New Delhi, Noted Indian historian Ramachandra Guha has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he has authoritarian instincts and dictatorial tendencies. Guha’s comments came during an interview with Karan Thapar’s program in New Delhi, where he discussed the impact of Modi’s rhetoric and policies on India’s social fabric.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Guha, a prominent environmentalist, writer, and public intellectual, highlighted the implications of Modi’s anti-Muslim statements during a recent election speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara. In his remarks, Modi labeled Muslims as “infiltrators” and “the people who have many children,” raising concerns about the government’s targeting of the Muslim community.

Guha described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology as centered on showing Muslims “their place.” He explained that the RSS’s stance towards Muslims is that they are only allowed to live in India under terms set by Hindus, leading to majoritarianism that promotes discrimination, demonization, and subhuman treatment of non-Hindus.

Guha warned that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah aim to suppress free speech and control the entire media landscape, aligning it with their interests. He further noted that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government secures a third term, it would likely escalate efforts to undermine and weaken state governments not under its control.

The historian suggested that Modi’s leadership and the RSS’s ideology threaten India’s secular fabric and risk marginalizing minorities. The interview with Guha highlighted growing concerns about the BJP’s approach to governance and its impact on India’s democratic values.