Modi regime under fire for eroding secularism, rising divides in Punjab

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government is facing severe criticism for undermining the secular fabric of Punjab by fostering religious and social divides for political gains.

According to Kashmir Media Service, analysts and political observers are of the opinion that since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, Punjab is being pushed towards Hindutva-driven politics, sidelining the state’s historical secular ethos and communal harmony.

Punjab, known for pluralism, has been facing growing polarization as the BJP continues to exploit communal sentiments to make its political foothold in the state. The imposition of Hindutva ideology, coupled with policies that disproportionately favor one community while marginalizing others, has created an atmosphere of distrust and resentment among different religious and social groups in the state.