NUMEROUS political leaders across the globe, claim to possess spiritual forces shaping their perspectives, decisions and actions. Prominent among them are the Dalai Lama, Pope Francis, Vietnamese Buddhist Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckhart Tolle, whose bestselling books, such as “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth,” offer accessible spiritual concepts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that it was prophesied that “he will be Israel’s prime minister, who will pass the sceptre to the Messiah.” While some of Netanyahu’s supporters perceive him as a messianic figure—an anointed one sent by God—his opponents challenge this view, particularly in the light of his political controversies and the fury unleashed by him on the people of Gaza.
Latest in this series, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently expressed his belief that he has been chosen by God for a specific purpose. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, he stated, “I am convinced that Parmatma (God) sent me for a purpose. Once that purpose is achieved, my work will be done.” Interestingly, he revealed that God guides him in his actions, although the larger scheme remains undisclosed. As he put it, “He (God) does not reveal his cards, just keeps making me do things. And I cannot dial him directly to ask what’s next.” This enigmatic guidance seems to shape his decisions and actions, even as he navigates the complexities of leadership and governance during the ongoing multi-stage election, where he claims victory, even before the results are tabulated. Modi’s conviction about divine purpose extends beyond political ambitions. He recognizes the diversity of opinions about him, acknowledging both praise and criticism. Despite verbal attacks from opposition leaders as well as saner elements in the Indian society, he maintains his claim that he receives divine guidance. Interestingly, Modi’s political journey has been marked by a well-established cult of personality within his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His leadership has garnered immense support from a gullible audience, yet critics argue that this cult stifles dissent and promotes a prejudiced narrative.
The BJP has actively intertwined Hinduism—the majority faith—with every facet of public life. Notably, during the inauguration of the temple in Ayodhya earlier this year, it was Modi himself, rather than Hindu priests, who took centre stage in the rituals. This symbolic act reinforced the party’s commitment to its core ideology. Readers may recall that on January 22, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shattered India’s pretense of “secularism” by personally performing the consecration of an idol in a controversial place of worship. Modi performed the Pran Pratishtha (ritual of putting the soul inside an idol) of Lord Rama—a mythical but much venerated deity and the lead figure of Maharishi Valmiki’s Hindu epic Ramayana—at the temple in Ayodhya in the North Indian State of Uttar Pradesh.
There are various reasons as to why the consecration was considered a desecration, primary among them, the fact that the site of the Ram Temple is the very spot where the 16th-century Babri Masjid was torn down by a frenzied Hindu nationalist mob on a grim winter morning in December 1992. Thousands of Muslims were killed protesting the demolition of the historical mosque. In the wake of the tenth anniversary of the gory incident, on the morning of 27 February 2002: 59 Hindu pilgrims and Karsevaks returning from Ayodhya were killed in a fire inside the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in the Indian state of Gujarat. The cause of the fire remains disputed but under the stewardship of Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, it led to the Gujarat riots, in which 2000 Muslims were massacred in cold blood.
Modi’s religious pitch focuses on unveiling the Ram temple, while it is still under construction, despite opposition from some of Hinduism’s senior-most seers who have accused the prime minister of timing its consecration to maximise electoral gains. Since 12 January 2024, Modi kept a fast and visited a series of temples dressed in saffron robes, blurring the lines between prime minister and monk.
Interestingly, Modi has rarely given interviews or held press conferences during his decade in power. However, in a recent candid moment, he spoke about himself as a divine instrument. His claim resonates with the BJP’s strategic fusion of religion and politics—a unique selling point for a country where faith permeates everyday life. “The Telegraph”, an Indian newspaper, aptly described Modi’s assertion as the logical culmination of the BJP’s dominant theme. In a television interview in Varanasi, his constituency, Modi alluded to divinity once again, taking the concept a few notches higher. Reflecting on his life experiences, he shared, “When my mother was alive, I used to believe that I was born biologically. After she passed away, I was convinced that God had sent me.”
In the aforementioned interview, Modi made a remarkable statement about his energy, attributing it to divine intervention rather than biological origins. He expressed, “I believe God has given me abilities, inspiration and good intentions for a purpose…I am nothing but an instrument.” However, not everyone shares Modi’s perspective. Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi responded with scepticism, suggesting that such statements would lead an ordinary person to seek psychiatric evaluation. The juxtaposition of divine purpose and psychological analysis adds intrigue to the discourse surrounding Modi’s leadership.
When asked if Modi might be suffering from a “God complex,” BJP spokesperson Sanju Verma defended him by emphasizing his tireless work ethic. Verma highlighted Modi’s packed schedule, including road shows, rallies and media interviews across different states in a single day. As the Indian election unfolds, Modi’s self-perceived role as an “instrument” guided by a higher power continues to be a topic of debate in a milieu where majority of the Hindus are guided by superstition and fantasy. As to the answer to the question posed in the title of this opinion piece, if Indian Muslims—who have been victims of tyranny under the current regime—were to respond, they would say: “The Devil has chosen Modi to continue his reprehensible deeds.”
—The writer, Retired Group Captain of PAF, is author of several books on China.
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