THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
In recent years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has frequently made headlines for receiving high-ranking civilian medals and awards from foreign countries. While these global honors are celebrated by mainstream media as proof of India’s growing international influence, they also expose a stark contrast. Critics argue that the loud celebration of global awards acts as a distraction from severe domestic issues, most notably the ongoing crisis of systemic violence and sexual assault faced daily by Dalit women.
On the surface, international awards serve a specific diplomatic purpose. When countries in the Middle East, Europe, or the Pacific give India’s leader their highest civilian honors, they are usually trying to secure trade deals, military alliances, or economic partnerships. However, the media coverage inside India often frames these awards as personal victories that elevate the nation’s pride. This intense media focus creates a celebratory atmosphere, suggesting that India is thriving and universally respected on the world stage.
Yet, this shiny global image stands in sharp contrast to the lived reality of millions of marginalized citizens at home. While the media focuses on red carpets and gold medals, human rights advocates point out that deep-seated social crises are often pushed aside. The most painful example of this is the regular violence targeted at Dalit women. Because of the intersection of caste, gender, and economic vulnerability, Dalit women face high rates of sexual violence and systemic discrimination.
When these atrocities happen, they rarely receive the same sustained, high-profile media attention as international political events. Instead, grass-roots activists argue that caste-based violence is frequently brushed under the carpet by local authorities or minimized in public discussions to protect the status quo. The legal protections that exist on paper, like the Prevention of Atrocities Act, are often poorly enforced at the local level, leaving victims and their families without justice.
Ultimately, international medals can measure a country’s geopolitical weight, but they cannot measure its internal health or safety. A nation cannot truly be considered successful on the world stage if its most vulnerable citizens live in fear. True progress requires shifting the focus away from global pageantry and toward fixing the broken justice systems at home, ensuring that the safety and dignity of Dalit women are treated as a national priority rather than an afterthought.
Those hindutva media brigrade beating their drums should consider
“if India wants to be at the top of the Olympic medal table, send Mr. Modi to the Olympics.
Who knows, he might win all the gold medals there too.”
