Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long cultivated an image abroad as the popular elected leader of the world’s largest democracy, a sober voice of peace in a world of violence. He has balanced that role at home in India with another penchant, as a strongman whose lieutenants have wielded the arms of the state at dissenters, exploiting an increasingly pliant legal system and bureaucracy. These efforts have undercut and splintered the opposition, cowed independent media and jailed activists.
On Saturday, Modi’s balancing act broke down as violent scenes across the capital city were beamed to screens around the world, exposing the rough edges of his rule and the limits of his formula for maintaining power.
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