India's recent national election marked a significant shift in the political landscape, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party failed to secure a majority on its own for the first time since coming to power in 2014. Despite this, Modi's coalition is poised to continue governing the country for another five years, albeit with potential challenges due to a slimmer majority and coalition dynamics.
Many of the Hindu nationalist policies implemented during Modi's tenure remain in effect, shaping the country's socio-political landscape. Here are some key policies that have stirred debate and controversy:
Kashmir's Lost Special Status
In 2019, the Modi government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region that had enjoyed semi-autonomous status since 1954. This move led to the region being divided into two federal territories, with direct rule from the central government. Despite legal challenges, India's Supreme Court upheld the decision, emphasizing that the region's special status was considered temporary.
A Controversial Temple on the Site of a Razed Mosque
Earlier this year, Modi inaugurated a grand temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, built on the site of a 16th-century mosque demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992. The construction of the temple, a long-standing religious flashpoint, was deemed a resolution to a decades-old dispute by the Supreme Court in 2019. However, tensions persist as Hindu groups target other mosques they claim were built on former Hindu temple sites.
Citizenship for Non-Muslims
Amidst the election fervor, Modi's government began implementing a controversial citizenship law that offers expedited citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries. The law excludes Muslims, sparking criticism from opposition-led states and civil society groups. Despite protests and violence following the law's passage in 2019, the government has proceeded with its implementation, further deepening societal divisions.
These policies underscore the complex interplay of religion, politics, and identity in India, shaping the country's future trajectory under Modi's leadership.
