Modi condemns India’s violence
But critics say prime minister’s rhetoric is just for the record
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has urged India to reject religious violence after a series of attacks against minorities sparked debate about whether a surge of Hindu nationalism is undermining the country’s secular ideals.
In a speech from the ramparts of Delhi’s Red Fort marking the 70th anniversary of India’s independence, Modi also listed his government’s achievements, including a fight against corruption.
The speech was light on foreign policy, making no mention of arch-rival Pakistan.
Modi has spoken out against attacks by right-wing Hindus, many of whom back his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), against minority Muslims and lower-caste Hindus accused of killing cows, considered holy by the majority Hindus.
But the setting of his denunciation of violence yesterday was significant.
“We will not tolerate violence in the name of faith.”
Modi made much of the progress India had made since independence from British rule in 1947.
He expressed pain over the death of at least 60 children in a state-run hospital last week amid shortages of supplies – a reminder much remained to be done on India’s journey to development.
Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has found it difficult to balance the competing demands of groups from his nationalist Hindu power base and those Indians striving to build a modern, secular country befitting its growing economic influence.
Manoj Joshi, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation think-tank, said Modi was playing “good cop, bad cop” by condemning communal violence but doing little to rein in elements of his ruling party.
“There is an obvious gap between slogan and implementation. It’s deliberate and it’s just for the record.”
Modi also spoke at length about delivering a “new India” by 2022, underlining his confidence of winning the next general election, due by 2019.
Strong growth and economic reforms have bolstered his popularity and helped his party sweep state elections in recent years, leaving the opposition weakened.
Still, to keep up with the demands of India’s 1.3 billion people, the government needs to create millions more jobs a year, which it is struggling to do.
“A certain level of triumphalism… brought Modi to power,” analyst Ajai Shukla said. “Now he realises people are expecting answers. He felt the need to convey an aura of progress.” – Reuters