The America-based Time magazine has featured Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on its cover page and has addressed him as the “Divider in Chief”.
The cover page has a caricature of Modi along with the title of an article written by Aatish Taseer, which finds a place in the magazine. The headline of the article questions “Can the World’s Largest Democracy Endure Another Five Years of a Modi Government?”
This is not the first time the Time Magazine has featured Modi on its cover but such a strong statement ahead of the final rounds of the General Election of 2019 are sure to raise eyebrows, especially of the wing favouring Modi and his policies.
Who Is Aatish Taseer?
Relying on what Wikipedia says, Aatish Taseer is a British-born son of Pakistani politician Salman Taseer and Indian journalist Tavleen Singh. He is a writer-journalist. Born in London and brought up in Delhi for a while, he has earned dual Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science and French.
He is in the headlines in Indian media after his controversial article on Prime Minister Narendra Modi got published in the May 2019 issue of Time Magazine.
What Does The Article Say?
Comparing him with Jawaharlal Nehru’s idea of secularism, the article criticizes Modi’s term as the Prime Minister stating that “[Modi] demonstrated no desire to foster brotherly feelings between Hindus and Muslims.”
The author did not forget to remind the readers of the 2001 Gujarat Riots. The article reads, “[after 2014] the achievements of independent India such as secularism, liberalism, a free press–came to be seen in the eyes of many as part of a grand conspiracy”.
The article focuses its approach completely towards the Hindu-Muslim discord and holds Modi and his policies responsible for it.
Reactions
Once the news broke and spread, Twitter was flooded with opinions from people belonging to all wings of ideology.
People who don’t support Modi and his policies called it the ‘true type of journalism’ and praised Time Magazine for its fearless approach while the so-called bhakts called out Time Magazine for its approach.
The rightist wing also questioned the credibility of the author who is the son of a deceased Pakistani politician and raised questions on the timing of this criticism, which is highly crucial.
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These are some of the noteworthy opinions on this issue.
The editorial views of Time Magazine towards Modi’s policies and his personality have changed over the years and this is not the first time Time Magazine has published a criticizing and controversial article against Modi.
Image Source: Google Images, Twitter
Source: Economic Times, Khaleej Times, Times Now News
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