One Strongman, One Billion Voters, and the Future of India

India is in the midst of a national election and its prime minister, Narendra Modi, is running to extend his 10 years in power.
Mr. Modi has become one of the most consequential leaders in India’s history, while also drawing criticism for anti-democratic practices and charges of religious persecution.
Mujib Mashal, the South Asia bureau chief for The New York Times, discusses what we might see from Mr. Modi in a third term.
Guest: Mujib Mashal (www.nytimes.com/by/mujib-mashal) , the South Asia bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
• Narendra Modi’s power keeps growing, and India looks sure to give him more (www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/wo...) .
• The brazenness of Mr. Modi’s vilification of India’s Muslims (www.nytimes.com/2024/04/23/wo...) has made it clear that he sees few checks on his power, at home or abroad.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-t...) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

[@sagarshahane1428]

Just two comments? ..... I was just thinking of getting ready with popcorn 🍿

[@kunwarvivek7055]

😂😂😂I was expecting invasion in comments section...

[@maxspidey11]

Not all voting for modi are dependent on his ration. We are well educated , earning, tax paying community who understands what is good for this country and we will support Modi

[@pvishakha]

India has always been a welfare state. It's not PM Modi has introduced it as the speaker says. Ration card system has always been there to give food security to the poor. In fact, the food security bill was introduced by the earlier govt. There were other welfare schemes too, but the corruption was rampant. The late PM Rajiv Gandhi himself had publicly commented that the beneficiary receives only 15 % of the money given by the govt. (It means 85% used to go in the hands of corrupts.) Modi govt fixed that problem by starting Direct Benefit Transfer. Now the beneficiaries receive the amount directly in their bank accounts. This has undoubtedly increased Modi's popularity.

[@jobkiruhi259]

Modi is a bachelor leading a country of 1.4 billion people without a Stormy Daniel kind of scandal.

[@RS35678max]

16:47 let me just correct you our government lifted 250 million people from poverty 2nd 800 million ratction is given but they are not dependent on it its an additional security of food so nobody has sleep empty stomach. Our government has also provided 50 million people with free houses and 70 million people with toilets . Inrespictive of there cast or religion our government also providing free health care and government helth incurence for its citizens 🤧 20:50 the Pattison was based on religion so that Hindus and Muslim get there own land and its was india that was forced to live with thes Muslims ( fiy 200 million ) india is secular not ony because of the constitution its secular because megotiy is Hindu and by nature .

[@YS27122]

“ No amount of propaganda or virtue signalling would shake india’s confidence at home. The 1.4 B people of india stands firmly with modi and BJP. Indians will decide the destiny of india. No other foreign player or entity will be allowed to shape our future. India will also help shape the destiny of the developing world. The world will pivot where india pivots.”

[@phinhager6509]

Are Indian Muslims Indian?

[@YS27122]

@@phinhager6509 yes they are. And they are all ‘converted’ muslims. That would be a better term to use.

[@PiyushSinghSisodia-om8nx]

​@@phinhager6509no.

[@majunair]

US- BJP It’s remarkable how US politicians repeatedly picks wrong overseas political ideologies consistently- 1) betting on CCP inspite of Tiananmen Square massacre and opening the door to WTO 2) Beating on championing liberal ideology across globe and now aligning with Leftist and Islamists in the name of liberalism. Historically for last 75 years the biggest obstacle for India - US political relationships was always the Congress party, Nehru family leaders and its far leftist ideology. If not for Nehru and his hippocratic ideology of enforcing leftist ideology on Indians but for himself and his family he followed the feudalistic western principles. The most natural ideological pattern to capitalistic US in India was always BJP. But every US politician has tried to attack BJP’s ideology. The reason the Nuclear deal was also possible was because BJP’s Vajpayee govt was willing to take the challenge of 55 years of socialistic & leftist poisoning of Indian voters minds and the evil congress had made US off in Indian voter’s minds. Even today US media and politicians defame and openly lie/bad-mouth about Indian democracy in order to influence Indian voters and elections in favour of Congress.. these fools do not realise that the moment Congress leaders like Rahul Gandy become PM they will destroy Indian economy but more importantly they will inject the leftist poison into Indian society and may even move India closer to a sub servant relationship to CCP against US.