Democratic Values At Stake Under Modi's Rule

Instead of making democracy stronger and more efficient to achieve economic progress, people are being made to believe that shunning democracy for majoritarianism is an easier way out.

- Ridhima Malhotra

There is no doubt that our formidable Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a controversial man, especially when it comes to the minorities. When he was announced as the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections, he carried the heavy baggage of communal riots in his state. It was the only substantial obstacle between him and the PMO. When he did indeed become Prime Minister, his charismatic image of a pro-development go-getter and dearth of political competition, apart from remarkable PR tactics, were largely responsible for his victory. The Hindu hardliner image was more or less bypassed and played a less significant role.

His sceptics were hopeful that he would shed his communal image and embrace the role of a true statesman. It was assumed that as PM he would be able to maintain a balance between being a RSS protege and the leader of a secular democracy. After all, there is a lot of difference between governing a state and an entire country full of diversity. Moreover, the Godhra riots had done a lot of damage to his image internationally, with the US denying him visa when he was CM. He appeared to be tired of and ready to shed the anti minority tag.