Four months after 'Howdy, Modi!', some Indians abroad protest over citizenship law

BENGALURU/MUMBAI (REUTERS) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi got a thunderous reception when he addressed a crowd of more than 50,000 Indian-Americans in a stadium in the US city of Houston in September 2019.

But four months after the event dubbed "Howdy Modi!", intended to deepen relations with the wealthy Indian-American minority, who has influence in India, some members of the diaspora have been protesting against a new citizenship law.

In the past month, small demonstrations from Harvard to San Francisco have underlined criticism of what detractors say are Mr Modi's divisive identity politics.

The law, which was promised by Mr Modi before he was re-elected and was approved in December, in effect granted Indian citizenship to non-Muslim religious groups fleeing persecution from three neighbouring Muslim-majority countries.

Critics say it is a prelude for the marginalisation of Muslims and an affront to India's secular Constitution.

"It is still only a minority, but the disenchantment (in the diaspora) is real and deep," said a 50-year-old sociologist who gave her name only as Nidhi to avoid straining relations with older relatives who attended Mr Modi's rally in Houston.

Nidhi emigrated to the United States when she was five and has taken part in demonstrations against the citizenship law in the US state of Texas.

"If we as Indo-Americans don't raise our voice, we are complicit," she said.

The latest protests were outside Indian diplomatic missions last Sunday, India's Republic Day. A large proportion of the rallies attract student, academics and religious minorities - groups that have long been worried by Mr Modi's rise.

Many in the diaspora cheered Hindu nationalist Mr Modi to an election victory in 2014, convinced he would transform India into an economic powerhouse.

But India's economy has been sputtering because of an ailing banking sector and tepid rural demand, while protests in India, in which at least 25 people have been killed, have revived the specter of social unrest after years of stability under Modi.

Microsoft's India-born CEO, Mr Satya Nadella, told Buzzfeed News this month the citizenship law was "bad". Even so, a significant chunk of Indians abroad remain die-hard Modi supporters and have staged their own rallies in favour of the law.

Mr Vijay Chauthaiwale, chief of the foreign affairs department of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said overall, the diaspora support was intact.

"People believe in the conviction of Mr Modi. Some transient issue will not affect his popularity," Mr Chauthaiwale said.

The BJP has launched a social media push with the diaspora, circulating testimonies from "persecuted minorities in Pakistan" who could benefit from the citizenship law.

But Mr Modi's critics say cracks are appearing in his overseas support.

"Those who are educated are saying, 'Hey, this is not what we were expecting,'" said Mr Sam Pitroda, the opposition Congress party's head of overseas affairs.

Chicago-based Mr Pitroda was unable to provide data, but said he was getting many calls from worried Indians abroad.

Retired engineer Krishna Vavilala, 82, was excited by Mr Modi's rise and recounted being photographed at Howdy, Modi! - which took its name from what is a popular greeting in Texas - because his beard made him look like the Indian leader.

But recent developments have given him pause.

He suggested that Modi, who has not answered questions at a press conference in India since coming to power six years ago, speak to more reporters. Mr Vavilala also urged Mr Modi to clarify "perceptions" that he wants to sideline minorities.

"His heart is in the right place," said Mr Vavilala. "But the euphoria of Howdy, Modi! has lost its shine."