Narendra Modi is bolstered by casting India’s Muslims as the foe

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The prime minister’s approval ratings at home are the envy of his counterparts overseas, many of whom want closer ties in spite of his anti-Muslim hate



When Narendra Modi decreed that 200 million flags should fly across the country to mark 75 years of India’s independence from Britain, manufacturers went into overdrive. Old standards that decreed only natural fibres be used were junked but demand could still hardly keep up. Sweating in Delhi’s monsoon heat, Atul Gupta, a roadside flag seller, said: “I’ve never seen anything like it . . . a day’s stock of flags goes in a couple of hours. I can’t keep up with this frenzy.”

As India prepares to celebrate its momentous anniversary, Modi, 71, is revelling in his status as the world’s most popular leader with ratings others can only dream of. Enjoying 75 per cent approval at home, India’s strongman prime minister also flies high overseas, worshipped not only by populist fellow travellers but warmly received in Europe despite his refusal to break with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Once subject to travel bans from the US, Britain and European states for his anti-Muslim hate speech, this spring Modi was bear-hugged in Paris by President Macron, hailed as “super partner” by Chancellor Scholz in Berlin and lauded as khaas dost — or special friend — by a visiting Boris Johnson, all hungry for trade and defence deals to bind India closer and shut out China.

Tough geopolitical realities have done much to blunt western criticism of India’s other great and continuing transformation since Modi came to power eight years ago: from the world’s largest, noisiest and most diverse secular democracy towards a Hindu majoritarian state with Muslims fearful for their status and security.

India’s once proud if sluggish judiciary no longer functions independently. Long the home of Asia’s most vibrant free press, Indian journalists choose between jail for doing their job or functioning as government mouthpieces. In eight years, Modi has not held a single press conference. Parliamentary debates are routinely truncated and laws fast-tracked without scrutiny.



And having winked at or openly supported vigilantism against Indian’s 200 million Muslims, Modi is increasingly resorting to more structural forms of discrimination, including the 2019 Citizenship Amendment which could permanently revoke the citizenship of millions of Muslims. Communal violence once decried as anti-Indian is now cast as justification for collective punishment, as seen in the demolitions of Muslim property in Delhi this spring.

All of this ought to go against the grain of India’s own history. During partition 75 years ago it was Muslims fearful of Hindu majoritarianism who created Pakistan, while those who believed in an all-embracing, secular country remained with India. But over the decades there has been a slow a slow drip feed of Hindu nationalist dogma into the political mainstream, emerging in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before finding a messiah in the shape of Modi, the so-called “Tiger of Gujarat”.

Modi has a 75 per cent approval rating at home while also being popular with leaders overseas
Modi has a 75 per cent approval rating at home while also being popular with leaders overseas
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU/ANADOLU AGENCY /GETTY IMAGES
It was during the 2002 Gujarat pogroms that Modi discovered the political magic in casting Muslims as the enemy. Doing so helped the BJP erase the difference of caste and ethnicity that divided the Hindu electorate, shifting the political centre away from pluralism towards Hindu supremacy.

For the remaining two years of Modi’s tenure, his brand of muscular Hindu majoritarianism will continue to dominate. “The BJP has burnt its bridges with the minorities,” said Zoya Hasan, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. “Hindu consolidation relies on stoking Hindu-Muslim conflict and denigration of minorities. This is unlikely to change without a fundamental change in the ideological structure of the Hindu right. It is not easy to jettison this strategy which has brought them to power.”

The fact that the once unassailable Congress party is in disarray has only helped the BJP maintain its dominance. In his own coalition, Modi encounters little challenge, despite the much-talked about defection this week of Bihar’s chief minister, Nitish Kumar, a long-time Modi sceptic. “He has outsmarted all opponents,” Parsa Venkateshwar Rao, a political analyst, said. “Few can match his shrewdness, ruthlessness or desire to dominate.”

As the 2024 general election approaches, Modi’s personal ascendancy resembles that of the only other two prime ministers who have served longer than him — Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. “He would love to be remembered as the most celebrated prime minister India has ever had,” said Sanjay Kumar, a political scientist at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies.

Modi’s political skills are not limited to demagoguery: witness his choice of Droupadi Murmu for India’s president, only the second woman to serve in the role and the first from one of India’s indigenous tribes. The message of social inclusion steals Congress’s natural ground, countering detractors who decry his divisiveness.

The fact that his ratings have rebounded sky-high after dipping during the pandemic suggests remarkable skill at distracting attention from the bread-and-butter issues of ordinary voters’ lives.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-narendra-modi-became-the-worlds-most-popular-leader-h7rckj7np

This doesn't cast India in a good light as a supposed diverse society. It's a Times article, well respected across the world so please give serious consideration.

 

[Varun]

Modi's 8 year reign doesn't cast India in a good light.

 

[MenInG]

The article and its source is in post#1

If you wish to discuss the contents of it, that's ok

Discussions related to who wrote it and why etc are not relevant.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Modi's 8 year reign doesn't cast India in a good light.

It casts him in a good light to his vote bank, that is the point.

 

[Champ_Pal]

All I read in the article is anti-modi rant. Where did Modi say that 20 Million Muslims are foes?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

All I read in the article is anti-modi rant. Where did Modi say that 20 Million Muslims are foes?

Why would you think that the well respected Times of England hate Modi?

 

[Varun]

It casts him in a good light to his vote bank, that is the point.

Well then the point is 8.5 years too late. Everybody knew this even before he became PM.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Well then the point is 8.5 years too late. Everybody knew this even before he became PM.

It's an article aimed at Brits, maybe the readers aren't as familiar with Indian politics as our PP readers.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

The day Modi treats a minority for whom country is first and then their race/ religion, he will lose that 75% approval rating. As long as he keeps promoting nationalism above religion/ race which most of us wanted for the first 65 years post independence , his approval rating will not go down.

 

[Champ_Pal]

But you are an American, why do you care so much about who is the author of this article? You left India behind remember, so maybe read the article at face value instead of looking for hidden motives which surely don't matter to an American.

My family is still in India and most of my relatives are still there. I am not a practicing Hindu, but nevertheless a Hindu by birth.

