Indian diaspora fears for family safety amid widespread campaign for Modi's third term

In the ongoing 2024 elections, the world's largest democratic exercise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP is leveraging the vast Indian diaspora to amplify its campaign, according to a report in Al Jazeera.

The report said that the Indian diaspora in the US has been receiving WhatsApp infographics touting various achievements under Modi's decade-long rule, urging them to persuade their family members back in the country to vote for the BJP.

This message is part of a strategic campaign by Non-Resident Indians For Mission 2024 (NRIM), a Florida-based company registered as a foreign agent with the US Department of Justice (DoJ) in April 2024.

NRIM's registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) revealed its direct connections to Modi's Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The company, led by Gaurang Vaishnav and Girish Gandhi, both senior leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, has been disseminating pro-Modi materials to Indian communities in 18 US states and 26 other countries, an Al Jazeera report suggested.

The Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), another registered foreign agent, complements these efforts, aiming to make 2.5 million calls to Indian voters to bolster support for Modi and the BJP.

The outreach to the diaspora underscores Modi's and the BJP’s keen focus on leveraging the influence of overseas Indians to shape domestic electoral outcomes. For many in the diaspora, Modi's re-election represents hope and pride, while others express deep apprehension and fear.

Allegations of hate, violence, and discrimination against India's Muslim and Christian minorities, coupled with accusations of a crackdown on dissent and journalism, have marred Modi's tenure. Despite these concerns, the BJP and Modi deny any religious discrimination, attributing arrests of critics to lawful justice for corruption and other crimes.

The diaspora's fears are not unfounded. The assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the foiled attempt on US-based Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun have heightened anxieties among Sikh and Kashmiri communities abroad, the report claimed.

Canadian and US authorities have implicated Indian government agents in these incidents, though India denies involvement. Critics worry that another term for Modi could exacerbate extraterritorial repression and further stifle dissent among minorities.

In Washington, DC, Sikh activist Pawan Singh, who knows Pannun personally, voices growing safety concerns. The recent assassination attempts have led to increased fears of sophisticated extraterritorial attacks under a potential third Modi term. Similarly, a Kashmiri academic in the US, speaking anonymously, fears that Modi's continued rule would silence dissent and erase the Kashmiri identity.

For Indian Muslims, a third Modi term is seen as a nightmare. Sabiha Rahman, a community organizer in Texas, whose family has a legacy of fighting for India's independence, fears for her relatives still in India. She reflects on the changes over the last decade, describing an atmosphere of hatred and insecurity for minorities the report said.

Devendra Makkar, an Indian expatriate in New Jersey, left India post the Babri Mosque demolition in 1992, feeling disillusioned with the rising Hindu nationalism. He believes another five years under Modi would further erode India's democratic fabric and soul. Despite these fears, a significant segment of the Indian diaspora remains staunchly supportive of Modi.

Modi's supporters highlight his administration's achievements, such as infrastructure development, electrification, and social welfare programs. They view Modi as a visionary leader who has elevated India’s global standing. This sentiment was evident in April when 300 Non-Resident Indians from various countries participated in a car rally from Ahmedabad to Surat, demonstrating their unwavering support for Modi and the BJP.

Jagdish Sewhani, a founding member of OFBJP from New York, and Srujal Parikh, an IT administrator at the New York City Police Department, are among those actively campaigning for Modi.

They believe that Modi’s leadership has transformed India, citing improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, and economic growth. Their enthusiasm reflects a broader sentiment within the diaspora, which sees Modi as a leader who can secure India's future.