Communal or not? Twitter divided over PM Modi's kabristan-shamshaan comment in UP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lambasted the Akhilesh Yadav-led government by drawing a parallel between Hindu and Muslim festivals, accusing the local administration of discrimination on the basis of religion.

"In a village, if a cemetery can be constructed, so should a cremation ground. If electricity is supplied during Ramzan, so electricity should also be supplied during Diwali as well. There should not be any discrimination on the basis of religion and caste? Prime Minister Modi said, addressing a poll rally in Fatehpur.

The Prime Minister also said the 'exile of development' must end in Uttar Pradesh, while appealing the people to cast their vote for a government which ensures safety in the state.

"'Vikas ka vanvaas' in Uttar Pradesh must end now. The country is moving ahead at fast pace and so must Uttar Pradesh," he said.

"The Samajwadi Party is least concerned about improving law and order situation in the state. I urge people to elect a government that would ensure safety of people," he added.

Continuing his tirade against the ruling party, Prime Minister Modi said the party is inconsiderate towards the law and order situation.

"Why is the policing system so inefficient in UP? Why are complaints not registered? What work culture is it?" he added.

Of course, while some felt it was a communally sensitive statement, others felt there was nothing wrong with asking for equal resources. Here's how Twitter reacted: 

Gaon me kabristan banta hai to shamshaan bhi banna chahiye;Ramzan me bijli ati hai to Diwali me bhi ani chahiye;Bhedbhav nhi hona chahiye-PM pic.twitter.com/tOKd87XYna

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 19, 2017

Things must be going bad for the BJP in UP if @narendramodi, 'vikas purush' of 2014, is back to seeking Hindu votes by trolling Muslims. https://t.co/pqnjphBcyr

— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) February 19, 2017

Hmm. This is not quite 'Vikas' is it ? Seems to me these words proof BJP realises it needs a UP narrative despite Modi own popularity. https://t.co/NtZ8uZbNue

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 19, 2017

How long do I need to be a citizen of a country whose crass PM demands electricity during Diwali?
Suffocating communalism

— FoolishOfficer (@IndiaSpeaksPR) February 19, 2017

The mask falls. Whither "development"? https://t.co/oWdMTqvvCg

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 19, 2017

How did we get to a stage where asking for equal rights for Hindus provokes unprecedented outrage?

— Divya (@divya_16_) February 19, 2017

"Muslims should have the 1st right to our resources" is secular while "Hindus & Muslims should be treated equally" is communal. https://t.co/07KpRaA3Bc

— Prashant Patel Umrao (@ippatel) February 19, 2017

Achcha? I didn't know UP Hindus don't get electricity on Diwali. One learns so much from Modiji's speeches.. https://t.co/QciajL6POb

— rama lakshmi (@RamaNewDelhi) February 19, 2017

I promise to the Youth of UP that I may fail to provide you Job, Education & Heath but I assure you to build Shamshans for you.(2017) pic.twitter.com/sbVaFVDFuc

— History of India (@RealHistoryPic) February 19, 2017

Glad @narendramodi ji brought up selective electrification which has been the modus operandi of Akhilesh govt pic.twitter.com/dr3bp5MpfN

— Neha Srivastava (@neha_aks) February 19, 2017

आप PM है साहब।देश में श्मशान बनाने व किसानों के बिल माफ़ करने से किसी ने रोका है क्या?56इंची व्यक्ति डरपोक रास्ते से देश को गुमराह नही करता

— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) February 19, 2017

Dilwali me bijli aana communal hai. Equality ki baate karna communal hai. Cremation par charcha karna communal hai. Slow claps https://t.co/HPvyIGdWiT

— Rahul Raj (@bhak_sala) February 19, 2017

The actual aim of #DeMonetisation is more kabristans and shamshaans. https://t.co/IsHCSzl8uB

— Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) February 19, 2017

Surreal. We had a PM Manmohan who said "Minorities(Muslims) have first right to resources". And here a call to equitable growth is communal.

— Prasanna Viswanathan (@prasannavishy) February 19, 2017

Community X "must have the first claim on resources." = Secular.
Communities X and Y must be treated equally = Communal. #OnlyInIndia

— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) February 19, 2017

If you talk of men & women having equal rights you're misogynist
If you talk of Hindus & Muslims having equal rights, you're communal#India

— The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) February 19, 2017

If treating all festivals equally & not supporting minority appeasement is communal then we should gladly accept the tag.#CommunalAndProud

— चार लोग (@WoCharLog) February 19, 2017

Anand Ranganathan had an interesting observation on what's considered communal. 

Modi: "Agar Ramzan pe bijli milti hai, toh Diwali pe bhi bijli milni chahiye."

This is considered communal. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/fVid0QGEQx

— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) February 19, 2017

Modi: "Agar Holi pe bijli milti hai, toh Eid pe bhi bijli milni chahiye."

This is not considered communal. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/sVkOYK3sV9

— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) February 19, 2017