https://sputniknews.in/20240507/what-modis-policy-means-for-hindutva-heartland-7313250.html
What Modi's Policy Means for Hindutva Heartland
What Modi's Policy Means for Hindutva Heartland
Sputnik India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely regarded as the poster boy of Hindutva in India. Sputnik India examines if his political outfit, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) pro-Hindu agenda is resonating with the voters in the country.
2024-05-07T20:52+0530
2024-05-07T20:52+0530
2024-05-07T20:52+0530
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Like the famous cricket analogy, 'let the bat do the talking', Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lets his work speak for his government, the residents of the sacred cities of Varanasi (Modi's constituency) and Ayodhya (the birthplace of Lord Ram), said in unison as Sputnik India's crew traveled through to two of India's holiest temple towns.With election fervor peaking in Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh) where Varanasi and Ayodhya are located, Modi's life-sized cutouts not only adorn the walls of these two cities, but he's the main man dominating the political discourse in what is recognized as India's Hindutva heartland.From an E-Rickshaw (an electronic three-wheeler) driver to chieftains of temples to boatmen to businessmen, who are running eateries and Saree (an Indian traditional dress worn by women) shops, Modi is the name on whose name, Ayodhya and Varanasi will vote in the next couple of weeks.While Ayodhya's electorate will go to a polling booth on May 20, Varanasi's voters will cast their vote on June 1.Modi's Name Unites Voters in Benaras, AwadhFor instance, Abhishek Upmanyu, who ferries pilgrims from the Varanasi railway station to the centuries-old Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the holy city, Modi knows the pulse of the people and his ability to deliver on his promises is what makes him different from leaders of other political parties in India.He mentioned that constructing the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, which connects the holy Ganges River directly to the world-famous shrine, was a herculean task. But the residents of Varanasi gave their land for the project because of "Modi's guarantee."Rahul Shukla, the chief priest of the Karpatri Dham Ashram located in Varanasi's Kedar Ghat area, gave Modi a 10 out of 10, for being committed to the Hindu cause."Doer" Modi Has the Electorate's Love and RespectDeena Pathak, who runs the popular street food outlet, Deena Chat Bhandar in the Godaulia locality of Varanasi, spoke about the economic benefits businesses like his have reaped because of Modi's focus on providing better facilities to devotees and revamping Hindu shrines.Additionally, shopkeepers associated with Prasad (an offering to the deity in Hinduism) making and selling are thriving in Varanasi as more and more pilgrims are rushing to experience the grandeur of Varanasi post the city's revamp under Modi's leadership.Abhimanyu Awasthi, who provides locker services to devotees visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple through his Shri Locker facility in Modi's constituency agreed with Pathak, emphasizing that Varanasi has become far more cleaner than it was before the 73-year-old politician became the city's parliamentarian.Indian Prime Minister is Part of Ayodhya's ConsciousnessMeanwhile, the residents of Ayodhya, where Modi held a grand roadshow on Sunday, echoed similar sentiments.Anand Mandal, the owner of a solar-powered boat sailing on the Saryu River, opined that it doesn't matter who's the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from the constituency as Modi's towering figure looms above everyone else.Mandal received backing from Bholenath Bhushan, a Sanskrit scholar at the Kathiya Temple in the Karsevakpuram area of Ayodhya.According to Bhushan, Hindus of Ayodhya view Modi as the brightest star among a handful of politicians in India, who are tirelessly working for the country round the clock."Selfless Man" Set to Make India "Vishwaguru"Shyam Yadav, the owner of a sweet shop in Kapilganj, which is just a stone's throw away from the ancient Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya, reckoned that it is their good fortune that they are seeing someone like Modi in the PM's chair.Unlike other Prime Ministers, Modi is a doer who believes in completing stalled projects, he pointed out.
https://sputniknews.in/20240422/whats-swaying-popular-vote-in-modis-favor-in-2024-elections-7190979.html
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What Modi's Policy Means for Hindutva Heartland
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely regarded as the poster boy of Hindutva in India. Sputnik India examines if his political outfit, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) pro-Hindu agenda is resonating with the voters in the country.
Like the famous cricket analogy, 'let the bat do the talking', Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lets his work speak for his government, the residents of the sacred cities of Varanasi (Modi's constituency) and Ayodhya (the birthplace of Lord Ram), said in unison as Sputnik India's crew traveled through to two of India's holiest temple towns.
With election fervor peaking in Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh) where Varanasi and Ayodhya are located, Modi's life-sized cutouts not only adorn the walls of these two cities, but he's the main man dominating the political discourse in what is recognized as India's Hindutva heartland.
