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Calling Modi "pro-business" seems like a bit of an over-simplication. He's a member of the RSS ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashtriya_Swayamsevak_Sangh https
by cstross 12y ago
Calling Modi "pro-business" seems like a bit of an over-simplication. He's a member of the RSS ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashtriya_Swayamsevak_Sangh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashtriya_Swayamsevak_Sangh ), which is arguably a violently anti-muslim paramilitary group, as well as leading the BJP (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharatiya_Janata_Party https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharatiya_Janata_Party). It's not unreasonable to call the BJP centre-right on economic/business issues ... but they have other policies as well, some of which are rather disturbing.
I'm not Indian and have no connection to the sub-continent. But it does not fill me with the warm fuzzies to read in wikipedia that:
"In 2005, Modi was denied a diplomatic visa to the United States. In addition, the B-1/B-2 visa that had previously been granted to him was also revoked, under a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act which makes any foreign government official who was responsible or "directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom" ineligible for the visa."
- abhidilliwal 12y agoI just believe in data and not articles, here is something to check. http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Muslim=40%25%2B&Muslim=20-40%25 http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Muslim=40%25%2B&Muslim=20-40%25
- mxfh 12y agoWhat are you trying to show by this, if you don't give anything to compare it to? try: http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Muslim=40%25%2B http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Muslim=40%25%2B or hindi: http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Hindi-speaking=Hindi http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Hindi-speaking=Hindi vs non-hindi http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Hindi-speaking=Rest http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Hindi-speaking=Rest Also can someone explain what bi-polar means in this context (best guess so far, single party majority in voting district)? It looks very distinct: http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Bi-polar=Bi-polar http://ibn.gramener.com/live?Bi-polar=Bi-polar
- DangerousPie 12y agoI assume this supposed to show that his party did well in districts with large Muslim populations? I am not sure what you are trying to say with this. If you are claiming that this means that he can't be that anti-Muslim then I think that's far from the only possible explanation. For one, you are showing every district with at least 20% Muslim population. So even if every one of them had voted for the opposition, the 80% non-Muslims would have still decided the election.
- discardorama 12y ago> I'm not Indian and have no connection to the sub-continent. I am, so allow me. 1. The RSS is not "violently anti-muslim", despite what you read on teh internets. They have a Muslim wing, so to speak: http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-saffron-muslim/article1-1174455.aspx http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-saffron-muslim/... 2. If the "BJP has other policies, which are disturbing", please enlighten us. Just lobbing an attack and walking away doesn't do any good. 3. The US denies visas to all sorts of people; including people like Nelson Mandela. He (Modi) was investigated for the 2002 riots by Supreme Court of India, and given a clean chit.
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- discardorama 12y agoThere's no "argument from authority". The OP said he was not Indian; and I replied I was. Maybe you should try to read your own Wikipedia link? Instead of unnecessary blather, why not post some informative links? Educate us all, instead of trolling from behind a keyboard. RSS is no more "violently anti-muslim" than the Congress Party is "violently anti-Sikh". Read up about the 1984 riots, and learn something for a change.
- sergers 12y agoI would say the congress party is/was more anti-sikh than RSS is anti-muslim. Sure they put a sikh in power, but he was just a puppet figure in recent years in taking no action. I very much remember 1984 riots being a Sikh and being there during it. I welcome modi as a change, NRI Sikhs definitely despise the gandhis
- scarmig 12y agoThere's the not minor point that Congress has formally apologized for its role in the 1984 riots, while Modi and the BJP have offered none for their role in 2002, instead comparing the murdered Muslims to puppies that sometimes happen to get run over by cars.
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- kparaju 12y agoModi also wants to turn Nepal into a Hindu state[1]. The only people who should be deciding if Nepal becomes a Hindu state or a secular state are Nepali citizens. [1] http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/nepal-will-be-hindu-state-if-narendra-modi-takes-power-vhp/articleshow/33084927.cms http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation...
- pessimizer 12y agoLeaving this here before it falls to the bottom of the page: Narendra Modi and the rise of India’s neo-fascist Far-Right: The facts http://www.loonwatch.com/2014/04/narendra-modi-and-the-rise-of-indias-neo-fascist-far-right-the-facts/ http://www.loonwatch.com/2014/04/narendra-modi-and-the-rise-...
- snambi 12y agoSimilar views were expressed when Vajpayee was elected in 1998. Vajpayee's term was one of best times India ever experienced. Lets see whether such things become true.
- visava 12y agoHow many Iraq civilians were killed in Gulf war compared to 2000 in Gujrat riots. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/15/iraq-death-toll_n_4102855.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/15/iraq-death-toll_n_4... There have been many communal riots in India since 2002 but Gujrat has been peaceful place since 2002.
- chaofguan 12y agoBy US standard, Iraq was not war. It was okay for them to encroach other countries just like that in name of freedom.
