In 2002, riots broke out across the Indian state of GujaratA state on India's western coast. It is home to 60 million people. Hindus make up nearly 90% of the population. . For two months mobs ranged across the state, smashing and killing. By the end, 1,044 people were dead, the majority of them Muslims.

The Gujarati government at the time was led by a right-wing HinduA follower of Hinduism, the third-largest religion in the world. Roughly 95% of Hindus live in India. nationalistA person who believes strongly that their country is better than all others. named Narendra ModiThe prime minister of India. He inspires passionate support from many in his country, but his critics regard him as populist, anti-Muslim and authoritarian..¹

Twenty years later, Modi is prime minister of the whole country and the most successful politician in Indian history, with an 80% approval rating.² And next Tuesday he will stand for a historic third term.

Modi's supporters say he has won the Indian people over through his policies and his charismaA charm or attractiveness that can inspire others. . During his term India has become a global economic powerhouse, overtaking the UK as the world's fifth-largest economy and now eyeing up Germany and Japan.³

And Modi has a reputation as a modest, piousDeeply religious, following all the codes of the religion. man. He is the son of poor grocers and a devoutEarnestly religious. Hindu. Many, especially young Hindu men, feel his life resonates with their own. Last week, he told supporters that he was convinced that "God has sent (him) for a purpose".

But critics say he is not all that he seems. They argue India's economic miracle is more of a mirageAn optical effect where you see something that is not really there.. While Modi's government claims India's economy is growing at a staggering 8%, a former chief economist says the government cooked the booksA saying meaning "to alter official records in order to deceive". and India's growth is actually slowing down.⁴

Instead of economic performance, critics believe, what is really driving Modi's support is his tolerance of violent Hindu nationalism. Up and down the country, religious mobs have subjected Muslims to beatings and lynchingsWhen a mob of people kill someone without legal approval. that Modi has refused to condemn.⁵

He has installed his loyalists in important government institutions which he can now use to intimidate his opposition. And if that fails he can call upon the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the world's largest right-wing paramilitaryAn unofficial group organised like a military force. organisation, linked with his party. This means that he always gets his way.

Is India sliding towards fascism?

Yes: Modi has solidified a personal grip on power by ginning upStirring up or generating some level of enthusiasm or support for something. hate mobs and defying the rule of law. If he wins a new term India's democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. will likely collapse.

No: Modi is certainly a right-wing populist but he has not expressed any desire to abolish elections or suspend the constitutionA document that sets out the fundamental rules according to which a country is governed, which are usually difficult to change. entirely. India's political system will survive.

Or... Modi is nothing new. India has had many charismatic leaders who have played fast and loose with democracy for their own personal popularity. In fact Modi had his political start in the opposition to Indira GandhiIndia's prime minister between 1966 and 1977, and again from 1980 until she was assassinated in 1984. 's decision to suspend the constitution in the 1970s.

Gujarat - A state on India's western coast. It is home to 60 million people. Hindus make up nearly 90% of the population.

Hindu - A follower of Hinduism, the third-largest religion in the world. Roughly 95% of Hindus live in India.

Nationalist - A person who believes strongly that their country is better than all others.

Narendra Modi - The prime minister of India. He inspires passionate support from many in his country, but his critics regard him as populist, anti-Muslim and authoritarian.

Charisma - A charm or attractiveness that can inspire others. 

Pious - Deeply religious, following all the codes of the religion.

Devout - Earnestly religious.

Mirage - An optical effect where you see something that is not really there.

Cooked the books - A saying meaning "to alter official records in order to deceive".

Lynchings - When a mob of people kill someone without legal approval.

Paramilitary - An unofficial group organised like a military force.

Ginning up - Stirring up or generating some level of enthusiasm or support for something.

Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.

Constitution - A document that sets out the fundamental rules according to which a country is governed, which are usually difficult to change.

Indira Gandhi - India's prime minister between 1966 and 1977, and again from 1980 until she was assassinated in 1984.