Top academics say they dread the idea of Modi in power

About 75 professors and other academics of Indian origin working at some of Britain’s prestigious institutions such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and London School of Economics on Wednesday issued an open letter, sharply attacking Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, saying, “The idea of Modi in power fills us with dread.”

The academics, led by Chetan Bhatt and Gautam Appa of the London School of Economics, released the letter to the UK’s Left-leaning The Independent newspaper.

“As the people of India vote to elect their next government, we are deeply concerned at the implications of a Narendra Modi-led BJP government for democracy, pluralism and human rights in India,” the letter said, targeting the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.

“Narendra Modi is embedded in the Hindu nationalist movement, namely the RSS and other Sangh Parivar groups, with their history of inciting violence against minorities. Some of these groups stand accused in recent terrorist attacks against civilians,” the letter, titled The idea of Modi in power fills us with dread, reads.

“There is widespread agreement about the authoritarian nature of Modi’s rule in Gujarat, further evidenced by the recent sidelining of other senior figures within the BJP. This style of governance can only weaken Indian democracy,” the letter reads.