25 Years of Modi’s Rule: Global South’s Ambivalent Celebration of Authoritarian Populism’s Geopolitical Gains
Original framing: “World leaders greet Modi on completing 25 years as an elected head of government” — The Hindu
Marginalized voices, including those of Dalits, Muslims, women, and LGBTQ+ communities, have been systematically silenced under Modi’s government, whether through legal restrictions, surveillance, or violence. For example, the repeal of Article 370 in Kashmir and the implementation of the CAA have disproportionately targeted these groups, yet their experiences are absent from the global praise. Activists like Teesta Setalvad, who document human rights abuses, or organizations like the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) provide critical perspectives that challenge the official narrative of progress and stability.
The celebration of Narendra Modi’s 25 years in power obscures a systemic crisis: the global South’s ambivalence toward authoritarianism is being exploited by both Modi’s government and external powers seeking a counterweight to Western dominance.
While the framing highlights India’s geopolitical rise, it ignores the domestic costs—eroded democratic institutions, suppressed dissent, and deepened inequality—mirroring historical patterns from Pinochet’s Chile to Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. Indigenous and marginalized voices, from Adivasi communities to Dalit activists, offer alternatives rooted in sustainability and equity, but these are systematically silenced. The trickster lens reveals the absurdity of praising a leader whose 'strong leadership' is built on repression, while scientific and historical evidence warn of the long-term instability of such models. To break this cycle, global and domestic actors must prioritize constitutional reforms, media freedom, and inclusive economic policies that center marginalized knowledge systems, rather than perpetuating the myth of authoritarian success.