Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi, born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, is a prominent Indian politician who has held the office of Prime Minister since 2014. His political journey began at a young age when he was introduced to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at eight years old. By 1971, he became a full-time worker for the organization, which later assigned him to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1985. Modi's rise through the party ranks culminated in his appointment as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, a position he held until 2014.

Modi's tenure as Chief Minister was marked by significant economic growth, yet it was also overshadowed by the 2002 Gujarat violence, which resulted in the deaths of over a thousand individuals, predominantly from the Muslim community. Despite the controversies surrounding his administration, including criticisms of his handling of health, poverty, and education, he was credited with fostering an environment conducive to foreign investment.

In the 2014 general elections, Modi led the BJP to a historic parliamentary majority, the first for any party since 1984. His government implemented various reforms, including a high-profile sanitation campaign and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. However, his policies, such as the demonetization of banknotes and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, sparked significant public debate and protests.

Modi's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic faced scrutiny, with millions of lives lost. In the 2024 elections, his party lost its majority but formed a coalition government. Throughout his political career, Modi has been a polarizing figure, often associated with right-wing politics and Hindu nationalism, leading to ongoing discussions about democratic backsliding in India.