2019 Indian general election

[Vishnu.Reang]

The voting for 2019 Indian general election ends today, and I though that it will be better to create a thread here. Unlike yesterday's Australian elections, this one hasn't got much media attention from outside India.

Still, we need to remember that this election is the biggest democratic exercise in the recorded history, with a total of 900 million people eligible to vote. The system used here is first-past-the-post voting, and there are a total of 543 constituencies.

The elections were being held in 7 different phases, starting from 11th April. The turnout varied from 10.32% (for Jammu and Kashmir during Phase 4) to 85.11% (for Assam, phase 3).

The ideological position of the various alliances are as follows:

NDA: headed by BJP, a center-right party. The core support base comes from upper-caste Hindus (~15% of the population) and urban voters. Foreign policy is pro-Israel and pro-Trump, while maintaining historical friendships with Russia. Hawkish on defense policy and hostile towards China / Pakistan. Stands against affirmative action. Against illegal immigration by Bangladeshi Muslims.

UPA: Headed by INC, a center-left party. Core support base comes from Muslims (~15% of the population) and Christians (~6% of the population). Mostly depends on rural votes. Foreign policy is pro-Palestine and pro-Democrat with preference for Russia over USA. Pacifist defense policy. Strongly in favor of affirmative action and tolerant of illegal immigration by Bangladeshi Muslims.

Others: A bunch of regional parties with different ideologies. Don't have any foreign policy. Most of them derives support from rural and minority voters. Have more ideological similarity with UPA.

These were the seat positions during the last election:

NDA - 336 (ruling alliance)
UPA - 60 (main opposition alliance)
Others - 147 (most of them allied with UPA informally)

As per the last opinion polls (published in April), this is the prediction (exit polls will be available in another 45 minutes from now):

NDA: 275 to 310
UPA: 122 to 149
Others: 111 to 142

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[Vishnu.Reang]

The exit polls are out now, and I will give the details from the most reliable ones.



In short, almost all the polls are predicting that NDA will be back to power, although with a reduced majority.

Some of the state-level numbers:

[JSRAW]

The main fight is in UP and WB. though will wait for 23 May. As a Kashmiri born, living in Delhi. I only want Narendra Modi to win despite his mistake on some issue. the last thing I want to see is Rahul Gandhi Leading India with his "Grand Alliance". Big No!

[Vishnu.Reang]

The main fight is in UP and WB. though will wait for 23 May. As a Kashmiri born, living in Delhi. I only want Narendra Modi to win despite his mistake on some issue. the last thing I want to see is Rahul Gandhi Leading India with his "Grand Alliance". Big No!

I voted for NDA this time, after being refused voter registration in 2014 (my family is originally from Mizoram, but the state authorities won't allow me to register. So this time registered in Tripura). The opposition is just hopeless. The campaigning was really toxic during the last two months, and I was really afraid of the proposed NYAY scheme. If it was implemented (as UPA promised), then the taxes will go up by 2x.

[Sithara007]

After the exit polls were out, the Indian stock markets went up by 4%. So in case the results matches with those given in the exit polls, then we can see another rally in the markets, when the results are out (the first trends will be available in around 24 hours from now).

Narendra Modi has many similarities with other world leaders, especially Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte. They are very strongly polarizing figures. There are sections of the society which strongly supports them and there are some sections which hate them with a passion.

[JSRAW]

They are very strongly polarizing figures. There are sections of the society which strongly supports them and there are some sections which hate them with a passion.

Modi even polarized Rahul Gandhi, he's now "Janehudhari Shiv Bhakt" (Sacred thread- Devotee of Shiva-). In Delhi Muslim community especially Ahmadiyya, Shia and Educated class of Sunni community support Modi Blindly. this is a fact on the ground level. pseudo secular and commies don't want to see this truth.

In Delhi, people are very clear about their choices no matter what the media says. Modi for India and Kejriwal for Delhi.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Less than 10 hours to go before the counting is about to start. A lot of excitement in the air, as people are looking forward to having NDA for a second term with a clear majority. A hung parliament would not have benefited anyone and a lot of us are happy that the exit polls don't show such a possibility.

