The Modi government brought the issues of Bharatiya diaspora into the mainstream of Bharatiya politics. PM Modi’s multiple interactions with the members of the diaspora community on his trips abroad have garnered unprecedented media coverage. The coverage has ranged from overtly positive to neutral to overtly biased against the Bharatiya PM, accusing him of weaponizing the diaspora in his quest to take the country down the route of “Hindu majoritarianism”.
Regardless of the dynamics of the west’s framing of the Modi government’s connection with the Bharatiya diaspora, even the west cannot deny the fact that the diaspora indeed plays a vital role in structuring the political discourse of Bharat, even if many of them cannot technically cast their votes during elections.
That’s why both in the run-up to the country’s general elections and during the election season, the western media routinely carries articles exploring the dynamics of the NRI support for BJP. “Indian election: Prime Minister Modi’s BJP seeks supporters in the US”, “reads an NBC News headline. “India elections: Why is Modi’s BJP vying for NRI support?”, reads the DW headline. “Narendra Modi’s secret weapon: India’s diaspora”, says The Economist Headlines. Even the Chinese daily South China Morning Post seems rather concerned about the BJP’s influence on NRIs. “Overseas Indians love Modi. Most can’t vote, but will they still sway the polls?”, reads the headline.
From wild conspiracy theories alleging that the Modi government is funding Hindu organizations in the west to fuel unrest in those countries and impact their politics to talk about the money power of NRIs in sponsoring BJPs election campaigns, the woke media loves to sensationalize the Modi government’s diaspora connection. But irrespective of the content of these news reports, they underscore the significance of NRIs in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
From organizing car rallies, and supporting marches to Havan ceremonies, NRIs are expressing their support for the Modi government in numerous ingenious ways. According to media reports, the US Bharatiya American community recently conducted havans across the country, praying for the success of PM Modi and the BJP in the ongoing general elections.
The nationwide Havan ceremonies were reportedly organized by the volunteers of Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, led by their President Adapa Prasad, and Vasudev Patel, General Secretary. Under the aegis of the organization, the Sudarshana Homam was held at the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, Sai Data Peetham, in Edison, New Jersey. Hundreds of supporters of the BJP and PM Modi participated in the event. The participants recited the Sudarshan Mantra during the ceremony.
A Havan ceremony was conducted in Chicago as well. Bharatiya American professionals, entrepreneurs, and residents of Chicago gathered on the premises of a Hindu temple to participate in the Havan ceremony. Similar Havans were organized in Austin, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Raleigh.
Earlier in April, the overseas supporters of the BJP also organized car rallies in at least 20 American cities to express their support for PM Modi and BJP, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The Sikh Americans in Maryland suburb of Washington DC held one such car rally to express their support for the PM Modi. Similar rallies were held in cities like Dallas, Austin, Raleigh, Chicago, and Detroit.
The “Modi Ka Parivaar” March was also organized at Times Square, New York, Hollywood, Detroit, and Chicago earlier in April.
Similar rallies were organized in Australia as well under the aegis of the Overseas Friends of BJP. The organization launched a campaign titled “Modi for 2024” in seven prominent Australian cities. Under the aegis of the campaign, the NRIs in Modi referred to themselves as “Modi ka Parivaar” (PM Modi’s family), showing unwavering support for the Modi government’s policies and governance model.
The” Run for Modi” event was organized recently in London by the Overseas Friends of BJP UK in the city of London. Even though the event was called “Run for Modi” it involved participants walking leisurely to showcase their solidarity and support for PM Modi and the BJP in the middle of Bharat’s Lok Sabha elections.
The event witnessed an overwhelming turnout despite the drizzling weather. The route of the walk commenced from Westminster Pier, traversing through the heart of London, and culminating at the iconic Tower Bridge. There are numerous videos of the event doing rounds of social media; ecstatic NRI supporters of PM Modi can be heard chanting rapturously various slogans calling for the vitory of PM Modi and BJP. All supporters can be seen holding the BJP flags and also chanting “Bharat Mata kee Jai”.
The Overseas Friends of BJP also recently organized a Havan ceremony in the German city of Munich in which hundreds of BJP supporters participated to express their support for PM Modi and the BJP during the general elections. The Overseas Friends of BJP has different country-wise accounts on X featuring updates of the NRI events held in these countries showcasing support for PM Modi and the BJP in the run-up to the general elections and during the elections.
NRIs also organized a car rally in Bharat from Ahmedabad to Surat, expressing their support for the BJP and PM Modi. Around 100 cars reportedly participated in the rally with NRIs from many countries including Canada, the US, European countries, Middle East, and Asian countries, participating in the rally.
Apart from NRIs holding rallies and events in support of the BJP, a considerable number of NRIs are also coming all the way to Bharat during the general elections especially to cast their votes from their constituency. One can see numerous media reports carrying human interest stories of the NRIs coming back to Bharat, especially to vote and how emotional they feel about the whole thing.
NRIs have been technically allowed to vote since 2011 but they need to be physically present at their constituencies to vote. The Election Commission of India has been exploring couple of alternative means for the NRIs to be able to cast their votes from abroad. But nothing has been worked out yet. As per various media reports, many NRIs are in favor of an online voting system for NRIs so that they can cast their vote from wherever they are, hassle-free.
Although, in terms of numbers, the NRI vote is probably minuscule and its importance is more at a symbolic level, in a democracy where even a single vote can make or break the fate of a political party, all political parties can be seen vying for the NRI vote.
We have already written a lot about how the BJP brought the issues affecting Bharatiya diaspora to the forefront of global affairs. So we wouldn’t harp on that again. But on a closing note, we’d definitely like to point out that the mobilization of the Bharatiya diaspora can also be a valuable geopolitical tool for securing Bharat’s interests abroad and furthering our geopolitical clout.
Many members of the Bharatiya diaspora are citizens of western countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, etc. Many of such members supporting the BJP are highly influential and accomplished citizens of these countries who also have a say in matters of internal politics. Perhaps that’s why the west is intimidated by the Modi government’s diaspora connection. Just as the Modi government can help raise the issues of the Bharatiya diaspora on a global platform, it can also be the other way around. The Bharatiya diaspora can also lobby internationally for securing and furthering Bharat’s interests.
