The High Cost of Modi’s Cult of Personality

There is no denying that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become synonymous with India in recent years. His charismatic personality, strong leadership, and vision for a modern India have won him a massive following not just in India, but around the world. However, this cult of personality has come at a cost, and many argue that it has severely undermined the country’s democracy.

Modi’s rise to power in 2014 was a watershed moment in Indian politics. He promised to transform India into a global superpower, clean up corruption, and create millions of new jobs. He was seen as a breath of fresh air in a country that had grown weary of the entrenched corruption and inefficiency of the old political elite.

However, as Modi consolidated his grip on power, many began to worry that he was becoming increasingly authoritarian. He has been accused of suppressing dissent, intimidating the media, and undermining the independence of institutions like the judiciary and the central bank. One of the most worrying aspects of Modi’s rule has been his government’s treatment of minorities, particularly Muslims. There have been numerous reports of mob violence against Muslims, as well as attacks on their businesses and places of worship. Modi’s government has also been accused of enacting laws that discriminate against Muslims, such as the Citizenship Amendment Act, which grants citizenship to immigrants from certain religions but not to Muslims. All of this has led to a growing sense that India’s democracy is in danger. Modi’s supporters argue that he has simply been decisive in taking action against corruption and other problems, but his detractors believe that he is using his power to undermine the very institutions that are meant to protect the rights of citizens. The danger of this trend cannot be overstated. India is the world’s largest democracy, and its success has been a beacon of hope for people all over the world. If India’s democracy is undermined, it could have serious implications not just for the country, but for the entire world.

So what can be done to prevent this? The first step is to acknowledge that there is a problem. Many of Modi’s supporters refuse to acknowledge that there are any issues with his rule, and this denialism is a major obstacle to progress. Once the problem is acknowledged, there needs to be a concerted effort to protect the institutions that underpin India’s democracy. This means ensuring that the judiciary, the media, and other institutions are free from political interference and that they are able to carry out their duties without fear of retribution. It also means holding Modi and his government accountable for their actions. This requires a free and independent media that is able to report on government actions without fear of reprisal, as well as a strong and independent judiciary that is able to hold the government to account when it oversteps its bounds.