The counting is going to take at least 10-12 hours to get to 90% completion and the first trends will be out by 9 am IST (first the postal ballots will be counted). Results for the remote constituencies may be known only by Friday or Saturday.

Each constituency has around 1,400 poll booths and approx 100 booths constitute one "round". Approx 40 minutes are taken for counting one "round" of votes. If the constituency has an average of 14 rounds, then it takes 9 to 10 hours for the counting to complete.

Modi even polarized Rahul Gandhi, he's now "Janehudhari Shiv Bhakt" (Sacred thread- Devotee of Shiva-). In Delhi Muslim community especially Ahmadiyya, Shia and Educated class of Sunni community support Modi Blindly. this is a fact on the ground level. pseudo secular and commies don't want to see this truth.

In Delhi, people are very clear about their choices no matter what the media says. Modi for India and Kejriwal for Delhi.

Exit polls are saying that NDA is much ahead of AAP in Delhi. Perhaps the situation may change for the assembly elections (2020).

[n0ne]

Several news has come to the international media stating those exit poll results were the manipulated results in support of the ruling NDA party. Most international media describes the winning probability for UPA is found high than the present party. Anyhow tomorrow by this time we'll get to know the results concluding who is gonna rule India for the next five years.

[mersal]

Votes are being counted currently and this time also current ruling party got the majority as of now but still lot of places to count but on my states they were completely ignored by the people even the allied parties got ignored due to their alliance.

[erikalui]

No doubt that now BJP has the maximum votes and Modi will be the PM now. People in my area are such strong Modi bhakts and a word criticizing him makes them question your intelligence. Have never seen such craze for a political party earlier except for the members of that group and now these supporters are worse than fan groups of celebs who come to personal attack other members. Don't know now which ban is awaiting us but surely nothing positive. Acche din aaye hi nahi

[mersal]

No doubt that now BJP has the maximum votes and Modi will be the PM now. People in my area are such strong Modi bhakts and a word criticizing him makes them question your intelligence. Have never seen such craze for a political party earlier except for the members of that group and now these supporters are worse than fan groups of celebs who come to personal attack other members. Don't know now which ban is awaiting us but surely nothing positive. Acche din aaye hi nahi

By the time passes opponents were losing their seats more and now BJB can stand alone just like what happened on 2014.

I didn't expect this results after BJB were lost some state elections recently and the controversies on EVM machines will continues again as well.

[erikalui]

No doubt that now BJP has the maximum votes and Modi will be the PM now. People in my area are such strong Modi bhakts and a word criticizing him makes them question your intelligence. Have never seen such craze for a political party earlier except for the members of that group and now these supporters are worse than fan groups of celebs who come to personal attack other members. Don't know now which ban is awaiting us but surely nothing positive. Acche din aaye hi nahi

By the time passes opponents were losing their seats more and now BJB can stand alone just like what happened on 2014.

I didn't expect this results after BJB were lost some state elections recently and the controversies on EVM machines will continues again as well.

EVMs being stolen is nothing but another controversy. BJP will always keep winning as people still really think that they are going to curb terrorism and corruption. The amount of hatred people had for Congress is the major reason people voted for BJP. We'll see more foreign trips, technology-loving speeches, more bans on cryptocurrencies and then something worse than GST.

Can't believe Smriti Irani won against Rahul too.

[mersal]

Can't believe Smriti Irani won against Rahul too.

When they have EVM then they will do these again and again on the upcoming elcetions.

The more sad thing is Congress didn't even got the opposition status as well just like what happened in 2014,so BJP will implement any rule if they want since they have single majority to rule the country for next five years.

[Vishnu.Reang]

The results were as expected. The exit polls were showing somewhere between 300 and 320 seats for the NDA, but the ground situation was entirely different. In rural areas, it was very hard to find a single person who would support the UPA (I am a resident of Tripura), outside their core-support groups (Muslims / Christians). Free electricity, housing and LPG made the difference for this election.

As you can see, NDA swept the entire country with the exception of three states in the south. I don't know whether the UPA can ever recover from such a heavy defeat (their PM candidate was also defeated in Amethi).

