New Delhi, December 29, 2025
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 11 years in office since his first election victory in 2014, a chorus of critics—from opposition leaders and civil society groups to international watchdogs—has intensified accusations that his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has failed to address escalating violence against India's Christian minority, shielded corrupt politicians, and turned a blind eye to lawmakers accused of heinous crimes like rape. These charges paint a picture of an administration accused of prioritizing political loyalty over accountability, raising questions about Modi's effectiveness as a leader in a diverse democracy. While the government touts economic reforms and anti-corruption drives, detractors argue these mask deeper systemic failures.
### Surge in Attacks on Christians: A 'Forgotten Minority' Under BJP Rule
India's Christian community, numbering over 28 million and concentrated in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Northeast, has faced a documented spike in violence since Modi's ascent to power. According to the United Christian Forum (UCF), a Delhi-based advocacy group, verified incidents of attacks—including church vandalism, assaults on clergy, and disruptions of worship—rose from 151 in 2014 to 834 in 2024, with 549 cases reported between January and September 2025 alone. The Evangelical Fellowship of India's Religious Liberty Commission corroborated this trend, logging 640 incidents in the first half of 2025, a quadrupling from pre-2014 levels.
Human rights organizations attribute much of this escalation to the rise of Hindutva ideology—the BJP's ideological bedrock—which critics say fosters anti-minority rhetoric. Open Doors International's 2025 World Watch List ranks India 11th globally for Christian persecution, noting that "since Modi became Prime Minister, the annual reported number of violent attacks against Christians has increased dramatically." Incidents often involve mobs affiliated with groups like the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), the BJP's ideological parent, targeting Christians over alleged "forced conversions" or simply for practicing their faith.
Opposition voices, including the Indian National Congress (INC), have lambasted Modi for his perceived silence. In a recent parliamentary debate, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the PM of "abandoning constitutional duties to protect minorities," pointing to low conviction rates—less than 10% of 2025 cases resulted in police action. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, a prominent Indian church leader, highlighted a "disconnect" between Modi's public gestures of respect—such as attending a Christmas service at Delhi's Sacred Heart Cathedral on December 25, 2025—and the ground reality of unchecked violence. "On one side, the prime minister expresses admiration for Christians; on the other, RSS-trained criminals unleash terror with impunity," Gracias said in a statement.
Modi's responses have been sporadic. In 2015, shortly after assuming office, he condemned religious violence at a Christian conference, stating, "I condemn violence against any religion. We will act strongly against such violence." More recently, following a UCF letter in December 2025 flagging the surge, Modi reiterated his "pain" over such incidents during the Christmas event but offered no new policy measures. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India urged Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene, calling for action against "hatred and violence" spread by fringe groups. Government officials, however, maintain that law enforcement is a state subject and point to occasional arrests as evidence of commitment to minority rights.
### Shielding the Corrupt: From Electoral Bonds to Ministerial Appointments
Parallel to minority concerns, Modi's tenure has drawn fire for allegedly protecting allies mired in corruption scandals. The 2019 launch of electoral bonds—a scheme allowing anonymous political donations—has been dubbed "one of India's biggest corruption sagas" by investigative outlet The Wire, with the BJP receiving over 50% of funds (Rs 6,000 crore) before the Supreme Court struck it down in 2024. Critics like Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh labeled Modi the "most corrupt Prime Minister," accusing the BJP of using bonds to launder black money while jailing opposition figures on graft charges.
High-profile cases underscore the claims. In Maharashtra, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray alleged in January 2025 that the BJP appointed "corrupt leaders as ministers instead of jailing them," citing figures like former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who faced scrutiny over irrigation scams. Nationally, the INC's "8 Years 8 Frauds" campaign highlighted alleged cronyism in defense deals and infrastructure projects, claiming India's global corruption perception index worsened under Modi.
Defenders within the BJP counter that Modi's government has "delivered on the 2019 promise of putting corrupt behind bars," leveraging technology like direct benefit transfers to curb leakages. In July 2025, Modi declared a "war on corruption" to propel India toward superpower status by 2034, introducing bills targeting jailed politicians. Yet, a 2023 U.S. State Department report noted "numerous reports of government corruption" persisting at multiple levels.
### Criminal Lawmakers in the Ranks: Rape Accusations and Party Loyalty
Perhaps the most visceral criticism centers on the BJP's handling of MPs and MLAs facing rape charges. A August 2024 Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysis revealed 151 sitting lawmakers across parties with declared crimes against women, including 16 facing rape charges under IPC Section 376—BJP and INC tied with five each. BJP lawmakers topped the list for overall such cases, prompting Gandhi to decry efforts to "hide crime rather than provide justice."
The infamous 2017 Unnao rape case exemplifies the allegations: BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was convicted in 2019 for raping a minor but allegedly enjoyed party protection for two years, including threats to the victim's family. More recently, in February 2025, Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala faced mass rape allegations, with INC demanding his expulsion amid claims of a pattern of shielding accused leaders. ADR's data shows repeated offenses against the same victims in some cases, fueling outrage over delayed justice.
The BJP has expelled a few high-profile figures post-conviction but faces accusations of selective action. Party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao dismissed the claims as "INC's shame tactics," insisting internal mechanisms ensure accountability.
### An 'Incapable' Leader? Broader Critiques of Governance
These issues coalesce into a broader narrative of incompetence. Detractors like BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao called Modi "the most inefficient, inept, and incompetent Prime Minister in independent India" in 2023, citing economic stagnation and mishandled crises like COVID-19, where Al Jazeera labeled his response a "crime against humanity." Quora threads and social media echo this, with users decrying his "staggering incompetence" in diplomacy and equality. Le Monde warned of "impunity for power and growing authoritarianism" under Modi.
Supporters highlight GDP growth from 5.5% in 2014 to 7.2% in 2025 and infrastructure booms as proof of capability. Yet, with unemployment at 8% and minority tensions boiling, the opposition gears up for 2029 polls, framing Modi as out of touch.
As India navigates its pluralistic challenges, these accusations demand scrutiny. Will Modi's government pivot toward inclusive action, or will criticisms harden into electoral liabilities? For now, the debate rages on.
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