BJP plans 'Saugat-e-Modi' for minority festivities, opposition calls it poll gimmick

The Bharatiya Janata Party is launching a major outreach programme for Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities. The party is planning to distribute festive kits called “Saugat-e-Modi” (gifts from Prime Minister Modi) on the occasion of Eid, Baisakhi and Easter.

Speaking to The Hindu, BJP’s minority morcha chief Jamal Siddiqui said that the outreach was planned as three festivals were coming up in successive weeks — Eid at the end of March, Baisakhi on April 14 and Easter on April 20.

The outreach is significant as it at a time when the government is facing backlash from sections of the Muslim community over the Waqf Amendment Bill. Major Muslim organisations had boycotted Bihar Chief Minister and BJP ally Nitish Kumar’s Iftaar event over the Bill.