 

[Champ_Pal]

The day Modi treats a minority for whom country is first and then their race/ religion, he will lose that 75% approval rating. As long as he keeps promoting nationalism above religion/ race which most of us wanted for the first 65 years post independence , his approval rating will not go down.

Left wants to destroy nationalism. Its happening in US and it has picked up in India too. Anyone who is patriotic is a far right extremist according to them. They want a nationless socialistic utopia.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The day Modi treats a minority for whom country is first and then their race/ religion, he will lose that 75% approval rating. As long as he keeps promoting nationalism above religion/ race which most of us wanted for the first 65 years post independence , his approval rating will not go down.

For the 75% Hinduism = nationalism I take it.

 

[sweep_shot]

Modi is trying hard to be modern day Hitler. Hitler's boogeymen were the Jews while Modi's boogeymen are the Muslims.

India have gone downhill under Modi. I wonder why they keep on voting for him.

 

[MenInG]

I see no discussion in this thread apart from who the writer is.

It doesn't matter.

Read the article
Add opinion about it
Don't worry about who wrote it.

 

[Rajdeep]

All I read in the article is anti-modi rant. Where did Modi say that 20 Million Muslims are foes

The fact that his popularity rating is still scoring high even in his 9th year as PM only shows people of India loves him for everything he does. When Manmohan Singh was in his 9th year, there was huge anti incumbency and people were desperate to see him go. But after every attempt, every punch, every caricature thrown by opposition and overseas mafia, people of India still loves him....so obviously he is doing something right.

I exactly know why this article came out now...just 1 week after MOTN being published where there was emphatic 'Yes' for Modi to remain India's PM in 2024. Remember divider in chief by Times magazine just before 2019 elections.

All I would say, keep voting for Modi. Encourage your village, town or community to block vote for him in 2024. More these people spread fake propaganda...keep supporting him. At the age of 71 he has nothing to lose but once he goes, India will be the loser.

 

[dildilpak]

Modi is trying hard to be modern day Hitler. Hitler's boogeymen were the Jews while Modi's boogeymen are the Muslims.

India have gone downhill under Modi. I wonder why they keep on voting for him.

The reason being they are doing great economically. They are the only South Asian country right now not reeling under debts & their inflation is not out of whack. Mainly bcoz they have kept away from the Chinese debt trap.

The day India’s economy goes into a rut, his days will number too.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Modi is trying hard to be modern day Hitler. Hitler's boogeymen were the Jews while Modi's boogeymen are the Muslims.

India have gone downhill under Modi. I wonder why they keep on voting for him.

Lack of education and unemployment.

 

[Sidilicious]

Lack of education and unemployment.

Nope. If that was the case, then we wouldn’t have a similar situation in the west.

IMHO, there is a simple reason why they keep voting for Modi/BJP. Congress - lack of credible opposition in the centre and an alternative.

In all the states with a strong opposition, Modi keeps losing elections or at least gets a proper challenge. Punjab, Delhi, Orrissa, bengal, Kerala etc. Unfortunately, Congress in its current state is no longer able to put any pressure on the government. We need an alternative. No democracy can survive without a strong opposition. And we haven’t had one for 8 years. Without a strong opposition, the government can do whatever it wants, and so it starts to become autocratic.

We need an alternative soon, or there will be irreparable damage done to the country’s long term future.

 

[Rajdeep]

Nope. If that was the case, then we wouldn’t have a similar situation in the west.

IMHO, there is a simple reason why they keep voting for Modi/BJP. Congress - lack of credible opposition in the centre and an alternative.

In all the states with a strong opposition, Modi keeps losing elections or at least gets a proper challenge. Punjab, Delhi, Orrissa, bengal, Kerala etc. Unfortunately, Congress in its current state is no longer able to put any pressure on the government. We need an alternative. No democracy can survive without a strong opposition. And we haven’t had one for 8 years. Without a strong opposition, the government can do whatever it wants, and so it starts to become autocratic.

We need an alternative soon, or there will be irreparable damage done to the country’s long term future.

That lack of 'credible' opposition is an excuse as well. In last election, Mayawati and Akhilesh came together. There was never a stronger opposition than that in UP's electoral history. Still people voted for BJP. Arvind Kejriwal is a strong opposition right? Yet all 7 seats in Delhi went to BJP.

This denial is the problem. People say lack of education is the reason he wins, some say lack of opposition, some even say EVMs but no one is brave enough to admit that mass majority of people loves him. You simply cant be 2 times CM of Gujarat, win 2 general election in landslide margin and still got 77% of approval rating in 9th year running without love and support of people. Bring any opposition, any coalition in 2024 and yet people would vote for Modi.

The fact that majority of people from our enemy nations desperate for him to go is a testimony itself that he is doing something right for India.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Nope. If that was the case, then we wouldn’t have a similar situation in the west.

IMHO, there is a simple reason why they keep voting for Modi/BJP. Congress - lack of credible opposition in the centre and an alternative.

In all the states with a strong opposition, Modi keeps losing elections or at least gets a proper challenge. Punjab, Delhi, Orrissa, bengal, Kerala etc. Unfortunately, Congress in its current state is no longer able to put any pressure on the government. We need an alternative. No democracy can survive without a strong opposition. And we haven’t had one for 8 years. Without a strong opposition, the government can do whatever it wants, and so it starts to become autocratic.

We need an alternative soon, or there will be irreparable damage done to the country’s long term future.

Can you tell me what's this damage?

Also how will an alternative emerge? The opposition is doing the same thing they were doing and lost. Have the opposition changed its ways?

 

[sweep_shot]

It is remarkable how an uneducated chaiwala keeps on being the leader of India.

I thought Indians value education.

 

[Major]

As a Pakistani, I dont mind Modi. Whatever he is doing, we committed those mistakes in the past. Thus, they are only damage to themselves internally and I dont care.

I dont look at religions, you are what your nationality is. I would hope that BJP continues to win elections and stay in power. Until there is chaos in India, they will do self damage on themselves and Kashmir being solved is more than likely going to happen if either Modi stays in power or some other extremist hindu replaces him.

