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Public image of Narendra Modi: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Public | {{short description|Public views on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi}} | ||
{{Multiple issues| | |||
{{POV|section|date=June 2020}} | {{POV|section|date=June 2020}} | ||
{{peacock|date=October 2021}} | |||
}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}} | {{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}} | ||
[[Narendra Modi]], the 14th [[Prime Minister]] of India, has elicited a number of public perceptions regarding his personality and | [[Narendra Modi]], the 14th [[Prime Minister]] of India, has elicited a number of public perceptions regarding his personality, background and policies. | ||
[[File:Prime Minister Modi in July 2021.jpg|right|thumb|{{center|'''Narendra Modi''',<br> Prime Minister of India}}]] | [[File:Prime Minister Modi in July 2021.jpg|right|thumb|{{center|'''Narendra Modi''',<br> Prime Minister of India}}]] | ||
==Perception through the years== | ==Perception through the years== | ||
Journalist [[Ashis Nandy]], who is also a trained psychologist, was one of the first to interview Modi when the latter was an RSS pracharak at the height of the [[Ayodhya dispute|Ram Janmabhoomi campaign]] in the early 1990s. At that time in Modi, he found "a classic, clinical case of a fascist".<ref>Nandy, A., 2002. Obituary of a Culture. Journal of Future Studies, 7(1), p.101.[https://jfsdigital.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/071-A06.pdf]</ref> | Journalist [[Ashis Nandy]], who is also a trained psychologist, was one of the first to interview Modi when the latter was an [[RSS]] [[pracharak]] (missionary) at the height of the [[Ayodhya dispute|Ram Janmabhoomi campaign]] in the early 1990s. At that time in Modi, he found "a classic, clinical case of a [[fascist]]".<ref>Nandy, A., 2002. Obituary of a Culture. Journal of Future Studies, 7(1), p.101.[https://jfsdigital.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/071-A06.pdf]</ref> | ||
Soon after becoming the chief minister of Gujarat, the state was convulsed by sectarian [[2002 Gujarat riots|riots]] in 2002.The complicity of Modi's government in the pogrom against the Muslim minorities made Modi a pariah for many years.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Muraleedharan |first1=Sruthi |title=Symbolic encounters: identity, performativity and democratic subjectivity in contemporary India |date=2019 |publisher=(SOAS University of London). |location=London, UK |page=103 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/30897/1/4625_Muraleedharan.pdf |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref> The United States and many European countries imposed visa bans on Modi after the riots. These remained in force for many years and were lifted shortly before he became prime minister in 2014<ref name="Chaulia2016">{{cite book|author=Sreeram Chaulia|title=Modi Doctrine: The Foreign Policy of India's Prime Minister|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3EwDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT13|date=10 October 2016|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-93-86141-98-9|pages=13–}}</ref> | Soon after becoming the chief minister of Gujarat, the state was convulsed by sectarian [[2002 Gujarat riots|riots]] in 2002.The complicity of Modi's government in the pogrom against the Muslim minorities made Modi a pariah for many years.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Muraleedharan |first1=Sruthi |title=Symbolic encounters: identity, performativity and democratic subjectivity in contemporary India |date=2019 |publisher=(SOAS University of London). |location=London, UK |page=103 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/30897/1/4625_Muraleedharan.pdf |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref> The United States and many European countries imposed visa bans on Modi after the riots. These remained in force for many years and were lifted shortly before he became prime minister in 2014<ref name="Chaulia2016">{{cite book|author=Sreeram Chaulia|title=Modi Doctrine: The Foreign Policy of India's Prime Minister|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3EwDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT13|date=10 October 2016|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-93-86141-98-9|pages=13–}}</ref> | ||
After the Gujarat riots, Modi embarked on a strategy to make the state a friendly place to set up business and rebrand his image from being a Hindu hardliner to a development oriented leader. This led to him being dubbed as Vikaspurush (Development man).<ref name="M.Peter2018">{{cite book|author1=Skoric, Marko M.|author2=Parycek, Peter|author3=Schossböck, Judith|title=CeDEM Asia 2018: Proceedings of the International Conference for E-Democracy and Open Government ; Japan 2018|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0aNxDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA97|date=9 October 2018|publisher=Edition Donau-Universität Krems|isbn=978-3-903150-30-0|pages=97–98}}</ref> This was the main theme during his successful campaign in 2014.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Muraleedharan |first1=Sruthi |title=Symbolic encounters: identity, performativity and democratic subjectivity in contemporary India |date=2019 |publisher=(SOAS University of London). |location=London, UK |pages=101–162 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/30897/1/4625_Muraleedharan.pdf |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref> | |||
Modi has for years presented himself as an able administrator with an eye for detail. But his reputation as a vigilant administrator started to lose its shine in 2016 when his notorious [[2016 Indian banknote demonetisation|demonetisation]] policy caused distress to millions of Indians who largely relied on cash. His reputation took a further hit | In September 2013 Modi was named the [[BJP]]'s candidate for prime minister ahead of the [[2014 Indian general election|2014 Lok Sabha election]].<ref name="Chhibber"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-announces-modi-as-prime-ministerial-candidate/article5124375.ece|title=BJP announces Modi as prime ministerial candidate|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=14 September 2013 |location=Chennai, India |first=B. Muralidhar |last=Reddy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017133715/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-announces-modi-as-prime-ministerial-candidate/article5124375.ece |archive-date=17 October 2013}}</ref> Several BJP leaders initially expressed opposition to Modi's candidature,<ref name="Jaffrelot 2015">{{cite journal|last1=Jaffrelot|first1=Christophe|author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot|year=2015|title=The Modi-centric BJP 2014 election campaign: new techniques and old tactics|url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/the-modicentric-bjp-2014-election-campaign-new-techniques-and-old-tactics(04c598b8-4a4b-49ae-a08b-e4863265a717).html|journal=Contemporary South Asia|volume=23|issue=2|pages=151–166|doi=10.1080/09584935.2015.1027662|via=|s2cid=142912068}}</ref> including BJP founding member [[L. K. Advani]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Advani-grabs-lifeline-meekly-withdraws-resignation/articleshow/20546245.cms?referral=PM|title=Advani grabs lifeline, meekly withdraws resignation|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=12 June 2013|access-date=15 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013054344/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Advani-grabs-lifeline-meekly-withdraws-resignation/articleshow/20546245.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=13 October 2014}}</ref> Contrary to the strategies used by the party during previous elections, Modi played the dominant role in the BJP's presidential style election campaign.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Srivastava|first1=Ritesh K.|title=Election 2009 dissected: How parties cut the vote pie|url=http://zeenews.india.com/home/election-2009-dissected-how-parties-cut-the-vote-pie_532875.html|work=[[Zee News]]|date=30 August 2011|access-date=4 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606222425/http://zeenews.india.com/home/election-2009-dissected-how-parties-cut-the-vote-pie_532875.html|archive-date=6 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="T&NM 2015">{{cite journal|last1=Chakravartty|first1=Paula|last2=Roy|first2=Srirupa|year=2015|title=Mr. Modi Goes to Delhi: Mediated Populism and the 2014 Indian Elections|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1527476415573957|journal=Television & New Media|volume=16|issue=4|pages=311–322|doi=10.1177/1527476415573957|via=|s2cid=145151089}}</ref><ref name="Chhibber">{{cite journal|last1=Chhibber|first1=Pradeep K.|last2=Ostermann|first2=Susan L.|year=2014|title=The BJP's Fragile Mandate: Modi and Vote Mobilizers in the 2014 General Elections|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2321023014551870|journal=[[Studies in Indian Politics]]|volume=2|issue=2|pages=137–151|doi=10.1177/2321023014551870|issn=0958-4935|via=|s2cid=155080682}}</ref><ref name="Chacko">{{cite journal|last1=Chacko|first1=Priya|last2=Mayer|first2=Peter|title=The 'Modi lahar [wave]' in the 2014 Indian national election: A critical realignment?|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10361146.2014.937392|journal=Australian Journal of Political Science|year=2014|volume=49|issue=3|pages=518–528|doi=10.1080/10361146.2014.937392|s2cid=154806289}}</ref><ref name="Srivastava">{{cite journal|last1=Srivastava|first1=Sanjay|s2cid=145367170|title=Modi-Masculinity: Media, Manhood, and "Traditions" in a Time of Consumerism|journal=Television & New Media|date=April 2015|volume=16|issue=4|doi=10.1177/1527476415575498|pages=331–338}}</ref><ref name="Jaffrelot 2015"/><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Narayan|first1=Badri|date=17 May 2014|title=Modi's Modus Operandi in the 2014 Elections|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2014/20/commentary/modis-modus-operandi-2014-elections.html|journal=[[Economic & Political Weekly]]|volume=49|issue=20|pages=12–14}}</ref><ref name="Basu 2014">{{cite journal|last1=Basu|first1=Dipankar|last2=Misra|first2=Kartik|date=June 2014|title=BJP's Demographic Dividend in the 2014 General Elections: An Empirical Analysis|url=https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/105783|journal=Economics Department Working Paper Series via [[EconStor]]|volume=|pages=|via=}}</ref> The [[2014 Indian general election|2014 election campaign]] was the first time he declared that he was married but had remained estranged from his wife, [[Jashodaben Modi|Jashodaben]] almost from the beginning of their married life.<ref name=CNN1>{{citation|title= Narendra Modi: Fast Facts|publisher=CNN|date=12 September 2018|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/01/19/world/narendra-modi-fast-facts/index.html}} Quote: "Marriage: Jashodaben (Chimanlal) Modi (1968-present, separated); "</ref> Upon the disclosure, lawsuits were filed against him for forging previous election documents as against prescribed rules of the Representation of the People Act.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Modis-defective-affidavit-issue-reaches-high-court/articleshow/44828755.cms |title=Modi's defective affidavit issue reaches high court |work=[[The Times of India]] |first=Saeed |last=Khan |date=15 October 2014 |access-date=7 November 2014}}</ref> | ||
Modi has for years presented himself as an able administrator with an eye for detail. But his reputation as a vigilant administrator started to lose its shine in 2016 when his notorious [[2016 Indian banknote demonetisation|demonetisation]] policy caused distress to millions of Indians who largely relied on cash.Some critics termed this as "Tughlakifarman" (Tughlak's diktat) after [[Muhammad bin Tughluq|Mohammed Tughlaq]], the 14th century erratic sultan of Delhi.<ref>Sandhu, V. and Mehra, M.N., 2018. Dithering journey of E-wallet companies in post-demonetization era in India: A case study of Paytm.International Journal of Engineering & Scientific Research (IJMRA Publications) | |||
Vol. 6 Issue 4, April 2018, | |||
