As someone who's followed Indian politics closely, I've been increasingly disillusioned with the Narendra Modi government's performance over its three terms since 2014. While the BJP and its supporters hail Modi as a transformative leader, I see a regime that's delivered on a narrow ideological agenda but failed miserably in broader economic, social, and geopolitical spheres. In these 11 years, the government has fulfilled two key promises from the RSS playbook—the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the abrogation of Article 370—but the third, the Uniform Civil Code, remains stalled nationally. Economically, it's clung to socialist policies reminiscent of past governments, providing superficial stability without bold reforms, and succumbing to the very "revadi" culture Modi once criticized. Disasters like demonetization, backtracks on land and farm reforms, and a lack of big ideas have left India far short of its potential. Geopolitically, despite Modi's globe-trotting and claims of being a "Vishwaguru," India is weaker today than in 2014, with strained ties to neighbors and major powers alike. Sure, there's been some infrastructure progress, but net-net, we're a nation adrift, burdened by inequality, unemployment, and unfulfilled promises. Let me break this down with facts to back my views.
#### The Ideological Wins: Hollow Victories in a Divided Nation
I'll give credit where it's due: the Modi government has ticked off two major items from the Sangh Parivar's wishlist. The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was a long-standing demand, and its inauguration in January 2024 was portrayed as a cultural renaissance.
Similarly, the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and bifurcated it into union territories, was sold as integrating the region fully into India. On paper, it allowed non-residents to buy land and access jobs. However even in 2025, security remains precarious. Without granting Kashmir its statehood, the “peace” is uncalm.
And then there's the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the third pillar of the RSS agenda, which has been conveniently shoved to the backburner nationally. Despite promises in BJP manifestos, as of August 2025, there's no central legislation. Uttarakhand implemented a state-level UCC in January 2025, covering marriage, divorce, and inheritance but exempting tribals, and Gujarat formed a committee, but that's it—no nationwide push. The Law Commission is still "consulting," but debates on religious freedoms have stalled it. In my opinion, this delay exposes the government's hypocrisy—bold on divisive issues but timid when it risks broader backlash. These ideological "wins" have solidified the BJP's core vote bank, but they've come at the expense of national unity, leaving India more polarized than ever.
#### Economic Stagnation: Socialist Policies and Missed Opportunities
One of my biggest gripes is how the Modi government hasn't broken from the socialist mold of previous regimes. Financially, it's business as usual—big government spending, high deficits, and welfare bloat—despite Modi's early rhetoric of "minimum government, maximum governance." Political stability from BJP majorities should have enabled radical reforms, but instead, we've seen complacency. India's GDP has grown to about $3.91 trillion in 2025, with Q1 FY25-26 growth at 7.8%, but this masks deep flaws. Unemployment is alarmingly high at 5.1-5.6% overall and 6.5-7.1% in urban areas, with youth joblessness at 15%, driving despair and even suicides. Inequality has worsened, with the top 1% holding 40% of wealth, and rural distress persists.
Major reforms? Hardly. GST in 2017 unified taxes, but collections at ₹1.7 lakh crore monthly haven't translated to broad prosperity. The Insolvency Code resolved some bad loans, but overall, manufacturing's GDP share is stuck at 15-16%, and exports lag. Demonetization in 2016 was a catastrophe—wiping out 1-2% of GDP growth, decimating informal jobs (45% lost in hit sectors), and failing to curb black money as 99.3% of notes returned. It's a prime example of poorly thought-out policies that hurt the vulnerable most.
Fiscal deficits at 6-7% of GDP, are unsustainable, funded by borrowing that burdens future generations. Per capita income has risen, but not enough to compete with China, and the government's hype about becoming the third-largest economy by 2030 ignores the jobs crisis—10-12 million new entrants annually with few opportunities. In my view, Modi has squandered stability on incremental tweaks rather than transformative liberalization, leaving India vulnerable in a perilous 2025.
#### Succumbing to Revadi Culture: A Sign of Weak Leadership
Modi once railed against "revadi" culture in 2022, calling freebies fiscally ruinous and a ploy to buy votes. Yet, his government has embraced it wholeheartedly, revealing weakness despite absolute power in earlier terms. Schemes like PM-KISAN (₹6,000 to 11 crore farmers) and free rations for 80 crore (extended to 2028) cost ₹11 lakh crore in 2024 alone. Ayushman Bharat and Awas Yojana are expansive, but they're band-aids on systemic issues like healthcare and housing shortages.
BJP states now dole out free gas cylinders and power, mimicking opposition "freebies" Modi criticized. This hypocrisy strains budgets—states like Punjab and Delhi are debt-laden—and diverts funds from productive investments. Welfare helped during COVID, reducing extreme poverty to 2%, but it's unsustainable, pushing fiscal distress. In my opinion, this U-turn shows Modi's electoral desperation, especially post-2024 setbacks, prioritizing short-term gains over long-term fiscal health.
#### Backtracking on Reforms: No Big Ideas, Just Retreats
The government's retreats on key reforms scream indecision. The 2020 farm laws, meant to liberalize markets, were scrapped in 2021 after protests that claimed over 700 lives. Farmers feared corporate takeover, and without alternatives by 2025, agriculture remains inefficient, MSP demands unmet.
Land reforms? The 2015 ordinance eased acquisitions but lapsed amid opposition, reverting to the cumbersome 2013 Act. This has stalled industrial growth. Even lateral entry in bureaucracy was withdrawn in 2024. These flip-flops, despite majorities, show a leader afraid of confrontation, leaving India without the "big ideas" needed for progress.
#### Geopolitical Failures: From Vishwaguru to Isolated Player
Modi's traveled more than any PM, visiting 70+ countries, and flaunted the 2023 G20 as India's moment. But claims of global respect ring hollow—India is worse off geopolitically in 2025 than 2014. Neighbors are alienated: Bangladesh pivoted to China and Pakistan after Sheikh Hasina's 2024 ouster, demanding her extradition and straining ties. Nepal's border disputes flared in 2020 and persist; Pakistan relations are frozen since 2016, with a 2025 crisis escalating to missile strikes.
China? Border clashes since 2020's Galwan remain unresolved despite partial disengagement and Modi's August 2025 visit—the first in seven years. Trade deficits balloon, and security concerns limit cooperation.
Europe critiques human rights; Russia ties are strong but pressured by US sanctions. The US, under Trump, slapped 50% tariffs on Indian goods in August 2025 over Russian oil imports, threatening $48.2 billion in exports and souring relations. This "low moment" exposes Modi's non-alignment as isolationist folly.
#### Infrastructure Gains: A Silver Lining That's Not Enough
Infrastructure has improved—highways doubled to 1.46 lakh km, airports to 157, and ₹11.21 lakh crore budgeted for 2025-26 capex. But even here, it's uneven: rural connectivity lags, and projects often overrun costs. FDI hit $81B in 2024, but it's concentrated in urban areas, exacerbating divides. In my view, this is window-dressing—necessary but insufficient to offset broader failures.
#### Net Assessment: A Weaker India in 2025
After 11 years, Modi's government has left India economically strained, socially divided, and geopolitically weakened. Growth at 6.5-7% is touted, but masks unemployment, inequality, and policy U-turns. Ideological triumphs are pyrrhic, welfare populism hypocritical, and global standing diminished. Modi survived through publicity, but his regime has failed on promises, exposing leadership limits. For India to thrive, we need accountability, not hype.
No comments:
Post a Comment