His govt already committed the mistake of removing the special status and unofficially ending shimla agreement.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

That lack of 'credible' opposition is an excuse as well. In last election, Mayawati and Akhilesh came together. There was never a stronger opposition than that in UP's electoral history. Still people voted for BJP. Arvind Kejriwal is a strong opposition right? Yet all 7 seats in Delhi went to BJP.

This denial is the problem. People say lack of education is the reason he wins, some say lack of opposition, some even say EVMs but no one is brave enough to admit that mass majority of people loves him. You simply cant be 2 times CM of Gujarat, win 2 general election in landslide margin and still got 77% of approval rating in 9th year running without love and support of people. Bring any opposition, any coalition in 2024 and yet people would vote for Modi.

The fact that majority of people from our enemy nations desperate for him to go is a testimony itself that he is doing something right for India.

LMAO infact they want him to continue as a PM of India. India and indians used to be lot more open and broad minded few years ago, he has changed every thing they can't look beyond hindu muslim ** now. Funny thing is this also includes so called educated NRIs. Country is going backward under Modi and this is what enemies of India want.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

As a Pakistani, I dont mind Modi. Whatever he is doing, we committed those mistakes in the past. Thus, they are only damage to themselves internally and I dont care.

I dont look at religions, you are what your nationality is. I would hope that BJP continues to win elections and stay in power. Until there is chaos in India, they will do self damage on themselves and Kashmir being solved is more than likely going to happen if either Modi stays in power or some other extremist hindu replaces him.

His govt already committed the mistake of removing the special status and unofficially ending shimla agreement.

[MENTION=152021]Rajdeep[/MENTION] see this is what I was saying. They want him to be India's PM for obvious reasons. And you can't blame them for that. Our people used to talk a lot about taliban this, taliban that but we now have our own version of taliban and guys like you who are sitting abroad can never realise this.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The reason being they are doing great economically. They are the only South Asian country right now not reeling under debts & their inflation is not out of whack. Mainly bcoz they have kept away from the Chinese debt trap.

The day India’s economy goes into a rut, his days will number too.

Then why not focus on the economy rather than whip up religious foment?

 

[RexRex]

I am less concerned about Modi's religious antics than the damage he is doing to India's neutral institutions. I've been wanting to start a thread cataloging all his abuse of state machinery but keep thinking the mods will probably just delete it or merge it elsewhere.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I am less concerned about Modi's religious antics than the damage he is doing to India's neutral institutions. I've been wanting to start a thread cataloging all his abuse of state machinery but keep thinking the mods will probably just delete it or merge it elsewhere.

Why don't you cite a few examples?

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Can you tell me what's this damage?

Also how will an alternative emerge? The opposition is doing the same thing they were doing and lost. Have the opposition changed its ways?

Would you say unity and social fabric of the country is stronger today than 10 years ago?

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Why don't you cite a few examples?

As someone who isn’t very invested but follows south Asian politics due to interest and background a few things off top of my head:

1. Politicizing justice system and military. Never before had I heard Indian military weighing in on matters but they did on Indian 2019 elections after pulwama. Perhaps one off. More importantly there was blatant quid pro quo where an Indian judge who ruled in favor of the govt was rewarded with a political post after retiring.
2. The political discourse in the country in lead up to elections is almost always entirely communal in nature whether 2019 elections, or recent Bengal and UP elections. 2014 general and 2017 UP were focused on development and economy. So now a situation has been created where economic performance is playing a much smaller role than it should in the election of a government which surely can’t be good.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

As someone who isn’t very invested but follows south Asian politics due to interest and background a few things off top of my head:

1. Politicizing justice system and military. Never before had I heard Indian military weighing in on matters but they did on Indian 2019 elections after pulwama. Perhaps one off. More importantly there was blatant quid pro quo where an Indian judge who ruled in favor of the govt was rewarded with a political post after retiring.
2. The political discourse in the country in lead up to elections is almost always entirely communal in nature whether 2019 elections, or recent Bengal and UP elections. 2014 general and 2017 UP were focused on development and economy. So now a situation has been created where economic performance is playing a much smaller role than it should in the election of a government which surely can’t be good.

Btw this first part I said even without reading article and just as an outside observer. And the article saying same thing

 

[MP2011]

I am less concerned about Modi's religious antics than the damage he is doing to India's neutral institutions. I've been wanting to start a thread cataloging all his abuse of state machinery but keep thinking the mods will probably just delete it or merge it elsewhere.

Damage has already been done. None of our institutions which were painstakingly built by our forefathers are neutral in any shape or form any longer.

All of them are now just vehicles of goverment's bid to silence even a feeble voice of dissent against them.

Never have they ever been so subservient to the government of the day.

 

[MP2011]

As someone who isn’t very invested but follows south Asian politics due to interest and background a few things off top of my head:

1. Politicizing justice system and military. Never before had I heard Indian military weighing in on matters but they did on Indian 2019 elections after pulwama. Perhaps one off. More importantly there was blatant quid pro quo where an Indian judge who ruled in favor of the govt was rewarded with a political post after retiring.
2. The political discourse in the country in lead up to elections is almost always entirely communal in nature whether 2019 elections, or recent Bengal and UP elections. 2014 general and 2017 UP were focused on development and economy. So now a situation has been created where economic performance is playing a much smaller role than it should in the election of a government which surely can’t be good.

1st part is concerned with our ex CJI, Ranjan Gogoi whom being made a RS member by the ruling regime is legendary, even by their own 'exalting' standards.

It was such a great example of quid pro quo at the highest level of governance. How can any of the stooges say with a straight face that this regime is not corrupt?

Another example is ex SC judge Arun Mishra who was made chairman of NHRC after being openly partial towards the regime and it's ring leader.

 

[MP2011]

[MENTION=152021]Rajdeep[/MENTION] see this is what I was saying. They want him to be India's PM for obvious reasons. And you can't blame them for that. Our people used to talk a lot about taliban this, taliban that but we now have our own version of taliban and guys like you who are sitting abroad can never realise this.

Lol, this guy who is lecturing us on who should lead us doesn't even live in India so what he says about us is irrelevant and hence doesn't count.

