In a scathing report, global news outlet Bloomberg has raised concerns about India's secular identity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The report highlights a perceived shift towards a Hindu-centric agenda, citing ongoing actions and policies of the Modi government as evidence.
According to Bloomberg, India's standing as a secular state has been eroded during Modi's rule, with a particular emphasis on the government's alignment with Hindutva ideology.
The construction of the Ram temple, a flagship promise from Modi's 2014 election campaign, is presented as a clear manifestation of the government's leveraging of growing nationalism.
"The Modi government took full advantage of the surging nationalism in India, exemplified by the construction of the Ram temple," the report states, asserting that since coming to power, Modi has employed Hindutva as a strategic tool to maintain political dominance.
Bloomberg notes that Modi's agenda for the upcoming 2024 elections seems to include a continuation of such controversial initiatives, including the construction of more temples. The report underscores concerns about the government's failure to address issues like corruption, economic crisis, unemployment, and inflation over the past decade.
Critics argue that Modi's tenure has seen a departure from the principles of a secular state, with the report suggesting that the government's electoral strategies are further polarizing the diverse Indian society. Bloomberg calls for a change in government, citing concerns about the impact of what it terms "extremist measures."
The report echoes sentiments of frustration among the public, stating, "We, the people, are helpless in front of the extremist measures," and suggests
