“I’ve always believed India will be ‘saved’ by those who have nothing to lose” https://www.nriaffairs.com/ive-always-believed-india-will-be-saved-by-those-who-have-nothing-to-lose-indian-diaspora-reacts-to-indian-election-2024-results/ – Indian diaspora reacts to Indian Election 2024 results
NRI Affairs spoke with members of the Indian diaspora in Australia and New Zealand to gather their reactions to these surprising election results.
The BJP’s “Hindu first” policies have spurred a troubling surge in hatred against India’s religious minorities, particularly the 200 million Muslims who now face rampant discrimination and vigilante violence under laws targeting their community...
“India has historically been a country rich in religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity. However, in recent years, religious divides have been pumped in the Indian community to gain votes, affecting the social fabric of India both domestically as well as overseas.”, says Abbas Raza Alvi, poet, musician and community advocate. Alvi says the results have proven that the core Indian beliefs that promote peace and harmony cannot be driven by hate... academic, filmmaker and Dalit rights advocate Vikrant Kishore says “This shift should impact governance style and functioning. Yet, political manoeuvres like horse-trading, a hallmark of those in power, may continue. I hope for betterment for India’s poor and downtrodden, who suffer the most regardless of who is in power. Bridging the gap in inequality is important, and issues such as climate change, environmental sustainability, and basic livelihood should be prioritised.”, Vikrant says, adding, “The Australian society needs to recognise the diversity within the Indian diaspora and its varying needs. It is vital to acknowledge and address the hateful divisions the diaspora faces, support sane voices, and avoid platforming hatemongers. This awareness is critical given their limited understanding of Indian and diasporic politics.”