Cow Vigilantism in India: Modi’s Dilemma or Legacy?

• Main Authors: Juhi Ahuja, Pravin Prakash
• Other Authors: S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
• Format: Commentary
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Country and Region Studies; International Politics and Security
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/83742; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/42817
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The recent phenomenon of ‘cow vigilantism’ poses a serious threat to the political legitimacy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His dilemma lies in balancing his image as a strong Hindu leader with his popularity as moderniser and reformer. The inability to find a balance that disavows violence threa...