ISSN: 2347-6532 [http://esrjournal.com/uploads/91/5116_pdf.pdf].</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Two years after demonetisation: A look at what has happened so far |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/demonetisation-second-anniversary-congress-bjp-5437069/ |access-date=27 September 2021 |work=Indian Express |agency=Indian Express |issue=November 18, 2018 |date=2018}}</ref> His reputation took a further hit in March 2020 when he imposed a complete lockdown in the country at four hours notice to stop the spread of [[COVID-19]]. This led to millions losing their jobs and many lost their lives. The Indian economy also shrunk in percentage terms by double digit numbers. For foreign observers, his nationalist impulses are always paired with a sense of technocratic competence. But according to Christopher Clary, assistant professor of political science at the State University of New York, technocratic competence has been entirely missing from his response to the second wave of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]] in early 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alluri |first1=Aparna |title=India's Covid crisis delivers a blow to brand Modi |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56970569 |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=BBC |agency=BBC |issue=May 8, 2021 |publisher=BBC |date=2021}}</ref> | |||
Right at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, Modi set up set up the [[PM CARES Fund]] with himself, and his senior cabinet colleagues, namely the ministers of defence, home, and finance as the trustees of the fund.The Government of India had initially claimed that the fund is a private fund, and denied that the PM CARES Fund is a public fund for the purposes of transparency laws such as the [[Right to Information Act, 2005|Right to Information Act 2005]], even though the Fund uses government infrastructure and [[State Emblem of India|the national emblem]] of the Government of India. The total amount of funds donated and the names of donors have not been publicly disclosed, and the fund is privately audited. The lack of transparency and accountability has been continuously criticized.–<ref>[https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3833361 The Curious Case of PM CARES Fund: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Suppression of Civil Society in India]. ''International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research.'' Social Science Research Network (SSRN). Accessed 12 May 2021.</ref><ref>[https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3844230 Government-Citizen Pandemic Relief Efforts: Case of India's PM CARES Fund.] ''Public Economics: National Government Expenditures & Related Policies eJournal.'' Social Science Research Network (SSRN). Accessed 12 May 2021.</ref> In December 2020, the Government of India reversed its stance and admitted that the PM CARES Fund was a public fund, but still refused to disclose information regarding it under the Right to Information Act 2005.{{efn|<ref name="firstpost.com">{{Cite web|date=2020-05-31|title='PM CARES not a public authority under RTI Act': PMO rejects application seeking fund details; will appeal, says law student - India News , Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/pm-cares-not-a-public-authority-under-rti-act-pmo-rejects-application-seeking-fund-details-will-appeal-says-law-student-8430551.html|access-date=2020-07-30|website=Firstpost}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-10|title=In top court, Centre defends creation of PM CARES Fund|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-top-court-centre-defends-creation-of-pm-cares-fund-6498533/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite news|date=2020-06-30|title=Secrecy surrounds India PM's '$1bn' Covid-19 fund|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53151308|access-date=2020-07-30}}</ref><ref name=":25">{{Cite web|title=PM-CARES "Controlled By Government" But RTI Doesn't Apply: New Flip-Flop|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-cares-established-by-government-but-rti-doesnt-apply-says-document-2343550|access-date=2020-12-25|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>}}Modi was criticized for hiding out of view when the deadly second wave of Covid hit India in April 2021.<ref name="How did India beat covid-19">{{cite news |last1=Banyan |title=How did India beat covid-19? |url=https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2021/10/29/how-did-india-beat-covid-19 |access-date=2 November 2021 |work=The Economist |issue=October 29, 2021 |publisher=The Economist Newspaper Limited |date=2021}}</ref> But Modi observers noted that he has a tendency to shy away from bad news when faced with a turmoil.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Banyan |title=As a second wave devastates India, Narendra Modi vanishes |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/05/20/as-a-second-wave-devastates-india-narendra-modi-vanishes |access-date=2 November 2021 |work=The Economist |issue=May 22, 2021 |publisher=The Economist Newspaper Limited |date=2021}}</ref> | |||
Although India is a [[Lawmaking procedure in India|parliamentary democracy]], Modi has a penchant for passing laws with minimum or no debate in the two houses of Parliament. The controversial [[2020 Indian agriculture acts|farm reform laws]] were passed with less than three hours of debate in either house in September 2020. After a year long [[2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest|protests]], Modi in November 2021 repealed the laws in three minutes in the Lok Sabha and nine minutes in the Rajya Sabha. In both cases, without any discussion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manoj |first1=C.G. |title=In speeches, PM called for ‘quality debates’; in House, Govt pushed 15 Bills in under 10 mins last session |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-quality-debates-parliament-govt-pushed-15-bills-winter-session-7648106/ |access-date=13 December 2021 |work=The Indian Express |agency=Indian Express |issue=November 30 2021 |publisher=Living Media India Limited |date=2021}}</ref> | |||
==Communication strategies== | ==Communication strategies== | ||
Modi has used multiple strategies to build up his image. These include use of Social media, government media outlets, and a distinct attire. The machinery for this works also includes ad makers, speechwriters and assorted spinners managing Modi's image and campaigns. | Modi has used multiple strategies to build up his image. These include use of Social media, government media outlets, and a distinct attire. The machinery for this works also includes ad makers, speechwriters and assorted spinners managing Modi's image and campaigns. During his seven years in power Modi has made it sure that his images appear everywhere including on billboards, newspaper TV adverts,and vaccine certificates.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Soutik |title=Narendra Modi: Pandemic and sluggish growth dent popularity |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58240425 |access-date=2 September 2021 |work=BBC |agency=BBC |issue=August 23, 2021 |publisher=BBc |date=2021}}</ref> Modi's picture on the government issued vaccine certificate has riled many people in India.<ref name="How did India beat covid-19"/> In criticizing it, [[Mamata Banerjee]], the chief minister of West Bengal demanded Modi's picture to be on death certificates too.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Geeta |title=Narendra Modi: 'Why is the Indian PM's photo on my Covid vaccine certificate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58944475 |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=BBC News, Delhi |agency=BBC |issue=October 18, 2021 |publisher=BBC |date=2021}}</ref> | ||
===Social media=== | ===Social media=== | ||
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===Mann ki Baat=== | ===Mann ki Baat=== | ||
[[File:Mannkibaatnazareth.jpg|thumb|right|Students watching Modi presenting Mann ki Baat]] | [[File:Mannkibaatnazareth.jpg|thumb|right|Students watching Modi presenting Mann ki Baat]] | ||
Modi's use of social media has been at the expense of traditional media such as Television and print media. He rarely gives interviews or holds a press conference.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guha |first1=Ramachandra |title=Ramachandra Guha: Despite denouncing the Mughal and British empires, Modi is imitating their hubris |url=https://scroll.in/article/988101/ramachandra-guha-despite-denouncing-the-mughal-and-british-empires-modi-is-imitating-their-hubris |access-date=1 March 2021 |work=Scroll.in |issue=Feb 28 2021 |publisher=Scroll Media Incorporation |date=2021}}</ref><ref>Plagemann, J. and Destradi, S., 2019. Populism and foreign policy: The case of India. Foreign Policy Analysis, 15(2), pp.283-301.[https://academic.oup.com/fpa/article/15/2/283/5227592]</ref> Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has also been hosting a monthly monologue called [[Mann Ki Baat]] on the government owned All India radio and Doordarshan.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pms-first-radio-address-mann-ki-baat-top-10-quotes/20141003.htm |title=PM's first radio address 'Mann ki baat': Top 10 quotes |work=[[Rediff.com]] }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-narendra-modi-touches-people-through-his-mann-ki-baat-leaves-opposition-squirming-2023327 |title=Narendra Modi touches people through his Mann Ki Baat, leaves opposition squirming |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |date=4 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/modis-first-radio-interaction-mann-ki-baat-on-all-india-radio/article11056264.ece | title=Modi goes on AIR | date=3 October 2014 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | access-date=10 August 2018 }}</ref> His supporters applaud the use of an old fashioned medium like radio to promote positive social causes while his detractors call it another propaganda tactic by Modi to reach out to millions of people untouched by the internet.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dholakia |first1=Amit |title=How 'Mann Ki Baat' is an effective soft propaganda |url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/how-mann-ki-baat-is-an-effective-soft-propaganda/articleshow/66714608.cms |access-date=13 October 2020 |work=Ahmedabad Mirror |agency=India Times |issue=Nov 21, 2018 |date=2018}}</ref> | Modi's use of social media has been at the expense of traditional media such as Television and print media. He rarely gives interviews or holds a press conference.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guha |first1=Ramachandra |title=Ramachandra Guha: Despite denouncing the Mughal and British empires, Modi is imitating their hubris |url=https://scroll.in/article/988101/ramachandra-guha-despite-denouncing-the-mughal-and-british-empires-modi-is-imitating-their-hubris |access-date=1 March 2021 |work=Scroll.in |issue=Feb 28 2021 |publisher=Scroll Media Incorporation |date=2021}}</ref><ref>Plagemann, J. and Destradi, S., 2019. Populism and foreign policy: The case of India. Foreign Policy Analysis, 15(2), pp.283-301.[https://academic.oup.com/fpa/article/15/2/283/5227592]</ref> Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has also been hosting a monthly monologue called [[Mann Ki Baat]] on the government owned [[All India radio]] and [[Doordarshan]].<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/pms-first-radio-address-mann-ki-baat-top-10-quotes/20141003.htm |title=PM's first radio address 'Mann ki baat': Top 10 quotes |work=[[Rediff.com]] }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-narendra-modi-touches-people-through-his-mann-ki-baat-leaves-opposition-squirming-2023327 |title=Narendra Modi touches people through his Mann Ki Baat, leaves opposition squirming |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |date=4 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/modis-first-radio-interaction-mann-ki-baat-on-all-india-radio/article11056264.ece | title=Modi goes on AIR | date=3 October 2014 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | access-date=10 August 2018 }}</ref> His supporters applaud the use of an old fashioned medium like [[All India Radio|radio]] to promote positive social causes while his detractors call it another propaganda tactic by Modi to reach out to millions of people untouched by the internet.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dholakia |first1=Amit |title=How 'Mann Ki Baat' is an effective soft propaganda |url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/how-mann-ki-baat-is-an-effective-soft-propaganda/articleshow/66714608.cms |access-date=13 October 2020 |work=Ahmedabad Mirror |agency=India Times |issue=Nov 21, 2018 |date=2018}}</ref> | ||
===Media intimidation=== | ===Media intimidation=== | ||
