New survey reveals 52% of Indians in UK have a negative view of PM Modi

NT Bureau

New Delhi: A survey conducted in the UK among British Indians or Indians living in that country has revealed that 52% of them have a negative view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports The Wire.

Fifty percent of Hindus among those surveyed have rejected Hindutva principles.

The survey comprised 500 people who identified themselves as British Indians and was conducted by the Platform for Indian Democracy, which describes itself as a “community-led organisation that seeks to celebrate and protect a truly democratic India”.

Men and women made up equal shares (50% each) of those surveyed. Those between 18 and 44 years of age (57%), Hindus (43%), those with a degree (62%) and those who were born outside the UK (56%) constituted majorities of respondents.

Half the respondents had lived in the UK for up to four years, while the other half had lived there for at least five years.

Thirty-five percent of all respondents had a favourable view of Modi as opposed to 52% who had an unfavourable view.

Among Hindus, 57% viewed the Indian PM favourably, while 71% of non-Hindu respondents viewed him unfavourably.

“Observant Hindus, particularly those who were born in India rather than the UK, older people and those in a non-English speaking household are more likely to have a favourable view of Modi,” the Platform for Indian Democracy said in a press release.

It added that more women (34%) had an unfavourable view of Modi than did men (28%).

When asked about India’s trajectory, the Platform said 68% of Hindu respondents believed India was on the right track, but that 73% of non-Hindus and 81% of Muslims disagreed.

The survey summary also said that a majority of respondents “rated religious violence promoted by Modi, spilling over to the UK, as a top concern”, adding that over half of Hindu respondents (65%) held Modi responsible for “related events”.