The Broad Appeal of Modi’s BJP, with Nalin Mehta

Nalin Mehta is a political scientist and journalist in Delhi, India, and author of The New BJP, a work you can only call THE book on the BJP, the largest political party in the world. Under the leadership of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP has solidified its position as the uncontested center of power in the world's most populous country. As India heads to the polls over a 6-week period beginning April 19, we talk with Nalin about how the BJP built and expanded its power base, and what Modi, who is all but certain to once again win the elections, could set as priorities upon starting his second decade as Prime Minister. (34 min., 9 sec.)
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[@va8085]

A fair & balanced conversation unlike most bullshit being peddled in the western media & thinktanks. Nalin is a true scholar & understands the nuances of Indian politics.

[@dodiraj1]

Can the lady list out the statutory discrimination faced by Muslims in India?

[@ravindra7791]

Hindu nationalism is itself slightly confusing narrative. Anybody patriotic is dubbed Hindu nationalist but India is the only country (Nepal excepting) Hindu country. Similar Christian or Muslim nationalism is not used in other countries. I feel the western media is racist at worst and lazy at best.

[@abbakkachowta6326]

Excellent podcast. Breath of fresh air and honesty in contrast to all the baseless propaganda bandied around in the West.

[@ravindra7791]

It's interesting that this podcast was hosted in Switzerland. The country that has height restrictions on mosques and has a burqa ban. If India had tried anything similar the western press and "intellectuals" would cry fascism. Earlier this week a secular school in the UK stopped Muslim girls from praying openly as that would distract from education, which is common sense. But another example of hypocrisy and not practicing what you preach. I wish there were more thinkers in the west who are ready to be objective and understand context while reporting on India. If you are lazy and stick to stereotypes please don't bother.

[@dodiraj1]

Muslims dont vote for BJP but that doesn't BJP hates Muslims. What BJP won't do is appeasement of Muslims and be treated as equals. Indian laws puts Hindus to disadvantage except for couple laws. Equality for Muslims might mean them losing some things and benefits which were never available to Hindus.

[@ramirosandoval3694]

t I heard no mention of how India changed drastically from the Internet and their education into software development for hardware. Many American jobs were transferred to India, and many Indians came to California and the US, and remitted money back to their families fueling many social changes, including freeing women for back-office jobs for globalization. How did this change India and benefit the BJP?