 

[Rajdeep]

[MENTION=152021]Rajdeep[/MENTION] see this is what I was saying. They want him to be India's PM for obvious reasons. And you can't blame them for that. Our people used to talk a lot about taliban this, taliban that but we now have our own version of taliban and guys like you who are sitting abroad can never realise this.

[MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] belong to a rare group of truely secular people in Pakistan and I respect him for that but majority don't think like him. There is no denying that most people in Pakistan or China dosen't like Modi. That itself is a testimony that he is doing something right, among everything else. The fact that Mani Shankar Iyer had to rush to Pakistan, sit on their TV show (along with Hafeez Saeed) and say "Aap next election me unko (Modi ko) nikale aur hum logo (Congress) ko laaye...rishta thik ho jaayega'. The same congress who wore bangles and ran like cowards after 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Pls stop this drama...they all desperate for him to go and the desperation is seen in every nook and corner. But it really dosen't matter though as people of India will continue to vote for him. I am not sure if he has made India a taliban or not but he surely has put anti nationals, fake liberals, turn coats, minority appeasers and desh drohi's in their rightful place.

Happy Independence day bro.

 

[cricketjoshila]

As someone who isn’t very invested but follows south Asian politics due to interest and background a few things off top of my head:

1. Politicizing justice system and military. Never before had I heard Indian military weighing in on matters but they did on Indian 2019 elections after pulwama. Perhaps one off. More importantly there was blatant quid pro quo where an Indian judge who ruled in favor of the govt was rewarded with a political post after retiring.
2. The political discourse in the country in lead up to elections is almost always entirely communal in nature whether 2019 elections, or recent Bengal and UP elections. 2014 general and 2017 UP were focused on development and economy. So now a situation has been created where economic performance is playing a much smaller role than it should in the election of a government which surely can’t be good.

1. When did the Indian military get involve in the elections? How did they get involve?

2. Which judge was this? What was the judgement? And what was the post?

3. When one side is going full speed to get muslim votes and leaving no stone unturned then the other side will go for the other votes. If one side is going for Yadav votes the other side will go for other major OBCs. Thats one example how election equations are balanced. You need to follow elections in India and read about them.

Indian economy is comparatively doing ok. All major analysts say that India is the fastest growing economy in the world.

 

[Rajdeep]

PM Modi gave a brilliant speech on occassion of Independence day adressing people of India. He touched every progressive and inclusive topics like education, women empowerment, trade & finance, army empowerment, farmers, space mission, digital transaction etc.

It was a non stop 90 minutes speech from Red Fort.

But look at the headline in NDTV

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM Modi Ditches Teleprompter, Uses Paper Notes For Independence Day Speech <a href="https://t.co/IRYvAr0Ecq">https://t.co/IRYvAr0Ecq</a> <a href="https://t.co/9PneAjzuuC">pic.twitter.com/9PneAjzuuC</a></p>— NDTV News feed (@ndtvfeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndtvfeed/status/1559026862134812673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MP2011]

Activists raises questions over PM's 'nari shakti' speech

Women rights activists on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the actual implementation of schemes for women on the ground, after he hailed 'nari shakti' in his Independence Day speech.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 76th Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi urged people to pledge not to do anything that lowers the dignity of women, adding that a mentality to insult them in speeches and behaviour has crept in.

Modi said respect for women is an important pillar for India's growth and stressed the need to extend support to ‘Nari Shakti.'

Activists sought to corral Prime Minister Modi on the implementation of schemes for women on the ground.

Akancha Srivastava, social activist and the founder of Akancha Srivastava Foundation, a non-profit organisation that works towards cyber safety knowledge, said the first and foremost issue is women safety and education.

"Access to education for girls has been very very disproportionate so I would like to see what are those policy changes. If we look at two, three tier towns there are many towns where girls still don't have access to washrooms in schools because of the mindset that girls are not considered to be somebody who would take their education seriously," she told PTI.

She asked where are the practical safety measures which were to be implemented with the Nirbhaya fund.

"I am glad we are speaking about it but till there is no suraksha and shiksha there could be no shakti. Even if there are measures they need to be scaled up 100 times. A little bit of a gap is there in implementation - there are all things in place, policies, funds and a genuine intention but I want to see execution," she said.

All India Progressive Women's Association member Kavita Krishnan said it is always welcome when an elected representative speaks of the need to “change the mentality towards women” in everyday life.

"My concern is that this kind of "advice" ('upadesh') is usually too general, never specific. So it rings hollow because there is silence on Modi's own supporters who auction Muslim women online, on Hindu-supremacist Yati Narsinhanand who has called for the rape of Muslim women and referred to women in BJP as sluts, and on those whom Modi himself follows on Twitter who attack women like me in the vilest language," she said.

Krishnan pointed out that in the last budget, the gender budget decreased from 0.71 per cent of the GDP of the revised estimates for 2021-22 to 0.66 per cent in the budgetary estimates of 2022-2023.

"Modi speaks of Nari Shakti but in the Union Budget 2022-23, the budget allocated for Mission Shakti (Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women) was increased to a mere Rs 3,184 crore from Rs 3,109 crore in 2021-22! The combined budget for Mission Shakti, Mission Samarthya and Mission Vatsalya was below 1 per cent of the total expenditure," she said.

She charged that the prime minister has been silent on BJP state governments which have been stopping women and girls from attending schools and colleges for wearing hijab.

Yogita Bhayana, a women's rights activist who heads ‘People Against Rape in India', said ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' was also spoken about from the ramparts of Red Fort but “we hear about atrocities against women everyday.”

"As a prime minister, it is good that he is giving this message loud and clear but for it to be converted on ground, efforts have to be put in. Policies have to change and utilisation of funds towards women have to be made...in his own party and government he has to give equal opportunities to women," she said.

Message is important, but its implementation is even more important, she stressed.

"I don't see any vision of the Women and Child Development ministry. It has been made so low key. We have to work towards it. NGOs' roles have been cut and the government is not supporting them...to empower women deliberations used to take place a lot earlier even now that have also reduced,” Bhayana said.

https://www.rediff.com/news/report/...ions-over-pms-nari-shakti-speech/20220815.htm

 

[MP2011]

lol, bhakts getting super pleased about a hollow bhashan! These women tell us what do we need to know about this bhashan, that its just a bhashan, to please his gullible bhakts.

