India’s Election: Amidst Modi’s bid for power, religious tensions take center stage

Amidst the bustling chaos of India's mammoth electoral process, where millions have begun to cast their ballots across 96 constituencies, a pressing concern looms large over the nation's political landscape.

India began its six-week-long electoral process on April 19 to select its government for the next five years. With 969 million eligible voters, the world's largest democracy will decide the fate of 543 contested seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, across seven phases, concluding on June 1. Following their 2019 success, where they secured 303 seats, the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) now targets reaching 400 seats in the 2024 elections. The BJP-led coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, faces off against the opposition coalition, the Indian National Congress (Congress)-led India National Development Inclusive Alliance. Any party or coalition securing more than 272 seats will be tasked with forming the government.

However, amidst the electoral hustle, a somber reality emerges - concerns regarding escalating religious tensions and the alleged exploitation of religious minorities by Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party have seized the spotlight. 

With accusations of divisive rhetoric, communal polarization, and discriminatory practices rife, the BJP's formidable presence in Indian politics stands under scrutiny, prompting reflection on the intersection of religion and power in one of the world's largest democracies.

USCIRF report and international concerns

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has consistently flagged India as a "country of particular concern" in its annual reports, citing issues such as discrimination, violence, and legal restrictions faced by religious minorities.

The USCIRF's 2024 report recommended that 12 countries designated in 2023 by the U.S. State Department to be of "particular concern" be named again on the 2024 list, including China and Russia. This year's report added five new countries: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Vietnam and India.

The USCIRF's report issued on Wednesday on India said, "The government, led by [President Narendra Modi’s ruling] Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reinforced discriminatory nationalist policies, perpetuated hateful rhetoric and failed to address communal violence."

It said that this violence "disproportionately" affects Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Jews and Adivasis, or indigenous peoples.

In addition to recommending that the U.S. government designate India as a Country of Particular Concern, it recommended sanctions against those responsible for religious freedom violations.

The commission further advised the U.S. Congress to provide financial assistance and arms sales to India only under the condition that religious freedom conditions improve.

Soon after the USCIRF released its 2024 report, the Ministry of External Affairs took no time to respond and described the report as “propaganda” against India in the midst of national elections in the country.

The MEA spokesperson, while considering the timing of the release of the report as interference in the internal affairs of India, exuded confidence that American accusations against religious freedom practices in India would fail to influence the Indian people.

Outrage over Modi's 'Vote Jihad' remark and BJP's animated videos

Recent incidents, including inflammatory speeches targeting minorities and communal tensions in certain regions, have added fuel to the ongoing debate about the treatment of religious minorities and the role of politics in exacerbating religious divides.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accused of amplifying divisive rhetoric during the country’s election campaign by calling Muslim votes “Vote Jihad” to encourage Hindus to vote for BJP.

Modi told a BJP rally last Tuesday in the central Madhya Pradesh province that voters would have to carefully choose between "Vote Jihad" and "Ram Rajya." The term, meaning "Ram’s Governance," refers to an ideal society characterized by equality, prosperity and justice. In recent years, some have come to believe this ideal can only be achieved through the rise of the BJP.

"At this important turning point in history you have to decide whether you will allow Vote Jihad to continue or, vote in support of building a Ram Rajya,” Modi told the rally.

In another incident, an animated video shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party targeting the opposition Congress and the Muslim community have evoked complaints and outrage, as the political climate in India heats up midway through its six-week long election.

The videos, shared by the ruling BJP on social media platforms Instagram and X over the last ten days, depict the Congress giving disproportionate benefits to India’s minority Muslim community, at the cost of certain disadvantaged tribal and Hindu caste groups.

The video showed Rahul Gandhi, the son of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the face of the Congress opposition party, holding his party’s manifesto who’s cover then morphs into what appears to be Pakistan’s national flag.

A voiceover falsely claims that if "the Congress party comes to power, it will snatch all the money and wealth of non-Muslims and distribute it to Muslims. Their favourite community!”

That video echoed similar comments by Modi, who sparked a row over hate speech last month while campaigning in BJP-ruled Rajasthan state, when he accused Muslims – who have been present in India for centuries – of being “infiltrators” who deliberately have large families to outgrow the majority Hindu population.

Modi’s speech ignited widespread anger among Muslim leaders and opposition politicians and calls for election authorities to investigate. BJP party spokespeople subsequently said Modi was talking about undocumented migrants.
The election commission has asked the BJP to respond to the allegations.

The abuse of religious minorities for political gains not only threatens India's secular ethos but also has broader societal repercussions, including increased social divisions and communal conflicts. Moreover, it can impact India's global image and diplomatic relations with other nations.

Modi's religious policies send ripples across South Asia

Political parties, both the ruling BJP and the opposition, have historically prioritized the South Asian regional neighborhood — Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Afghanistan--in their election manifestos due to the significant impact that neighboring countries have on India’s national security, economic development, and regional stability. 

For instance, the state of Tamil Nadu shares a maritime border with Sri Lanka, and human rights issues of the latter’s minority Tamil community are often raised in election campaigns due to their direct relevance to the former’s ethnic Tamil population and historical ties with Sri Lanka. Therefore, parties remain mindful that India’s neighbors perceive a “big brotherly attitude,” and the campaigns reflect attempts to carefully manage those relations.

The religious policies and ideologies of India's Modi-led government have repercussions across South Asia, particularly in countries like Nepal. Nepal, previously a Hindu kingdom until its secular transition in 2008, faces complexities regarding religious identity and extremism. The surge of Hindu nationalist sentiments in India, coupled with the BJP's promotion of Hindutva, has implications for Nepal's internal dynamics.

One of the concerns is the potential spillover effect of Hindu nationalist ideology into Nepal, particularly among certain segments of the population who advocate for reinstating Nepal's status as a Hindu state. While the majority of Nepalis practice Hinduism, the country is also home to diverse religious and ethnic communities. The politicization of religion, influenced by developments in India, can exacerbate tensions and contribute to religious extremism.

Moreover, India's dominant role in the region, both economically and politically, means that its policies and actions often have ripple effects on neighboring countries. The Modi government's approach to religious minorities and its stance on issues such as citizenship and immigration have raised concerns about the treatment of minority communities in South Asia, including in Nepal.

The religious policies and political rhetoric of the BJP can influence the discourse surrounding religious identity and extremism not only within India but also in neighboring countries like Nepal. It underscores the interconnectedness of religious and political dynamics in the region and the importance of promoting tolerance, pluralism, and respect for religious diversity. 

These developments highlight the interconnectedness of religious and political dynamics in the region and highlight the importance of promoting tolerance, pluralism, and respect for religious diversity. As India's election season progresses and its religious policies continue to influence the South Asian landscape, it becomes imperative for stakeholders both within and outside the region to address these challenges and uphold principles of religious freedom and inclusivity.