What you need to know about the world’s largest democratic election kicking off in India
PBS NewsHourApr 11
India: Top Court Grants Bail to Key Modi Rival
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The Facts
Amid India's ongoing general election, the country's Supreme Court on Friday granted bail until June 1 to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a key rival to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was arrested in a corruption case in March.
The court dismissed the opposition to his bail by India's Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had arrested him on corruption charges related to Delhi's liquor policy.
The Spin
Narrative A
Modi's government is using agencies to target opposition leaders and disrupt election campaigns. The government's coercive tactics suggest a power struggle to dominate the political landscape, prompting concerns over authoritarian tendencies and the need for public vigilance to safeguard democratic principles.
Narrative B
Claims of India turning into an autocracy are misleading. The judicial process is evidence-based, regardless of a person's public status. The opposition's support for Kejriwal, despite serious allegations against him, is merely a political strategy amid elections. Shun the victimhood narrative and focus on legal procedures.
