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Political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli was born in Italy in 1469. Five hundred seven years later, his findings are still being taught at universities all around the globe because of their relevance in today’s society. One of Machiavelli’s theories specifically applicable in 2020 is his view on what is essential to a ruler’s appearance. In politics, character and public perception are critical to gaining and maintaining the support of the people. In Machiavelli’s The Prince, he writes, “For the common people are impressed by appearances and results. Everywhere the common people are the vast majority…” (Machiavelli, 1513, p. 63). A leader must accurately represent how they’d like the public to see them in order to obtain and secure power. Many people have different definitions of what an impressive appearance is, such as fancy clothing, a genuine smile, or empathetic values. Machiavelli believes that there are five essential aspects of appearance for someone who is in a position of power: “…he should seem to be exceptionally merciful, trustworthy, upright, humane and devout. And it is most necessary of all to seem devout” (Machiavelli, 1513, p. 62). Many of these qualities can be observed in modern-day leaders of the 21stcentury. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embodies each of the five qualities of a ruler’s appearance according to Machiavelli. However, his religious devotion is causing an increase in violence against members of minority religions in India. 

Modi held an event in March of 2019 that worked heavily in his favor and showed his adherence to Machiavelli’s idea of mercifulness. On his website titled A touching gesture to honour those who keep India clean, Modi physically cleaned the feet of five street cleaners (A touching gesture to honour those who keep India clean, 2019). Called Safai Karamcharis, these people work as street sweepers in part of an initiative created in 2014 named the Swachh Bharat Mission which aims to eliminate public defecation and enhance management of solid waste throughout India. His website proudly stated that this act showed Prime Minister Modi’s admiration and appreciation for workers of all spheres, despite how unsanitary. He is someone who “cares about each and every Indian, who values the work done by every citizen and who will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of India” (A touching gesture to honour those who keep India clean, 2019). Washing the feet of India’s street cleaners is definitely an act of mercy, and many Indians viewed it as a great blessing and act of selflessness. Modi recognizes this deed as merciful as well, hence his decision to make it a very public statement on the biography page of his website.

Prime Minister Modi shows that he is a trustworthy leader through several facets. First off, Modi represents the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is recognized as a right-wing faction with historically Hindu nationalist views. According to the Census of India, 80% of the country is Hindu (Religion, 2001). This allowed Modi to acquire immediate trust from a large portion of the country as a result of his Hindu background and political party. Secondly, he has a large and frequent participation on social media. Modi has 49.5 million followers on Instagram and 62.9 million on his Twitter account. Seeing his thoughts and photos on his social feed allows Modi to enter the private lives of Indian people in a less formal setting than on television or in the newspaper. The more normal it becomes to see Modi in a casual, unofficial setting, the easier it is to build trust for him. Communicating with the people directly also adds a layer of assurance that he is actively working to make India a better place for its citizens. 

India continues to suffer from a high instance of rape and violence against women and girls. Prime Minister Modi’s website states that he “has worked at the forefront to ensure gender equality and particularly empowerment of women” (Make a promise, says PM Modi, 2019).He also launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhaoprogram, which translates to “save the girl child, educate the girl child” (Make a promise, says PM Modi, 2019).In five years, the program has experienced remarkable results. In Machiavelli’s chapterHow a ruler should act in order to gain reputation, he writes, “Above all, a ruler must contrive to achieve through all his actions the reputation of being a great man of outstanding intelligence” (Machiavelli, 1513, p. 77). Modi is working on finding a solution to a societal problem that has to do with the safety of women and girls, an issue that inspires great levels of admiration and trust in him. 

Machiavelli’s third quality is appearing upright in the eyes of the public. I believe a crucial aspect of looking honorable or respectable is by dressing in that way. Machiavelli writes, “In these matters, most men judge more by their eyes than by their hands. For everyone is capable of seeing you, but few can touch you” (Machiavelli, 1513, p. 62-63). Modi always appears clean and groomed in public and usually wears a kurta and vest, which are items of traditional Indian attire. His clothing symbolizes a connection to Indian values and shows his respect for India, its history, and its culture. In an interview with Lance Prince, former BBC journalist, Modi stated, “God has gifted me the sense of mixing and matching colours. So I manage everything on my own. Since I’m God gifted I fit well in everything” (Lakshmi, 2015). In addition to looking honorable in his physical appearance, Modi upholds an upright appearance through his acts as well. As proudly stated on his website, Modi spends each and every counting day (election day) visiting his mother, who just turned 100 years old in 2020 (What Narendra Modi does on counting day, 2016). Spending stressful election days sitting alongside his elderly mother looks very respectable to the public. This act of kindness and love allows Modi to not only appear as a powerful and confident leader, but also as a virtuous and principled man.

Modi’s website portrays him as a humane person. In an article called A Prime Minister who cares, Modi’s healthcare plan widely known as ‘Modicare’, “aims to benefit the poor and most vulnerable sections of society by ensuring good quality and affordable healthcare, simultaneously reducing the financial burden on people” (A Prime Minister who cares, 2019). What is more humane than battling issues that affect the poor? His biography page also features photos of Modi meeting babies on the public train and an article titled A heart of gold cures a heart ailment (Biography, 2016). Another section called People’s Cornerdisplays a massive photo of smiling Modi touching hands with a crowd of children. This page features paintings, drawings, poetry, and videos made by young boys and girls in support of Modi. Machiavelli states, “A ruler should also show himself a lover of talent, and honour those who excel in any art” (Machiavelli, 1513, p. 79). Modi shows both his support for talent as well as his compassion for his young supporters by including this page on his website. 