Modi has been called a controversial, polarising and divisive figure by many media sources.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130702/jsp/nation/story_17071479.jsp| title=Boomerang warning in article on 'polarising' Modi| last=Ramaseshan|first=Radhika|work=The Telegraph |location=Kolkata|date=2 July 2013|access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Specials/Coverage/Gujarat-Assembly-Elections-2012/Chunk-HT-UI-GujaratAssemblyElections2012-BlogPostsAshokMalik/Popular-but-polarising-can-Narendra-Modi-be-PM/SP-Article10-956550.aspx |title=Popular but polarising: can Narendra Modi be PM? |last=Malik |first=Ashok |work=Hindustan Times |date=8 November 2012 |access-date=15 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210144412/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Specials/Coverage/Gujarat-Assembly-Elections-2012/Chunk-HT-UI-GujaratAssemblyElections2012-BlogPostsAshokMalik/Popular-but-polarising-can-Narendra-Modi-be-PM/SP-Article10-956550.aspx |archive-date=10 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/opinion/sunday/indias-divisive-technocrat.html?_r=0| title=In India, a Dangerous and Divisive Technocrat| last=Bajaj|first=Vikas|work=The New York Times| date=22 December 2012| access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> There are reports that Modi and his government are highly anxious to avoid negative media attention. Journalists and public figures have lost their jobs following criticism of Modi.<ref name="Economist Nov 2007">{{cite web|title=India's prime minister focuses too much on appearances|url=https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21730880-consequences-are-beginning-catch-up-him-indias-prime-minister-focuses-too-much?fsrc=scn%2Ftw%2Fte%2Fbl%2Fed%2Findiasprimeministerfocusestoomuchonappearancesmodiblues|website=[[The Economist]]|language=en|date=2 November 2007}}</ref> | Modi has been called a controversial, polarising and divisive figure by many media sources.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130702/jsp/nation/story_17071479.jsp| title=Boomerang warning in article on 'polarising' Modi| last=Ramaseshan|first=Radhika|work=The Telegraph |location=Kolkata|date=2 July 2013|access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Specials/Coverage/Gujarat-Assembly-Elections-2012/Chunk-HT-UI-GujaratAssemblyElections2012-BlogPostsAshokMalik/Popular-but-polarising-can-Narendra-Modi-be-PM/SP-Article10-956550.aspx |title=Popular but polarising: can Narendra Modi be PM? |last=Malik |first=Ashok |work=Hindustan Times |date=8 November 2012 |access-date=15 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210144412/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Specials/Coverage/Gujarat-Assembly-Elections-2012/Chunk-HT-UI-GujaratAssemblyElections2012-BlogPostsAshokMalik/Popular-but-polarising-can-Narendra-Modi-be-PM/SP-Article10-956550.aspx |archive-date=10 February 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/opinion/sunday/indias-divisive-technocrat.html?_r=0| title=In India, a Dangerous and Divisive Technocrat| last=Bajaj|first=Vikas|work=The New York Times| date=22 December 2012| access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> There are reports that Modi and his government are highly anxious to avoid negative media attention. Journalists and public figures have lost their jobs following criticism of Modi.<ref name="Economist Nov 2007">{{cite web|title=India's prime minister focuses too much on appearances|url=https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21730880-consequences-are-beginning-catch-up-him-indias-prime-minister-focuses-too-much?fsrc=scn%2Ftw%2Fte%2Fbl%2Fed%2Findiasprimeministerfocusestoomuchonappearancesmodiblues|website=[[The Economist]]|language=en|date=2 November 2007}}</ref> | ||
=== | === Personal appearance === | ||
{{Quote box | {{Quote box | ||
|quote = God has gifted me the sense of mixing and matching colours. So I manage everything on my own. Since I’m God gifted I fit well in everything. I have no fashion designer but I’m happy to hear that I dress well. | |quote = God has gifted me the sense of mixing and matching colours. So I manage everything on my own. Since I’m God gifted I fit well in everything. I have no fashion designer but I’m happy to hear that I dress well. | ||
|source = Narendra Modi, in ''The Modi Effect'' by [[Lance Price]]''<ref name="WSJ March 2015"/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Price|first1=Lance|author-link1=Lance Price|title=The Modi Effect: Inside Narendra Modi's Campaign to Transform India|date=March 24, 2015|publisher=[[Quercus (publisher)|Quercus]]|location=London|isbn=978-1623659387}}</ref> | |source = Narendra Modi, in ''The Modi Effect'' by [[Lance Price]]''<ref name="WSJ March 2015"/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Price|first1=Lance|author-link1=Lance Price|title=The Modi Effect: Inside Narendra Modi's Campaign to Transform India|date=March 24, 2015|publisher=[[Quercus (publisher)|Quercus]]|location=London|isbn=978-1623659387}}</ref> | ||
| width = 22em | | width = 22em | ||
}} | }} | ||
Modi has been called a fashion leader in India, and his clothing choices have been discussed internationally.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/08/08/is-modi-indias-best-dressed-prime-minister-ever/ |title=Is Modi India's Best-Dressed Prime Minister Ever? |first1=Suryatapa |last1=Bhattacharya |first2=Shanoor |last2=Seervai |work=blogs.wsj.com |date=8 August 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://time.com/2836061/narendra-modi-modi-kurta-fashion-india/ |title=India's New Prime Minister Is the Country's Latest Fashion Icon |first=P. Nash |last=Jenkins |work=time.com |date=6 June 2014|access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> Recognition of his sartorial style is a major part of his public image.<ref name="WSJ March 2015">{{cite web |url= https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/03/17/modi-says-his-fashion-sense-a-gift-from-god/ |title=Modi Says His Fashion Sense Is a Gift From God |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=17 March 2015|access-date=15 April 2015}}</ref> The type of [[vest]] regularly worn by Modi have become popular, and called as ''Modi Jackets''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Three Years And Counting, Modi Jackets Remain Hot Favourites With Consumers|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/three-years-and-counting-modi-jackets-remain-hot-favourites-with-consumers-2358289.html|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Moneycontrol}}</ref> | Modi has been called a fashion leader in India, and his clothing choices have been discussed internationally.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/08/08/is-modi-indias-best-dressed-prime-minister-ever/ |title=Is Modi India's Best-Dressed Prime Minister Ever? |first1=Suryatapa |last1=Bhattacharya |first2=Shanoor |last2=Seervai |work=blogs.wsj.com |date=8 August 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://time.com/2836061/narendra-modi-modi-kurta-fashion-india/ |title=India's New Prime Minister Is the Country's Latest Fashion Icon |first=P. Nash |last=Jenkins |work=time.com |date=6 June 2014|access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> Recognition of his sartorial style is a major part of his public image.<ref name="WSJ March 2015">{{cite web |url= https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/03/17/modi-says-his-fashion-sense-a-gift-from-god/ |title=Modi Says His Fashion Sense Is a Gift From God |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=17 March 2015|access-date=15 April 2015}}</ref> The type of [[vest]] regularly worn by Modi have become popular, and called as ''Modi Jackets''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Three Years And Counting, Modi Jackets Remain Hot Favourites With Consumers|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/three-years-and-counting-modi-jackets-remain-hot-favourites-with-consumers-2358289.html|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Moneycontrol}}</ref> | ||
In January 2015 while receiving United States President Barack Obama in a [[state visit]] at the [[Hyderabad House]], Modi wore a [[Nehru Jacket|suit]] with his name [[Embroidery|embroidered]] repeatedly in the pinstripes.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/01/26/narendra-modis-suit-and-its-message-to-obama/ |title=Narendra Modi's Suit and Its Message to Obama – India Real Time |first=Suryatapa |last=Bhattacharya |work=blogs.wsj.com |date=January 26, 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> Modi claimed that the suit was gifted to him.<ref name="bbc January 2015">{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-31034110 |title=India PM Narendra Modi's '1m-rupee name suit' criticised |work=bbc.com |date=29 January 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> Modi's political opposition criticized his wearing the suit, complaining that he campaigns on an image of coming from a poor background and living without money while at the same time wearing luxury products such as this suit.<ref name="NPR February 2015">{{cite web |url= https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/20/387822916/modis-fancy-pinstripe-suit-lands-694-000-at-auction |title=Modi's Fancy Pinstripe Suit Lands $694,000 At Auction |first=Julie |last=McCarthy |work=npr.org |date=February 20, 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> Other commentators said that in choosing this suit Modi was being a ''[[parvenu]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url= http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nandygram/modis-monogrammed-suit-rise-of-the-narcissistic-parvenu/ |title=Modi's monogrammed suit: Rise of the narcissistic parvenu? |first=Chandan |last=Nandy |work=indiatimes.com |date=January 27, 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> at the height of vanity,<ref name="NPR February 2015"/> going to a ridiculous extreme,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/01/26/prime-minister-modi-wore-a-suit-that-takes-personalization-to-a-ridiculous-extreme/ |title=Prime Minister Modi wore a suit that takes personalization to a ridiculous extreme |first=Katie |last=Zezima |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=26 January 2015|publisher=[[Washington Post Company|WPC]] |location=[[Washington, DC|Washington DC]] |issn=0190-8286 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> and political opposition party leader [[Jairam Ramesh]] said that he was a megalomaniac.<ref name="bbc January 2015"/> A month later the suit was auctioned for {{US$|695000}} and amount was directly donated to the Clean Ganga Mission. Journalist [[Siddharth Varadarajan]] commented on the public support for the auction by saying "the manner in which Mr. Modi's leadership has been projected is extremely unhealthy in any democratic society".<ref name="NPR February 2015"/> What was noticeable was that though Modi had not paid a penny for the suit material and also the making which was done free of cost by Jade Blue, he still managed to auction the suit for US$695,000 and contributed the entire amount for Clean Ganga project.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020|reason=Your explanation here}} | In January 2015 while receiving United States President Barack Obama in a [[state visit]] at the [[Hyderabad House]], Modi wore a [[Nehru Jacket|suit]] with his name [[Embroidery|embroidered]] repeatedly in the pinstripes.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/01/26/narendra-modis-suit-and-its-message-to-obama/ |title=Narendra Modi's Suit and Its Message to Obama – India Real Time |first=Suryatapa |last=Bhattacharya |work=blogs.wsj.com |date=January 26, 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> Modi claimed that the suit was gifted to him.<ref name="bbc January 2015">{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-31034110 |title=India PM Narendra Modi's '1m-rupee name suit' criticised |work=bbc.com |date=29 January 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> Modi's political opposition criticized his wearing the suit, complaining that he campaigns on an image of coming from a poor background and living without money while at the same time wearing luxury products such as this suit.<ref name="NPR February 2015">{{cite web |url= https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/20/387822916/modis-fancy-pinstripe-suit-lands-694-000-at-auction |title=Modi's Fancy Pinstripe Suit Lands $694,000 At Auction |first=Julie |last=McCarthy |work=npr.org |date=February 20, 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> Other commentators said that in choosing this suit Modi was being a ''[[parvenu]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url= http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nandygram/modis-monogrammed-suit-rise-of-the-narcissistic-parvenu/ |title=Modi's monogrammed suit: Rise of the narcissistic parvenu? |first=Chandan |last=Nandy |work=indiatimes.com |date=January 27, 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> at the height of vanity,<ref name="NPR February 2015"/> going to a ridiculous extreme,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/01/26/prime-minister-modi-wore-a-suit-that-takes-personalization-to-a-ridiculous-extreme/ |title=Prime Minister Modi wore a suit that takes personalization to a ridiculous extreme |first=Katie |last=Zezima |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=26 January 2015|publisher=[[Washington Post Company|WPC]] |location=[[Washington, DC|Washington DC]] |issn=0190-8286 |access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> and political opposition party leader [[Jairam Ramesh]] said that he was a megalomaniac.<ref name="bbc January 2015"/> A month later the suit was auctioned for {{US$|695000}} and amount was directly donated to the Clean Ganga Mission. Journalist [[Siddharth Varadarajan]] commented on the public support for the auction by saying "the manner in which Mr. Modi's leadership has been projected is extremely unhealthy in any democratic society".<ref name="NPR February 2015"/> What was noticeable was that though Modi had not paid a penny for the suit material and also the making which was done free of cost by Jade Blue, he still managed to auction the suit for US$695,000 and contributed the entire amount for Clean Ganga project.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020|reason=Your explanation here}} | ||
