Over the past few months, billboards all over India, particularly in New Delhi, have been adorned with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These billboards welcome international delegates to the G20 summit with the bold statement, “Mother of Democracy to host G20”. As the summit approaches, Prime Minister Modi has written an article highlighting the distinctiveness of Indian democracy, stating, “For India, the G20 presidency represents more than just a diplomatic endeavor. As the mother of democracy and a model of diversity, we have opened our doors to the world to share this experience.”
In recent times, Prime Minister Modi has emphasized the importance of democracy, a secular and inclusive nation, and has paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi during his well-publicized state visit to the United States and other international trips, including the G7 meetings. However, behind this grand display, a dark reality unfolds – minorities in India are under constant attack.
This year alone, many disturbing incidents have taken place in India. On July 31, a railway police constable named Chetan Kumar Singh opened fire on a train, killing his senior officer and three Muslim passengers. After the shooting, he proudly invoked the names of Modi and his Hindu nationalist ally, Yogi Adityanath, demonstrating that their support is crucial for individuals wanting to live and vote in India.
Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated event. Throughout the country, far-right organizations have organized hate rallies, where Singh’s act of terror found support. An hour away from Delhi, in the lead-up to the G20 summit, communal riots occurred, resulting in the burning of a mosque by a Hindu mob. Calls for boycotting Muslims socially and economically were made in Gurgaon, a satellite city of Delhi, by Hindu nationalist organizations.
Muslims in India face constant discrimination, often being lynched on unfounded accusations such as consuming beef or smuggling cows. Additionally, they are accused of participating in a mythical conspiracy called “love jihad,” where Muslim men are accused of seducing Hindu women into marriage and then abandoning them.
Earlier this year, rallies demanding laws against inter-religious marriages were held in Maharashtra and attended by leaders from Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These gatherings were reminiscent of the hostility witnessed in Gujarat in 2002 under Modi’s administration, where over 800 Muslims lost their lives. The rallies featured young children holding placards inciting violence against Muslims and promoting hatred.
Not only are Muslims subjected to humiliation and marginalization in public spaces, but they are also misrepresented and vilified in movies. Modi has openly praised and defended movies such as “The Kashmir Files” and “The Kerala Story,” despite their deeply Islamophobic content. Some state governments even exempted these films from certain taxes.
The constant portrayal of Muslims as traitors and enemies of India in popular culture has had a profound impact on society. A stark example of this hatred occurred in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where a teacher instructed her pupils to take turns slapping a seven-year-old Muslim student in front of the class. The video of this incident went viral, showcasing the boy’s helplessness amidst a room filled with hate and indifference.
In this atmosphere, accountability is scarce. When questioned about India’s human rights record during a press conference in the US, Modi repeatedly used the word “democracy” in his response. However, the repercussions of this question were felt immediately. The Wall Street Journal reporter who asked the question faced severe online trolling and was criticized for her Muslim identity. The incident prompted the White House to issue a statement in support of the journalist.
Modi operates in two distinct modes: one where he eloquently speaks about Gandhi and democracy when the world is watching, and another where he remains silent as India descends into violent and majoritarian Hindu nationalism. Having closely observed Modi’s political style over the past 15 years, the most striking aspect is his ability to turn a blind eye to the realities unfolding around him. But what happens now that Modi is seeking international attention to celebrate India’s achievements as the host of the G20 summit?
The prime minister is portraying himself as a global leader, projecting India’s power through the hosting of the G20. Mainstream news channels in India have joined in the praise, depicting Modi as the sole leader capable of resolving global issues while ignoring the civil unrest within the nation. Instead of projecting an image of an inclusive and diverse democracy during the G20 summit, the focus has shifted to renaming it “Bharat” to break free from the colonial past. The underlying motive behind this discussion is the political right’s desire to restore “Hindu glory” to the nation.
Foreign nations that buy into India’s image as the world’s largest democracy, either due to commercial and geostrategic interests or out of naivety, are complicit in the erosion of democratic values within India. Currently, the host of the G20 summit is experiencing one of the most undemocratic periods in its history. Rana Ayyub, a columnist for the Washington Post and author of “Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover-up,” urges readers to reflect on the issues raised in this article and provides an opportunity to submit their opinions for publication.
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