RIGHTWING HERO: Modi’s Saffron Wave Continues Unabated

In Narendra Modi’s saffron juggernaut, which continues with promises of more development and economic wellness, there is most likely going to be a further rise of Hindutava and Hindu fanaticism. And that could be a chilling wave for minorities like Dalits and Muslims and those lowest of low under dreadful caste system in India. Modi’s test will be – can he tame the fanatics and create a more progressive and fair for all India or will he be tempted to go with the divisive agenda of polarization (that has been his winning formula to date) and even further escalation of military action against neighbour Pakistan? The next 5 years will certainly reshape India further in Modi’s saffron agenda but only time will tell if it will unite India or divide India.

By Promod Puri & R. Paul Dhillon

A juggernaut of all the resources and forces, while crushing the opposition, pulled the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under prime minister Narendra Modi’s command to another massive victory in the just concluded India election on Thursday.

Modi’s NDA Alliance has won at least 5 more seats than 2014 with BJP alone winning over 290 seats for a clear majority by a single party, giving Modi unlimited power as he doesn’t need any of his alliance partners to prop up his government

It was an army of hard-core members of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), disciplined media management (some accused Modi’s party of buying the media), unlimited funds, absolute and effective use of social media, plus the disunited Left and Centre opposition all contributed to Modi and his party’s big win and allowing them to rule for another five years the largest but blighted democracy in the world.

In Modi’s saffron juggernaut, which continues with promises of more development and economic wellness, there is most likely going to be a further rise of Hindutava and Hindu fanaticism. And that could be a chilling wave for minorities like Dalits and Muslims and those lowest of low under dreadful caste system in India.

Modi’s test will be – can he tame the fanatics and create a more progressive and fair for all India or will he be tempted to go with the divisive agenda of polarization (that has been his winning formula to date) and even further escalation of military action against neighbour Pakistan?

Hopefully, Modi will grow up from a shrewd politician to a true statesman and will govern the diverse nature of the country’s population in a meaningful and progressive way and not be as divisive as he has been, especially as has been the case with his Hindutava brigades targeting minorities like Muslims and Christians.

The next 5 years will certainly reshape India further in Modi’s saffron agenda but only time will tell if it will unite India or divide India.