[mersal]

The results were as expected. The exit polls were showing somewhere between 300 and 320 seats for the NDA, but the ground situation was entirely different. In rural areas, it was very hard to find a single person who would support the UPA (I am a resident of Tripura), outside their core-support groups (Muslims / Christians). Free electricity, housing and LPG made the difference for this election.

As you can see, NDA swept the entire country with the exception of three states in the south. I don't know whether the UPA can ever recover from such a heavy defeat (their PM candidate was also defeated in Amethi).

Even at the south Congress didn't got much wins only with the allies they are able to get some wins at the lower bottom of the country.I didn't expect this result after huge crisis on the economical level of a common level in their previous ruling period.

[Sithara007]

Counting has been completed in 523 seats and pending in 19. NDA has 350 wins or leads (BJP alone has 304), while UPA is trailing with 98 (INC at 52). NDA needed 362 for a two-third majority, which would have allowed them to amend the constitution and cancel the Article 35A. But now they will be 12 seats short of that and may need support from parties such as the YSCRP (22 seats) and BJD (12 seats). In the upper house (Rajya Sabha), they are still devoid of a clear majority.

[tushartester1]

The elections were being held in 7 different phases, starting from 11th April. The turnout varied from 10.32% for Jammu and Kashmir during Phase 4 to 85.11% for Assam, phase 3.

[karen442]

NDA: headed by BJP, a center-right party, while congress lost his own  seat of amethi

[Sithara007]

Now only one seat left (Arunachal East), where the results are pending. For a total of 541 seats, the results have been declared. Congress will not be getting the opposition party status, as they are well short of the required 54 seats (10% of the total). Assembly elections for Andhra, Arunachal, Sikkim and Odisha were held simultaneously. They were won by YSRCP, BJP, SKM, and BJD respectively.

BJP comes back to power with 40 seats (out of 60) in Arunachal, while SKM wins Sikkim for the first time after toppling the long-serving chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling (in power for the last 25 years).

[sunilnagaraja1996]

indian 2019 election result is already came,modi won in india, so now modi is indian president and he won the 352 places,UPA won 86 places and others 104 places.

[JSRAW]

so now modi is indian president

Correction : Prime Minister not president bro.

[KingScorpio]

is there still patients and interest in indian elections or have they become same trash like angolo saxian elections

->Y 50+-1% elections
+
it's the economy stupid

[r1s2g3]

When they have EVM then they will do these again and again on the upcoming elcetions.

May be you are frustrated by outcome but stop blaming the Election Commission. EC is not at all politically inclined and motivated.

Can't believe Smriti Irani won against Rahul too.

May be Rahul knows the outcome beforehand that's why he contested election from 2 seats.

[Vishnu.Reang]

When they have EVM then they will do these again and again on the upcoming elcetions.

May be you are frustrated by outcome but stop blaming the Election Commission. EC is not at all politically inclined and motivated.

Can't believe Smriti Irani won against Rahul too.

May be Rahul knows the outcome beforehand that's why he contested election from 2 seats.

Agreed with both the statements. Blaming the EVM without any evidence is like insulting the 900 million individuals who took part in this process. UPA had won a few state elections 3 months back. And back then, the EVMs were OK.

And the less talked about Rahul G, that better. He is beyond any hope and I seriously think that he is suffering from some sort of mental disease. He could have made NYAY or agrarian distress the main campaign issue. Instead of that 99% of the time he was barking "Chowkidar chor hai". The voters replied back that "Chowkidar chor nahin hai, tumhare baap chor hai".

[Sithara007]

NDA has inched close to their target of 50% vote share during this election. As per the latest estimates, they polled around 47% of the vote. In the Hindi heartland, they polled between 60% and 70% in many of the constituencies. With the opposition in such a weak state, I don't think that they'll be able to even put up a fight in 2024.

[r1s2g3]

And the less talked about Rahul G, that better. He is beyond any hope and I seriously think that he is suffering from some sort of mental disease.

He has no interest in politics and he like to enjoy the secret vacation in italy(or whatever part of world) with his girlfriend.

NDA has inched close to their target of 50% vote share during this election. As per the latest estimates, they polled around 47% of the vote. In the Hindi heartland, they polled between 60% and 70% in many of the constituencies. With the opposition in such a weak state, I don't think that they'll be able to even put up a fight in 2024.

