India has seen tremendous political, social, and economic transformations since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. Modi’s leadership, characterized by strong rhetoric and decisive actions, has drawn both fervent support and vehement opposition.

The question, “Can cruelty secure Modi’s victory?” delves into the controversial and often harsh measures adopted by his government and examines their potential impact on his electoral success.

As a prominent supporter of Hindu nationalist politics and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Modi surged to prominence in the country on the platform of governance and development. But many instances and laws that have been seen as harsh and repressive have tainted his presidency. Violence against Indian Muslims was encouraged by early Hindu nationalist leaders. Just a few weeks after Kristallnacht, in December 1938, VD Savarkar said Muslims who opposed Hindu interests “would have to play the part of German Jews.” The second chief of the RSS, MS Golwalkar, hailed Germany’s anti-Jewish cleansing as a “good lesson” for India.

These homicidal ideas are still present today; in 2021, a leader of the Hindu nationalist movement urged supporters to prepare the murder of millions of Indian Muslims. Genocide Watch and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Early Warning Initiative are two watchdog organisations that alert people to the possibility of genocide in........

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