"No one surpasses him": Following India's widely acclaimed but controversial figure on the election path
Cheering his name, waving their party's flag, and quoting his slogans, many people believe Narendra Modi, India's well-liked yet controversial prime minister, can do no wrong. Prime Minister Modi made an appearance in the election battleground state of Uttar Pradesh to campaign for a third term in power.
Getting to the rally in Aligarh required navigating a cacophony of honking cars, motorcycles, and trucks, all vying for space on the dusty roads with no clear lanes. Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state with around 240 million residents, is located right in the middle of the nation's "Hindi belt," where Hindi-speaking Indian states are the main supporters of Modi and his policies.
"Win UP, and you win India," they say.
As the sun beat down on the dusty field in Aligarh, temperatures reached a sweltering 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit), yet the crowd didn't seem to mind.
"Modi! Modi! Modi!" they chanted, as the Prime Minister talked about the BrahMos – a nuclear-capable, land-attack cruise missile jointly developed by Russia and India – which will soon be assembled in a local factory.
With nearly 970 million eligible voters, India's ongoing multi-week election is considered crucial for determining the direction of the South Asian country for the next five years. The consensus is that Modi is likely to win. And in Uttar Pradesh, a sense of pride is visible among the thousands of people gathered to listen to the Prime Minister.
"We're proud to have such a leader," said math teacher Pramod Charma. "Whatever he says, he does – that's why they call it 'Modi's guarantee.' In politics, he's the biggest star right now. No one can replace him."
Modi has gained popularity due to his welfare and social policies, which many believe have improved the lives of ordinary Indians while positioning India as a key power player. His detractors, however, describe him as a divisive leader, whose Hindu nationalist goals have led to increased religious persecution and Islamophobia. With more than 200 million Muslims in the country, many fear his re-election will make the situation worse.
Just a day before this rally on April 22nd in Aligarh, Modi sparked controversy when, while campaigning in the northwest Rajasthan state, he accused Muslims – whose presence in India dates back centuries – of being "infiltrators." He also repeated a false rumor voiced by some Hindu nationalists that Muslims are causing a decline in the country's Hindu population by having large families. These comments angered many and prompted calls for election authorities to investigate.
The BJP, whose spokesperson has previously stated they don't discriminate against Muslims and that democracy is protected under the constitution, was unfazed by these reactions.
In this overwhelmingly pro-Modi environment, it's easy to forget the divisive rhetoric shown on other occasions.
Lawyer Gaurav Mahajan, who has been attending Modi rallies for five years, said the Prime Minister is the "most powerful leader in the world." He added, "Indians have faith in Modi."
But with only half of the seven stages of voting completed, Indian politics remains unpredictable. An influx of authoritarian measures from the government has prompted some to accuse Modi's administration of trying to rig the elections, while others warn that his hardline Hindu nationalist stance is deepening religious divisions in a country with a long history of sectarian violence.
The BJP spokesperson has repeatedly affirmed that the party is not anti-Muslim and that democracy is guaranteed by the constitution.
Modi is expected to remain on the campaign trail, traveling through the vast country to deliver his rousing speeches that draw thousands of followers.
In Aligarh, the festive atmosphere was more akin to a lively pep rally, not displaying any signs of animosity.
As the camera spotted the crowd, they joined together in chanting, "Modi! Modi! Modi!" The sentiment appeared the same across age groups.
"There are no words to describe Modi's goodness," said 17-year-old engineering student Narayan Pachaury. "He's unmatched."
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Given the context, here are two sentences that contain the words 'India' and 'world':
- Despite facing criticism from some parts of the world, Prime Minister Modi's popularity in India remains high due to his welfare policies and India's growing influence on the global stage.
- The ongoing election in India has garnered global interest as the outcome is likely to impact not only the South Asian country but also the world due to India's increasing influence in international affairs.
Source: edition.cnn.com
