But conservative Hindus are the B.J.P.’s base, and Mr. Adityanath ordered the tanneries closed for three months, the longest anyone can remember. Now, as tens of millions of Hindus celebrate the Kumbh, countless Muslims and lower-caste tannery employees are out of work. “This is done purposely just to hurt one segment of society, the Muslim community,’’ said Taj Alam, vice president of the Uttar Pradesh Leather Industry Association. Mr. Adityanath is a powerful figure in India, perhaps second only to Mr. Modi. His job is a big one: Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, contains 230 million people; it would be the fifth-largest country in the world.

Source: New York Times February 10, 2019 08:00 UTC