New Delhi: A survey conducted in the UK among British Indians or Indians living in that country has revealed that 52% of them have a negative view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Fifty percent of Hindus among those surveyed have rejected Hindutva principles.
The survey comprised 500 people who identified themselves as British Indians and was conducted by the Platform for Indian Democracy, which describes itself as a “community-led organisation that seeks to celebrate and protect a truly democratic India”.
Men and women made up equal shares (50% each) of those surveyed. Those between 18 and 44 years of age (57%), Hindus (43%), those with a degree (62%) and those who were born outside the UK (56%) constituted majorities of respondents.
Half the respondents had lived in the UK for up to four years, while the other half had lived there for at least five years.
Views on Modi, India’s trajectory
Thirty-five percent of all respondents had a favourable view of Modi as opposed to 52% who had an unfavourable view.
Among Hindus, 57% viewed the Indian PM favourably, while 71% of non-Hindu respondents viewed him unfavourably.
“Observant Hindus, particularly those who were born in India rather than the UK, older people and those in a non-English speaking household are more likely to have a favourable view of Modi,” the Platform for Indian Democracy said in a press release.
It added that more women (34%) had an unfavourable view of Modi than did men (28%).
When asked about India’s trajectory, the Platform said 68% of Hindu respondents believed India was on the right track, but that 73% of non-Hindus and 81% of Muslims disagreed.
The survey summary also said that a majority of respondents “rated religious violence promoted by Modi, spilling over to the UK, as a top concern”, adding that over half of Hindu respondents (65%) held Modi responsible for “related events”. Sixty-five percent of respondents rated this in the range of 8 to 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 implies very serious concerns).
It added that this concern “was highlighted by recent violence between Hindu and Muslim groups in Leicester”, referring to an incident that took place in the UK city in in 2022.
The survey “challenges the prevailing belief that the entire British Indian community support the agenda of the current Narendra Modi-led government in India and exposes diverse opinions within the community”, the Platform said.
Attitudes on Hindutva and concerns about India
A majority of respondents, including 50% of Hindu respondents, said they did not identify with Hindutva, the survey said, adding that men showed a greater inclination towards Hindutva principles such as “views on caste, arranged marriage [and] beef ban[s]”.
Responses across all demographics showed that respondents’ top concern related to India was the way women and girls are treated.
Among those who did not view Modi favourably, religious tensions and democratic restrictions figured among issues they thought faced India, the Platform said.
