Though Hindu nationalist Modi still won and can continue campaigning for his Hindutva agenda, Open Doors’ partners in India still see some signs of hope from this year’s election results, announced on 4 June.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats, crossing the halfway mark of 272 seats needed for an absolute majority in the parliament.
However, the BJP only managed 240 seats on its own and is heavily relying on its key allies like the Telugu Desam Party and the Janata Dal (United) for the additional seats to form a new coalition government. Both regional parties are fundamentally opposed to the Hindutva agenda and are known to support religious minorities.
1. For the first time in three elections, the BJP doesn’t have the majority.
A decreasing BJP majority means the issues for the Indian voter have significantly changed.
“In the last two terms of BJP rule, people have grown tired of hearing about ‘good days coming’ but seeing nothing tangible. Other factors such as corruption, favouritism toward certain groups or firms, inflation, ever-increasing expenses, and the intense unemployment rate have either discouraged people from voting or prompted them to vote for a change,” says Nitya*, Open Doors’ local partner from South India.
2. Checks and balances – with a more diverse parliament, it will be harder to push for Hindutva-leaning legislation.
In the last 10 years, the BJP party has either been in power on its own or part of the ruling alliance in 16 states. Among these, the anti-conversion law in 12 states passed, which is aimed at minorities. The BJP government not only encouraged its implementation but have been vocal about making it a national law.
The 2024 Indian elections paved the way for change, a much-needed reprieve for the minority community from a decade of autocracy and Hindutva ideology that strangled their freedom. Now, it will not just be the BJP’s but rather, a coalition.
“This means that the BJP’s polarisation and divisive politics against religious minorities will be less brazen at the national level,” shares Open Doors’ local partner from Central India, Vishnu Reddy*. “The coalition government will be bound by the built-in system of checks and balances, and any radical policies against religious minorities will see some decline at the national level, and BJP cannot dictate.”
3. With more seated legislators opposed to the BJP’s communal worldview, Christians and other minorities now have better chances to raise their voices and be heard.
“We acknowledge that the election results in India is a small step in the right direction,” says Reddy. “This is an answered prayer. The future is unknown, BJP has won, Hindutva nationalists continue with their rhetoric, and persecution will continue – but with more ears willing to listen in government, we may have more chances of being heard.”
Pray for India:
- Praise God for how He continues to journey with the Church in India and assure them of His presence!
- Pray for God to change the hearts of Hindu extremists so they know the hope of Jesus.
- Pray for freedom of religion in India and for equality and safety for Christians as they bravely continue following Jesus.
*Names changed for security purposes.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
