Muslims in India are facing escalating discrimination and marginalization under the rule of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over the past decade, Modi's government has fueled anti-Muslim sentiments, with the Prime Minister himself delivering speeches that portray Muslims as 'invaders' and accuse them of plotting 'electoral jihad.'
Elections in India, the world's largest democracy, began on April 19th and will extend through June 4th, covering all states. Despite criticism of Modi's increasingly authoritarian methods, the BJP is set to secure a third five-year term. Modi’s recent rhetoric highlights a fear of not reaching a two-thirds majority required to change India's secular constitution.
The BJP’s grip on power since 2014 has seen a significant rise in Islamophobia, with Modi and his party officials often targeting Muslims rhetorically. Moreover, voter turnout has reportedly decreased compared to the last election, and media reports suggest a lack of enthusiasm among voters. The opposition, led by the Indian National Congress and the INDIA alliance, remains fragmented and unlikely to challenge the BJP's dominance effectively.
India's 200 million Muslims have historically not supported the BJP, with only 8% voting for the party in the last general election in 2019. Increasingly, Muslims have been voting en bloc against the BJP in regional elections. Despite the BJP's claims of Hindu victimhood, the representation of Muslims in parliament has dropped from nine percent in the mid-1980s to five percent today.
Incidents of violence against Muslims have risen, including lynchings by Hindu mobs on suspicions of beef trading and exclusion from social and economic spheres such as education and housing. The BJP's narrative of Muslims posing a demographic threat due to their supposed higher fertility rates has further deepened societal divisions.
With nearly 969 million eligible voters, the Indian general elections are a massive democratic exercise, though marred by reports of democratic backsliding. Freedom of the press has been heavily compromised, with opposition journalists targeted, and major media outlets functioning as the BJP's propaganda arms.
Economic inequality remains a critical issue under Modi's rule, with 800 million people dependent on government rations and a staggering unemployment rate among young adults. The BJP has been criticized for failing to address these 'bread and butter' issues, despite its substantial financial resources dwarfing those of other political parties.
The Congress Party recently faced financial obstacles imposed by the government, limiting their campaign capabilities. Party leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal have accused the BJP of using state machinery to suppress opposition, calling the current state of Indian democracy a sham.
As the elections draw to a close, concerns remain that a BJP victory will lead to further entrenchment of Hindu nationalist policies and more repressive measures against minorities. Modi’s campaign tactics have increasingly centered on anti-Muslim rhetoric, suggesting a continued focus on divisive policies even after the elections.
- India’s significant socio-economic disparities continue to be a focus of concern. Under Modi, wealth inequality is at an all-time high, with the richest 1% of citizens holding 40.1% of national wealth.
- The ‘electoral bond scheme,’ introduced in 2017, has been criticized as a major source of opaque election financing benefiting the BJP. Opposition parties argue that this has undermined the democratic process by giving the ruling party an undue advantage.
- Media freedom has drastically deteriorated, with global agencies like Reporters Without Borders highlighting the compromised state of press freedom in India. The term 'Godi Media' has emerged to describe the mainstream media's sycophantic support of Modi's government.
- The BJP has also faced backlash for its failure to deliver on economic promises, leading to discontent even among its traditional voter base. Rising unemployment and economic disenfranchisement have become significant election issues.
- There is increasing international attention on India’s internal political dynamics, with Western allies remaining largely silent on issues of Islamophobia and democratic regression.
