In 2014, when congress leader mani shankar Aiyar referred to narendra modi as a "chaiwala", the backlash was swift and severe. Critics accused Aiyar of elitism and class prejudice, with the bjp framing it as an insult to the dignity of the working class. Fast forward to today, and prime minister Modi’s recent jibe at Muslim youth as "puncture-makers" has been met with deafening silence from large sections of the media and political class—raising uncomfortable questions about selective outrage and normalized bigotry.

The Controversial Remarks
At a recent election rally, PM Modi, while attacking the opposition’s welfare policies, stated: "When they [opposition] talk about minorities, they only think of Muslims... They will distribute all resources among those who have more children, among infiltrators. Should your hard-earned money be given to infiltrators? Would you accept this?" He then added, "Those who practice vote-bank politics will even say that Muslims have the first right over the nation’s resources. Will you accept this? … This is the same community that is skilled in the art of making punctures."

The remark, widely interpreted as a dog-whistle stereotype linking Muslims to roadside puncture repair work, drew murmurs of disapproval from some quarters but failed to trigger the kind of unified condemnation seen in the past over similar statements.

Selective Outrage?
Political analysts point to a glaring double standard. "When Aiyar used ‘chaiwala’, it was framed as an unforgivable sin—an attack on Modi’s humble origins. But when the PM reduces an entire community to a menial labor stereotype, there’s no similar uproar," said social commentator Asim Ali. "This isn’t just about partisanship; it’s about who gets to be offensive with impunity."

Opposition leaders, including Congress’s rahul gandhi and AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, condemned the remarks, with Owaisi calling it "openly racist". However, the bjp defended Modi, claiming his words were "misinterpreted" and that he was merely "exposing the opposition’s appeasement politics."

Media’s Muted Response
Unlike the wall-to-wall coverage of Aiyar’s "chaiwala" comment, major sections of the media downplayed Modi’s "puncture-makers" line, with some prime-time debates skipping the controversy altogether. On social media, critics accused newsrooms of "normalizing prejudice" when it comes from the powerful.

"Bigotry from the top is still bigotry—and silence is complicity," tweeted activist Kavita Krishnan. "Why is there no national ‘debate’ when the PM stereotypes Muslims, but endless outrage when someone else does it to his background?"

A Pattern of Polarizing Rhetoric
Modi’s latest remark fits a pattern of his campaign speeches, where Muslims have been repeatedly othered—whether through references to "infiltrators", "those who have more children", or now, "puncture-makers". Legal experts argue that such language from a sitting PM risks further stigmatizing an already marginalized community.

"This isn’t just a slip of the tongue; it’s a deliberate strategy to dehumanize," said political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot. "The lack of accountability only emboldens this rhetoric."

The Bigger Question
As india heads into a heated election season, the episode raises a critical question: Why does outrage over offensive remarks appear to depend not on the content of the statement, but on who says it?

For now, the silence from many who once decried "classism" against Modi speaks volumes.
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Sindujaa D N

17/04/2025 11:52 AM