The cover story of the January 23 edition of the London-based magazine The Economist has sparked controversy in India. Titled Intolerant India – How Modi is endangering the world’s biggest democracy, the story puts the spotlight on the Citizenship Amendment Act brought in by Narendra Modi-led ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Critics say the amendments undermine India’s secular foundations. Many fear they will be used with the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens to harass and disenfranchise Indian Muslims.
The magazine’s cover drew sharp reactions on social media.
The Pandora’s box that is now open . What will it take to shut it ?
— Suman Joshi (@sujo2906) January 24, 2020
From the anti national economist ! https://t.co/uW0WkKxS7X
The nationwide protests against CAA-NRC come at a time with the Indian economy is in the grip of a slowdown, with record-high unemployment and rising inflation.
Many social media users contrasted the current cover of The Economist with its October 2010 cover, which painted a rosier picture of India’s future. The country was then ruled by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government of Manmohan Singh.
Pic 1 : The Economist Cover
— αηgяy yσυηg мαη (@Bako_dhyanam) January 24, 2020
October 2010
India under Dr MMS
Pic 2 : The Economist Cover
January 2020
India under Narendra Modi
WHAT A FALL ! pic.twitter.com/t9tbhxlwLn
A tale of two covers: 2010 and 2020.. say no more.. or risk being called ‘anti national’! Have a good Friday folks!! pic.twitter.com/rGOw9k1ss8
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 24, 2020
This is not the first instance when Prime Minister Modi has faced criticism by international media. In May 2019, the Time magazine had addressed Modi as “India’s divider-in-chief”. His supporters had then asked for a boycott of the magazine by using the hashtag #BoycottTime.
On Friday, some social media users decided to register their protest against The Economist in a similar fashion, but they ended up using the erroneous hashtag #BoycottEconomy.
Do you know why these guys at Economist wants Modi ji to focus on economy than on Mandir, CAA, NRC etc? Because they want Modi ji to lose next election. Their hate for Modi is obvious. We have to #BoycottEconomy https://t.co/kKI6YtKQeg
— Pankaj Mishra (@pankaj_mishra23) January 23, 2020
Is country bigger or economy? Why is economy defaming our nation across the globe. We will not tolerate this anymore. We will #BoycottEconomy
— Pankaj Mishra (@pankaj_mishra23) January 23, 2020
This led to some witty comments on Twitter.
Indians should not fall into trap of Opposition. Economy is Western concept. #BoycottEconomy
— Nirmala Tai Halwe wali (@Vishj05) January 23, 2020
Wow, this is epic! Sanghis please note economy and economist is different. Please don't trend #boycotteconomy and give Modi ideas. Already he has done nothing!😉 https://t.co/6wM7AAnTDe
— Melvin Louis (@MelvinLouis) January 24, 2020
Pakistan has bribed our economy to underperform. #BoycottEconomy #FuckGDP
— P (@PiyushParashar) January 23, 2020