Vishva Hindu Mahasangh leader Akhilesh Singh, during a Diwali celebration, urged Hindus to vote for a “Sanatani” pradhan instead of an “Isai-Kasai” pradhan. He falsely alleged that madrassas teach children that Hindus are kafirs and that the Quran instructs they be “burnt alive.” Singh claimed that without a Hindu pradhan, Hindus would not be able to celebrate their festivals. He vilified Muslims, accusing them of assaulting women, fighting with Hindus, and having no religion except the goal of ensuring that “only Muslims exist on earth,” citing Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries as examples. He also spread fear about the growing Muslim population and urged attendees to display saffron flags at their homes, and to wear tilak and saffron scarves to counter Muslims who wear “topis” and keep beards.