All these women are anti national and don't know what they're talking about.

As for WCD ministry, less we say about it, better it is. Its minister, Smriti Irani spends her entire energy and time in attacking Rahul Gandhi and his mother. This is her KRA which has kept her in the cabinet despite being one of the most incompetent ministers ever.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Feku and his jumlebaazi at its best. And lol at har har modi, ghar ghar modi.

 

[daytrader]

Modi seeks to ‘define Indians as Hindus’
The Indian prime minister also departed from convention in important ways

NEW YORK:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on India’s Independence Day this year marked a departure from his predecessors’ addresses in which they traditionally set aside partisan rivalries, and focused on the importance of the country’s founding leader, MK Gandhi, and the nonviolent movement, the Indian democracy, and the need for tolerance and inclusion, according to two Indian-American experts on South Asia.

In a joint article in Foreign Policy, a prestigious American magazine, Dinsha Mistree, a research fellow at the conservative think-tank, Hoover Institution, and Sumit Ganguly, a magazine columnist and a professor of political science at Indiana University Bloomington, said that Modi mostly stuck to this formula, “but this year’s speech signalled how Modi is trying to redefine what it means to be an Indian.”

Noting that the Indian prime minister also departed from convention in important ways, celebrating more than a dozen freedom fighters who had adopted a violent approach to independence.

“These freedom fighters operated independently of Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, undermining Gandhi and nonviolence within India’s independence movement, ” according to the article, headlined: Modi is Rewriting India’s National Narrative.

“By highlighting them in the speech, Modi subtly pushed back against the conventional narrative and Gandhi’s central role in it,” it said.
Secondly, “although Modi touched on inclusion when it comes to geography and gender, he avoided mentioning secularism or religious tolerance,” the experts pointed out.

Instead, according to the article, Modi sought to define Indians as Hindus. “This is our legacy. How can we not be proud of this heritage? We are those people who see Shiva (a Hindu god) in every living being,” he said.

“We are people who see the divine in the plants. We are the people who consider the rivers as mother. We are those people who see Shankar form of in every stone.”

“For India, a country with 280 million non-Hindu citizens that has struggled with religious tensions since its founding, Modi’s religious interjections clearly signal a break from the past,” Mistree and Ganguly wrote.

Finally, Modi used the occasion to launch familiar jabs against the opposition Indian National Congress party while overlooking critical challenges facing the Indian state—including religious intolerance, it was pointed out. “He concluded his speech by slamming people who defend corruption and by condemning nepotism.

But this was coded language that may sound like a threat to some Indian citizens: Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have weaponized charges of corruption and nepotism to go after political opponents and dissidents. Just days after Modi’s speech, his government conducted an anticorruption raid against Manish Sisodia, one of the main leaders of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party.”

Experts Mistree and Ganguly also said, “Modi’s Independence Day speech is emblematic of a larger change taking place under his rule, which has faced criticism for democratic backsliding—moving away from the very constitution that came shortly after its independence. The prime minister and the BJP are working to unshackle India from its liberal and secular moorings, advancing a new national identity that champions Hindu supremacy…

“Modi’s BJP government is also undercutting India’s institutions in unprecedented ways. It has made a mockery of India’s rich tradition of civil liberties by charging activists and dissidents with crimes under colonial-era laws. One egregious example is the case of left-wing activists detained under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for alleged links to Maoist groups and allegedly fomenting riots.

One of the accused, lifelong Jesuit activist Rev. Stan Swamy, died in custody last year. Furthermore, Modi and the BJP have co-opted much of the media and important private sector actors. Journalists have faced intimidation and harassment; prominent nongovernmental organizations have been cut off from foreign funding while others can receive overseas money only into accounts with a government-owned bank.

“Unfortunately, the most important lessons from the independence movement seem to be lost on India’s contemporary leaders, as shown by their approach to religious pluralism and democratic institutions. Although India’s leading revolutionaries were committed to nonviolence, tensions between Hindus and Muslims marred the independence movement.

These tensions pulled the British Raj apart, and two new countries emerged in its place: India and Pakistan. This week also marks the anniversary of the Partition of India, which triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters as Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs were forced to flee in different directions across the new border. A few months later, India and Pakistan went to war over the status of Jammu and Kashmir—a disagreement that still plagues the subcontinent.

The article added, “The contrast with then-Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s epic ‘A Tryst With Destiny’ speech, delivered on Aug. 14, 1947, couldn’t be starker. Nehru said he sought to “bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic, and progressive nation.” Most poignantly, he highlighted that India’s religious pluralism was integral to the newly founded country: “All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of India, with equal rights, privileges, and obligations.”

“India’s Independence Day has traditionally provided an opportunity to reflect on the horrors of colonialism and the dangers of religious discord while also celebrating the vibrance of the country’s democracy. Modi’s speech this week reflects the departure that India’s contemporary leaders have made from these foundational values.”

Express Tribune

 

[Romali_rotti]

Modi seeks to ‘define Indians as Hindus’
The Indian prime minister also departed from convention in important ways

NEW YORK:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on India’s Independence Day this year marked a departure from his predecessors’ addresses in which they traditionally set aside partisan rivalries, and focused on the importance of the country’s founding leader, MK Gandhi, and the nonviolent movement, the Indian democracy, and the need for tolerance and inclusion, according to two Indian-American experts on South Asia.

In a joint article in Foreign Policy, a prestigious American magazine, Dinsha Mistree, a research fellow at the conservative think-tank, Hoover Institution, and Sumit Ganguly, a magazine columnist and a professor of political science at Indiana University Bloomington, said that Modi mostly stuck to this formula, “but this year’s speech signalled how Modi is trying to redefine what it means to be an Indian.”

Noting that the Indian prime minister also departed from convention in important ways, celebrating more than a dozen freedom fighters who had adopted a violent approach to independence.

“These freedom fighters operated independently of Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, undermining Gandhi and nonviolence within India’s independence movement, ” according to the article, headlined: Modi is Rewriting India’s National Narrative.

