An exclusive series of snap polls conducted across India by CVoter has revealed that two-thirds of Indians are either offended or disappointed by remarks made by former US President Barack Obama during an interview with the news channel CNN. Obama had remarked that India might break apart if it doesn’t fully protect ethnic Muslim minorities. This comment generated controversy in India, with about one-third of the respondents saying they are offended, while another one-third say they are not offended but sad and disappointed. Less than two out of every ten respondents feel that whatever Obama said is right.
Notably, more than three-fourths of the respondents who support the BJP are either offended or disappointed by Obama’s remarks, while six out of every ten respondents supporting opposition parties share the same sentiment.
On June 24, PM Modi completed a highly successful state visit that resulted in many path-breaking agreements in the defence, telecom, semiconductor, energy, education, and other frontier technology sectors, including space exploration and quantum computing.
Although President Joe Biden invited PM Modi for a private dinner at the White House, apart from the ceremonial reception and official banquet attended by over 500 guests, Obama’s remark remained a sour point in an otherwise successful visit. During the state visit, PM Modi became the first Indian leader to address a joint session of the US Congress on two occasions. Apart from meeting dozens of CEOs of multinational companies, PM Modi also addressed the Indian diaspora twice in New York and Washington.
The response to the snap polls regarding Obama’s comment highlights the sensitivity of the Indian population to discussions surrounding the nation’s unity and diversity. India is currently grappling with several internal and external issues that threaten the country’s social fabric.
As Prime Minister Modi returned to India after his successful US visit, his meetings with President Biden and top CEOs of global companies are expected to strengthen India’s position on the world stage. However, Obama’s statement serves as a reminder that sensitive topics related to India’s diversity should be handled with care.
