The general elections of 2024 are rapidly approaching. The concept of the “Muslim vote” typically sparks attention in Indian psephology, particularly in relation to the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

There are multiple causes for this. First off, there has always been tension between the BJP and Muslims. Second, Muslims may be the only social group that has avoided the political grasp of the BJP thus far. Moreover, the foundation of the Opposition’s “Muslim” politics is creating a dread of the BJP. But it looks like 2024’s election will be different. I examine the six elements that could cause a sea change in Muslims’ perceptions of the BJP and Prime Minister Modi.

First, the BJP and Prime Minister Modi have been addressing inconsistencies in the Muslim community by constantly bringing up social justice problems. At the center of this plan are the Pasmandas, a social subgroup that represents the most disadvantaged Muslims in India, making up around 80% of the Muslim population. Pasmandas promises to abolish the power of elites in Muslim politics, given the party’s willingness to make accommodations for him. The BJP aims to answer the fundamental Pasmanda demand, which is to stop seeing Muslims as a monolithic group, by advocating for more democratization and inclusivity in Muslim politics. This is not only the BJP’s first overt attempt to subjugate Muslims, but it’s also the first time the Pasmandas are in the political public eye.

Second, the Modi administration has given gender justice concerns top priority in a few communal personal legislation. Nine crore Muslim women have voiced strong support for ending the outdated practice of quick triple talaq, which is, incidentally, uncommon even in Islamic countries.

Third, in order to address a broad range of human needs, including food, housing, sanitation, gas, water, health, and so on, Prime Minister Modi has attempted to reinterpret welfarism as a political obligation. During the pandemic’s existential crisis, 810 million Indians were fed under the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The name on the door has never excluded a home. A distinct group of labharthis, or beneficiaries, has been established by the Modi government among the economically disadvantaged Pasmandas. The Muslim labharthis have occasionally benefited in greater proportion than their populace. While Muslims make up 19% of the population of Uttar Pradesh, for example, between 24 and 30% of people are beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojana, Ujjawala Yojana, and Mudra Yojana.

The launch of the PM Vishvakarma initiative is a boon to craftsmen including weavers, tailors, and barbers, as well as businesses managed by socially disadvantaged groups. The 18 crafts that are part of the program align with the professional background of many Muslims from lower castes.

Four, India’s ties to the Islamic world are perhaps at their height right now. Prime Minister Modi has strengthened ties by putting his personal stamp on foreign policy. Relationships are evolving from being only “trade partners” to “strategic partners,” which is indicative of an increasing convergence. An example of this new alliance is India’s prominence in the projected India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Several Islamic nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Palestine, Afghanistan, Maldives, and Egypt, have bestowed upon PM Modi their highest civilian honors in appreciation of his efforts to fortify ties. If the Muslim community believed that Indian Muslims were the target of discrimination, these advancements would not have been feasible.

Five, since 2014, there hasn’t been a significant communal riot. India is at its most peaceful in 50 years, according to an analysis of data from the National Crime Records Bureau on riot cases filed since the 1970s. This is because the number of riots has been declining. Modi stated that Indian society does not discriminate against any religious minority while citing the achievements of the Parsis, a religious micro-minority living in India, in a recent interview with the Financial Times.

The last and most crucial concern is that of national security and interest. The Muslim community should be aware that India needs a strong and stable administration in light of the numerous international crises (e.g., those involving Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and Russia), terrorism, and China’s aggressive expansionist policies toward its neighbors, which include the Philippines, Vietnam, India, and others. In facing these obstacles, PM Modi has shown bravery and statesmanship. On the other hand, the opposing side at this crucial point provides no option, like to a ship without a captain. India’s 1990s experiments with short-lived alliance governments came at great economic and strategic implications to the global economy.

These problems demonstrate why Muslims ought to think about supporting Modi and the BJP in the 2024 elections. They know that in the last two general elections, the BJP won both without receiving a sizable number of Muslim votes. A positive trend for the BJP is evident from the 2023 urban local body polls in Uttar Pradesh, the by-elections in the Muslim-dominated Rampur Lok Sabha and Suar assembly in UP, as well as Boxanagar in Tripura. Muslims have a chance in 2024 to rise above the divisive politics of the opposition and take the sensible route of advancement and national interest. Modi is their best option in this regard.