The first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term have been promoted by the government as a period of significant achievements, with Home Minister Amit Shah listing a series of accomplishments. Key highlights include the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, under which 11 lakh women were added, and over one crore women have reportedly crossed the ₹1 lakh annual income threshold. Infrastructure projects worth a staggering ₹3 lakh crore were also approved, including the development of the Wadhawan Mega Port in Maharashtra and a massive upgrade of 62,500 km of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana -IV. In the agricultural sector, the government increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif crops, removed Minimum Export Prices (MEP) on onions and basmati rice, and adjusted import duties on oils. A new fund called Agrisure aims to stimulate agricultural innovation and rural entrepreneurship. Furthermore, Shah emphasised the government’s political stability and Modi’s enduring impact, marking his birthday with the ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ to honour his contributions.
While these achievements may look impressive on paper, a deeper dive reveals cracks in the facade. The BJP’s report card seems overly selective, highlighting only the positives and completely ignoring the persistent issues that continue to affect millions of Indians.
Economic Instability and Rising Costs
The government takes pride in increasing the income of one crore women to over ₹1 lakh annually, but this cherry-picking of data does little to reflect the broader economic landscape. Inflation remains a persistent thorn, with essential commodities such as rice, pulses, and LPG seeing steep price hikes. The decision to remove the Minimum Export Price (MEP) on onions and basmati rice may have benefitted exporters, but it has left Indian consumers grappling with soaring domestic prices. This is indicative of the government’s skewed priorities, where foreign interests and corporate profits often take precedence over the needs of ordinary citizens.
Unemployment remains an elephant in the room, one that the Modi government seems unwilling or unable to confront directly. Despite claims of stability and economic growth, job creation has remained sluggish, and unemployment is at an eight-month high. The much-touted infrastructure projects, though impressive on paper, have failed to translate into widespread job opportunities for the youth. A report card celebrating a few high-profile women earning ₹1 lakh annually does little to mask the fact that millions of Indian youth remain unemployed.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry is busy seeking apologies for raising valid concerns about the complicated changes proposed on the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Infrastructure Failures
One of the government’s key points of pride has been infrastructure development, with projects worth ₹3 lakh crore being approved.
While the Railway Minister Mr. Ashvini Vaishnaw is busy explaining the technical theories of the KAVACH Anti-Collision System; there have been 38 major train accidents in just 100 days, resulting in over 30 deaths and hundreds injured. These tragedies bring into question the safety and efficiency of the nation’s railways, a sector that the government claims is undergoing modernization which seems unlikely given the railway sector received a stingy 5% from the Union Budget of 2024.
The BJP might dismiss these accidents as isolated incidents, but they are a stark reminder that behind the flashy headlines lies a fragile and flawed infrastructure system.
Even newly inaugurated projects haven’t been spared from failure. Airports in Jabalpur, Delhi, and Rajkot have seen severe damage during monsoon rains, and the roof of the new Parliament building has leaked—a symbol of the literal and metaphorical cracks in the government’s infrastructure push. Shivaji’s statue, inaugurated with much fanfare, broke within eight months, and Gujarat’s Sudarshan Setu, built just this February, has developed cracks and potholes. These failures suggest that the government is more focused on grand, media-friendly inaugurations than on ensuring the durability and quality of these infrastructure projects.
Crime and Public Safety: An Ignored Crisis
While Amit Shah proudly touted the political stability of Modi’s third term, the government has utterly failed to address rising crime rates, particularly crimes against women. There have been 100 heinous incidents of crime against women that have been reported in just 100 days—an alarming statistic that has gone largely unaddressed by the BJP.
Prime Minister Modi’s government has consistently failed to prioritise women’s safety, a failure made even more egregious by its simultaneous promotion of tokenistic schemes like the Lakhpati Didi Yojana. Economic empowerment is crucial, but what use is financial independence when women are not safe in their homes, workplaces, or public spaces?
Foreign Policy and Military Concerns
While domestic governance remains under scrutiny, the Modi government’s foreign policy performance also leaves much to be desired. Supriya Shrinate of Congress pointed out the government’s continued silence on China’s incursions into Ladakh. Despite repeated warnings from local herders, Modi has shown a shocking lack of urgency in addressing the situation. Thousands of Ladakhis are now marching toward Delhi to demand action, and the government’s response has been muted, revealing a dangerous complacency in dealing with national security threats.
Meanwhile, terror attacks have continued unabated, with 26 incidents occurring and 21 soldiers losing their lives in just 100 days. Instead of providing adequate resources and attention to the growing security concerns in Jammu and other sensitive areas, Modi’s administration has been content to brush these issues under the carpet. Modi’s refusal to visit troubled areas like Manipur, which has seen ongoing violence, raises questions about his commitment to national unity and security.
Contentious Bills That Question Freedom of Speech And Religion
In 100 days, the ruling party has tried to bring in bills like the Waqf Amendment Bill and the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill which limits the fundamental rights of an individual to express themself freely and practice their religion. However, the BJP has been unable to pass these laws due to a stronger Opposition that is present both inside and outside the Parliament.
Conclusion
The Modi 3.0 government’s first 100 days have been marked by public relations triumphs, but the substance behind these announcements is lacking. With rising unemployment, inflation, infrastructure collapses, and an alarming increase in crimes against women, it’s clear that the government is struggling to manage the nation’s real problems. Prime Minister Modi’s tenure may be marked by political stability for now, but the cracks are beginning to show, both literally and figuratively. The government needs to stop focusing on slogans and start addressing the pressing issues that are affecting millions of Indians daily.
Please note that all views mentioned are personal.
