Could India lose its democracy? Next week the world’s biggest election is likely to give Narendra Modi a third term as India’s prime minister. Some fear he may also be its last.
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India's PM claims he has been chosen by God
Could India lose its democracy? Next week the world's biggest election is likely to give Narendra Modi a third term as India's prime minister. Some fear he may also be its last.
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Millions of Indians are voting for their next leader. But many think they already know who the winner will be: 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., India's current prime minister.
Modi is a 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. . He has already been prime minister for 10 years.
Modi is one of the most successful politicians in Indian history.
His supporters say he has won the Indian people over with his ideas and his charm. He is the son of poor grocers and is known for his serious Hindu faith. He told supporters he thought he had been chosen by God.
But critics say he is not all that he seems. Really, they say, the reason behind support for Modi is his toleranceThe ability to accept the existence of ideas, actions or even people that you disagree with or dislike. of violent Hindu nationalism. Up and down the country, religious mobs have attacked Muslims and Modi has not spoken out against it.
His supporters have the country's top jobs and he can always call upon a military group which has links to his party, the BJP. That means, his critics say, that Modi always gets his way.
Could India lose its democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.?
Yes! Modi has a very strong hold on power in India. He is likely to win the election. And few have the power to stop him from doing anything he wants to.
No! Modi has never said he wants to get rid of elections or India's key political rules. India's democracy will survive.
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.
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.
Tolerance - The ability to accept the existence of ideas, actions or even people that you disagree with or dislike.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
India’s PM claims he has been chosen by God
Devoted: Modi's supporters, with traditional Hindu tilaka forehead markings, attend a Kolkata rally this month. Glossary
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.
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.
Tolerance - The ability to accept the existence of ideas, actions or even people that you disagree with or dislike.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.