Irish Examiner view: Serious test of Indian democracy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally on March 7. Modi stands accused of wielding an ever-heavier hand as he tries to steer his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a third successive victory and India into his vision of a Hindu nationalist monolith. Picture: AP

In the middle of next month, the world’s most populous country, India, will go to the polls in what is expected to be a bitter election which may or may not present a third term in office for prime minister Narendra Modi, who has become an increasingly divisive figure in the country’s politics.

Modi stands accused of wielding an ever-heavier hand as he tries to steer his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a third successive victory and India into his vision of a Hindu nationalist monolith.

To that end, the country’s new media, the courts, civil society, and the national legislature have all bent to Modi’s will, but his vision for this uniquely diverse and complex country of 1.4bn people is being stymied by several of India’s wealthiest states, largely those responsible for the country's rapid economic growth.

Modi’s opponents, of whom there are a growing number, accuse him of trying to displace the governments of those states his party does not control. His tactics have been described variously as everything from unfair to illegal.

These strategies include the delaying of federal money for major infrastructure projects, jailing or otherwise hounding opposition politicians while shielding those in his own party, obstructing the delivery of essential services, and sowing discontent in state politics.

Accusations of authoritarianism and political oppression have followed, and those who share his vision also share the benefits of being under the BJP’s wing; those who do not are accused of being malign actors and of trying to destroy the apparatus of state. But Modi’s ambition to consolidate power under a “two-engine” system whereby the federal government and state governments work together, is only feasible where the BJP control both.

In Punjab, where the local legislature is controlled by the opposition, a BJP governor has repeatedly prevented legislative work; in Tamil Nadu, local officials are having difficulty funding an extension to the Metro system in the capital Chennai because of disagreement with the BJP about federal funding; and in Kerala, the state government is suing the Modi administration over the imposition of arbitrary spending limits.

And, in Delhi last week, the arrest of the chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, in his home and the jailing of others from the locally elected Aam Aadmi party — accused of financial crimes — has kicked off yet another bitter political dispute in the region.

If Modi’s intention is, as he has been accused, to create a one-party state, then the forthcoming election is going to be a serious test of Indian democracy.

Bad timing for a money grab

At a time when record numbers of restaurants and bars across Ireland are being forced to close because of the unsustainable rise in costs, the decision earlier this week by Diageo to increase the price of a pint by 6c is almost unfathomable.

And it was a little rum, to say the least, for the drinks giant to maintain, while announcing the price hike, that as the company continues to face increased costs across their business, it “is required for us to maintain a sustainable business for the future”. Given it is estimated Diageo achieved a global operating profit in 2023 of £4.6bn (€5.3bn), it seems crass for it to suggest that a 6c hike in the price of a pint in Ireland is going to keep its business sustainable.

Rightly, the Vintners Federation of Ireland has reacted angrily to Diageo’s announcement, saying it comes at a critical time for “an industry on the brink”. And, given that most publicans’ customers are themselves fighting cost-of-living crises, they see the move by one of the world’s biggest drinks companies as an unnecessary attack on their ability to do business and their clientele’s desire to enjoy a few pints.

That it is the “plain person’s” drinks that are affected by Diageo’s announcement — it largely affects stouts, lagers, and ciders — is central to the issue here, and the cynic might say this is a deliberate ploy on its behalf at a time when talk of an election is more than just street-corner speculation.

The Government is now under pressure from another source to act to bring forward support measures to bolster the flagging trade, and as many voters like a tipple too, their voice will be an important one for politicians to listen to.

But, at a time just before this country’s most important tourism season, this move by Diageo can only be seen as little other than a money grab.

Sporting ties 

The Down footballer, Charlie Smyth, this week accepted an offer to try out with one of the US National Football League’s marquee teams, the New Orleans Saints. He is one of four Irishmen trying to break into the NFL.

They are participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Programme, which is an effort by the Americans to source foreign playing talent from outside their own established scouting system within the college game.

Much as has been the case for Irish talent being taken on by the Australian Football League, this is an opportunity to fulfil their dream of becoming paid, professional athletes.

That, on top of the announcement this week that the New York Jets franchise has been awarded the rights to expand their brand and activities into the Irish market is another significant development.

In their iconic green and white colours, chosen by then owner Sonny Werblin because he was born on St Patrick’s Day, the Jets have long-standing Irish links and if this new move were to eventually see them playing here, then the ties between New York and Ireland would be further cemented.

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