New Delhi, April 15, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has found himself at the center of a political storm following a controversial remark made during the inauguration of an airport in Hisar, Haryana, where he linked Muslim youth to bicycle puncture repairs, triggering widespread outrage from opposition parties, civil society, and commentators.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Waqf properties had been used honestly, Muslim youths wouldn\u2019t need to earn a livelihood from repairing bicycle punctures,\u201d Modi said during his speech. The comment has drawn sharp criticism for being \u201cinsensitive,\u201d \u201cdivisive,\u201d and for perpetuating caste and religious stereotypes.<\/p>\n
Owaisi: \u201cIf Sangh Parivar Had Worked for the Nation, Modi May Not Have Sold Chai\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Leading the charge was AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, who retorted with a stinging counter: \u201cIf the thinking and property of the Sangh Parivar were used in the interest of the country, Modi would not have to sell tea.\u201d He accused the Prime Minister of scapegoating Muslims to distract from governance failures. \u201cWhat has Modi done for poor Indians \u2013 Hindus or Muslims \u2013 in the last 11 years? 33% of Indians are without jobs or education,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Owaisi also pointed out that the weak legal framework and administration around Waqf properties had been historically neglected, and claimed Modi\u2019s Waqf Amendment would only further weaken them, not strengthen Muslim welfare.<\/p>\n Opposition Condemns Modi\u2019s Language as \u2018Troll-Level\u2019 and Anti-Poor<\/strong><\/p>\n Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi criticized the language used by the Prime Minister, likening it to social media trolls. \u201cIf the Prime Minister uses such superficial language, then he insults the dignity of the post,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Samajwadi Party\u2019s Abu Azmi hit out at the BJP for its lack of Muslim representation in the Parliament. \u201cIf Muslims are poor and fixing punctures, then which Muslim have you made an MP, MLA, or minister?\u201d he asked. \u201cWith all the temple properties, has the condition of poor Hindus improved?\u201d he questioned, while accusing the government of land-grabbing under the guise of reforming the Waqf.<\/p>\n He added that multiple Supreme Court panels have confirmed the socio-economic conditions of Muslims in India are worse than even Dalits, and slammed the government for revoking the Haj subsidy, allegedly \u201cto build hostels,\u201d while not delivering tangible benefits to the Muslim community.<\/p>\n Congress and Civil Society Speak Out<\/strong><\/p>\n Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed took to social media platform X to slam Modi. \u201cHe mocks Muslim youth by saying they run puncture shops, but when Congress brings minority welfare schemes, they call it appeasement. It\u2019s not the Congress or Waqf\u2014it\u2019s you and your government, Mr. Modi, that\u2019s keeping Muslims underdeveloped,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n Congress Delhi coordinator Apurva Bhardwaj posted a strongly worded critique, accusing Modi of using symbolic professions\u2014like selling tea or fixing tires\u2014for political manipulation. \u201cThese professions stand on dignity and hard work, yet the \u2018Sahab\u2019 has turned them into political punchlines,\u201d he wrote. He further added, \u201cThis isn\u2019t love \u2014 it\u2019s political posturing. This isn\u2019t respect \u2014 it\u2019s soft humiliation.\u201d<\/p>\n Public Figures Join Chorus of Dissent<\/strong><\/p>\n Noted literary critic Purushottam Agarwal condemned the derogatory tone in Modi\u2019s comment: \u201cRepairing punctures or frying pakoras is not shameful. But using them insultingly reflects a low mentality.\u201d<\/p>\n Journalist Awesh Tiwari, in a viral post, highlighted the deep-rooted contributions of Muslims to India. \u201cMuslims don\u2019t just repair punctures, Modi ji. They build missiles, destroy enemy tanks, make Rooh Afza that the whole country enjoys, and have laid down their lives for India\u2019s freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n Pattern of Controversial Remarks<\/strong><\/p>\n This isn\u2019t the first time Modi has stirred controversy over remarks perceived to be anti-Muslim. During a campaign rally in Banswara, Rajasthan on April 21, 2024, he referred to Muslims as \u201cinfiltrators\u201d and claimed that the Congress, if elected, would redistribute wealth to \u201cthose who have more children,\u201d a dog whistle widely seen as targeting the Muslim community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n As opposition voices grow louder and social media fills with condemnation, Prime Minister Modi\u2019s latest comment may deepen the already growing perception of systemic marginalization of Muslims under his rule. While the Prime Minister has not responded to the backlash yet, political analysts believe this latest controversy could become a significant flashpoint in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"