Modi’s outreach to Muslims will be cosmetic only

Subject

The Hindu nationalist government's claims to be reaching out to Muslims.

Significance

Several filmmakers, scholars and activists last week wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protest against attacks on Muslims and other minorities in India. After winning a second term earlier this year, Modi encouraged colleagues in his political alliance to win “everyone’s trust”. Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denies accusations that it is anti-Muslim.

Impacts

• There will likely be further attacks by cow-protection vigilantes on Dalits as well as Muslims.
• An uptick in attacks on minority groups would prompt further protests from the BJP’s critics, but not enough to dent the party’s popularity.
• Modi’s government will reject international criticism regarding treatment of minorities in India.