I remember when I was in India some 20 years ago, I saw Modi on television. He was giving an interview and the reporter asked him about members of the Muslim community speaking out against some Hindu nationalist agendas. Modi’s response began with the phrase “no one is saying that …”. I remember thinking, here is a man of political power who so refuses to acknowledge even hearing the words and concerns of his opposition.
I love India, and the many sides of India, though all of this time later, hearing this man’s story, I cannot help but consider the course these past decades of history have taken.
Nationalism and failure to support the civilizing principles of law are a fatal combination anywhere for anyone.
Then you dont know enough Indian history, specifically the scale of Hindu-Muslim voilence and mistrust pre-independnce. India is so massive you can live your entire life in one area in peace without ever knowing how unstable, sensitive and traumatized another area is. That adds to all the misunderstandings about how a Modi emerges out of such a complex ecosystem.
I remember when I was in India some 20 years ago, I saw Modi on television. He was giving an interview and the reporter asked him about members of the Muslim community speaking out against some Hindu nationalist agendas. Modi’s response began with the phrase “no one is saying that …”. I remember thinking, here is a man of political power who so refuses to acknowledge even hearing the words and concerns of his opposition.
I love India, and the many sides of India, though all of this time later, hearing this man’s story, I cannot help but consider the course these past decades of history have taken.
Nationalism and failure to support the civilizing principles of law are a fatal combination anywhere for anyone.
Then you dont know enough Indian history, specifically the scale of Hindu-Muslim voilence and mistrust pre-independnce. India is so massive you can live your entire life in one area in peace without ever knowing how unstable, sensitive and traumatized another area is. That adds to all the misunderstandings about how a Modi emerges out of such a complex ecosystem.