IN a dramatic political twist, Modi’s declaration of victory in India’s national elections has starkly contrasted with the election results, reflecting a harsh reality check on his authoritarian ambitions. While Modi confidently projected a potential 400-seat supermajority, the BJP fell short of the 272 seats needed for a simple majority, securing only 240 seats. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 292 of the 543 seats, to form the government, Modi is now seeking alliances with regional parties such as the Shiv Sena, JD(U) and the Akali Dal, this outcome has exposed the fragility of Modi’s grip on power.
India’s stock market plummeted 6%, crashing by over 4,000 points on Tuesday 4th June. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) closed 5.74% or 4,389 points at 72,079, while the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty 50 ended 5.93% or 1,379 points lower. This is the biggest single-day fall in Indian markets since the onset of the Covid pandemic. Investors have increasingly criticized the overvaluation of stocks, particularly those associated with the “Modi stocks” like the Adani Group, which have performed poorly. Gautam Adani’s fortune collapsed after a 2023 report exposed market manipulation and fraud, revealing rampant corruption and crony capitalism under Modi’s regime. Despite Modi’s self-made leadership image, heavily promoted through platforms like WhatsApp University, his government’s authoritarian tendencies remain evident.
Notably, the Electoral Bond Scam has further undermined democracy in India, with the BJP receiving ₹6,986.5 crores through questionable means. The Electoral Bond Scheme, introduced in 2018, allows anonymous donations to political parties. The Supreme Court’s halt of the Electoral Bond Scheme in February dealt a significant blow to Modi’s government. Many Indians perceive elections as corrupt and manipulated, reflecting widespread disillusionment.
Additionally, 77 fatalities from extreme heat, including polling staff, underscore the urgent climate risks that Modi’s blatant denial of climate change has dangerously ignored. This illustrates his government’s complete failure to implement necessary policies to address this critical issue. As a result, the people became increasingly aware of these failures, contributing significantly to Modi’s inability to secure a majority in the recent elections.
Modi’s rebranding as the nation’s “chowkidar” and his recent claim of divine selection to represent all Indians have intensified religious persecution and Islamophobia, aligning with a Hindu-nationalist agenda. This has fostered cult-like devotion and enabled his government to dismantle democratic institutions, exemplified by the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP’s divisive campaigns, marked by Islamophobic rhetoric, have exacerbated social tensions. Reports from The London Story highlighted that the BJP frequently used the term “Vote Jihad” on Facebook for electoral purposes, while the Vishwa Hindu Parishad called Muslims as “Jihadis” in a similarly politicized context.
Investigations by Civil Watch International and Ekō revealed Facebook’s approval of derogatory adverts towards Muslims, further spreading communal tensions. Social activist Sunita Gautam warned that another five years of Modi would be disastrous for women and minorities, citing the scandal involving Modi-aligned candidate Prajwal Revanna, with nearly 3,000 videos allegedly showing him sexually assaulting women and a BJP leader’s letter indicating party awareness of these allegations. Dr. Kumari noted that this scandal raises serious concerns about the BJP’s commitment to women’s rights.
One of the most striking defeats for the BJP came in Ayodhya, where Modi had inaugurated a controversial Hindu temple earlier this year. The loss of this seat indicates a growing resistance to the BJP’s divisive agenda. The biggest disappointment for the BJP in southern India is its failure to win any of the 40 seats in Tamil Nadu, a state with a strong cultural and linguistic identity, despite Modi’s aggressive campaigning and a two-day meditation visit to a coastal town before the final voting round.
Under Modi’s fascist rule, India fell to its lowest-ever rank in Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index in 2023 (161 out of 180 countries). Freedom House, a US-based democracy watchdog, degraded India from a free democracy to a “partially free democracy.” Similarly, the Swedish-based V-Dem Institute labeled the country an “electoral autocracy.” These statistics demonstrate that in India, under the Modi government, censorial nationalism is compromising free speech.
Modi’s economic policies have exacerbated societal divides and failed to address chronic underemployment among the young workforce, leading to increased wealth inequality and continued reliance on agriculture for livelihoods. His lofty goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047 is merely a tactic to delude the common people. Rather than enacting substantive reforms, Modi has often resorted to slogans without delivering tangible results, leaving Indian citizens disillusioned with his governance. Key economic decisions, such as the chaotic 2016 demonetization policy and the 2019 farmers’ protests underscore widespread discontent over neglected livelihoods and agricultural policies.
The Modi slogan of “This time, (BJP) will cross 400 seats” has suffered a resounding failure. Instead, the struggle for daily survival has overshadowed Modi’s promises and religious fervor. From Ayodhya to Uttar Pradesh, Modi’s assertions of widespread popularity have crumbled. Reports of oppression against marginalized groups, minorities, and Muslims during Modi’s tenure have fueled a significant backlash. The broad support for a Pan-India coalition signifies a rejection of Modi’s extremist agenda, as citizens raise their voices against his authoritarian rule. With a government in decline, Modi may resort to increased repression, signaling ominous times ahead for dissenting voices and minority communities.
—The writer is a contributing columnist.
