[New York Diary] Even on a U.S. State Visit, Yoga Comes First... Indian Prime Minister's 'Yoga Politics'

Stories from Everyday Life in America
Told from New York

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made his third state visit to the United States since the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration, visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York before his White House summit. He attended a group yoga session held on the UN lawn to commemorate the ‘UN International Day of Yoga (June 21).’ This event set a Guinness World Record for the ‘largest yoga lesson with participants from 135 countries.’ At the event, Prime Minister Modi demonstrated proficiency in key yoga poses such as the Cobra pose and Downward Dog pose. He emphasized that "Yoga is integration" and stated that it is "for all nations, all religions, and all cultures."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Since taking office in 2014, Prime Minister Modi has been well known as a ‘yoga enthusiast.’ In an interview with a foreign media outlet, he said, "I wake up every day at 5 a.m. to practice yoga before starting my work," and in conversations with the public, he cited "yoga and breathing exercises" as the secret to his abundant energy. It was also Modi who proposed the International Day of Yoga during the UN General Assembly speech in September of the same year he took office. The following year, on the first International Day of Yoga, he practiced yoga with over 30,000 citizens at Delhi’s public square, which led to a spectacular scene where yoga practitioners around the world gather annually around this time for group yoga sessions. This is part of what is called ‘yoga politics’ and ‘yoga diplomacy,’ aiming to promote India as the birthplace of yoga, foster the yoga industry, and project the modern yoga image representing peace, tolerance, and universality worldwide.

However, despite Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on tolerance and universality of yoga in official settings, criticisms regarding his suppression of democracy and human rights persist both inside and outside India. The 2002 Gujarat incident, considered one of the greatest tragedies in modern Indian history, is a representative example. As a Hindu nationalist and then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi was accused of turning a blind eye to the massacre of Muslims by Hindu right-wing groups, drawing international condemnation. This incident solidified Modi’s reputation as an ‘anti-human rights political leader,’ and the United States denied him entry from 2005 until he became Prime Minister. Furthermore, even after assuming office, Modi has faced ongoing criticism for suppressing minority religions, journalists, and dissidents based on Hindu democratic policies.

Some analysts argue that Modi’s statements such as "Yoga helps peaceful and democratic principles" and "Respecting yoga can promote world peace and help fight armed violence" are a form of ‘political weaponization’ aimed at whitewashing his image by leveraging yoga. They point out that he is using yoga to conceal political and organized violence against oppressed minority groups within India.

Professor Anusha Kedar of the University of California expressed concern to Middle East Eye, saying, "(Modi) wants to shape his and India’s image as flexible yet strong, peaceful yet powerful, like yoga." Lia Chakrabarti, policy director of a Hindu organization, defined this as ‘Om (mantra) washing’ and analyzed, "Yoga and meditation hold significant soft power in the West. Modi wants to utilize that soft power."

The criticism pouring in from the U.S. regarding the Biden administration’s warm reception of Modi is closely related to this issue. The Biden administration, which has positioned itself as a ‘defender of democracy,’ faces inherent contradictions in ignoring the clear increase in persecution of minorities, human rights abuses, and restrictions on press freedom in India under Modi’s rule while warmly welcoming its leader. The U.S. State Department’s country-specific human rights report released in March and the international religious freedom report released last month both contained pointed criticisms of India.

After enjoying the U.S. hospitality, Modi held a joint press conference with President Biden immediately following their summit on the 22nd. Since taking office in 2014, this was the first time Modi held an official press conference answering questions from multiple media outlets. The number of questions was limited to one American and one Indian journalist, fewer than usual. The first question asked was: "What measures are you willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and to uphold press freedom?" Modi responded, "There is no need for improvement. There is no discrimination." Given that this was Modi’s first press conference in nine years and the number of questions was drastically reduced, this question deserves careful reflection.