16

Jun

Eleven Years Later: Modi’s India Between Aspirations and Agitations

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Eleven years ago, Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime Minister with a promise of transformative change. His ascension sparked a wave of hope across the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. Many believed it marked a new dawn.

One of his earliest and most iconic initiatives, Swachh Bharat, captured the national imagination. Indians enthusiastically took up brooms, echoing Modi’s call for cleanliness. While the previous UPA government had launched a modest “Clean India” campaign in 2012, it failed to gain traction. Swachh Bharat, in contrast, began clearing roads, dumps, and cityscapes. For a moment, there was widespread optimism that every locality might soon resemble the orderly Civil Lines neighbourhoods. However, sustaining this energy at the municipal level proved more difficult.

The 2014 election was powered in part by the potent slogan “mehangai daain”—a stinging indictment of inflation, then running at 12.17%. A reduction in prices was a shared dream for both consumers and corporations. While headline inflation figures have moderated over time, the public still grapples with persistent increases in the prices of essentials such as eggs, fish, textiles, and fruit.

In Kashmir, there was hope for a rapid resolution to decades-long unrest. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019 was a bold move, ending the region's special constitutional status. Yet, the latest violent incidents—such as the attack near Pahalgam—reveal that deep-rooted issues remain unresolved. Similarly, in Ladakh and Arunachal, tensions with China have increased, with reported incursions reshaping the security discourse. The legacy of the Dogra-era borders is being tested again.

 

Column at a Glance
Since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister eleven years ago, he promised transformative change, igniting hope across India. His Swachh Bharat initiative inspired widespread participation in cleanliness efforts, contrasting with the previous government's lackluster campaign. However, sustaining this momentum at the municipal level has proven challenging. While inflation has moderated, essential prices remain high, and unresolved issues in Kashmir and rising tensions with China complicate the political landscape.
Monday Matters
By Shivaji Sarkar
Domestic challenges include ethnic conflicts in Manipur and the controversial use of state power. Demonetization aimed to curb black money but adversely affected small businesses, and job creation has not kept pace with demographic needs. Despite progress in space and defense sectors, societal issues like political polarization and diminished parliamentary decorum persist. The last eleven years have seen both significant advancements and setbacks, leaving many promises unfulfilled and highlighting the need for a more balanced, inclusive approach to governance and dialogue.

 

Expectations were high for greater unity in the subcontinent. Aspirational India was seen as a potential economic anchor for neighbouring countries. But the virtual collapse of SAARC, strained ties with Bangladesh and the Maldives, and growing regional unease paint a different picture.

Domestically, there have been other unexpected developments. Manipur has remained engulfed in ethnic conflict, ignited by a reservation dispute involving the Meitei community. Elsewhere, the use of bulldozers—once tools of development—has become a controversial symbol of state power.

The 2016 demonetisation dealt a blow to the parallel (or black) economy, but it also had unintended consequences. Street vendors, small traders, and informal businesses were hit hard. While the government claimed it would reduce corruption and black money, the full amount—₹17.74 lakh crore—was ultimately returned to banks. Meanwhile, currency in circulation, instead of shrinking in the digital era, has ballooned to ₹38.35 lakh crore as of May 2025, growing 7.2% annually since 2022.

Food inflation, which spiked to 6.7% between 2018–20 and further to 9.1% in 2020–21, remains a household worry despite the recent dip to 2.85% in May 2025. Average inflation over the decade (2015–2024) has hovered around 5.86%. Businesses have posted record profits—27% in some sectors—largely attributed to strategic price hikes, even as real industrial growth and manufacturing investment remain sluggish.

The job market remains another sore point. Despite the narrative of a "new India," employment generation has not kept pace with demographic needs.

Meanwhile, stock markets have been under stress since January 2024, following the release of the Hindenburg report on a major Indian conglomerate. Market capitalisation has dropped by nearly $1 trillion since October 2024, while China’s has increased by $2 trillion in the same period. Short-term foreign investments continue to flow, but long-term investor confidence appears shaken. Temporary rallies in indices like the BSE and Nifty cannot disguise the deeper structural issues at play.

Yet, not all has been bleak. India’s space and defence sectors have shown commendable progress. ISRO has launched clusters of satellites and made strides in telecom modernisation. However, concerns remain over foreign tech entrants like Elon Musk’s Starlink, which could disrupt pricing and access in the internet and telecom sectors.

Some anticipated policy overhauls—such as reversing certain Congress-era regulations—have not materialised. For instance, the ban on 10-year-old cars persists even as 40-year-old aircraft continue in service.

Societally, a culture of taboo around food, clothing, language, and dissent has become more pronounced. The freedom to differ appears increasingly fraught. Derogatory rhetoric in politics has normalised, and Parliament has suffered from decorum deficits. The expulsion of over 140 opposition MPs in one session, including Rahul Gandhi, shocked many. Opposition speeches are often expunged, and the Speaker’s role has come under scrutiny. There are also allegations of bias in the Election Commission, with election results in states like Haryana and Maharashtra facing legal challenges.

The communalization of politics—marked by hate speeches, targeted demolitions, and the incarceration of dissenters—has further strained the social fabric. The government maintains it has made unprecedented progress, but this progress remains contested.

At the heart of it all lies a paradox: India has seen both great strides and serious stumbles. The last eleven years under Modi have undoubtedly transformed the landscape, both literally and politically. Yet, many promises remain works in progress. The dream of an inclusive, economically strong, and socially harmonious India continues to stir hearts, but the road ahead demands more balance, more dialogue, and a commitment to democratic values that go beyond electoral success.

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