Prior to Eid, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a large -scale Muslim outreach initiative in Uttar Pradesh through its minority wing. The ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ campaign is part of the comprehensive plan to join the disadvantaged Muslim families, under which about 10 lakh kits are to be distributed in the entire state. The move has been taken about a year after the Lok Sabha elections, during which the opposition parties accused the BJP government of targeting minorities amid communal tension in districts like Bahraich and Sambhal.
Under this initiative, the BJP Minority Front has started distributing the ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ kit. This campaign will continue till Eid-ul-Fitr, in which BJP workers will reach Muslim families, especially people living near mosques.
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Speaking to HT on Thursday, the BJP Minority Front chief Jamal Siddiqui said that senior officials of the front have been instructed to arrange and distribute kits in their respective areas. Each kit priced at Rs 800 includes 1 kg sevaiyan, 2 kg sugar, dates, dry fruits and salwar suits for women. The campaign was officially started on 24 March with Dargah Nizamuddin Auliya in New Delhi. Siddiqui said, “This is a gift of Eid to the weaker sections of the Muslim community on behalf of the Modi family. Each kit has a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which symbolizes his leadership and his commitment to his welfare.” Kunwar Basit Ali, the state head of the BJP’s minority branch, said, “We are reaching about 32 lakh poor Muslims, out of which 10 lakh beneficiaries are in Uttar Pradesh alone. It is not a political campaign in Uttar Pradesh alone. He further said that BJP workers have identified about 10,000 mosques, where they are distributing kits. He said, “We want to bring a smile on the faces of those families who are struggling for two times of bread.” The initiative has been criticized by opposition parties who have called it a political gimmick. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, while questioning its impact, suggested that the BJP should focus on long -term solutions such as employment and security for minorities.
Mayawati wrote on X, “Sending ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ to 32 lakh poor minority families on Eid, Baisakhi and Easter fulfills political interests. When Muslim and Bahujan communities are concerned about their security and economic good, what is the benefit of this?”
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abdul Hafiz Gandhi also repeated similar feelings and described the kit as a symbolic gesture rather than real empowerment. “If the government is committed to the upliftment of minorities, it should focus on quality education, employment and economic development rather than short -term free facilities,” he said.
However, BJP leaders have defended this initiative. UP BJP Vice President and MLC Vijay Bahadur Pathak said, “Our motto is ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Muslims are also part of it. We do not do politics of appeasement but believe in treating everyone equally. Just as Navratri is important for Hindus, Eid is also important for Muslims.