“By highlighting them in the speech, Modi subtly pushed back against the conventional narrative and Gandhi’s central role in it,” it said.
Secondly, “although Modi touched on inclusion when it comes to geography and gender, he avoided mentioning secularism or religious tolerance,” the experts pointed out.

Instead, according to the article, Modi sought to define Indians as Hindus. “This is our legacy. How can we not be proud of this heritage? We are those people who see Shiva (a Hindu god) in every living being,” he said.

“We are people who see the divine in the plants. We are the people who consider the rivers as mother. We are those people who see Shankar form of in every stone.”

“For India, a country with 280 million non-Hindu citizens that has struggled with religious tensions since its founding, Modi’s religious interjections clearly signal a break from the past,” Mistree and Ganguly wrote.

Finally, Modi used the occasion to launch familiar jabs against the opposition Indian National Congress party while overlooking critical challenges facing the Indian state—including religious intolerance, it was pointed out. “He concluded his speech by slamming people who defend corruption and by condemning nepotism.

But this was coded language that may sound like a threat to some Indian citizens: Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have weaponized charges of corruption and nepotism to go after political opponents and dissidents. Just days after Modi’s speech, his government conducted an anticorruption raid against Manish Sisodia, one of the main leaders of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party.”

Experts Mistree and Ganguly also said, “Modi’s Independence Day speech is emblematic of a larger change taking place under his rule, which has faced criticism for democratic backsliding—moving away from the very constitution that came shortly after its independence. The prime minister and the BJP are working to unshackle India from its liberal and secular moorings, advancing a new national identity that champions Hindu supremacy…

“Modi’s BJP government is also undercutting India’s institutions in unprecedented ways. It has made a mockery of India’s rich tradition of civil liberties by charging activists and dissidents with crimes under colonial-era laws. One egregious example is the case of left-wing activists detained under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for alleged links to Maoist groups and allegedly fomenting riots.

One of the accused, lifelong Jesuit activist Rev. Stan Swamy, died in custody last year. Furthermore, Modi and the BJP have co-opted much of the media and important private sector actors. Journalists have faced intimidation and harassment; prominent nongovernmental organizations have been cut off from foreign funding while others can receive overseas money only into accounts with a government-owned bank.

“Unfortunately, the most important lessons from the independence movement seem to be lost on India’s contemporary leaders, as shown by their approach to religious pluralism and democratic institutions. Although India’s leading revolutionaries were committed to nonviolence, tensions between Hindus and Muslims marred the independence movement.

These tensions pulled the British Raj apart, and two new countries emerged in its place: India and Pakistan. This week also marks the anniversary of the Partition of India, which triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters as Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs were forced to flee in different directions across the new border. A few months later, India and Pakistan went to war over the status of Jammu and Kashmir—a disagreement that still plagues the subcontinent.

The article added, “The contrast with then-Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s epic ‘A Tryst With Destiny’ speech, delivered on Aug. 14, 1947, couldn’t be starker. Nehru said he sought to “bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic, and progressive nation.” Most poignantly, he highlighted that India’s religious pluralism was integral to the newly founded country: “All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of India, with equal rights, privileges, and obligations.”

“India’s Independence Day has traditionally provided an opportunity to reflect on the horrors of colonialism and the dangers of religious discord while also celebrating the vibrance of the country’s democracy. Modi’s speech this week reflects the departure that India’s contemporary leaders have made from these foundational values.”

Express Tribune

You forgot to add the link, from the Pakistani website for the above article;

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2372479/modi-seeks-to-define-indians-as-hindus

 

[Romali_rotti]

The problem is the lack of credible opposition, when you have someone like Ammayi Sonya and her mentally handicapped child Raul Puppu, BJP's vote bank keeps getting bigger by the day.

It is dangerous to have 1 party have no pressure whatsoever from the opposition....

Ideally you want Ammayi Sonya, Raul Puppu and Fraud Vadra to all be dead, and have Shashi Tharoor takes over as Congress party leader, then things will change.

 

[Zaz]

What a ruler, doesnt give interviews so cant be grilled on his policies, doesnt speak up when minorities are targeted by his party members and cant talk without notes or prompts

 

[Sidilicious]

The problem is the lack of credible opposition, when you have someone like Ammayi Sonya and her mentally handicapped child Raul Puppu, BJP's vote bank keeps getting bigger by the day.

It is dangerous to have 1 party have no pressure whatsoever from the opposition....

Ideally you want Ammayi Sonya, Raul Puppu and Fraud Vadra to all be dead, and have Shashi Tharoor takes over as Congress party leader, then things will change.

Don’t agree with you on politics much, but this I do. I will always blame the Congress for being a weak opposition. No democracy can survive without a strong opposition

 

[Saj]

The worrying thing is that even moderate Indians are being brainwashed.

Some people I have known for years and were sensible with their political outlook are now anti-Muslim and blaming Muslims for all that is wrong in India.

 

[cricketjoshila]

That foreign policy magazine article is such a dubious job.

All the countrymen are deeply indebted to Pujya Bapu, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar, who devoted all their life on the path of duty towards the nation.The path of obligation has been their sole life path. This country is grateful to Mangal Pandey, Tatya Tope, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil and countless such revolutionaries of ours who shook the foundations of British rule. This nation is grateful to those brave women, be it Rani Lakshmibai, Jhalkari Bai, Durga Bhabhi, Rani Gaidinliu, Rani Chennamma, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Velu Nachiyar, who showed the mettle of women power of India. What is the resolve of India's ‘Nari Shakti’? Every Indian is filled with pride while remembering the countless brave women who achieved the pinnacle of sacrifice.

Today is an opportunity to pay homage to countless such great men like Dr. Rajendra Prasad ji, Nehru ji, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Deendayal Upadhyay, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Nanaji Deshmukh, Subramania Bharati who fought the war of independence and built the country after independence.

When we talk about the freedom struggle, we cannot forget to acknowledge our tribal society living in forests. There are countless names like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidhu-Kanhu, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Govind Guru, who became the voice of freedom movement and inspired my tribal brothers and sisters, mothers and youth in the remotest jungles to live and die for the motherland.