- chaofguan 12y agoIf you are outsider please don't form opinions what is stated in media. Indian media is by large same as US media. Outsiders only see what is stated by shills and may not be true. If you think it is over-simplification then what you call US/UK ? Tyranny ? Politics is extremely complex in India than any other country in the world. I guarantee you US and UK will now be in queue to get appointment with him. Also, after all comments posted here I get sense that how narrow people from US / UK are. You may not like him but victory is in your face. So chill and enjoy.
- scarmig 12y agoIt's been obvious for months that Modi would win. So, feel free to engage in empty triumphalism. Meanwhile, I wish India the best, and I hope Modi makes a concerted effort to bridge religious divides and remember that India is a diverse, multicultural society. I hope his election does not instigate any communal violence of any sort, and I hope he realizes he has a special responsibility, given his history, to make sure it doesn't happen.
- curiousDog 12y agoHe is alleged to have failed to stop the riots. He wasn't involved in inciting them. By those standards, Bush should be tried for war crimes for the thousands of innocent civilians that died in Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen. But nope Obama was given a peace prize when there was war going on in Afghanistan
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- discardorama 12y ago> He is alleged to have failed to stop the riots. One can't say he didn't try. The day after the riots started, the state government sent urgent letters to the 3 states surrounding it, pleading with them to send police reinforcements. But all of the 3 states (not coincidentally, ruled by the Congress Party) refused. Even the Army was not sent (by the Central government, again ruled by Congress Party) for several days as they were "busy". Let's just think about it: if he was indeed so "anti-muslim", why weren't there more riots in Gujarat after 2002? There have been many riots in other states, but none in Gujarat.
- ramubhaisahab 12y ago>>>But it does not fill me with the warm fuzzies to read in wikipedia that:<<< My friend, you are being misguided by the agenda of anti-modi (I would rather call them anti-indian) people over here. Nevertheless in a democracy like ours, everyone is free to have his opinion and speak out about it.
- swatkat 12y ago@OP, Most likely Mr. Modi doesn't care about US visa. And, US visa is not a benchmark for someone's character.
- datacog 12y ago> Most likely Mr. Modi doesn't care about US visa I would slightly disagree. To maintain relations, move forward discussion, a US visa would be helpful. And US has already been changing their stance since the last few months as they were aware of the possible Modi victory. But I totally agree that its not a benchmark of character.
- progetpro 12y agoSo USA can gave you better character certificate then your mother and family :{
- datacog 12y agoI never said that
- snambi 12y agoSorry US visa doesn't prove anything. If at all, it simply shows someone visa officer's understanding of Modi in 2002, thats all. The election is much better and neutral judgement of someone's character. Obviously the views of 500million people are better than one person sitting in a foreign country.
- tn13 12y agoat cstross. I have been part of RSS for many years. Calling it a violent anti-muslim paramilitary group is not even an approximation its outright false. Also the whole Visa fuss is less reflection on Mr. Modi and more on US's visa policies. US will have not now eat the proverbial humble pie.
- 3apo 12y agoLike it or not Pro-business is probably why Modi was elected. Every economic indicator in India went downhill since the BJP has been out of power for the last decade[1][2] - IMO the single biggest contributing factor to get Modi elected. Indians have a short memory, the 2002 riots and other religious issues are not as relevant to the people as they used to be. [1]http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/1448580 http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/1448580 [2] http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/time-for-transformation http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/time-for-trans... Almost every economic indicator has turned adverse. In the 10-year period, growth nearly halved from 8.1 per cent to 4.9 per cent, inflation more than doubled from 3.8 per cent to 9.5 per cent, and food inflation rose nearly 10 times from 1.3 per cent to 12.8 per cent.
- z3phyr 12y agoPeople all over the world pretend to have short memory because they want to move on away from their pasts.
- snambi 12y agoVery good point. Ultimately economics wins. Poeple of india are aspiring to raise, they want to work hard and lead a honest and good life. Congress party never helped people to grow, their main agenda is always divisive ( religion ) and populist.
- cmadan 12y agoHere are the GDP growth rates of India. BJP Government --- 1999 - 8.8% 2000 - 3.8% (Dotcom bubble busts) 2001 - 4.8% 2002 - 3.8% 2003 - 7.9% Average GDP growth during BJP government - 5.82% Congress government ---- 2004 - 7.9% 2005 - 9.3% 2006 - 9.3% 2007 - 9.8% 2008 - 3.9% (Recession hits) 2009 - 8.5% (Congress is re-elected for another 5 years) 2010 - 10.3% 2011 - 6.6% 2012 - 4.7% 2013 - 4.8% Average GDP growth during Congress government - 7.51% Considering that Narendra Modi has frequently pushed the GDP growth he achieved as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in his election campaigns, I think it is fair to recognise that on a whole, that atleast in terms of GDP, Congress did much better than BJP. (I voted for neither BJP or Congress, so I'm unbiased on this)
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