Modi needs to replace FEAR with HOPE
What will Modi need to do to win those hearts? What will be required to replace fear with hope? It will be necessary to confront and combat three primary factors that created the sense of fear during Modi’s first term in office. Those factors were: the killing and mistreatment of Muslims and other minorities; an emphasis on Hindu nationalism in the governing process; an economic development and reform process that was only partially completed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reelection by such a large margin is testimony to his popularity across India. Many media articles during the long election process, however, expressed fear that a Modi victory would disenfranchise millions and threaten Indian democracy itself. This perspective is attributable to what I call the FEAR (False Events Appearing Real) syndrome. This is caused by thinking that the past is prologue and believing that only bad things will happen in the future. Modi’s challenge in his second term will be to replace FEAR with HOPE (Healing, Opportunity and Progress for Everyone).
Modi’s comments in his first speech after winning the election indicate that he is aware of this need and committed to addressing the challenge. In that speech, he stated, “We are for the 130-crore (1.3 billion) people of the country. We cannot differentiate on the basis of caste or religion or race or region. We have shown how to achieve Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (development for all) and now we have to win Sabka Vishwas” (everyone’s trust). He also said, “We are for the people who trusted us and those whose trust we need to win. It takes a lot of strength to try and win the hearts of people.”
What will Modi need to do to win those hearts? What will be required to replace fear with hope? It will be necessary to confront and combat three primary factors that created the sense of fear during Modi’s first term in office. Those factors were: the killing and mistreatment of Muslims and other minorities; an emphasis on Hindu nationalism in the governing process; an economic development and reform process that was only partially completed.
There have been numerous incidents of killings and mistreatment of minorities during Modi’s first five years. There were several lynchings of poor Muslims in the Hindi belt over alleged cow slaughter. Modi did not condone those lynchings or other vigilante violence on minorities and Dalits during his tenure. However, he did not speak out courageously and authoritatively against those heinous actions either.
In his second term, Modi should do so. He should take steps through his administration to rein in fringe elements among his supporters who endanger the lives and livelihoods of others. This will drive a stake through the heart of fear and begin to renew hope. Another action that Modi can take to renew hope is to elevate the importance of all religions for the future of India as a secular nation. During his first five years, the Prime Minister pushed Hinduism into the forefront of the Indian mindset and governmental practices. In these five years, he should proudly celebrate his religion and those of others by convening inter-faith dialogues in Delhi and across the country. Another step of significant symbolic value would be to modify plans to build the wide path from the Kashi Vishwanath temple to the Ganges river in Varanasi.
As a Muslim, I grew up in Varanasi and, even though it is Hinduism’s holiest city, it was a place where youth and people of all religions worked and played together amicably. This interdenominational history could be recognized by placing stations along this path for all the religions in this wonderful and ancient city.
The final area which should be addressed to reinvigorate hope is the promise of development for all which Modi made, that brought him into office on an almost universal wave of optimism and unbridled enthusiasm in 2014. Since then, he has made initial reforms to the economy, education, health care and climate change management. But, in 2019, India’s GDP growth is relatively low; unemployment is high; the need for job creation is enormous; education of all forms – basic, vocational, technical and higher, is lagging that of advanced nations; quality health care remains a problem for all except the wealthy; infrastructure is that of a third world country; and, the impact of climate change in India is projected to be among the worst in the world.
Much remains to be done. Modi in his second term should advance, intensify and accelerate critical reforms begun in the first term. These should be encompassing and inclusive for all - most importantly minorities, Dalits and women.
If Modi implements such a comprehensive agenda, five years from now HOPE will reign for India and the only thing to fear will be fear itself. With that accomplished, India will stand as a global leader and a role model for democracy.