PM Modi reiterates ’steal Mangalsutra’ jibe during Aligarh rally: ‘Congress want to take gold of mothers, sisters…’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Monday that the Congress would “steal the gold of mothers and sisters” if it was elected to power. The remarks — made during an election rally in Aligarh — echoed claims made on Sunday about the Congress manifesto. The Opposition party has since approached the Election Commission to seek action against the ‘seriously, ridiculously objectionable’ statement.

“I want to warn the countrymen. Congress and the INDI alliance have their eyes on your earnings and your property. The 'Shehzada' of Congress says that if their government comes to power, they will investigate who earns how much, who has how many properties...Our mothers and sisters have gold. It is 'stree dhan', it is considered sacred, the law also protects it. Now these people's eyes are on the 'Mangalsutra' of women. Their intention is to steal the gold of mothers and sisters..." the PM reiterated during a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh.

Modi dubbed it a “Maovadi” or communist way of thinking and warned the people of Aligarh that such a policy had already “ruined many countries”.

"If you have an old ancestor's home in your village and you also purchased a small flat in your city for the future of your children. Then they will take away one of the two...This same policy the Congress Party and INDI alliance want to implement in India,” he added.

The Congress had also approached the Election Commission on Monday to seek ‘appropriate action’ against the PM ‘irrespective of the status of the person’. A delegation led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi flagged 16 issues — including the use of religious symbols during campaign and the uncontested victory of a BJP candidate from Gujarat. 

"This has always been his (PM Modi) tactic to divide. How to take the country forward is important. Leaving this aside, he is talking about Hindu-Muslim, Scheduled Caste, and Other Backward Caste. He is doing all this for votes, not for the benefit of the country," said party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

(WIth inputs from agencies)