Why should the contributions of these great men not be celebrated? Congress has always tried to take all the credit for independence. Seems the authors were hurt Modi didn't mention Nehru a 100 times?

Now another part,

Modi said "Hum Kankar mein bhi Shankar dekhte hai" Jeev mein bhi Shiv dekhte hai". These are two hindi rhyming proverbs regards to how Indian culture is compassionate towards all. But the writer tries to portray it into some kind of anti muslim statement.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1851995

This is the speech you can scroll down to change it into English.

 

[uppercut]

Country is going backward under Modi and this is what enemies of India want.

Considering that Imran Khan is a strong vocal critic of Modi does that then mean that he is a friend/well-wisher of India in your opinion ?

 

[rhony]

The worrying thing is that even moderate Indians are being brainwashed.

Some people I have known for years and were sensible with their political outlook are now anti-Muslim and blaming Muslims for all that is wrong in India.

The Hindu Muslim rhetoric is for winning the elections. That's how they came to power in the 90s. I think there are deeper reasons

India is an ambitious country. It's not the country of the 60s and 70s where a couple of meals, roof over your head meant that you made it. The advent of internet empowered a lot of them, especially the middle class. The reservations for the lower castes in education, politics dragged millions out of poverty.

Hundreds of millions of youth are going to enter into work force in the next decade. If they don't get jobs, there will be anarchy. There are not enough govt jobs with their useless hierarchies just to provide gainful employment anymore. Private investment, jobs and investments in infrastructure, healthcare and education are the only possible solution.

India has been making strides in the last 8 years into these sectors. Before Modi there was a nincompoop PM Manmohan who was a puppet of the Gandhis running a coalition government of bandits. People are done with weak leadership, dynasties and financial scams. They want an imposing leader that can drag the country even if some of the characteristics of democracy are compromised. They want a leader to have a resolve like the chinese do. The communists and their backers in India will keep fighting it (ironic considering they are funded by China), the non Hindu religious zealots will keep playing victim. However, Modi and his 40 percent of Indian voters will decide the path of India. Will it work? No one knows. Is there another choice? Hell No!!

 

[cricketjoshila]

The worrying thing is that even moderate Indians are being brainwashed.

Some people I have known for years and were sensible with their political outlook are now anti-Muslim and blaming Muslims for all that is wrong in India.

For decades the political parties have worked to whitewash everything wrong that comes from the muslim community while highlighting the wrongs of Hindus.

Let me give one example,

I can post many statements that ridicule Hinduism and hindus. The political parties let that happen calling it freedom of speech.

The moment something was said against Islam, the political parties will rush to punish that person.

Now IPC 295A applies to insult of all religions but selectively Hinduism was allowed to be ridiculed.

Even today, not one muslim politician has come out to condemn the sar tan se juda slogans of muslims yet they will be out to condemn Modi or Yogi.

Another example,

There are small areas of muslim majority in Jharkhand and Bihar. Two states of India. Muslims there forced the govt schools to declare friday as holiday instead of the universal Sunday holiday followed in rest of India.

Earlier this would hide because left leaning media was partisan. Now social media makes sure these are out in the open.

 

[cricketjoshila]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Boycott Vs Bollywood: Is 'Boycott Bollywood' trend on social media ethical?<br>Watch India Today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DemocraticNewsroom?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DemocraticNewsroom</a>, as our panel of journalists discuss the issue. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bollywood?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bollywood</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/sardesairajdeep?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sardesairajdeep</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ShivAroor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShivAroor</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/nabilajamal_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nabilajamal_</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Chaiti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chaiti</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/gauravcsawant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gauravcsawant</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PreetiChoudhry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PreetiChoudhry</a> <a href="https://t.co/JDZRxf2Z7Z">pic.twitter.com/JDZRxf2Z7Z</a></p>— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaToday/status/1563061363739889666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In continuation of my post above. This tweet shows a discussion on a news channel regarding boycott calls of Bollywood movies for insulting hindus and Hinduism.

All the presenters are defending bollywood for making fun of Hinduism, calling it creative freedom and FoE. They are calling the boycott calls as Talibani.

These same people ask for arrest of T.Raja Singh for making remarks on the prophet(PBUH). Then it is hate speech and muslims are being targeted etc.


This bias is what Modi is dismantling and this is what some people are not liking.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Boycott Vs Bollywood: Is 'Boycott Bollywood' trend on social media ethical?<br>Watch India Today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DemocraticNewsroom?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DemocraticNewsroom</a>, as our panel of journalists discuss the issue. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bollywood?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bollywood</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/sardesairajdeep?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sardesairajdeep</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ShivAroor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShivAroor</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/nabilajamal_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nabilajamal_</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Chaiti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chaiti</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/gauravcsawant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gauravcsawant</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/PreetiChoudhry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PreetiChoudhry</a> <a href="https://t.co/JDZRxf2Z7Z">pic.twitter.com/JDZRxf2Z7Z</a></p>— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaToday/status/1563061363739889666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In continuation of my post above. This tweet shows a discussion on a news channel regarding boycott calls of Bollywood movies for insulting hindus and Hinduism.

All the presenters are defending bollywood for making fun of Hinduism, calling it creative freedom and FoE. They are calling the boycott calls as Talibani.

These same people ask for arrest of T.Raja Singh for making remarks on the prophet(PBUH). Then it is hate speech and muslims are being targeted etc.


This bias is what Modi is dismantling and this is what some people are not liking.

That’s wrong in the video tho. Saying most Muslims are shown as nice guys and heroes. Truth is in Bollywood most are shown as terrorists

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood last month atop India’s nearly completed new Parliament building, built to mark the country’s 75 years of independence, and pulled a lever. A sprawling red curtain fell back to reveal the structure’s crowning statue. Many across India gasped.

The 21-foot-tall bronze figure — four lions seated with their backs to one another, facing outward — is of India’s revered national symbol. The beasts are normally depicted as regal and restrained, but these looked different: Their fangs bared, they seemed angry, aggressive.

To Mr. Modi’s critics, the refashioned image atop the Parliament building— a project that was rammed through without debate or public consultation — reflects the snarling “New India” he is creating.