If they continue to give a corruption free government , working towards the development ,they will win again. But frankly speaking nothing is guaranteed. Instead of all the progressive idea Atal bihari bought that time,he still lost the elections . (may be onion price issue.)

[mayo2u]

The results were as expected. The exit polls were showing somewhere between 300 and 320 seats for the NDA, but the ground situation was entirely different. In rural areas, it was very hard to find a single person who would support the UPA (I am a resident of Tripura), outside their core-support groups (Muslims / Christians). Free electricity, housing and LPG made the difference for this election.

As you can see, NDA swept the entire country with the exception of three states in the south. I don't know whether the UPA can ever recover from such a heavy defeat (their PM candidate was also defeated in Amethi).

American here. What makes the Muslims and Christians unite against Modi and the BJP?  Are they denied political patronage due to religion? Or ... something else?

[r1s2g3]

American here. What makes the Muslims and Christians unite against Modi and the BJP?  Are they denied political patronage due to religion? Or ... something else?

Nopes,Not exactly the case.

Actually BJP is regarded as political wing of the Rashtriya_Swayamsevak_Sangh that talk about Hindutva and ask for spreading the Hindu culture. (But it does not means that are harming other communities like Muslim and Christians.)

Even Current prime minister is also the member of RSS too but it does not means that they are not secular or India is not a secular state.

Most of allegations are politically motivated, show fear to other caste that if party believing in Hindu culture  come into the power then it will make life of other communities as hell.

In last 5 years ,(this government is re elected), I did not see any caste promoting politics from the government, they are able to curb the corruption and price inflation and shown much more will power/stand regarding to their foreign policies and this is the main region that government get reelected with more seats than last time.

PS: BJP do have muslims leaders in party.

[@kprodip230]

The 2019 Indian general decision was held in seven stages from 11 April to 19 May 2019 to comprise the seventeenth Lok Sabha. The checking of votes occurred on 23rd May, and around the same time the outcomes were proclaimed. Around 900 million Indian natives were qualified to cast a ballot in one of the seven stages relying upon the locale. The 2019 decisions pulled in a turnout of more than 67 percent – the most elevated ever in the historical backdrop of Indian general races too the most astounding recorded cooperation in Indian races by ladies.

The Bharatiya Janata Party won 303 seats, challenging desires by further expanding its generous lion's share and the BJP-drove collusion won 353 seats. Congress party won 52 seats, and the Congress-drove coalition won 92. Different gatherings and their coalitions won 97 situates in the Indian parliament. So as to turn into the official resistance in the Lok Sabha, a gathering must succeed at least 10 percent of the absolute number of seats, or 55 situates in the momentum parliament. The biggest resistance, the Indian National Congress, by and by neglected to accomplish this number. Therefore, India stays without an official resistance. PM and BJP stalwart Mr. Modi pronounced triumph, and Congress pioneer Rahul Gandhi surrendered rout on tally day. The Indian voters rejected numerous political line applicants including INC President Rahul Gandhi for the seats they had generally won.

[mayo2u]

American here. What makes the Muslims and Christians unite against Modi and the BJP?  Are they denied political patronage due to religion? Or ... something else?

Nopes,Not exactly the case.

Actually BJP is regarded as political wing of the Rashtriya_Swayamsevak_Sangh that talk about Hindutva and ask for spreading the Hindu culture. (But it does not means that are harming other communities like Muslim and Christians.)

Even Current prime minister is also the member of RSS too but it does not means that they are not secular or India is not a secular state.

Most of allegations are politically motivated, show fear to other caste that if party believing in Hindu culture  come into the power then it will make life of other communities as hell.

In last 5 years ,(this government is re elected), I did not see any caste promoting politics from the government, they are able to curb the corruption and price inflation and shown much more will power/stand regarding to their foreign policies and this is the main region that government get reelected with more seats than last time.

PS: BJP do have muslims leaders in party.

So, if I understand you correctly, there is a lot of fear mongering. Adversaries are saying "if BJP gains more control then they will do <insert evil things here>"  Analogous to US Democrats saying that Republicans are racists and nativistic, etc...

