Modi's recent statement to his followers: "It is God's will that I'm here"
"I feel that God has sent me for a specific mission, and once that mission is completed, my work will be over," Modi said during a recent interview with NDTV. "This is why I have devoted myself to God."
Modi elaborated further, saying, "God doesn't share his plans. He simply keeps telling me what to do."
Since ascending to power in 2014, Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have pushed a strong form of Hindu nationalism in a nation where roughly 80% of the population is followers of the polytheistic faith. And while he has made such statements before, his declaration of being a leader chosen by God has become more apparent in his attempts to win a third consecutive five-year term.
Throughout India's extensive weeks-long national election, which results will be declared on June 4, Modi has given several media interviews and speeches that echo the comments made to NDTV.
According to Subir Sinha, Director of the South Asia Institute at SOAS University of London, Modi's embrace of openly devout Hinduism has "mobilized his base, who feel a sense of pride in his religiosity."
In a deeply religious country like India, its post-independence leaders have traditionally maintained a secular image to avoid appearing to favor one religious group in a nation with a history of inter-religious conflicts.
"He is the first prime minister to be unapologetic about his faith," Sinha said.
In the early stages of his political career, Modi chose Varanasi, a spiritual capital of India, as his constituency, blending his religious and political aspirations. His words, "Mother Ganga called me to Varanasi," refer to the holy Ganges River, which is considered the body of the deity Ganga by many followers of the Hindu faith.
In front of the river earlier this month, Modi mentioned his own experiences, saying, "I used to think that my birth was a biological one, but after my mother's death, I am convinced that God has sent me here."
"God has made me nothing but an instrument," Modi added.
Modi's most public display of his divine status occurred in January this year when he consecrated the Ram Mandir, a controversial temple built on the site of a destroyed mosque. Posters celebrating the temple's opening featured an image of the Hindu deity Ram alongside Modi's image, with a BJP leader even pronouncing Modi "The King of Gods."
Modi participated in a 1-month-long purification ritual before the event, visiting numerous temples across the nation. He publicly identified himself as "an instrument" of Lord Ram, chosen by the divine to "represent all the people of India."
At the consecration, Modi presided over the Pran Pratishtha – the unveiling of the highly anticipated Ram idol – taking on a role usually reserved for priests.
During the election, Modi has also been embroiled in a row over hate speech. He accused Muslims, who have been living in India for centuries, of being "intruders," a claim that resonates with some Hindu nationalists who believe Muslims are displacing the country's Hindu population by having larger families.
This sparked widespread outrage among Muslim leaders and opposition politicians and calls for election authorities to investigate. BJP party representatives subsequently claimed Modi was talking about undocumented migrants. The election commission has requested the BJP to respond to the allegations.
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Modi's statement of being chosen by God has gained global attention, with many discussing its implications for India's religious and political landscape on a global scale.
As Modi's divine status is increasingly addressed in international media, the role of India as a major player in the world becomes intertwined with its religious dynamics.
Source: edition.cnn.com
