Court charges Imran Masood for 2014 controversial remarks about PM Modi and Muslims

A special court in Uttar Pradesh has officially charged Congress MP Imran Masood for his inflammatory remarks made during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The comments, delivered in Labkri village, Devband, implied that Muslims would face violent consequences if Narendra Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat and a key figure in the BJP, visited the area. This statement, which stirred significant outrage, has raised alarms regarding communal tensions in the politically volatile region.

In his controversial speech, Masood claimed that Gujarat's Muslim population constituted only four percent, while in Saharanpur, it stood at 42 percent. This stark contrast was used to incite fear among voters, portraying a narrative of potential victimization if Modi were to gain more power. Additionally, Masood made derogatory remarks regarding two BSP legislators, exacerbating the controversy and leading to accusations of inciting communal discord.

The situation escalated when, on March 27, 2014, Kusumveer Singh, the then in-charge of Kotwali Devband, filed a formal complaint against Masood. The charges included violations of the Model Code of Conduct established for electoral conduct, attempts to disrupt communal harmony, and the use of casteist slurs directed at scheduled caste lawmakers. Following these allegations, Masood was briefly jailed, which further highlighted the gravity of his statements in a sensitive political climate.

As the legal proceedings have progressed, the court has heard testimonies from nineteen local villagers who corroborated the implications of Masood's statements. These testimonies were pivotal in leading Special Judge MP-MLA Mohit Sharma to officially frame charges against him. The prosecution is being conducted by Special Public Prosecutor Gulab Singh, representing the state’s interests and emphasizing the need for accountability in political discourse.