Controversy Surrounds India's Election Campaign as Islamophobia Takes Center Stage

Critics and observers are pointing out that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using more Islamophobic language in his election campaign. As he aims for a third consecutive term leading the world's most populous nation, this shift in his rhetoric has raised concerns.

According to reports, the voter turnout in the current polls is slightly lower than it was five years ago. Despite this, Modi, who is considered a popular leader and the frontrunner in the election, has been engaging in negative campaigning without facing much opposition from civil society or election authorities.

Critics say there has been a noticeable change in the language used by followers of Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) towards the country's 200 million Muslims. Previously, inflammatory language was mainly attributed to top figures within the party, rather than Modi himself.

However, in this election, there has been a shift in this pattern. According to Milan Vaishnav, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the unique aspect now is that these controversial statements are coming directly from the Prime Minister, instead of being spoken by other party members like the Home Minister or chief minister.

Video Ad Feedback

Popular but polarizing: Hear what Indians say about Modi

04:20

• Source:

CNN

Many Indian Muslims are feeling anxious due to the change in tone. Political researcher and columnist Asim Ali mentioned that Modi and the BJP have shifted from making subtle references to the community to directly portraying Muslims as a threat to Hindus. This anti-Muslim rhetoric, coming from the prime minister himself, is seen as dangerous by many.

Modi and his BJP have claimed they treat all groups equally, without discrimination. However, many analysts and observers have pointed out that during the ongoing six-week election campaign, Modi has given speeches that specifically target Muslims and portray them in a negative way.

Voters queue at a polling station in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India, on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Prakash Singh/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Related article

India police are investigating a campaign video targeting Muslims amid accusations against Modi's party for using divisive election tactics. Modi has been criticized for labeling Muslims as "infiltrators" with "large families" and accusing the main opposition party, Indian National Congress, without proof, of planning to redistribute the country's wealth to Muslims. He has also warned women that the opposition would take their gold and give it to Muslims, accused Congress of selecting cricket team players based on religion, and alleged that the party is plotting to engage in "vote jihad" by uniting a specific community against him.

The BJP did not provide a response when asked about the language used by party leaders in this campaign. BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill had mentioned to CNN that the party does not discriminate against Muslims and that they have seen positive outcomes under Modi's leadership.

According to Irfan Nooruddin, a professor of Indian politics at Georgetown University, the language used in the campaign has become more explicitly divisive and focused on religious differences.

These views are central within the BJP but are often hidden to avoid criticism. Without media or civil society opposition, the BJP feels free to reveal these beliefs.

To gain a majority in parliament, particularly a super-majority for constitutional changes, the BJP focuses on uniting the Hindu vote and blocking economic appeals from the opposition, according to Nooruddin.

Signs of anxiety?

The prime minister has set an ambitious target for his alliance to win 400 seats in the country’s Lok Sabha, or lower house of Parliament, in this election.

Under his leadership, many people in the country believe that their lives have improved significantly thanks to his extensive welfare and development programs. Analysts predicted that his party would win the elections with a landslide victory.

Since April 19, millions of voters have been heading to the polling booths to participate in the elections. However, the voter turnout in the six phases conducted so far has slightly decreased from the previous record highs in 2019, causing some concern among BJP leaders and analysts.

The popular opposition leader and staunch Modi critic, Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, was recently released from prison after being temporarily arrested on corruption charges. His allies believe that the case against him was politically motivated. His release has energized the opposition, bringing them together to give a strong challenge to Modi and his BJP.

According to political researcher Ali, the upcoming election is becoming more competitive. He suggests that the ruling party might be using more aggressive language in key seats to secure their position. While the BJP is considered the favorite, they are aiming high and using rhetoric that resonates with their supporters.

Many people claim that the prime minister is indirectly supporting sectarianism to strengthen his Hindu-nationalist image, while avoiding addressing issues like high youth unemployment (nearly 50% among 20- to 24-year-olds) and the significant wealth gap in the country, which a recent study found to be even more unequal than during British rule.

Applicants standing in queue for an Indian Army job exam in Pataliputra, India, on April 23, 2024.

Santosh Kumar/Hindustan Times/Getty Images

According to Nooruddin from Georgetown University, the BJP's performance in terms of economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation is not strong. These are crucial issues in election campaigns, and the opposition has been highlighting them. Therefore, the BJP's focus on communal rhetoric may be an attempt to shift the election discourse to its advantage.

Independent journalist Alishan Jafri, who is Muslim, highlighted that poverty and unemployment impact both Muslims and poor Hindus alike on a daily basis. He mentioned that around 800 million people rely on government-provided rations, illustrating the widespread impact of these challenges.

It is concerning to spread fear among Hindus by suggesting that Muslims will take away their rights, leading to division along religious lines. The lack of pushback from mainstream media indicates either compromise or support for this harmful narrative.

Maintaining a positive global reputation is important for building trust and fostering cooperation among diverse communities.

Modi's government aims to position India as a prominent player on the global stage. His busy schedule last year included official visits to Australia and the United States, highlighting his role as a leader who is solidifying India's status as a modern and influential nation.

India surpassed China last year to become the world's most populous country, and the year before, it overtook former colonial power Britain to become the world's fifth-largest economy. According to Vaishnav, the Western leaders' relatively subdued reactions to Modi's controversial rhetoric should be understood in the context of how they see India as a counterbalance to a more assertive China.

At home, experts suggest that due to his strong hold on authority, he can freely make such remarks without facing much opposition from civil society.

According to Nooruddin, "The Election Commission lacks authority and any power it once had has been diminished by alterations in the appointment process of commissioners, shifting more control to the Prime Minister’s Office."

Voters queue at a polling station during the first phase of voting for national elections in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India, on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Prakash Singh/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Muslim leaders and opposition politicians are upset by Modi's speech on April 21 regarding "infiltrators." They are calling for election authorities to look into the matter. BJP party spokespeople clarified that Modi was referring to undocumented migrants in his speech.

The election commission has requested a reply from the BJP regarding the accusations. However, opposition parties and critics argue that the reply provided is not sufficiently robust.

Internationally, surveys conducted by independent organizations indicate that India's reputation is diminishing in certain parts of the world. Additionally, there is some disapproval regarding the government's Hindu nationalist goals.

Nooruddin expressed concern that the anti-Muslim rhetoric used during the campaign will harm India's image on the global stage when it should be rising in prominence. Jafri, the journalist, sees the negative effects of this rhetoric clearly.

He mentioned that no one enjoys enduring continuous abuse, bullying, betrayal, and isolation. Some individuals feel targeted and embarrassed, while many have grown skeptical and no longer anticipate positive outcomes from the current regime and its followers.

Editor's P/S:

The recent shift in Prime Minister Modi's rhetoric towards a more Islamophobic tone is deeply concerning. As a leader of the world's most populous nation, his words