Western countries stay silent as India cracks down on democracy

Arundhati Roy’s article (Modi’s model is at last revealed for what it is: violent Hindu nationalism underwritten by big business, 18 February) takes an accurate overview of the two simultaneous events jinxing two shining stars of India: the prime minister, Narendra Modi, and India’s biggest industrialist, Gautam Adani. To me, there are two noteworthy messages in her article that the world, and in particular the Indian elite, must not ignore.

First, that millions of Indian voters living in abject poverty would “not remotely comprehend” what $100bn (more than 20% of India’s annual budget) even means. This is a profound statement. These voters cast their vote every five years, little knowing how powerful it is in creating an impregnable shield that protects Modi and gives him a mandate to continue his social and economic wrongdoings of gigantic proportions.

The second message Roy sends out loud and clear is that the developed nations of the free world – which we think are the beacons of democracy, justice and equality, but which actually only pay lip service to the human rights of people of other nations – will turn a Nelson’s eye and not utter a single word against the plight of millions of Indians when it comes to doing profitable business with India.

India’s rising economy has become the greatest enemy of the poor Indian. As India shines through its Adanis, the poor get poorer. What a contradiction.
Rajendra Kumar Kale
Pune, India