India is experiencing a strange dynamic. The Modi government
is involved in a clampdown against dissidents and the RSS paramilitaries are
harassing Christians and others who are deemed less than Indian.
Remember Modi's BJP identifies Indian-ness with Hinduism and
thus it is a viable threat to people of other religions and social persuasions.
The government can retain plausible deniability because it has its
paramilitaries that can do all the dirty work.
The BBC article (linked below) discusses the arrest of Maoist
activists which are prominent in certain parts of the country. Many believe
that free speech and expression are being curtailed. In other words for many
Indians the Modi government (even while promoting pro-market policies) is spreading
fear and the threat of authoritarianism.
At the same time Modi has just launched a massive programme
of universal health care. The timing is interesting as elections are coming up
in the spring of 2019. Of course if the rollout doesn't go well, it could
become an election issue and a thorn in the side of the BJP. One would think
they would have waited a few months. I'm sure this question will also be
discussed ad nauseam.
Some are critical of the move, arguing that it's tantamount
to scam, a means to funnel money into privatised insurers. Other cynics will
argue that it's a means to divide the poor and bring large sectors of them over
into the BJP column.
Whatever is the case, India continues to fascinate and while
as a Christian I look askance at Narendra Modi, his rise and administration
continue to generate interest.
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