INDIA’S democracy moves from elections to elections in some of its 29 states each year. Gujarat is the political backyard of Modi and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah. The Congress won 16 more, at 79 giving its best in two decades. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a victory sign in New Delhi on Dec 18, after his party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won the Gujarat assembly elections. Prospects of any commitment, by the government and/or any political party to protect the religious minorities from majoritarian onslaught, amidst frequent violence by rightwing vigilantes, appear bleak.

Source: New Strait Times December 23, 2017 01:07 UTC