Introduction
Western media often tries to tarnish the image of India and Hindus by constantly criticizing our democracy and suggesting that minorities are in danger. Using their lenses clouded by bias, Western media often only present one side of India's stories, aiming to mislead the masses. They cherry-pick negative narratives, ignoring the broader context and positive aspects of our nation. However, they overlook the fact that this is the New India, which is bold and unyielding. We build relationships with other nations not by looking down on them or seeking their approval, but by meeting them eye-to-eye with confidence and pride in our culture and values.
S Jaishankar’s Powerful Response to Western Media
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (PTI)
On April 23, 2024, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered a stern message (YouTube: EAM S Jaishankar LIVE | Forum for Nationalist Thinkers | Hyderabad |Telangana |India Foreign policy - ANI News) to the Western media, accusing them of meddling in India's internal affairs under the guise of criticism. Speaking at the 'Foreign Policy The India Way: From Diffidence To Confidence' event in Hyderabad, Telangana, Jaishankar said, "I get a lot of these noises from the Western press and if they criticize our democracy, it's not because they lack information. It is because they think they are also political players in our election".
Jaishankar said that in an article by the Western media, they stated that in such a heatwave in India, why are they holding elections? "Now I read that article and I wanted to say listen, in that heat my lowest turnout is higher than your highest turnout in the best run," Jaishankar said. He added that these are games that are being played with us.
"These are politics. These are our domestic politics which is going global, global politics which feels they must now intrude in India. How can these chaps decide who should be ruling them without consulting us?" he said.
Moreover, Jaishankar stressed that "They (West) actually think they are part of our electorate", adding, "I think it's time today that we disabuse them, and the best way that we do that, is by confidence."
EAM emphasised the need to stand up to these kinds of attacks and criticisms and rankings and reports because they will question everything.
"They will question your election system, your EVM, your election commission, even the weather," he said.
"And one complaint is...BJP is so unfair, BJP thinks it's going to win very big," he said, adding that, in a kind of way, today, we are at a very important inflection point.
Jaishankar said that the decisions, the government will be making, are not just for the next five years, and will give our nation, our society, and our coming generations a very big vote of confidence.
"It is the guarantee, the guarantee is an expression of confidence. It is an expression of confidence based on what we have delivered for the last ten years," he added.
He highlighted how India has been regarded across the world in the last ten years, how the country is today preparing for the next 25 years is the mindset with which we need to approach the world.
Moreover, recalling the G20 Summit, Jaishankar said that during the presidency, several countries wanted to connect to India.
Furthermore, EAM Jaishankar strongly criticized the Western media for their misguided concerns regarding Kashmir and the abrogation of Article 370. Jaishankar emphasized the significance of this action, stating that it corrected a significant mistake made in 1947. He highlighted the creation of various lobbies and the exploitation of the situation for personal gain. Jaishankar reiterated the temporary nature of Article 370, emphasizing that its purpose had reached its end. Jaishankar stated, "No one is as blind as those who refuse to see," highlighting the willful ignorance of Western Media.
Western Media's biased approach to India
It's widely known how Western media covered India's 2019 Lok Sabha election. They portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as extreme, a dictator, and even a hater of Muslims. Western media worked hard to damage Modi's global image. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they were biased in reporting India's handling of the crisis. Despite facing their own COVID struggles, Western media including BBC unfairly criticized India. India has managed to control the virus crisis fairly well. Even though the number of COVID cases increased and more people died, India's situation wasn't as bad as what Europe and the United States faced.
Western Media's Fake Concerns for Indian Democracy Again
As India enters election season, Western media has once again begun interfering in Indian politics, resuming its anti-Modi and Hinduphobic rhetoric. They continue to portray Modi's ideology as a threat to democracy and minority groups, particularly Muslims in India. However, they often overlook Modi's ambitious vision for India, including the goal of achieving a $5 trillion economy, advancements in semiconductors, Digital India initiatives, and the promotion of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Moreover, they fail to acknowledge Modi's efforts to support minority communities, such as providing scholarships and increasing the haj quota for Muslims, as well as initiatives like free gas and housing without discrimination. Despite these achievements, the Western media's biased narrative persists, neglecting India's strides towards becoming a global leader under Modi's leadership.
The Western media's exaggerated concerns about Indian democracy and Muslims are aimed at reducing Narendra Modi's stature to that of just a 'Hindu nationalist' leader. They depict him as someone who clings to power by fueling Hindu religious sentiments and fostering polarization, while also painting him as a dictator. Their ultimate aim is to advocate for a weak government and a compliant leader in India, whom they can easily manipulate at their whim.
India as an Emerging Global Power
As the world's fifth-largest GDP and the fastest-growing major economy, India has become an attractive prospect for countries seeking business opportunities. Moreover, recalling the G20 Summit, Jaishankar said that during the presidency, several countries wanted to connect to India.
"During our G20 presidency, a number of countries, but particularly this was an initiative called IMEC through Saudi Arabia, they wanted to connect India to Europe. Russia and Iran also want a connectivity passage to Europe. In the east, countries like Vietnam, and Cambodia, want a passage through Myanmar to India," he said.
These developments underscore the significant changes India has undergone under the Modi era and its emerging status as a global powerhouse.
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