India’s national government looks increasingly hapless
Confronted with catastrophe, the state has melted away
TWO SHORT months ago Narendra Modi’s government was one of the most popular and confident in India’s history. Now, judging by fresh election results, by the eruption of criticism even in the largely docile mainstream media, by sharp reprimands issued by top courts, by thumbs-down judgments by seasoned analysts and by a level of rage on social media unusual even for India’s hothouse online forums, the prime minister and his government are in trouble.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Paper tiger”
Asia May 8th 2021
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