Arundhati Roy’s article (Modi’s model is at last revealed for what it is: violent Hindu nationalism underwritten by big business, 18 February) takes an accurate overview of the two simultaneous events jinxing two shining stars of India: the prime minister, Narendra Modi, and India’s biggest industrialist, Gautam Adani. To me, there are two noteworthy messages in her article that the world, and in particular the Indian elite, must not ignore.
First, that millions of Indian voters living in abject poverty would “not remotely comprehend” what $100bn (more than 20% of India’s annual budget) even means. This is a profound statement. These voters cast their vote every five years, little knowing how powerful it is in creating an impregnable shield that protects Modi and gives him a mandate to continue his social and economic wrongdoings of gigantic proportions.
