Mehbooba Mufti Slams BJP for Communal Election Advertisement in India

Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), fiercely condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for publishing a highly communal advertisement ahead of the elections in Jharkhand, India.

The controversial ad was shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of BJP’s Jharkhand unit, but was promptly taken down after the Election Commission intervened, ordering the state election authorities to direct the party to remove it.

Mufti described the advertisement as “deplorably communal,” accusing the BJP of spreading divisive rhetoric. She emphasized that the ad directly attacked the nation’s secular foundation. “It’s pure poison,” Mufti remarked, highlighting the dangerous nature of such propaganda.

The PDP leader pointed out that the advertisement’s content was not only inappropriate but also contradicted the very principles on which India was built. By promoting communalism, the BJP had once again undermined the ideals of a secular, inclusive democracy.

Mufti’s scathing remarks reflected the growing concern over the BJP’s tactics in the lead-up to elections. Instead of focusing on the nation’s progress or addressing key issues, the BJP continues to rely on divisive politics to win votes. Such ads do not just reflect poor judgment; they are a deliberate attempt to fracture the social fabric of the country for political gain.

While the Election Commission’s intervention may have forced the removal of the ad, the damage had already been done. The fact that such a provocative post was approved in the first place indicates a disturbing trend within the BJP leadership—one that seeks to exploit communal divides to further its political agenda.

Mufti’s criticism comes at a crucial time, as the second phase of voting in the Jharkhand elections is scheduled for Wednesday. This type of electioneering, Mufti argues, poses a direct threat to India’s pluralistic society and democratic values.

For a nation that prides itself on its secular constitution, allowing any party, particularly the BJP, to engage in communal politics is a dangerous precedent. The BJP’s failure to recognize the destructive potential of such ads shows a disturbing disregard for the very fabric that holds India together.

The challenge for India’s electorate is to see through these divisive tactics and reject any political party that seeks to divide the nation for personal or electoral gain.