Modi's usual attire is a [[kurta]] and vest,<ref name="Sharma June 2014">{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/06/06/heres-what-narendra-modis-fashion-says-about-his-politics/ |title=Here's what Narendra Modi's fashion says about his politics – The Washington Post |first=Swati |last=Sharma |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=6 June 2014 |publisher=[[Washington Post Company|WPC]] |location=[[Washington, DC|Washington DC]] |issn=0190-8286 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> and his half-sleeve kurta is sometimes called the Modi Kurta.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091012/jsp/frontpage/story_11604833.jsp |title=Nothing casual about it |first1=Rasheed |last1=Kidwai |first2=Radhika |last2=Ramaseshan |work=telegraphindia.com |date=12 October 2009 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Friedman June 2014">{{cite web |url= http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/narendra-modi-a-leader-who-is-what-he-wears/?_r=0 |title=Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India: A Leader Who Is What He Wears |first=Vanessa |last=Friedman |work=runway.blogs.nytimes.com |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Row-over-Modi-kurta-label-ends/articleshow/43462261.cms |title=Row over 'Modi kurta' label ends |work=indiatimes.com |date=26 September 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> The prime minister's clothes are made of silk or cotton, are crisply ironed and are handmade in Gujarat.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020|reason=Your explanation here}} When he was chief minister he wore bold, bright colours, changing to [[Pastel (color)|pastels]] as prime minister. For holidays, Modi wears a traditional turban from wherever he is.<ref name="Sharma June 2014" /> Some of his clothing has been created by Bollywood fashion designer [[Troy Costa]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/fashion/troy-costa-meet-prime-minister-narendra-modi-s-new-designer/article1-1247157.aspx |title=Troy Costa: Meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new designer |first=Snigdha |last=Ahuja |work=hindustantimes.com |date=1 August 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/US-gets-an-eyeful-of-new-India-as-dapper-Modi-stru-30244188.html |title=US gets an eyeful of new India as dapper Modi struts his stuff – The Nation |author=Agence France-Presse |work=nationmultimedia.com |date=27 September 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> | Modi's usual attire is a [[kurta]] and vest,<ref name="Sharma June 2014">{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/06/06/heres-what-narendra-modis-fashion-says-about-his-politics/ |title=Here's what Narendra Modi's fashion says about his politics – The Washington Post |first=Swati |last=Sharma |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=6 June 2014 |publisher=[[Washington Post Company|WPC]] |location=[[Washington, DC|Washington DC]] |issn=0190-8286 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> and his half-sleeve kurta is sometimes called the Modi Kurta.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091012/jsp/frontpage/story_11604833.jsp |title=Nothing casual about it |first1=Rasheed |last1=Kidwai |first2=Radhika |last2=Ramaseshan |work=telegraphindia.com |date=12 October 2009 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Friedman June 2014">{{cite web |url= http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/narendra-modi-a-leader-who-is-what-he-wears/?_r=0 |title=Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India: A Leader Who Is What He Wears |first=Vanessa |last=Friedman |work=runway.blogs.nytimes.com |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Row-over-Modi-kurta-label-ends/articleshow/43462261.cms |title=Row over 'Modi kurta' label ends |work=indiatimes.com |date=26 September 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> The prime minister's clothes are made of silk or cotton, are crisply ironed and are handmade in Gujarat.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020|reason=Your explanation here}} When he was chief minister he wore bold, bright colours, changing to [[Pastel (color)|pastels]] as prime minister. For holidays, Modi wears a traditional turban from wherever he is.<ref name="Sharma June 2014" /> Some of his clothing has been created by Bollywood fashion designer [[Troy Costa]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/fashion/troy-costa-meet-prime-minister-narendra-modi-s-new-designer/article1-1247157.aspx |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150715031933/http://www.hindustantimes.com/fashion/troy-costa-meet-prime-minister-narendra-modi-s-new-designer/article1-1247157.aspx |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 July 2015 |title=Troy Costa: Meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new designer |first=Snigdha |last=Ahuja |work=hindustantimes.com |date=1 August 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/US-gets-an-eyeful-of-new-India-as-dapper-Modi-stru-30244188.html |title=US gets an eyeful of new India as dapper Modi struts his stuff – The Nation |author=Agence France-Presse |work=nationmultimedia.com |date=27 September 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> | ||
In 2009, Modi's clothing was said to be Bollywoodesque and indicative of Gujarat's modernism.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/modi-dons-denims-keeping-pace-with-gujarat/article61342.ece |title=Modi dons denims keeping pace with Gujarat – The Hindu |work=thehindu.com |date=7 December 2009 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> According to ''[[Vogue India]]'' editor Priya Tanna in a ''New York Times'' blog, "Never before has there been such a strong convergence between what a politician in India stands for and his clothing." Tanna called his clothing choice "100% India": democratic, supportive of Indian industry (separating him from politicians in Western suits), emblematic of his humble birth, clean and hygienic.<ref name="Friedman June 2014" /> Responding to Tanna, another commentator said that Modi's fashion choice has no particular meaning and there is no need to interpret it.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.firstpost.com/living/modi-is-what-he-wears-nyts-absurd-interpretation-of-the-pms-kurta-1562507.html |title=Modi is what he wears: NYT's absurd interpretation of the PM's kurta |work=firstpost.com |date=10 June 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> | In 2009, Modi's clothing was said to be Bollywoodesque and indicative of Gujarat's modernism.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/modi-dons-denims-keeping-pace-with-gujarat/article61342.ece |title=Modi dons denims keeping pace with Gujarat – The Hindu |work=thehindu.com |date=7 December 2009 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> According to ''[[Vogue India]]'' editor Priya Tanna in a ''New York Times'' blog, "Never before has there been such a strong convergence between what a politician in India stands for and his clothing." Tanna called his clothing choice "100% India": democratic, supportive of Indian industry (separating him from politicians in Western suits), emblematic of his humble birth, clean and hygienic.<ref name="Friedman June 2014" /> Responding to Tanna, another commentator said that Modi's fashion choice has no particular meaning and there is no need to interpret it.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.firstpost.com/living/modi-is-what-he-wears-nyts-absurd-interpretation-of-the-pms-kurta-1562507.html |title=Modi is what he wears: NYT's absurd interpretation of the PM's kurta |work=firstpost.com |date=10 June 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> | ||
Modi also likes to don the orange ([[bhagwa]]) robes of a Hindu [[sanyasi]] for photo opportunities. At the end of the election campaign in May 2019, he travelled to a mountain cave in the Himalayas at [[Kedarnath]] for meditation. He was heavily mocked by national and international media for conducting his meditation (tapasya in Sanskrit) in a cave that had an attached toilet, a heater, a bathing area, an electric geyser, a telephone, WiFi, and a grand view. A cameraperson was allowed to record the session.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sampath |first1=G |title=Luxury meditation: A cave with a view |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/luxury-meditation-a-cave-with-a-view/article27233590.ece |access-date=13 October 2020 |work=The Hindu |issue=May 26, 2019 |date=May 2019}}</ref> | Modi also likes to don the orange ([[bhagwa]]) robes of a Hindu [[sanyasi]] for [[Photo op|photo opportunities]]. At the end of the election campaign in May 2019, he travelled to a mountain cave in the Himalayas at [[Kedarnath]] for meditation. He was heavily mocked by national and international media for conducting his meditation (tapasya in Sanskrit) in a cave that had an attached toilet, a heater, a bathing area, an electric geyser, a telephone, WiFi, and a grand view. A cameraperson was allowed to record the session.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sampath |first1=G |title=Luxury meditation: A cave with a view |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/luxury-meditation-a-cave-with-a-view/article27233590.ece |access-date=13 October 2020 |work=The Hindu |issue=May 26, 2019 |date=May 2019}}</ref> | ||
====56-inch chest==== | ====56-inch chest==== | ||
| Line 55: | Line 63: | ||
===Charity=== | ===Charity=== | ||
Modi donates generously for different government related schemes. He always auctions gifts received. He has raised Rs 89.96 crore by auctioning all gifts he received as [[List of chief ministers of Gujarat|Chief Minister of Gujarat]] and donated this to the Kanya Kelavani Fund. After becoming PM, he has contributed to public causes ranging from Girl Child Education to Clean Ganga to welfare of underprivileged. These donations have now exceeded 103 crores and most of that | Modi donates generously for different government related schemes. He always auctions gifts received. | ||
{{Citation needed|date=October 2021|reason=Your explanation here}} He has raised Rs 89.96 crore by auctioning all gifts he received as [[List of chief ministers of Gujarat|Chief Minister of Gujarat]] and donated this to the Kanya Kelavani Fund. After becoming PM, he has contributed to public causes ranging from Girl Child Education to [[Pollution of the Ganges|Clean Ganga]] to welfare of underprivileged. These donations have now exceeded 103 crores and most of that come from auctions of the gifts he has received as a government official, and also from his savings.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 3, 2020|title=PM Modi's donations from his savings and proceeds of auctions exceed Rs 103 crore|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modis-donations-from-his-savings-and-proceeds-of-auctions-exceed-rs-103-crore/articleshow/77907816.cms|access-date=2021-02-18|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The ethics of his auctioning of gifts that he received as a government official without depositing them with the exchequer has been subjected to criticism.<ref>{{cite news |title=Congress asks PM Modi to explain gift Ethics |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Congress-asks-PM-Modi-to-explain-gift-ethics/articleshow/46280999.cms |access-date=26 October 2020 |work=Times of India |issue=February 18, 2015 |date=2015}}</ref> | |||
===Yoga=== | ===Yoga=== | ||