Lastly, and most importantly according to Machiavelli, a ruler must be, or at least seem, devout. Modi shows his deep religious commitment by often wearing orange, a color associated with Hinduism in that it represents purity. Appearing in orange attire allows Modi to be seen as devout. However, standing for the BJP Party and its Hindu-centric beliefs has resulted in Hindus being influenced in a radical way. According to Human Rights Watch:

“Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), since coming to power at the national level in May 2014, have increasingly used communal rhetoric that has spurred a violent vigilante campaign against beef consumption and those deemed linked to it. Between May 2015 and December 2018, at least 44 people— 36 of them Muslims —were killed across 12 Indian states” (Violent Cow Protection in India: Vigilante Groups Attack Minorities, 2019).

 Cows are viewed as holy in Hinduism, whereas many Muslims eat beef in India. Multiple of these cow protection bands have claimed affiliation with militant Hindu groups believed to have connections to the BJP. Furthermore, a 2019 article from Time Magazine explains that at the time of Modi’s election in 2014, “India was indeed a cauldron of religious nationalism, anti-Muslim sentiment and deep-seated caste bigotry…he [Modi] has also helped create an atmosphere of poisonous religious nationalism in India” (Taseer, 2019).Modi hails from a devout Hindu background and continues to spread the Hindu-nationalist beliefs of the BJP, however, this religiousness is having a negative effect on India’s religious diversity, acceptance, and equity.

While Machiavelli may not be interested in whether a ruler’s devoutness leads to oppression and inequality for a certain group or groups, modern day India is reporting dangerous trends that could lead to an infringement on the security of Muslims in the country. Though not solely a result of Prime Minister Modi’s rule, his strong Hindu values and political affiliation are altering India today through an increase in anti-Muslim crimes. Despite the harmful level of devoutness that Modi holds, he is in fact a religious man, which according to Machiavelli is the most necessary quality in a leader’s appearance. Additionally, Narendra Modi is humane, upright, trustworthy, and merciful. If Modi embodies all five of the essential qualities a successful ruler must have in the public eye, he could stay in power for a very long time in India. Although he must keep the support of the Indian Parliament, there are no term limits for Prime Minister of India. Modi began his second term in 2019 and just celebrated his 70thbirthday this September of 2020. What could 10 or more years of Hindu-nationalist, Narendra Modi in power look like for Muslims and other minority religions in India? We will have to wait and see.

WORKS CITED

Machiavelli, Niccolò. (1513). How rulers should keep their promises. The Prince. 63. 

Machiavelli, Niccolò. (1513). How rulers should keep their promises. The Prince. 62.

(2019). A touching gesture to honour those who keep India clean. Narendra Modi. https://www.narendramodi.in/a-touching-gesture-to-honour-those-who-keep-india-clean-544113

(2001). Religion. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. https://censusindia.gov.in/Census_And_You/religion.aspx

(2019). Make a promise, says PM Modi. Narendra Modi. https://www.narendramodi.in/make-a-promise-says-pm-modi--544114

Machiavelli, Niccolò. (1513). How a ruler should act in order to gain reputation. The Prince. 77. 

Machiavelli, Niccolò. (1513). How rulers should keep their promises. The Prince. 62-63.

Lakshmi, Rama. (2015). The secret behind Narendra Modi’s fashion sense is out. The Washington Post.

(2016).What Narendra Modi does on counting day. Narendra Modi. https://www.narendramodi.in/what-narendra-modi-does-on-counting-day-522796

(2019). A Prime Minister who cares. Narendra Modi. https://www.narendramodi.in/a-prime-minister-who-cares-544111

(2016). A heart of gold cures a heart ailment. Narendra Modi. https://www.narendramodi.in/a-heart-of-gold-cures-a-heart-ailment-522800

Machiavelli, Niccolò. (1513). How a ruler should act in order to gain reputation. The Prince. 79.

(2019). Violent Cow Protection in India: Vigilante Groups Attack Minorities. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/02/18/violent-cow-protection-india/vigilante-groups-attack-minorities#

Taseer, Aatish. (2019). Can the World’s Largest Democracy Endure Another Five Years of a Modi Government? TIME. https://time.com/5586415/india-election-narendra-modi-2019/

PHOTOS CITED

(2019). A touching gesture to honour those who keep India clean. Narendra Modi. https://www.narendramodi.in/a-touching-gesture-to-honour-those-who-keep-india-clean-544113

(2018). Our daughters will get justice, promises PM Modi. Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/our-daughters-will-get-justice-promises-pm-modi/articleshow/63754590.cms

(2016). What Narendra Modi does on counting day. Narendra Modi. https://www.narendramodi.in/what-narendra-modi-does-on-counting-day-522796 

(2020). People’s Corner. Narendra Modi. https://www.narendramodi.in/peoplescorner

(2012). Pro-incumbency is a new phrase that will enter the lexicon, says Narendra Modi after Gujarat win. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/gujarat-assembly-elections-2012/story/gujarat-election-result-live-124767-2012-12-20?hcb=1