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25 Apr, 2014

India’s poll season brings out the worst in itself – Hindustan Times

At a time when the world needs to expand the horizons of its young people to prepare them for its changing realities, especially a tough job market, India is spending an election season bringing out the worst in itself.

Let’s see. For all the talk of development, jobs and reviving a moribund economy, the primary aide to the man who would be prime minister tells upper-class Hindu Jats that this is a time for revenge — against Muslims; although he does not use the M word, his allusion is clear. The candidate himself, rarely averse in his previous avatar to naming and taunting Muslims, stays away from divisive rhetoric in his effort to be widely acceptable but never once addresses the hate speech his people spew. Another member of the BJP, which does distance itself from his remarks but will not criticise him, says anyone who criticises candidate Narendra Modi can go to Pakistan — sparking a droll show of hands and demands for Pakistani visas.

Read the rest: India is spending a poll season bringing out the worst in itself – Hindustan Times.