With mere hours left until the second phase of voting, the Election Commission has finalized all arrangements. Security is secured, yet in the midst of preparations, Mangalsutra becomes the hot topic of national politics. Following one statement after another, it wouldn't be wrong to say the 2024 election battle has now pivoted to the narrative of the Mangalsutra. Initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement, the conversation has been dominated by the opposition, targeting the BJP and its leaders on this issue.
A recent statement by Samajwadi Party President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav targets Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Yadav questions their concern with Mangalsutra, 'What do Modi and Yogi have to do with Mangalsutra anyway?' he asked boldly.
Yadav also questioned the BJP's commitment to understanding the real significance of the Mangalsutra, implying only those who are married could understand its importance and urged the BJP to focus on providing jobs to the youth so that they could marry too. 'What's the point of mentioning Mangalsutra to those who aren't married?'
Asked about Congress leaders contesting from Amethi and Rae Bareli, Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party chief and candidate from Kannauj, said, 'I can't comment on other political parties, but many parties will be under pressure. If there are elections, we should all be ready to compete. We're part of an alliance. If I am to advise him (Rahul Gandhi), I can sit with him and discuss.'
How did the tale of the Mangalsutra begin?
In fact, addressing an election rally in Banswara, PM Modi cautioned that if Congress came to power, they would distribute people's properties to those with more children and illegal immigrants. He claimed, 'They've said before that Muslims have the first right over the nation's assets. Who will they share these accumulated assets with? Those with more kids, and with trespassers. Will your hard-earned money be given to illegal immigrants? Is that acceptable to you?'
He further alleged, 'The Congress manifesto speaks of taking account of the gold of our mothers and sisters. They'll collect that information and distribute it. And they'll distribute it to those whom the Manmohan Singh government said had the first right over properties - the Muslims. Brothers and sisters, this urban Naxal thinking won't even spare your Mangalsutra.'
Priyanka Gandhi's retort to Modi’s Mangalsutra comment
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi responded to PM Modi's Mangalsutra comment during her address at a public meeting in Bengaluru, questioning, 'In 70 years of independence, with Congress in power for 55, did anyone snatch your gold or your Mangalsutras? When there was a war, Indira Gandhi gave her gold to the nation, and my mother's Mangalsutra (Sonia Gandhi) sacrificed for this country.'
'Had Modi understood the meaning of a Mangalsutra, he wouldn't utter such statements. During demonetization, he snatched away women's savings. Over 600 farmers died during protests, did he even think about the Mangalsutras of those widows? When a woman in Manipur was paraded nude, Modi was silent. Did he think of her Mangalsutra then? Today he makes such claims to scare and intimidate women into voting for him.'
