Is the world's largest democracy under threat? The biggest election in human history. The most popular political leader in the world. And the stakes couldn’t be higher. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approval ratings in high-seventies, and he’s widely expected to win his third term. But in India and beyond, many fear what his reelection will bring. Accusations of complicity in religious violence have dogged Modi. More recently, his government has been tied to alleged assassination plots in Canada and the US. In the latest season of Understood, Mumbai-based journalist Salimah Shivji examines how Modi went from being barred from the US, to becoming one of the most powerful men in the world. And asks the pressing question: what’s at stake if he wins again? Modi’s India, season 3 of Understood, starting May 13. Hosted by journalist Salimah Shivji.
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Is the world's largest democracy under threat?
The biggest election in human history. The most popular political leader in the world. And the stakes couldn't be higher.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approval ratings in high-seventies, and he's widely expected to win his third term. But in India and beyond, many fear what his reelection will bring. Accusations of complicity in religious violence have dogged Modi. More recently, his government has been tied to alleged assassination plots in Canada and the US.
In the latest season of Understood, Mumbai-based journalist Salimah Shivji examines how Modi went from being barred from the US, to becoming one of the most powerful men in the world. And asks the pressing question: what's at stake if he wins again?
Modi's India, Season 3 of Understood, starting May 13. Hosted by journalist Salimah Shivji.
BONUS Episode: Modi's Weak Win
Understood18:01BONUS: Modi’s weak win
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have narrowly won a third term, but without a majority government, his grip on power appears weaker than ever. On this bonus episode of Modi’s India: Understood, host Salimah Shivji and producer Joyita Sengupta talk about the surprising results of the Indian election.
Access the transcript for this episode here [https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/transcript-modi-s-india-bonus-episode-1.7312610].
Understood42:32Modi's India Episode 4: The Storyteller
India’s democracy has been called a miracle. Now, some fear it’s at risk.
From Gandhi’s legacy to Bollywood films, how is Modi rewriting the story of India?
Access the transcript for this episode here [https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/transcript-modi-s-india-episode-4-1.7207405].
Understood37:56Modi's India Episode 3: The Strongman
Entering his second term stronger than ever, Modi can wield his power in ways that shock many inside India and out. There are crackdowns on dissent at home and accusations his government is tied to assassination plots abroad. His government denies these allegations, but the question remains: how far will Modi go to stop those who challenge him?
Access the transcript for this episode here [https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/transcript-modi-s-india-episode-3-1.7208339].
Understood31:54Modi's India Episode 2: Development Man
Narendra Modi is the most popular political leader on the planet. His supporters boast that he’s transformed India’s economy – it’s now the world’s fifth largest, surpassing its former colonial ruler, Great Britain. How did Modi shake off the memory of deadly religious riots to win the devotion of hundreds of millions of Indians across the country and the world?
Access the transcript for this episode here [https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/transcript-modi-s-india-episode-2-1.7201051].
Understood33:18Modi's India Episode 1: Emperor of Hindu Hearts
How did Narendra Modi, the son of a humble tea seller rise up the political ranks to become one of the most powerful leaders India has ever seen? And did bloody religious riots damage his political future, or turbocharge it?
Access the transcript for this episode here [https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/transcript-modi-s-india-episode-1-1.7201019??].
Understood1:53Modi's India: Season 3 of Understood
How did one man rise from poverty to the peak of political power and secure the adoration of nearly one billion people? And how did he overcome accusations — that he denies — of complicity in religious violence and alleged international assassination plots?
In the latest season of Understood, Mumbai-based journalist Salimah Shivji examines the remarkable rise, and incredible power that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acquired. And as his country embarks on a massive election, Shivji asks the pressing question: what’s at stake if he wins again? Coming May 13, 2024.