What Drives the Devoted Following of India's Current Government?

A Critical Perspective on India's Political Landscape

As an advocate for a pluralistic and secular India, I have expressed my concerns regarding the current government in various columns over the years. My issues stem from ideological differences, particularly regarding Hindutva, which I view as a troubling and unnatural force in our nation. The list of grievances against this administration is extensive.

However, if I were to highlight a couple of aspects I find noteworthy, it would be the Prime Minister's unabashed approach towards minorities, which starkly contrasts with his BJP predecessor. This has cultivated a loyal base that seems content with his governance.

While it may appear trivial to acknowledge this, it is a complex task. Evaluating a narrative that has unfolded over twelve years makes it challenging to overlook its overall impact. Just as one cannot appreciate a film deemed unwatchable by focusing solely on the protagonist's costume changes, I find it difficult to rate this administration positively. Yet, there exists a faction that perceives it favorably, and this discussion aims to explore their perspective.

Regardless of other actions taken, as long as the focus remains on minorities through discriminatory laws and exclusionary policies, this support base remains untroubled. Today, I aim to delve into this phenomenon, which I believe is significant, as evidenced by recent events.

Recent occurrences provide ample material for analysis. Consider the Goods and Services Tax (GST). When it was introduced nearly a decade ago, it was touted as a revolutionary reform that would invigorate India's economy. Government experts claimed it would boost GDP by 2%, yet this assertion proved unfounded.

Critics argued that the GST was overly complicated for businesses, disproportionately burdensome for the poor due to indirect taxes, and unfair to states that lost revenue control. These criticisms were valid and true.

This week, with adjustments to the tax rates, we are once again told that this is a groundbreaking reform, despite the original being flawed. One might wonder why it took nearly a decade to recognize this, but for devoted supporters, both the 2017 and 2025 versions of GST are seen as commendable.

Today's headlines read: 'Trump makes U-turn on India, calls PM Modi ‘a great friend’ a day after ‘lost to darkest China’ swipe.' Has he reversed his 50% tariffs? No. Has his administration altered its stance on penalizing India for purchasing Russian oil? No. On the same day, Trump's commerce secretary made comments leading to another headline: 'India will say sorry and make a deal in two months: Lutnick.'

Where is this supposed U-turn? It exists only in the minds of the faithful. Another headline states: 'Amid US-India tariff row, PM Modi not to address UNGA in New York later this month.' The issues persist, yet if we convince ourselves of our triumph, why should the facts matter?

For five years, since early 2020, the narrative has been to view China as an adversary. Supporters were urged to delete Chinese apps and discard their televisions, fed theories of a partnership with America to counter China. Think tanks aligned with the government praised this strategic shift towards the West.

Recently, however, this sentiment appears to have reversed. Now, China is portrayed as an ally, and together we will challenge US dominance. Do the Chinese perceive us differently now than they did in 2020? Certainly not. They do not adjust their views as readily as this government persuades its supporters to do. We are the ones realigning our perceptions to fit the circumstances, embodying our 'Look East Look West Look East' policy.

As I mentioned, there are few commendable aspects of the past dozen years. The damage inflicted is real and will linger for decades. Yet, it is hard not to admire the skill and charisma of the leader guiding his followers toward a perceived future glory, all while ignoring the chaos surrounding them.

By Aakar Patel