Raja Nasir Ali
On June 9th of this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in for an unprecedented third term, a surprising turn of events considering the noticeable decrease in overall seats for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) compared to the 2019 elections. While the BJP won 240 seats, falling short of the 272 needed for a majority, Modi was elected as the leader of the NDA alliance, which secured 293 seats in the 543-seat lower house of parliament. This outcome dealt a significant blow to the Indian opposition alliance and Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, as their alliance managed to secure just over 230 seats, lacking the numbers required to form a government.
Following his re-election, Modi announced his coalition government on June 10, with 11 positions allocated to coalition allies, predominantly BJP loyalists. This allocation of positions signals a clear intent to continue with the current policies, providing a sense of continuity in the political landscape.
Modi’s election victory has sparked concerns about minority rights, particularly regarding the Muslim community, with criticisms of the government’s approach toward minorities and associations made to increased societal tensions under the BJP’s leadership. Hindu extremist groups have continued to promote religious and ethnic chauvinism, raising concerns about the treatment of religious minorities, especially Muslims, under the Modi-led government. The BJP’s victory in the 2014 and 2019 general elections was driven by anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan rhetoric, a trend that continued during the 2024 election campaign.
Moreover, the government’s actions, including amendments to the rules for selecting members of the Election Commission and the arrest of opposition figures, have sparked significant controversy and allegations of bias. These controversies and allegations are important for the audience to be aware of, as they shape the political landscape in India.
The Modi-led government’s handling of citizenship rights and discriminatory legislation, such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), has raised concerns about religious discrimination and the erosion of secular values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The intensified crackdown in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, along with the revocation of special status and the implementation of strict security measures, has drawn international criticism.
The world has reacted with a mix of interest, concern, and support to Narendra Modi’s third-term victory in the Indian elections. Some countries and leaders have offered congratulations to Modi on his re-election, acknowledging India’s status as the world’s largest democracy. However, there has been international scrutiny and criticism regarding the state of democracy and secularism in India, especially with concerns about minority rights and the treatment of religious minorities, particularly Muslims, under the Modi-led government. The international community has also raised concerns about controversial legislation and actions taken by the Indian government, such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the situation in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. These issues have drawn international criticism and prompted discussions about India’s democratic principles and human rights record.
Overall, Modi’s election victory has raised significant concerns about the state of democracy and secularism in India.
