India Under PM Narendra Modi’s Rule In The Last Decade, The Sweet And The Bitter: Explained. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lead India for a third consecutive term, let’s have a look at how he did in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 compared to 2014 and 2019. This article explores whether there has been a diminish in his popularity and the RSS, as well as how he was above the other political leaders and parties when it comes to popularity.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been riding high on the Modi wave ever since the former chief minister of Gujarat won landslide victory amid corruption allegations against the Indian National Congress and not a so powerful opposition.
India recorded economic growth, infrastructure development, rise of unicorns, thousands of startups and self-made entrepreneurs, amid rising intolerance, religious discrimination, and cow vigilance. The BJP-led government even tackled rising terrorism from Pakistan by tackling the Kashmir, as integral part of India, head-on without fear of international polarization. It also took on China’s growing aggression, and showed the United States that it was indeed a power to be reckoned with in Southeast Asia.
India Under PM Narendra Modi 2014 – 2019
New Delhi built up a powerful external affairs ministry under the guidance of the late Sushma Swaraj. It strengthened the defense ministry under the late Manohar Parrikar who swayed India away at the nick of time from a full out war on Pakistan for the Pulwama attack in Kashmir.
And not forgetting the late Arun Jaitley who steered India’s finance ministry and carried out the surprising demonetization to tackle black money and corruption.
2014 – 2019 was very eventful for India, amid a hue and cry about the GST, inflation, and skyrocketing fuel prices. 2016 was a rocky year for the country given the discord due to the amendment of the citizenship law, which was cleared by the government in 2019. There were violent protests in Assam’s Guwahati, and sporadic protests in Delhi and other states.
The BJP promised ache din (great days) but made it difficult for the poor to make ends meet. The RSS increased its activity in the shadows of the Sangh Parivar but came into the media spotlight for implementing stricter laws on cow slaughter, and transportation of cattle across India, with cow vigilantes attacking, and abusing and lynching the minority groups.
Amid the growing polarization and rising poverty in the country, the BJP-majority government splashed USD 430 million on the Statue of Unity, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in Gujarat.
India Under PM Narendra Modi 2019 – 2024
The second Modi Wave came about with the BJP standing up against Pakistan and giving a tit-for-tat answer to LeT’s suicide-bomb attack on the Indian Army convoy in Pulwama that killed at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. And then came the coronavirus pandemic, that had the central and respective state governments implement shutdowns and restrictions to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Also Read: Tamil Nadu Govt Wants Ban on NEET Amid Question Paper Leaks & Specific States Getting Toppers
Moreover, 2020 – 2021 was a year marred by the farmers’ protests because of the controversial agricultural reforms. Farmer unions and leaders raised concerns that the laws would leave the farmers vulnerable to the corporate and MNCs, and kill their livelihood. The central government eventually withdrew the laws in December 2021.
These five years were challenging given the pandemic and global recession. The pharmaceutical companies benefitted with generic medicines and COVID-19 vaccines, while the common man faced restrictions and unemployment. The COVID-era in India widened the rich and poor gap, wherein the rich got richer and the poor got poorer.
Amid the dying and the rising inflation, the BJP-led government set its focus on building the Rs 1,800 crore Ayodhya Ram Mandir which was consecrated in January 2024. Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister Yogi Adityanath touted the temple to bring Modi a 3.0 wave.
BJP and Narendra Modi’s Governance
The BJP has grown stronger and bolder under the leadership of Narendra Modi, whom the Indian-American community says is a true global leader. Dr Bindukumar Kansupada, an Indian-American cardiologist from Philadelphia, said Modi is changing the image of Indians in India and around the world. He believes the BJP leader is reviving India’s pride, Indian culture, and the ancient Indian knowledge of yoga, and Ayurveda.
According to the Indian Institute of Public Administration, Modi gave a clarion call for a self-reliant India based on economy, infrastructure, system, demography, and demand. It gave India a chance to be self-reliant in local markets and international. The institute pointed out that from being a junior cadet in the RSS to CM of Gujarat and a leader to be reckoned with, Modi joined office and took up the position of prime ministership with an absolute majority.
It said the BJP leader’s victory was not just a mandate of popularity, but a mandate of expectations, and hope of citizens. In the past decade, the BJP-led government announced many programs and schemes via catchy campaigns, like Mission Swachh Bharat, Make in India, Jan Dhan Yojna, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujala Yojana, and Mission COVID Suraksha, among others.