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participating in the mass yoga demonstration at the Capitol Complex, Chandigarh, on the occasion of the 2nd International Day of Yoga – 2016, on June 21, 2016 (4).jpg|right|thumb|Narendra Modi as prime minister participating in International Day of Yoga – 2016]] | [[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participating in the mass yoga demonstration at the Capitol Complex, Chandigarh, on the occasion of the 2nd International Day of Yoga – 2016, on June 21, 2016 (4).jpg|right|thumb|Narendra Modi as prime minister participating in International Day of Yoga – 2016]] | ||
After promoting Yoga in his 2015 address to the UN, Modi has been holding the [[International Day of Yoga]] every year on 21 June, the day of Northern [[Summer solstice]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-21|title='Yoga brings people together': PM Modi on International Yoga Day|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/yoga-brings-people-together-pm-modi-on-international-yoga-day/story-aFl0rryQxPHTdi6fRyviaJ.html|access-date=2020-10-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> | After promoting Yoga in his 2015 address to the UN, Modi has been holding the [[International Day of Yoga]] celebrations every year on 21 June, the day of Northern [[Summer solstice]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-21|title='Yoga brings people together': PM Modi on International Yoga Day|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/yoga-brings-people-together-pm-modi-on-international-yoga-day/story-aFl0rryQxPHTdi6fRyviaJ.html|access-date=2020-10-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> | ||
== Popularity and influence == | == Popularity and influence == | ||
In November 2017, a survey of [[Pew Research Center]] showed Modi to be the "by far" most popular figure in Indian politics. In this survey Modi at 88% was ahead of Rahul Gandhi (58%), Sonia Gandhi (57%) and Arvind Kejriwal (39%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-by-far-most-popular-figure-in-indian-politics-says-survey-by-american-think-tank-pew-1776032 |title=PM Narendra Modi 'By Far' Most Popular Figure In Indian Politics: Pew Survey |publisher=Ndtv.com |date=2017-11-16 |access-date=2018-02-22}}</ref> | In November 2017, a survey of [[Pew Research Center]] showed Modi to be the "by far" most popular figure in Indian politics. In this survey Modi at 88% was ahead of Rahul Gandhi (58%), Sonia Gandhi (57%) and Arvind Kejriwal (39%).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-by-far-most-popular-figure-in-indian-politics-says-survey-by-american-think-tank-pew-1776032 |title=PM Narendra Modi 'By Far' Most Popular Figure In Indian Politics: Pew Survey |publisher=Ndtv.com |date=2017-11-16 |access-date=2018-02-22}}</ref> | ||
In a nationwide survey concerning Indian Chief Ministers, Modi was named Best Chief Minister in 2007 by ''[[India Today]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20070212/nation1.html |title=Making Up For Lost Time |work=India Today |date=12 February 2007 |access-date=12 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213051617/http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20070212/nation1.html |archive-date=13 February 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In March 2012 Modi appeared on the cover of the Asian edition of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', one of the few Indian politicians to have done so,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://world.time.com/2012/03/16/why-narendra-modi-is-indias-most-loved-and-loathed-politician/|title=Why Narendra Modi is India's Most Loved and Loathed Politician|work=Time|date=16 March 2012|access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref> and made the 2014 [[Time 100]] list of the world's most influential people.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://time.com/70845/ |title=The 100 Most Influential People: Narendra Modi |work=Time |location=US |first=Fareed |last=Zakaria |date=23 April 2014 |access-date=25 April 2014}}</ref> He has become the most followed Asian leader on Twitter,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anuraghunathan/2014/07/11/narendra-modi-is-asia's-most-followed-leader-on-twitter/ |title=Modi is Asia's most followed leader on Twitter |date=11 July 2014 |access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref> and in 2014 was ranked the [[Forbes list of The World's Most Powerful People|15th-most-powerful person in the world]] by ''[[Forbes]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title= The World's Most Powerful People|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/narendra-modi/|newspaper= Forbes|date= November 2014|access-date=6 November 2014}}</ref> In 2015, Modi was one of ''Time''{{'}}s "30 most influential people on the internet" as the second-most-followed politician on Twitter and Facebook.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://time.com/3732203/the-30-most-influential-people-on-the-internet/ | title=The 30 Most Influential People on the Internet | work=Time | date=5 March 2015 | access-date=6 March 2015}}</ref> In 2015, Modi was ranked 5th on ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine's list of 'World's Greatest Leaders'.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.businessinsider.in/Narendra-Modi-and-Kailash-Satyarthi-are-worlds-greatest-leaders-says-Fortune-Magazine/articleshow/46715870.cms| title=Narendra Modi and Kailash Satyarthi are world's greatest leaders, says Fortune Magazine| work=[[Business Insider]]| date=27 March 2015 | access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> Modi was featured in a cover story written by journalist and novelist, [[Aatish Taseer]] in a Time magazine article titled "India's divider in chief" in the May 20 2019 issue.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taseer |first1=Aatish |title=Can the World's Largest Democracy Endure Another Five Years of a Modi Government? |url=https://time.com/5586415/india-election-narendra-modi-2019/ |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=Time |issue=May 20 2019 |publisher=TIME USA LLC}}</ref> This was followed by an article, in the same magazine, written by Modi's advisor, Manoj Ladwa titled, "Modi united India like no PM in decades" in the May 30 2019 issue of [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] magazine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Narendra Modi: After 'India's divider in chief', Time magazine now says 'Modi has united India' |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/after-indias-divider-in-chief-time-magazine-now-says-modi-has-united-india/articleshow/69553346.cms |website=The Economic Times |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=30 May 2019}}</ref> | In a nationwide survey concerning Indian Chief Ministers, Modi was named Best Chief Minister in 2007 by ''[[India Today]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20070212/nation1.html |title=Making Up For Lost Time |work=India Today |date=12 February 2007 |access-date=12 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213051617/http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20070212/nation1.html |archive-date=13 February 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In March 2012 Modi appeared on the cover of the Asian edition of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', one of the few Indian politicians to have done so,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://world.time.com/2012/03/16/why-narendra-modi-is-indias-most-loved-and-loathed-politician/|title=Why Narendra Modi is India's Most Loved and Loathed Politician|work=Time|date=16 March 2012|access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref> and made the 2014 [[Time 100]] list of the world's most influential people.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://time.com/70845/ |title=The 100 Most Influential People: Narendra Modi |work=Time |location=US |first=Fareed |last=Zakaria |date=23 April 2014 |access-date=25 April 2014}}</ref> He has become the most followed Asian leader on Twitter,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anuraghunathan/2014/07/11/narendra-modi-is-asia's-most-followed-leader-on-twitter/ |title=Modi is Asia's most followed leader on Twitter |date=11 July 2014 |access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref> and in 2014 was ranked the [[Forbes list of The World's Most Powerful People|15th-most-powerful person in the world]] by ''[[Forbes]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title= The World's Most Powerful People|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/narendra-modi/|newspaper= Forbes|date= November 2014|access-date=6 November 2014}}</ref> In 2015, Modi was one of ''Time''{{'}}s "30 most influential people on the internet" as the second-most-followed politician on Twitter and Facebook.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://time.com/3732203/the-30-most-influential-people-on-the-internet/ | title=The 30 Most Influential People on the Internet | work=Time | date=5 March 2015 | access-date=6 March 2015}}</ref> In 2015, Modi was ranked 5th on ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine's list of 'World's Greatest Leaders'.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.businessinsider.in/Narendra-Modi-and-Kailash-Satyarthi-are-worlds-greatest-leaders-says-Fortune-Magazine/articleshow/46715870.cms| title=Narendra Modi and Kailash Satyarthi are world's greatest leaders, says Fortune Magazine| work=[[Business Insider]]| date=27 March 2015 | access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> Modi was featured in a cover story written by journalist and novelist, [[Aatish Taseer]] in a Time magazine article titled "India's divider in chief" in the May 20, 2019 issue.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taseer |first1=Aatish |title=Can the World's Largest Democracy Endure Another Five Years of a Modi Government? |url=https://time.com/5586415/india-election-narendra-modi-2019/ |access-date=19 February 2021 |work=Time |issue=May 20, 2019 |publisher=TIME USA LLC}}</ref> This was followed by an article, in the same magazine, written by Modi's British advisor, Manoj Ladwa titled, "Modi united India like no PM in decades" in the May 30, 2019 issue of [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] magazine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Narendra Modi: After 'India's divider in chief', Time magazine now says 'Modi has united India' |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/after-indias-divider-in-chief-time-magazine-now-says-modi-has-united-india/articleshow/69553346.cms |website=The Economic Times |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=30 May 2019}}</ref> | ||
==Criticism and controversies== | ==Criticism and controversies== | ||
{{ | {{expand section|date=July 2021|small=no}} | ||
Under Modi's tenure, India has experienced | Under Modi's tenure, India has experienced democratic backsliding.{{Efn|Sources describing that [[India]] has experienced a [[Democratic backsliding|backslide in democracy]]:<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Brunkert|first1=Lennart|last2=Kruse|first2=Stefan|last3=Welzel|first3=Christian|date=3 April 2019|title=A tale of culture-bound regime evolution: the centennial democratic trend and its recent reversal|url=http://fox.leuphana.de/portal/de/publications/a-tale-of-culturebound-regime-evolution-the-centennial-democratic-trend-and-its-recent-reversal(2b6baaf4-3942-4491-92ca-55782d455a62).html|journal=Democratization|volume=26|issue=3|pages=422–443|doi=10.1080/13510347.2018.1542430|s2cid=148625260|issn=1351-0347}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Khaitan|first=Tarunabh|date=26 May 2020|title=Killing a Constitution with a Thousand Cuts: Executive Aggrandizement and Party-state Fusion in India|url=https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/lehr/14/1/article-p49.xml|journal=Law & Ethics of Human Rights|language=en|volume=14|issue=1|pages=49–95|doi=10.1515/lehr-2020-2009|s2cid=221083830|issn=2194-6531|hdl=11343/241852|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Ganguly|first=Sumit|title=India's Democracy Is Under Threat|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/18/indias-democracy-is-under-threat/|access-date=27 November 2020|website=Foreign Policy|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=2021|title=Freedom in the World 2021:India|url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/india/freedom-world/2021|journal=Freedom House|volume=|pages=|via=|quote=While India is a multiparty democracy, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has presided over discriminatory policies and increased violence affecting the Muslim population. The constitution guarantees civil liberties including freedom of expression and freedom of religion, but harassment of journalists, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other government critics has increased significantly under Modi.