The Modi Paradox: How Western media is setting a skewed narrative for Lok Sabha elections

Luce’s post accuses Modi of using various means, including manipulating the judiciary, tax authorities, and other forms of coercion, to silence dissent and opposition. (Image: Reuters)

With a complex socio-political landscape and a diverse electorate, Indian elections have been subject to scrutiny and analysis by international media organisations time and again. The Western media’s fascination with the country’s electoral process is evident in the diverse range of content it produces — from opinion pieces and analytical graphs — to cover stories featuring full-length pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while also dissecting his political heft.

The New York Times published an article earlier this month, titled, ‘Modi’s Power Keeps Growing, and India Looks Sure to Give Him More’. Commenting on the electoral process, the article said, “The right to vote is held as sacred in a country whose democracy has offered protection in a turbulent region. But polling also indicates that large numbers of Indians are willing to cede civil liberties to support a powerful ruler they see as getting things done.”

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The analysis suggests a concerning trend where a significant portion of the population seems willing to sacrifice civil liberties in exchange for a powerful ruler perceived as effective in delivering results. The willingness to prioritize efficacy over civil liberties raises questions about the balance between democracy and authoritarianism in India’s political landscape.

Such pieces commenting on India’s Lok Sabha Elections are appearing thick and fast in foreign media. Another example is when Bloomberg columnist Andy Mukherjee wrote, “A Hindu Rashtra, or nation-state, will play well in the north. The very prospect of such an outcome fills the South with dread.” The term ‘Hindu Rashtra’ has political connotations, often associated with certain nationalist and right-wing movements in India. Mukherjee highlights a regional divide suggesting that there is apprehension or unease in the southern regions of India regarding the notion of a Hindu Rashtra.

Edward Luce, national editor of Britain’s Financial Times, took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “Will this be India’s last democratic election? The degree to which Modi has used pliable judges, tax authorities & other forms of coercion to silence critical journalists, imprison opposition leaders, close down pesky NGOs, and bring civil society to heel is massively under-appreciated outside of India. He’s Orban times 100.”

Luce’s post accuses Modi of using various means, including manipulating the judiciary, tax authorities, and other forms of coercion, to silence dissent and opposition. This implies a pattern of authoritarian behavior aimed at consolidating power and suppressing voices that don’t agree with it. Also, by linking Modi to Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary known for his authoritarian tendencies and erosion of democratic institutions, Luce suggests that Modi’s actions are even more extreme in their impact on India’s democracy.

Surprisingly, none of these posts or articles speak about India or Hindutva alone. What is even more surprising is that while PM Modi has been successful at maintaining good relationships with the US, UK, etc., the media there doesn’t seem to be okay with it.

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Addressing a forum for nationalist thinkers in Hyderabad last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “I get a lot of these noises from the Western press and if they criticize our democracy, it’s not because they lack information. It is because they think they are also political players in our election.”

He added that in another article by the Western media, they had questioned why India was holding elections during such a heatwave. “Now I read that article and I wanted to say listen, in that heat my lowest turnout is higher than your highest turnout in the best run,” Jaishankar said.

This time around, the keen interest of foreign publications in the Lok Sabha 2024 Elections is quite widespread. What could be the reason? Well, according to an article published in The Guardian, India has emerged as a significant ally for nations such as the US, UK, and France. These countries have recently made deals and strengthened ties with New Delhi to counterbalance China’s influence. The article on India’s mammoth election also projected a win for the BJP.

The narrative that the Western media has been repeatedly pushing is not just limited to elections. An article by The Washington Post published on Apr 29th, titled ‘An assassination plot on American soil reveals a darker side of Modi’s India’, presents several points where it critiques PM Modi. The article highlights an alleged assassination plot orchestrated by India’s intelligence service, RAW, against Sikh activists in the United States and Canada.

It implicates high-ranking officials, including RAW chief Samant Goel and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, suggesting a link to Modi’s inner circle. It describes RAW’s escalating campaign of aggression against the Indian diaspora, particularly Sikh activists perceived as disloyal to the Modi government. This includes surveillance, harassment, and alleged assassination attempts. The article also portrays Modi’s tenure as marked by deepening authoritarianism, citing concerns about the suppression of human rights violations.

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Quoting a report by Freedom House, a human rights organisation, the article said that it “listed India among the world’s practitioners of transnational repression, a term for governments’ use of intimidation or violence against their own citizens — dissidents, activists, journalists — in others’ sovereign territory”.

As India navigates through these elections, both domestically and on the world stage, it is evident that the narratives presented by foreign publications reflect a self-acclaimed understanding of India’s political landscape, which is as dangerous as it can get. Such analysis could strain diplomatic relations between India and other countries. By focusing solely on sensationalist portrayals and overlooking the nuances and intricacies of Indian politics, these outlets may not only fail to provide accurate reporting but also contribute to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.