In the era of sensational politics, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump have emerged as masters of crafting narratives that captivate their base, often at the expense of substance.
Michael Wolff, the author of Fire and Fury, a book based on a ringside view of Trump’s first term in the White House, in a podcast on March 10, spoke of Trump’s “rule by headlines”. In fact, both leaders, Trump and Modi have mastered the art of dominating headlines. Never mind that beneath the surface, their governance models have left their respective countries grappling with significant challenges. Modi’s rule by headlines has been particularly damaging, as India struggles with economic stagnation, social unrest and diplomatic isolation.
Modi’s economic policies, touted by his supporters as revolutionary, have delivered poor results.
The unemployment rate has surged to 8.1%, with youth unemployment being particularly dire, standing at nearly 10 times the adult rate.
The agricultural sector, which employs nearly half of India’s workforce, remains underproductive, highlighting the government’s inability to create sustainable jobs.
Real wages for salaried persons have come down while corporate profits have shot up.
This economic malaise was exacerbated by Modi’s penchant for sudden shocks, such as the 2016 demonetisation, which badly damaged the economy. The demonetisation debacle and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation, marred by poor planning and hasty execution, left small businesses and farmers reeling. Consumer inflation is consistently above the Reserve Bank of India’s medium-term target of 4% and the rupee has hit record lows against the US dollar.
Foreign portfolio investors have withdrawn their investments from the Indian market in record numbers but the Modi government continues to focus on symbolic gestures rather than addressing the root causes of economic malaise.
Modi’s governance has been marked by a plethora of unfulfilled promises, which have contributed significantly to the disillusionment among Indians. The promise to build 100 smart cities by 2022 remains largely unfulfilled, with efforts still in the planning stages and no significant budget allocation or layout completion.
The bullet train project, initially expected to be operational by 2019, has been delayed multiple times.
The promise of providing 24-hour electricity to all by 2022 also remains unmet, with load shedding still common in many areas.
Additionally, the ambitious plan to clean the Ganga river has seen little progress, with outlandish claims now being made by the CPCB about the purity of water at Sangam. These unfulfilled promises highlight a governance model that prioritises headlines over substance, leaving many Indians questioning Modi’s ability to deliver on its commitments.
On the social and political fronts, Modi’s governance has been marked by a disturbing erosion of democratic norms.
The use of sedition laws to silence critics has surged, with 65% of nearly 11,000 individuals implicated in sedition cases since 2010 being charged after 2014. This clampdown on dissent has been accompanied by a decline in parliamentary scrutiny of executive actions, with legislative bills often passed without debate. Internationally, India’s reputation has suffered significantly under Modi’s leadership. The handling of religious minorities and human rights issues has drawn international condemnation, even from friendly countries. The Citizenship Amendment Act and the revocation of Kashmir’s special status have been particularly contentious, highlighting the government’s disregard for minority rights.
Modi’s popularity has waned. This has been signalled by his party’s loss of parliamentary majority in 2024. Consequently, his government has intensified its embrace of Hindutva ideology, using it as a tool to maintain political relevance. This has led to a surge in systemic discrimination and religious intolerance, with hate speech and violence against Muslims becoming increasingly common. The bulldozing of Muslim homes and the lynching of minorities by vigilante groups are stark reminders of how Modi’s governance has polarised India.
The changing media landscape with independent platforms and social media, where traditional media owners and editors carry much less weight, also makes it tough for Modi to continue with his model of “rule by headlines”.
It seems that Modi’s governance model, which once thrived on grand promises and sensational headlines, has run its course after a decade. The failure to address India’s economic, social, political and diplomatic challenges has led to a desperate reliance on Hindutva bigotry to maintain his political power. This strategy can appeal to his very vocal core Hindutva base but runs the risk of alienating others.
As India navigates this critical juncture, the future of its 1.4 billion citizens hangs precariously in the balance, threatened by a governance model that has exhausted its appeal and now relies purely on divisive ideology to cling to power.
This piece was first published on The India Cable – a premium newsletter from The Wire & Galileo Ideas – and has been updated and republished here. To subscribe to The India Cable, click here.
