Forward of Eid, the Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) has launched a large-scale Muslim outreach initiative in Uttar Pradesh by means of its minority wing. The ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ marketing campaign is a part of a broader plan to attach with underprivileged Muslim households, with about 10 lakh kits set to be distributed throughout the state. The transfer comes practically a yr after the Lok Sabha elections, throughout which opposition events have accused the BJP authorities of concentrating on minorities amid communal tensions in districts like Bahraich and Sambhal.
‘Saugat-e-Modi’ kits that includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s {photograph} (Sourced)
As a part of the initiative, the BJP Minority Morcha has began distributing ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ kits. The marketing campaign will proceed till Eid-Ul-Fitr, with BJP employees reaching out to Muslim households, significantly these residing close to mosques.
Talking to HT on Thursday, BJP Minority Morcha chief Jamal Siddiqui stated that senior workplace bearers of the Morcha have been instructed to rearrange and distribute the kits of their respective areas. Every package, value ₹800, consists of 1 kg of vermicelli (sewaiyan), 2 kg of sugar, dates, dry fruits, and a salwar swimsuit for girls. The marketing campaign was formally launched at Dargah Nizamuddin Auliya in New Delhi on March 24.
“This is an Eid gift from the Modi Parivar to the weaker sections of the Muslim community. Each kit carries Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph, symbolising his leadership and commitment to their welfare,” Siddiqui stated.
Kunwar Basit Ali, the state chief of BJP’s minority wing, said, “We are reaching out to around 32 lakh poor Muslims, with 10 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh alone. This is not a political campaign but an effort to help the needy during Ramzan. Since Modi Ji is our leader, we named the campaign after him.”
He additional said that BJP employees have recognized round 10,000 mosques the place they’re distributing kits. “We want to bring smiles to families struggling to make ends meet,” he added.
The initiative has drawn criticism from opposition events, which have dismissed it as a political gimmick. Bahujan Samaj Occasion (BSP) chief Mayawati questioned its affect, suggesting that the BJP ought to concentrate on long-term options equivalent to employment and safety for minorities.
“Sending ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ to 32 lakh poor minority families on Eid ,Baisakhi and Easter serves political interests. What is its benefit when the Muslim and Bahujan communities remain concerned about their security and economic well-being?” Mayawati wrote on X.
Samajwadi Occasion spokesperson Abdul Hafiz Gandhi echoed comparable sentiments, calling the kits a symbolic gesture moderately than actual empowerment. “If the government is committed to uplifting minorities, it should focus on quality education, employment, and economic development rather than short-term freebies,” he stated.
Nevertheless, BJP leaders have defended the initiative. The UP BJP vice-president and MLC Vijay Bahadur Pathak said, “Our motto is ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ Muslims are also part of this. We do not engage in appeasement politics but believe in treating everyone equally. Just as Navaratri is important for Hindus, Eid holds significance for Muslims.”