Modi targeting Muslims to divert backlash from coronavirus lockdown: PM

Premier says violent targeting of Muslims is akin to what Nazis did with Jews in Germany

Prime Minister Imran Khan has hit out at his Indian counterpart for "targeting" the minority Muslim community, describing it as an attempt to divert backlash from coronavirus lockdown, "which has left thousands hungry".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown in late March to contain the spread of the Covid-19. The lockdown has been extended till May 3 at least.

In a tweet from his official Twitter handle on Sunday, PM Imran said that the deliberate and violent targeting of Muslims is similar to what Nazis did with Jews in Germany.



"The deliberate & violent targeting of Muslims in India by Modi Govt to divert the backlash over its COVID19 policy, which has left thousands stranded & hungry, is akin to what Nazis did to Jews in Gerrmany. Yet more proof of the racist Hindutva Supremacist ideology of Modi Govt," he said in the tweet.

The deliberate & violent targeting of Muslims in India by Modi Govt to divert the backlash over its COVID19 policy, which has left thousands stranded & hungry, is akin to what Nazis did to Jews in Gerrmany. Yet more proof of the racist Hindutva Supremacist ideology of Modi Govt.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 19, 2020

Indian authorities have blamed the Muslim Tableeghi Jamaat congregation for the spread of coronavirus cases in the country.

There is no official breakdown of Covid-19 cases by religion. But many Muslims feel unfairly blamed for spreading the contagious disease after a cluster emerged at a religious gathering in New Delhi last month.

India has reported over 15,000 infections and more than 500 deaths as of early Sunday, according to an official data.