A battle for plural, secular India as 900 million people gear up to vote

The principles of liberty and citizen equality that are enshrined in the constitution are being threatened by a strengthening movement of Hindu nationalism under Modi’s rule. Yet, where is the credible alternative?

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Sitting Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in a very strong electoral position viz-à-viz the opposition. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the storied Congress party, has not been able to inspire the same degree of confidence in voters as his predecessors. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:30pm, 17 Mar 2019Updated: 1:36pm, 17 Mar 2019

India goes to the polls in a seven-phase national election that will commence on April 11 and conclude on May 19, with the results declared on May 23. As the world's largest democracy, the current voter base is 900 million, more than the 814 million of 2014. The election will vote in 543 members to the 17th Lok Sabha (lower house). The current BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, hopes to be sworn in for a second five-year term.

By way of numbers, this is the biggest electoral exercise in the world and ballot papers and officials will be spread across one million polling booths installed with electronic voting machines and a “voter verifiable paper audit trail” to minimise fraudulent practices – a charge often made in earlier elections. In addition, the Election Commission of India will deploy intrepid officials who travel on elephant, camel or yak – or just walk – to the most remote hamlets across the length and breadth of the country to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise his or her franchise.

At stake this time is a battle for the very idea of India, which has been held up as a democracy committed to a plural, secular and liberal ethos. In India, there should be no citizen discrimination on the basis of religion. The constitution adopted in January 1950 enshrined these principles and values and, barring a brief period when then prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed an emergency (1975-1977), there was an implicit acceptance that freedom, unity and equality were inherent in India’s vast diversity.

In this nation of 1.35 billion people, the diversity is bewildering. While Hindus constitute the majority religion (almost 80 per cent), the Muslim population, at about 180 million, is under 15 per cent and is the largest “minority”. Only in India could a demography of this order be referred to as a minority.

Indian Muslims, who comprise about 15 per cent of the Indian population, hold placards to urge people to vote, at a rally in Mumbai on March 14. Based on the principles set out in its constitution, in India there should be no citizen discrimination on the basis of religion or caste. Photo: AFP