MUMBAI: Often accused of an aggressive and even brutal anti-minority governance policy, the Modi 2.0 union government came on strong on international pro-Islamic messaging Monday-Tuesday, January 8-9.
Union minister Smriti Irani on Monday led the first ever non-Muslim Indian delegation to Medina, one of Islam’s holiest cities in Saudi Arabia. During her visit, she interacted with Indian volunteers serving Haj pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims from India. She also took inputs to further improve the facilities for Indian pilgrims.
Meanwhile, in another much publicised pre-Vibrant Gujarat summit roadshow, PM Modi with UAE President, Mohamed Bin Zayed, held a roadshow in Ahmedabad
Both Modi and Irani were vocal on ‘X’ on the occasions.
PM Modi wrote on X on Tuesday, “Landed in Ahmedabad a short while ago. Over the next two days, will be taking part in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and related programmes. It is a matter of immense joy that various world leaders will be joining us during this Summit. The coming of my brother, HH Mohamed Bin Zayed is very special. I have a very close association with the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and I am glad to see how this platform has contributed to Gujarat’s growth and created opportunities for several people.”
Popular on her social media handles, Smriti Irani posted,
“Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam’s holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque—the first Mosque of Islam,” Irani posted on X on Monday. She said the visit was “significant” as it “underscores the depth of our cultural and spiritual engagement.” Irani, accompanied by junior minister V Muraleedharan and officials from the ministries of Minority Affairs and External Affairs, visited the perimeter of Masjid-e-Nabwi or the Prophet’s mosque in Medina, which also houses Prophet Muhammad’s tomb.
Weighing in on Modi’s visit, BJP leader Haider Azam is reported to have said, “The Saudi authorities have now relaxed the bar on visits of non-Muslims to the holy city of Medina. It is good news that Mrs Irani visited Medina and reached the periphery of the Prophet’s Mosque. This will go a long way to further improve India-Saudi relationship.”
The lifting of the restriction is part of crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s many reforms in the Kingdom. The visit was part of the diplomatic mission, which also saw signing of a bilateral agreement on January 7 between the two nations for Haj 2024. According to the agreement, India got a total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for Haj 2024.
Meanwhile, Modi is in Gujarat to revel in the Vibrant Gujarat summit, first launched by him during his second term as chief minister of the state. He is inaugurating the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The summit will be held from January 10 to 12, 2024. This year’s theme for the summit is ‘Gateway to the Future.’
However, it was the roadshow before the summit that received significant media attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan embarked on a roadshow in Ahmedabad Tuesday evening. Before their roadshow, Modi welcomed the United Arab Emirates president on the latter’s arrival at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport here. After that, the two leaders began their roadshow on a three kilometre-long route starting from the airport.
Elections 2024 and the Muslim Vote
It is hardly likely that the beleaguered and targeted (physically and ideologically) Indian Muslim community will be significantly swayed by such symbolisms. The fact, however, that April May 2024 will see a highly contested electoral race, with the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party banking on a crude and aggressive majoritarian discourse –politicising religion in brazen displays –every vote does indeed count. And the Indian Muslim community, multi-layered and far from homogenised may well –a miniscule 7-10 per cent of them–who’s business and property interests dominate –shift or get swayed by these publicised shenanigans.
Powerful international symbolisms, unlikely as they are to overcome hate speech and violent targeted crimes, can generate confusing narratives to shift focus and resolve. No wonder then, that the dual symbolisms of both events –in the first week of January 2024, weeks before the grand show of majoritarian Indian politics –the inauguration of a partially completed temple structure at Ayodhya on January 22 –built on the remains of what is arguably one of India’s most violent campaigns, that cost minority lives and property, is significant. Whether these will at all work, time only will tell.
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