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2 April 2020|title=Under Modi, India's Press Is Not So Free Anymore|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/world/asia/modi-india-press-media.html|access-date=9 March 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>|name="lo9"|group=lower-alpha}} His administration introduced the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]], which resulted in [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests|widespread protests]] across the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/12/india-citizenship-law-protest/603793/|title=When Is a Protest Too Late?|last1=Serhan|first1=Yasmeen|date=18 December 2019|website=The Atlantic|access-date=21 December 2019}}, Quote: "Though the protesters in India share a common opposition to the new citizenship law, their reasons for rejecting the legislation vary."</ref> Described as engineering a political realignment towards [[right-wing politics]], Modi remains a figure of controversy domestically and internationally over his Hindu nationalist beliefs and his alleged role during the 2002 Gujarat riots, cited as evidence of an [[Social exclusion|exclusionary social]] agenda.{{efn|Sources discussing the controversy surrounding Modi.<ref name="Buncombe">{{cite news |title=A rebirth dogged by controversy |first=Andrew |last=Buncombe |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-rebirth-dogged-by-controversy-2357157.html |work=The Independent |date=19 September 2011 |access-date=10 October 2012 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225024707/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/a-rebirth-dogged-by-controversy-2357157.html |archive-date=25 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Mishra |first=Pankaj |title=Perspectives on Modern South Asia: A Reader in Culture, History, and Representation|date=April 2011|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |isbn=978-1-4051-0062-5|page=188|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Perspectives_on_Modern_South_Asia/m-EYXNnvMugC?hl=en&gbpv=0|oclc=682895189|editor-first=Kamala |editor-last=Visweswaran|quote=The chief minister of Gujarat, a young up-and-coming leader of the Hindu nationalists called Narendra Modi, quoted Isaac Newton to explain the killings of Muslims. "Every action", he said, "has an equal and opposite reaction."}}</ref><ref name="Stepan" >{{cite journal |last1=Stepan |first1=Alfred |s2cid=153861198 |title=India, Sri Lanka, and the Majoritarian Danger |journal=Journal of Democracy |volume=26 |pages=128–140 |language=en |doi=10.1353/jod.2015.0006 |date=7 January 2015|url=https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/3590a4efe3e1f4f0d5f37d4d1f8fa3fd1e353d97 }}</ref><ref name="CBC">{{cite news|title=Indian PM Narendra Modi still mired in controversy, says expert|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=16 April 2015|access-date=17 February 2017|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/indian-pm-narendra-modi-still-mired-in-controversy-says-expert-1.3036836|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014073116/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/indian-pm-narendra-modi-still-mired-in-controversy-says-expert-1.3036836|archive-date=14 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Robinson">{{cite news |title=India's Voters Torn Over Politician |first=Simon |last=Robinson |url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1693370,00.html |journal=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=11 December 2007 |access-date=10 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023030008/http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1693370,00.html |archive-date=23 October 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Burke">{{cite news |title=Gujarat leader Narendra Modi grilled for 10 hours at massacre inquiry |first1=Jason |last1=Burke |author-link=Jason Burke |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/mar/28/gujarat-narendra-modi-massacre-inquiry-india |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=28 March 2010 |access-date=10 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909181320/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/mar/28/gujarat-narendra-modi-massacre-inquiry-india |archive-date=9 September 2013 }}</ref>|name=|group=}} | ||
[[Reporters Without Borders]] in 2021 characterised Modi as a predator for curbing press freedom in India since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Predator Narendra Modi|url=https://rsf.org/en/predator/narendra-modi|access-date=2021-07-23|website=Reporters Without Borders|language=en-US}}</ref> | [[Reporters Without Borders]] in 2021 characterised Modi as a predator for curbing press freedom in India since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Predator Narendra Modi|url=https://rsf.org/en/predator/narendra-modi|access-date=2021-07-23|website=Reporters Without Borders|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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Narendra Modi, the 14th Prime Minister of India, has elicited a number of public perceptions regarding his personality, background and policies.
Perception through the years[edit]
Journalist Ashis Nandy, who is also a trained psychologist, was one of the first to interview Modi when the latter was an RSS pracharak (missionary) at the height of the Ram Janmabhoomi campaign in the early 1990s. At that time in Modi, he found "a classic, clinical case of a fascist".[1]
Soon after becoming the chief minister of Gujarat, the state was convulsed by sectarian riots in 2002.The complicity of Modi's government in the pogrom against the Muslim minorities made Modi a pariah for many years.[2] The United States and many European countries imposed visa bans on Modi after the riots. These remained in force for many years and were lifted shortly before he became prime minister in 2014[3]
After the Gujarat riots, Modi embarked on a strategy to make the state a friendly place to set up business and rebrand his image from being a Hindu hardliner to a development oriented leader. This led to him being dubbed as Vikaspurush (Development man).[4] This was the main theme during his successful campaign in 2014.[5]
In September 2013 Modi was named the BJP's candidate for prime minister ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.[6][7] Several BJP leaders initially expressed opposition to Modi's candidature,[8] including BJP founding member L. K. Advani.[9] Contrary to the strategies used by the party during previous elections, Modi played the dominant role in the BJP's presidential style election campaign.[10][11][6][12][13][8][14][15] The 2014 election campaign was the first time he declared that he was married but had remained estranged from his wife, Jashodaben almost from the beginning of their married life.[16] Upon the disclosure, lawsuits were filed against him for forging previous election documents as against prescribed rules of the Representation of the People Act.[17]
Modi has for years presented himself as an able administrator with an eye for detail. But his reputation as a vigilant administrator started to lose its shine in 2016 when his notorious demonetisation policy caused distress to millions of Indians who largely relied on cash.Some critics termed this as "Tughlakifarman" (Tughlak's diktat) after Mohammed Tughlaq, the 14th century erratic sultan of Delhi.[18][19] His reputation took a further hit in March 2020 when he imposed a complete lockdown in the country at four hours notice to stop the spread of COVID-19. This led to millions losing their jobs and many lost their lives. The Indian economy also shrunk in percentage terms by double digit numbers. For foreign observers, his nationalist impulses are always paired with a sense of technocratic competence. But according to Christopher Clary, assistant professor of political science at the State University of New York, technocratic competence has been entirely missing from his response to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India in early 2021.[20]
Right at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, Modi set up set up the PM CARES Fund with himself, and his senior cabinet colleagues, namely the ministers of defence, home, and finance as the trustees of the fund.The Government of India had initially claimed that the fund is a private fund, and denied that the PM CARES Fund is a public fund for the purposes of transparency laws such as the Right to Information Act 2005, even though the Fund uses government infrastructure and the national emblem of the Government of India. The total amount of funds donated and the names of donors have not been publicly disclosed, and the fund is privately audited. The lack of transparency and accountability has been continuously criticized.–[21][22] In December 2020, the Government of India reversed its stance and admitted that the PM CARES Fund was a public fund, but still refused to disclose information regarding it under the Right to Information Act 2005.[lower-alpha 1]Modi was criticized for hiding out of view when the deadly second wave of Covid hit India in April 2021.[27] But Modi observers noted that he has a tendency to shy away from bad news when faced with a turmoil.[28]
Although India is a parliamentary democracy, Modi has a penchant for passing laws with minimum or no debate in the two houses of Parliament. The controversial farm reform laws were passed with less than three hours of debate in either house in September 2020. After a year long protests, Modi in November 2021 repealed the laws in three minutes in the Lok Sabha and nine minutes in the Rajya Sabha. In both cases, without any discussion.[29]
Communication strategies[edit]
Modi has used multiple strategies to build up his image. These include use of Social media, government media outlets, and a distinct attire. The machinery for this works also includes ad makers, speechwriters and assorted spinners managing Modi's image and campaigns. During his seven years in power Modi has made it sure that his images appear everywhere including on billboards, newspaper TV adverts,and vaccine certificates.[30] Modi's picture on the government issued vaccine certificate has riled many people in India.[27] In criticizing it, Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal demanded Modi's picture to be on death certificates too.[31]
Social media[edit]
One of the main strategies used by Narendra Modi and his government has been the extensive use of Social media to directly communicate with the public. In September 2014 Modi became the second-most-followed leader in the world with 5 million Twitter subscribers.[32][33] Modi's 31 August 2012 post on Google Hangouts made him the first Indian politician to interact with the public on live chat.[34][35] Modi was the second-most-followed leader in the world (with over 30 million followers on Twitter, as of June 2017[36] behind only Barack Obama.[32] For the 2014 elections, The BJP's National Digital Operations Centre (NDOC) led a group of volunteers for the social media campaign. The volunteers were charged with trolling and attacking mainstream journalists considered unfavorable to Modi. The group was headed by Arvind Gupta.[37] Gupta joined the team in 2009 and for 2014 election campaign, he was in charge of websites, uploading videos of rallies and meetings, distributing them to media houses, and posting comments and releases and trolling opponents online.[38]
There has been concern over misinformation and fake news being spread on social media platforms, particularly Whatsapp, by Modi's BJP.[39][40][41]
Mann ki Baat[edit]
Modi's use of social media has been at the expense of traditional media such as Television and print media. He rarely gives interviews or holds a press conference.[42][43] Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has also been hosting a monthly monologue called Mann Ki Baat on the government owned All India radio and Doordarshan.[44][45][46] His supporters applaud the use of an old fashioned medium like radio to promote positive social causes while his detractors call it another propaganda tactic by Modi to reach out to millions of people untouched by the internet.[47]
Media intimidation[edit]
Modi has been called a controversial, polarising and divisive figure by many media sources.[48][49][50] There are reports that Modi and his government are highly anxious to avoid negative media attention. Journalists and public figures have lost their jobs following criticism of Modi.[51]
Personal appearance[edit]
God has gifted me the sense of mixing and matching colours. So I manage everything on my own. Since I’m God gifted I fit well in everything. I have no fashion designer but I’m happy to hear that I dress well.
