Indian Prime Minister Modi's party held an election rally in Delhi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party "Bharatiya Janata" held an election rally in the Dwarka area in the western part of the capital Delhi. For security reasons, the access of foreign journalists near the tribune was restricted, BTA reported.

During today's rally, Modi met a delegation of Sikh community leaders. "Our party will always work for the welfare of the Sikh community. We preserve the ideals of the Sikh Gurus,", said the Indian leader.

Modi lashed out at the opposition coalition bloc INDIA, characterizing its political stances as "casteist and nepotistic". He stated that all parties that support the Indian National Congress (INC) – the leading political force in the coalition in question, are to blame for the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.

After the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, a series of pogroms began against this ethnic community, which became known as the "Sikh Massacre". According to government figures, around 2,800 Sikhs were killed in Delhi at the time, and across India – 3350. Some historians, however, estimate the number of those killed at between 8,000 and 17,000.

"It was here in Delhi that my Sikh brothers and sisters were burned alive with burning tires around their necks. Whose crime was this? To "Congress". Today, every party that sides with the "Congress" is guilty of the Sikh massacres. It is Modi who gives justice to the victims of the anti-Sikh riots," the Indian leader addressed the participants in today's rally. "As soon as Modi came to power, a specialized investigation team was formed. Hundreds of cases were reopened. We have punished the leaders of the "Congress" who were moving freely, the Indian leader also said.

Modi also commented on accusations that his government is pitting Hindus against Indian Muslims. In the course of the election campaign, the leader of the "Bharatiya Janata" often uses harsh rhetoric regarding Muslims. He recently accused the INC of not doing enough while in power to prevent the series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai carried out between November 26 and 29, 2008 by terrorists believed to be linked with "Islamic State". Then, within 60 hours, 166 people were killed and at least 200 were injured at various locations in Mumbai.

"They claim that I lead Hindu-Muslim politics. They are the ones who vote for jihad. I am only exposing them with facts", the Indian Prime Minister said today to his sympathizers in Dwarka.

Elections to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament) in Delhi will take place on May 25 in the sixth phase of voting. Although Delhi is one of the eight union territories and has only seven MPs, the fight for these seats is important for the parties as it is how they demonstrate their influence and power in the capital.