From an E-Rickshaw (an electronic three-wheeler) driver to chieftains of temples to boatmen to businessmen, who are running eateries and Saree (an Indian traditional dress worn by women) shops, Modi
is the name on whose name, Ayodhya and Varanasi will vote in the next couple of weeks.
While Ayodhya's electorate will go to a polling booth on May 20, Varanasi's voters will cast their vote on June 1.
Modi's Name Unites Voters in Benaras, Awadh
For instance, Abhishek Upmanyu, who ferries pilgrims from the Varanasi railway station to the centuries-old Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the holy city, Modi knows the pulse of the people and his ability to deliver on his promises is what makes him different from leaders of other political parties in India.
"Since his Gujarat days, PM Modi showed he was an able administrator. After becoming Prime Minister, he's become even more efficient in getting the development works done across the country," Upmanyu told Sputnik India on Saturday.
He mentioned that constructing the
Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, which connects the holy
Ganges River directly to the world-famous shrine, was a herculean task. But the residents of Varanasi gave their
land for the project because of "Modi's guarantee."
Rahul Shukla, the chief priest of the Karpatri Dham Ashram located in Varanasi's Kedar Ghat area, gave Modi a 10 out of 10, for being committed to the Hindu cause.
"Doer" Modi Has the Electorate's Love and Respect
"Hindus are no longer divided in this country as Modi has put Hinduism on the pedestal of the world's civilizations. It is kind of a second birth of Hinduism because the believers of the Sanatan Dharma feel proud of their ancestors, their culture, and their deities," Shukla said in a conversation with Sputnik India.
Deena Pathak, who runs the popular street food outlet, Deena Chat Bhandar in the Godaulia locality of Varanasi, spoke about the economic benefits businesses like his have reaped because of Modi's focus on providing better facilities to devotees and revamping Hindu shrines.
"Footfall to the ancient Kashi Vishwanath Temple has increased at least five times since Modi inaugurated the corridor connecting the shrine to the banks of the River Ganges. This has led to a massive increase in customers for people like us because more and more people are now exploring Varanasi's street food," Pathak stated.
Additionally, shopkeepers associated with Prasad (an offering to the deity in Hinduism) making and selling are thriving in Varanasi as more and
more pilgrims are rushing to experience the grandeur of Varanasi post the city's revamp under Modi's leadership.
Abhimanyu Awasthi, who provides locker services to devotees visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple through his Shri Locker facility in Modi's constituency agreed with Pathak, emphasizing that Varanasi has become far more cleaner than it was before the 73-year-old politician became the city's parliamentarian.
"The Ganges water used to stink across the city, and devotees used to avoid bathing in the holy river. However, Modi has ensured that its ghats, including the Dashashwamedh Ghat, which has gained prominence globally for its Ganga Aarti (prayer to River Goddess Ganges), are as clean as a mirror," Awasthi noted.
Indian Prime Minister is Part of Ayodhya's Consciousness
Meanwhile, the residents of Ayodhya, where Modi held a grand roadshow on Sunday, echoed similar sentiments.
Anand Mandal, the owner of a solar-powered boat sailing on the
Saryu River, opined that it doesn't matter who's the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate
from the constituency as Modi's towering figure looms above everyone else.
"The Prime Minister has become a part of the consciousness of Ayodhya because without him the construction of the Ram Temple wasn't possible. Somebody who brought Lord Ram back to Ayodhya must be respected if not worshipped," Mandal expressed.
Mandal received backing from Bholenath Bhushan, a Sanskrit scholar at the Kathiya Temple in the Karsevakpuram area of Ayodhya.
According to Bhushan, Hindus of Ayodhya view Modi as the brightest star among a handful of politicians in India, who are tirelessly working for the country round the clock.
"Selfless Man" Set to Make India "Vishwaguru"
"Whatever Modi is doing, he's doing it for the nation. He is a selfless man, who wants to make India the Vishwaguru (global teacher) by connecting the country to its rich cultural roots previously forgotten by the so-called 'secular' governments," Bhushan asserted.
Shyam Yadav, the owner of a sweet shop in Kapilganj, which is
just a stone's throw away from the ancient
Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya, reckoned that it is their good fortune that they are seeing someone like Modi in the PM's chair.
Unlike other Prime Ministers, Modi is a doer who believes in completing stalled projects, he pointed out.
"Modi is carrying out Lord Ram's development agenda and is reclaiming the past glory of Hinduism, which is important in today's context, particularly when one realizes that their faith was always frowned upon," Yadav concluded.