Narendra Modi, in The Modi Effect by Lance Price[52][53]
Modi has been called a fashion leader in India, and his clothing choices have been discussed internationally.[54][55] Recognition of his sartorial style is a major part of his public image.[52] The type of vest regularly worn by Modi have become popular, and called as Modi Jackets.[56]
In January 2015 while receiving United States President Barack Obama in a state visit at the Hyderabad House, Modi wore a suit with his name embroidered repeatedly in the pinstripes.[57] Modi claimed that the suit was gifted to him.[58] Modi's political opposition criticized his wearing the suit, complaining that he campaigns on an image of coming from a poor background and living without money while at the same time wearing luxury products such as this suit.[59] Other commentators said that in choosing this suit Modi was being a parvenu,[60] at the height of vanity,[59] going to a ridiculous extreme,[61] and political opposition party leader Jairam Ramesh said that he was a megalomaniac.[58] A month later the suit was auctioned for US$695,000 and amount was directly donated to the Clean Ganga Mission. Journalist Siddharth Varadarajan commented on the public support for the auction by saying "the manner in which Mr. Modi's leadership has been projected is extremely unhealthy in any democratic society".[59] What was noticeable was that though Modi had not paid a penny for the suit material and also the making which was done free of cost by Jade Blue, he still managed to auction the suit for US$695,000 and contributed the entire amount for Clean Ganga project.[citation needed]
Modi's usual attire is a kurta and vest,[62] and his half-sleeve kurta is sometimes called the Modi Kurta.[63][64][65] The prime minister's clothes are made of silk or cotton, are crisply ironed and are handmade in Gujarat.[citation needed] When he was chief minister he wore bold, bright colours, changing to pastels as prime minister. For holidays, Modi wears a traditional turban from wherever he is.[62] Some of his clothing has been created by Bollywood fashion designer Troy Costa.[66][67]
In 2009, Modi's clothing was said to be Bollywoodesque and indicative of Gujarat's modernism.[68] According to Vogue India editor Priya Tanna in a New York Times blog, "Never before has there been such a strong convergence between what a politician in India stands for and his clothing." Tanna called his clothing choice "100% India": democratic, supportive of Indian industry (separating him from politicians in Western suits), emblematic of his humble birth, clean and hygienic.[64] Responding to Tanna, another commentator said that Modi's fashion choice has no particular meaning and there is no need to interpret it.[69]
Modi also likes to don the orange (bhagwa) robes of a Hindu sanyasi for photo opportunities. At the end of the election campaign in May 2019, he travelled to a mountain cave in the Himalayas at Kedarnath for meditation. He was heavily mocked by national and international media for conducting his meditation (tapasya in Sanskrit) in a cave that had an attached toilet, a heater, a bathing area, an electric geyser, a telephone, WiFi, and a grand view. A cameraperson was allowed to record the session.[70]
56-inch chest[edit]
One of the strategies that Modi and his handlers have used to project his "Hero" status is his "56-inch Chest". Although a masculine attribute, the 56-inch chest seems to have garnered him support from female voters. Author Manjima Chatterjee claims that Modi's perceived decisiveness makes him a sex symbol for women.[71] His detractors, however, lampoon this attribute or try to demolish the myth by saying that it is only 44 inch.[72][73]
Charity[edit]
Modi donates generously for different government related schemes. He always auctions gifts received.[citation needed] He has raised Rs 89.96 crore by auctioning all gifts he received as Chief Minister of Gujarat and donated this to the Kanya Kelavani Fund. After becoming PM, he has contributed to public causes ranging from Girl Child Education to Clean Ganga to welfare of underprivileged. These donations have now exceeded 103 crores and most of that come from auctions of the gifts he has received as a government official, and also from his savings.[74] The ethics of his auctioning of gifts that he received as a government official without depositing them with the exchequer has been subjected to criticism.[75]
Yoga[edit]
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After promoting Yoga in his 2015 address to the UN, Modi has been holding the International Day of Yoga celebrations every year on 21 June, the day of Northern Summer solstice.[76]
Popularity and influence[edit]
In November 2017, a survey of Pew Research Center showed Modi to be the "by far" most popular figure in Indian politics. In this survey Modi at 88% was ahead of Rahul Gandhi (58%), Sonia Gandhi (57%) and Arvind Kejriwal (39%).[77]
In a nationwide survey concerning Indian Chief Ministers, Modi was named Best Chief Minister in 2007 by India Today.[78] In March 2012 Modi appeared on the cover of the Asian edition of Time, one of the few Indian politicians to have done so,[79] and made the 2014 Time 100 list of the world's most influential people.[80] He has become the most followed Asian leader on Twitter,[81] and in 2014 was ranked the 15th-most-powerful person in the world by Forbes.[82] In 2015, Modi was one of Time's "30 most influential people on the internet" as the second-most-followed politician on Twitter and Facebook.[83] In 2015, Modi was ranked 5th on Forbes magazine's list of 'World's Greatest Leaders'.[84] Modi was featured in a cover story written by journalist and novelist, Aatish Taseer in a Time magazine article titled "India's divider in chief" in the May 20, 2019 issue.[85] This was followed by an article, in the same magazine, written by Modi's British advisor, Manoj Ladwa titled, "Modi united India like no PM in decades" in the May 30, 2019 issue of Time magazine.[86]
Criticism and controversies[edit]
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Under Modi's tenure, India has experienced democratic backsliding.[lower-alpha 2] His administration introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act, which resulted in widespread protests across the country.[92] Described as engineering a political realignment towards right-wing politics, Modi remains a figure of controversy domestically and internationally over his Hindu nationalist beliefs and his alleged role during the 2002 Gujarat riots, cited as evidence of an exclusionary social agenda.[lower-alpha 3]
Reporters Without Borders in 2021 characterised Modi as a predator for curbing press freedom in India since 2014.[99]
References[edit]
Notes[edit]
Citations[edit]
- ↑ Nandy, A., 2002. Obituary of a Culture. Journal of Future Studies, 7(1), p.101.[1]
- ↑ Muraleedharan, Sruthi (2019). Symbolic encounters: identity, performativity and democratic subjectivity in contemporary India (PDF). London, UK: (SOAS University of London). p. 103. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ↑ Sreeram Chaulia (10 October 2016). Modi Doctrine: The Foreign Policy of India's Prime Minister. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 13–. ISBN 978-93-86141-98-9.
- ↑ Skoric, Marko M.; Parycek, Peter; Schossböck, Judith (9 October 2018). CeDEM Asia 2018: Proceedings of the International Conference for E-Democracy and Open Government ; Japan 2018. Edition Donau-Universität Krems. pp. 97–98. ISBN 978-3-903150-30-0.
- ↑ Muraleedharan, Sruthi (2019). Symbolic encounters: identity, performativity and democratic subjectivity in contemporary India (PDF). London, UK: (SOAS University of London). pp. 101–162. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chhibber, Pradeep K.; Ostermann, Susan L. (2014). "The BJP's Fragile Mandate: Modi and Vote Mobilizers in the 2014 General Elections". Studies in Indian Politics. 2 (2): 137–151. doi:10.1177/2321023014551870. ISSN 0958-4935. S2CID 155080682.
- ↑ Reddy, B. Muralidhar (14 September 2013). "BJP announces Modi as prime ministerial candidate". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jaffrelot, Christophe (2015). "The Modi-centric BJP 2014 election campaign: new techniques and old tactics". Contemporary South Asia. 23 (2): 151–166. doi:10.1080/09584935.2015.1027662. S2CID 142912068.
- ↑ "Advani grabs lifeline, meekly withdraws resignation". The Times of India. 12 June 2013. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ Srivastava, Ritesh K. (30 August 2011). "Election 2009 dissected: How parties cut the vote pie". Zee News. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- ↑ Chakravartty, Paula; Roy, Srirupa (2015). "Mr. Modi Goes to Delhi: Mediated Populism and the 2014 Indian Elections". Television & New Media. 16 (4): 311–322. doi:10.1177/1527476415573957. S2CID 145151089.
- ↑ Chacko, Priya; Mayer, Peter (2014). "The 'Modi lahar [wave]' in the 2014 Indian national election: A critical realignment?". Australian Journal of Political Science. 49 (3): 518–528. doi:10.1080/10361146.2014.937392. S2CID 154806289.
- ↑ Srivastava, Sanjay (April 2015). "Modi-Masculinity: Media, Manhood, and "Traditions" in a Time of Consumerism". Television & New Media. 16 (4): 331–338. doi:10.1177/1527476415575498. S2CID 145367170.
- ↑ Narayan, Badri (17 May 2014). "Modi's Modus Operandi in the 2014 Elections". Economic & Political Weekly. 49 (20): 12–14.
- ↑ Basu, Dipankar; Misra, Kartik (June 2014). "BJP's Demographic Dividend in the 2014 General Elections: An Empirical Analysis". Economics Department Working Paper Series via EconStor.
- ↑ Narendra Modi: Fast Facts, CNN, 12 September 2018 Quote: "Marriage: Jashodaben (Chimanlal) Modi (1968-present, separated); "
- ↑ Khan, Saeed (15 October 2014). "Modi's defective affidavit issue reaches high court". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ↑ Sandhu, V. and Mehra, M.N., 2018. Dithering journey of E-wallet companies in post-demonetization era in India: A case study of Paytm.International Journal of Engineering & Scientific Research (IJMRA Publications) Vol. 6 Issue 4, April 2018, ISSN: 2347-6532 [2].
- ↑ "Two years after demonetisation: A look at what has happened so far". Indian Express. No. November 18, 2018. Indian Express. 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ↑ Alluri, Aparna (2021). "India's Covid crisis delivers a blow to brand Modi". BBC. No. May 8, 2021. BBC. BBC. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
- ↑ The Curious Case of PM CARES Fund: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Suppression of Civil Society in India. International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research. Social Science Research Network (SSRN). Accessed 12 May 2021.
- ↑ Government-Citizen Pandemic Relief Efforts: Case of India's PM CARES Fund. Public Economics: National Government Expenditures & Related Policies eJournal. Social Science Research Network (SSRN). Accessed 12 May 2021.