In his eight years in power, Mr. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party government has profaned Indian democracy, espousing an intolerant Hindu supremacist majoritarianism over the ideals of secularism, pluralism, religious tolerance and equal citizenship upon which the country was founded after gaining independence on Aug. 15, 1947.

Drawing comparisons to Nazi Germany, the regime uses co-opted government machinery, disinformation and intimidation by partisan mobs to silence critics while dehumanizing the large Muslim minority, fanning social division and violence. Civil liberties are systematically violated.

India, the world’s largest democracy, is where the global battle between liberalism and tyranny is being lost. Yet Western democracies like the United States refuse to call out Mr. Modi, instead courting him to maintain access to India’s huge market and for the nation’s utility as a strategic bulwark against China.

Last year Sweden’s V-Dem Institute downgraded India to an “electoral autocracy,” and the Washington-based Freedom House lowered it to “partly free.” The demotion of India, with its 1.3 billion people, tipped the global balance of freedom firmly in favor of tyranny, Freedom House said, with less than 20 percent of the world’s population now living in “free” countries.

Though India’s descent toward tyranny has accelerated under Mr. Modi, it would be unfair to put all the blame on him. Weak government institutions and social inequality — problems that have festered since India’s early years — have sapped its democracy and provided fertile ground for the politics of Hindu supremacy to take root.

Despite widespread poverty, illiteracy and extreme ethnic, religious and social diversity, India has blazed a trail since independence as what has been called an improbable democracy. It adopted a progressive Constitution but also retained highly centralized British colonial administrative structures that give elected state and national executives nearly unfettered control over institutions such as the police and other law enforcement agencies. Combined with draconian security and sedition laws, this allows elected state and national leaders to curb dissent with impunity.

Mr. Modi’s party has turbocharged these tools of repression, but it’s hardly the first to weaponize them.

I grew up in West Bengal. After independence, the state was led by the Congress Party, which freely deployed goons and the police to stifle opposition. It was followed by the Communist Party, which held power for 34 years and thoroughly emasculated state institutions. West Bengal is now ruled by a party whose leader projects herself as a national alternative to Mr. Modi’s authoritarianism but has likewise been accused of relying on brute force, cronies and a cult of personality. Such despotic trends have long been widespread at the state level. Mr. Modi himself ruled the western state of Gujarat with an iron hand for nearly 13 years and was accused of encouraging anti-Muslim rioting in 2002.

Arbitrary power is entrenched in the reality that most political parties are personality-centered and dynastic, and India is the rare democracy where political parties are not themselves democratic and do not conduct internal elections.

Money — and often criminal links — has become paramount in politics. Legislators are bought and sold. Many are ill equipped for lawmaking, instead rubber-stamping the policies of a top executive who is often beholden to special interests that are far removed from the people, like agricultural laws that stirred farmer protests until they were repealed last year.

But a deeper and much older hindrance to the development of a healthy, resilient democracy has been India’s historical failure to ensure the welfare of its poorest citizens. Hundreds of thousands of children die each year from hunger, and more than a third are stunted even as Indian billionaires race up the global wealth charts.

Neoliberal policies have compounded inequality, with the state retreating from fundamental responsibilities such as health and education. This breeds a life of indignity and powerlessness for millions who take refuge in group identity, gravitate toward strong leaders promising to defend them against other groups and easily become hooked on the mass opioid of religious hatred now being used to redefine secular India as a Hindu state.

Parliament’s composition already reflects this majoritarianism. At 200 million, India’s Muslim population is the third largest in the world, after Indonesia’s and Pakistan’s, accounting for about 15 percent of Indians. (Hindus make up around 80 percent.) But Muslims hold just 5 percent of Parliament seats. The B.J.P. is the first governing party in India’s 75-year history without a single Muslim member of Parliament.

Laws and rights are applied unevenly. Muslims can now be arrested for praying in public, while Hindu pilgrims are congratulated by state officials. The state celebrates the Hindu religion, while protests are orchestrated against Muslim customs like the wearing of the hijab and the call to prayer. Hindu vigilante groups attack Muslims and their businesses.

A high-ranking B.J.P. leader called Muslim refugees from Bangladesh “termites” eating away the country’s resources. Emboldened by state support, Hindu extremists now openly threaten the genocide and rape of Muslims, while the government arrests journalists who call out acts of hate. On Aug. 15, Independence Day, the government released 11 convicts serving life sentences for gang-raping a Muslim woman and murdering 14 members of her family during the 2002 Gujarat pogrom that occurred on Modi's watch.

Weakened institutions can do little to push back. The inefficient court system — there is a backlog of some 40 million pending cases — breeds popular disdain for the rule of law. Once known for its activism and independence, the higher judiciary now mostly works in lock step with the government, and Supreme Court judges fawn over Mr. Modi. India’s press, which once played a key role in protecting democracy, is pressured to serve his regime.

At 75, after decades of institutional abuse, India’s democracy is too frail to withstand a strongman taking a sledgehammer to its weak foundations. Mr. Modi calls the Parliament building a “temple of democracy.” But the institution’s new premises in New Delhi are instead a monument to the demi-democracy he is building — a hollowed-out facade that exists to legitimize authoritarian rule.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/24/opinion/india-modi-democracy.html

 

[cricketjoshila]

That’s wrong in the video tho. Saying most Muslims are shown as nice guys and heroes. Truth is in Bollywood most are shown as terrorists

No. Its right. Unless the movie is about some terrorist or terrorism or something muslims are usually shown as good pious guys. Even dons are white washed.

 

[PakLFC]

With the elections coming up India will again play the Muslim and Pakistan card. Happens every time.

 

[PakLFC]

No. Its right. Unless the movie is about some terrorist or terrorism or something muslims are usually shown as good pious guys. Even dons are white washed.

In the old days there as always a Rahim chacha to lecture everyone on human values. Then the likes of Amitabh were cast as Muslim or half Muslim's in films like "Coolie", "Andha Kanoon" and "Muqaddar ka Sikander". After 9/11 it became fashionable to paint Muslims as terrorists yet many Hindu's still believe leftist Bollywood paints them as the villains. Having left Bollywood years back I don't know what the situation is these days.