- ↑ "'PM CARES not a public authority under RTI Act': PMO rejects application seeking fund details; will appeal, says law student - India News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 31 May 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ↑ "In top court, Centre defends creation of PM CARES Fund". The Indian Express. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ↑ "Secrecy surrounds India PM's '$1bn' Covid-19 fund". BBC News. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ↑ "PM-CARES "Controlled By Government" But RTI Doesn't Apply: New Flip-Flop". NDTV.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Banyan (2021). "How did India beat covid-19?". The Economist. No. October 29, 2021. The Economist Newspaper Limited. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ↑ Banyan (2021). "As a second wave devastates India, Narendra Modi vanishes". The Economist. No. May 22, 2021. The Economist Newspaper Limited. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ↑ Manoj, C.G. (2021). "In speeches, PM called for 'quality debates'; in House, Govt pushed 15 Bills in under 10 mins last session". The Indian Express. No. November 30 2021. Living Media India Limited. Indian Express. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ↑ Biswas, Soutik (2021). "Narendra Modi: Pandemic and sluggish growth dent popularity". BBC. No. August 23, 2021. BBc. BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ Pandey, Geeta (2021). "Narendra Modi: 'Why is the Indian PM's photo on my Covid vaccine certificate". BBC News, Delhi. No. October 18, 2021. BBC. BBC. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Sharma, Swati (25 June 2014). "White House losing Twitter war to India's Narendra Modi". Washington Post. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
- ↑ "Modi's world second most followed politician on Twitter, Facebook". Times of India. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ↑ "Narendra Modi on Google Hangout, Ajay Devgun to host event". The Times of India. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
- ↑ "People ask, Narendra Modi answers on Google Plus Hangout". CNN-IBN. 1 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
- ↑ "Megyn Kelly asked Narendra Modi if he uses Twitter. His 30 million followers responded". The Washington Post. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ Swati Chaturvedi (2016). I Am a Troll: Inside the Secret World of the BJP's Digital Army. Juggernaut Books. p. 57. ISBN 978-93-86228-09-3.
- ↑ "All the Modi men". The Telegraph online. No. 5.04.14. Telegraph. 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ↑ Perrigo, Billy. "How Volunteers for India's Ruling Party Are Using WhatsApp to Fuel Fake News Ahead of Elections". time.com. Marc & Lynne Benioff. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ↑ Poonam, Snigdha; Bansal, Samarth (1 April 2019). "Misinformation Is Endangering India's Election". The Atlantic. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ↑ Ponniah, Kevin (5 April 2019). "WhatsApp: The 'black hole' of fake news in India's election". BBC. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ↑ Guha, Ramachandra (2021). "Ramachandra Guha: Despite denouncing the Mughal and British empires, Modi is imitating their hubris". Scroll.in. No. Feb 28 2021. Scroll Media Incorporation. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ↑ Plagemann, J. and Destradi, S., 2019. Populism and foreign policy: The case of India. Foreign Policy Analysis, 15(2), pp.283-301.[3]
- ↑ "PM's first radio address 'Mann ki baat': Top 10 quotes", Rediff.com
- ↑ "Narendra Modi touches people through his Mann Ki Baat, leaves opposition squirming", Daily News and Analysis, 4 October 2014
- ↑ "Modi goes on AIR". The Hindu. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ↑ Dholakia, Amit (2018). "How 'Mann Ki Baat' is an effective soft propaganda". Ahmedabad Mirror. No. Nov 21, 2018. India Times. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ↑ Ramaseshan, Radhika (2 July 2013). "Boomerang warning in article on 'polarising' Modi". The Telegraph. Kolkata. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ Malik, Ashok (8 November 2012). "Popular but polarising: can Narendra Modi be PM?". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ Bajaj, Vikas (22 December 2012). "In India, a Dangerous and Divisive Technocrat". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ "India's prime minister focuses too much on appearances". The Economist. 2 November 2007.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 "Modi Says His Fashion Sense Is a Gift From God". The Wall Street Journal. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ↑ Price, Lance (24 March 2015). The Modi Effect: Inside Narendra Modi's Campaign to Transform India. London: Quercus. ISBN 978-1623659387.
- ↑ Bhattacharya, Suryatapa; Seervai, Shanoor (8 August 2014). "Is Modi India's Best-Dressed Prime Minister Ever?". blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ Jenkins, P. Nash (6 June 2014). "India's New Prime Minister Is the Country's Latest Fashion Icon". time.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ "Three Years And Counting, Modi Jackets Remain Hot Favourites With Consumers". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ↑ Bhattacharya, Suryatapa (26 January 2015). "Narendra Modi's Suit and Its Message to Obama – India Real Time". blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 "India PM Narendra Modi's '1m-rupee name suit' criticised". bbc.com. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 McCarthy, Julie (20 February 2015). "Modi's Fancy Pinstripe Suit Lands $694,000 At Auction". npr.org. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ↑ Nandy, Chandan (27 January 2015). "Modi's monogrammed suit: Rise of the narcissistic parvenu?". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ↑ Zezima, Katie (26 January 2015). "Prime Minister Modi wore a suit that takes personalization to a ridiculous extreme". The Washington Post. Washington DC: WPC. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 Sharma, Swati (6 June 2014). "Here's what Narendra Modi's fashion says about his politics – The Washington Post". The Washington Post. Washington DC: WPC. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ Kidwai, Rasheed; Ramaseshan, Radhika (12 October 2009). "Nothing casual about it". telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ 64.0 64.1 Friedman, Vanessa (3 June 2014). "Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India: A Leader Who Is What He Wears". runway.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ "Row over 'Modi kurta' label ends". indiatimes.com. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ Ahuja, Snigdha (1 August 2014). "Troy Costa: Meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new designer". hindustantimes.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ Agence France-Presse (27 September 2014). "US gets an eyeful of new India as dapper Modi struts his stuff – The Nation". nationmultimedia.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ "Modi dons denims keeping pace with Gujarat – The Hindu". thehindu.com. 7 December 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ "Modi is what he wears: NYT's absurd interpretation of the PM's kurta". firstpost.com. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
- ↑ Sampath, G (May 2019). "Luxury meditation: A cave with a view". The Hindu. No. May 26, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ↑ Avishek Ray (Editor); Ishita Banerjee- Dube; Manjima Chatterjee (Author) (6 July 2020). Nation, Nationalism and the Public Sphere: Religious Politics in India. SAGE Publishing India. pp. 168–175. ISBN 978-93-5388-382-9.
{{cite book}}:|author1=has generic name (help) - ↑ Sinha, Subir (2017). "Fragile Hegemony: Modi, Social Media, and Competitive Electoral Populism in India" (PDF). International Journal of Communication. 11: 4158–4180. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ↑ RayDube 2020, p. 173.
- ↑ "PM Modi's donations from his savings and proceeds of auctions exceed Rs 103 crore". The Times of India. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ↑ "Congress asks PM Modi to explain gift Ethics". Times of India. No. February 18, 2015. 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ↑ "'Yoga brings people together': PM Modi on International Yoga Day". Hindustan Times. 21 June 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ↑ "PM Narendra Modi 'By Far' Most Popular Figure In Indian Politics: Pew Survey". Ndtv.com. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ↑ "Making Up For Lost Time". India Today. 12 February 2007. Archived from the original on 13 February 2007. Retrieved 12 February 2007.
- ↑ "Why Narendra Modi is India's Most Loved and Loathed Politician". Time. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ↑ Zakaria, Fareed (23 April 2014). "The 100 Most Influential People: Narendra Modi". Time. US. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
- ↑ "Modi is Asia's most followed leader on Twitter". 11 July 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ↑ "The World's Most Powerful People". Forbes. November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
- ↑ "The 30 Most Influential People on the Internet". Time. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ↑ "Narendra Modi and Kailash Satyarthi are world's greatest leaders, says Fortune Magazine". Business Insider. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ↑ Taseer, Aatish. "Can the World's Largest Democracy Endure Another Five Years of a Modi Government?". Time. No. May 20, 2019. TIME USA LLC. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ↑ "Narendra Modi: After 'India's divider in chief', Time magazine now says 'Modi has united India'". The Economic Times. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ↑ Brunkert, Lennart; Kruse, Stefan; Welzel, Christian (3 April 2019). "A tale of culture-bound regime evolution: the centennial democratic trend and its recent reversal". Democratization. 26 (3): 422–443. doi:10.1080/13510347.2018.1542430. ISSN 1351-0347. S2CID 148625260.
- ↑ Khaitan, Tarunabh (26 May 2020). "Killing a Constitution with a Thousand Cuts: Executive Aggrandizement and Party-state Fusion in India". Law & Ethics of Human Rights. 14 (1): 49–95. doi:10.1515/lehr-2020-2009. hdl:11343/241852. ISSN 2194-6531. S2CID 221083830.
- ↑ Ganguly, Sumit. "India's Democracy Is Under Threat". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
- ↑ "Freedom in the World 2021:India". Freedom House. 2021.
While India is a multiparty democracy, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has presided over discriminatory policies and increased violence affecting the Muslim population. The constitution guarantees civil liberties including freedom of expression and freedom of religion, but harassment of journalists, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other government critics has increased significantly under Modi.
- ↑ "Under Modi, India's Press Is Not So Free Anymore". The New York Times. 2 April 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ↑ Serhan, Yasmeen (18 December 2019). "When Is a Protest Too Late?". The Atlantic. Retrieved 21 December 2019., Quote: "Though the protesters in India share a common opposition to the new citizenship law, their reasons for rejecting the legislation vary."
- ↑ Buncombe, Andrew (19 September 2011). "A rebirth dogged by controversy". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
- ↑ Mishra, Pankaj (April 2011). Visweswaran, Kamala (ed.). Perspectives on Modern South Asia: A Reader in Culture, History, and Representation. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-4051-0062-5. OCLC 682895189.
The chief minister of Gujarat, a young up-and-coming leader of the Hindu nationalists called Narendra Modi, quoted Isaac Newton to explain the killings of Muslims. "Every action", he said, "has an equal and opposite reaction."
- ↑ Stepan, Alfred (7 January 2015). "India, Sri Lanka, and the Majoritarian Danger". Journal of Democracy. 26: 128–140. doi:10.1353/jod.2015.0006. S2CID 153861198.
- ↑ "Indian PM Narendra Modi still mired in controversy, says expert". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ↑ Robinson, Simon (11 December 2007). "India's Voters Torn Over Politician". Time. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
- ↑ Burke, Jason (28 March 2010). "Gujarat leader Narendra Modi grilled for 10 hours at massacre inquiry". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
- ↑ "Predator Narendra Modi". Reporters Without Borders. Retrieved 23 July 2021.