[r1s2g3]

So, if I understand you correctly, there is a lot of fear mongering. Adversaries are saying "if BJP gains more control then they will do <insert evil things here>"  Analogous to US Democrats saying that Republicans are racists and nativistic, etc...

Yes , it is more of fear mongering and less of facts. Since India is developing countries, lot of people still struggle for basic needs like food, water electricity, literacy rate is just 74% according to 2011 census so these kind of politics sometime become successful.

How a illiterate and poor will validate the facts and I guess if the literacy rate hit 100% most of the problems will eradicated.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Election results are published and now a few post-poll surveys have come out. I will try to analyze each of the states as per the post-poll survey.

1. Andhra Pradesh: Out of total 25, NDA got 0 seats. YSRCP-22 seats, TDP-3 seats.



No surprise with the results. The Kamma have traditionally supported TDP, while YSRCP got most of its support from the Reddys.

2. Assam: Out of 14 seats, NDA got 9 and Congress got 4 seats. One seat went to AIUDF, the party set up by the Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants.



70% of the Hindus voted for NDA, while 90% of the Muslims voted for UPA-AIUDF. Tribals (Bodos, Karbi.etc) voted overwhelmingly for NDA.

3. Bihar: Out of 40 seats, NDA got 39 and UPA 1.



NDA vote bank (Upper caste Hindu+OBC+SC) remained firm, while the Yadav-Muslim vote bank of UPA showed a lot of weakness. UPA got only 55% of the Yadav vote.

4. Delhi: Out of 7 seats, NDA got 7.



Hindu upper caste and OBC firm behind NDA. Dalit-Muslim vote split between INC and AAP.

5. Goa: Out of 2, NDA 1 and UPA 1.



No surprise here. Congress won South Goa as it was able to get some of the Hindu votes.

[Vishnu.Reang]

6. Gujarat: BJP 26 out of 26.



Everyone except Dalits and Muslims supporting NDA. Hardly any backers for INC among upper castes and OBCs.

7. Haryana: BJP 10 out of 10.



The Jat vote bank of Congress has vanished in to thin air. Muslims are the only community that continues to support them.

8. Jharkhand: 13 for NDA, 1 for UPA.



Tribals are about one-third of the population and they supported NDA this time.

9. Jammu and Kashmir: 3 for NDA, 3 for UPA.



Not surprising. Hindus and Buddhists voted for NDA, Muslims for UPA.

10. Kerala: 19 for UPA, 1 for LDF.



One of the few states where NDA could not get majority support from the Hindus.

[Vishnu.Reang]

11. Karnataka: Out of 26, NDA 24 and UPA 2.



Most surprising is the shift in the Vokkaliga vote. They used to be hardcore supporters of UPA. Now they have aligned with NDA.

12. Maharashtra: 43 out of 48 to NDA, 4 to UPA, 1 to AIMIM.



SHS (NDA) has replaced NCP (UPA) as the most popular party among the Marathas. Otherwise no surprises.

13. MP: 28 out of 29 to NDA, 1 to UPA.



Big shift in tribal vote towards NDA. Else, no surprises.

14. Orissa: Out of 21, 12 to BJD, 8 to BJP and 1 to INC.



Here also, tribal vote is shifting to NDA.

15. Punjab: Out of 13, 8 to INC, 4 to NDA and 1 to AAP.



Last stronghold of INC in north India.

[Vishnu.Reang]

16. Rajasthan: 25 out of 25 for NDA.



Apart from Dalits and Muslims, not much support for Congress.

17. Telengana: TRS-10, NDA-4, UPA-3 (out of 17).



The big story is that NDA is making inroads, especially in to the upper caste and Reddy communities.

18. Tamil Nadu: 38 for UPA, 1 for NDA.



anti-NDA wave among all segments of the population.

19. Uttar Pradesh: NDA-64, MGB-15, UPA-1.



Extreme polarization among all the communities. However, NDA manages to make inroads in to Yadav/SC communities, making sure that MGB losses the race.

20. West Bengal: TMC-22, NDA-18, INC-2.



Hindu polarization to counter the Muslim appeasement by TMC.

[erikalui]

It is always believed that mostly Christians and Muslims vote for Congress and it's true as well. I supported Congress this year as well because BJP has many flaws and mostly stand for Hindus. The beef ban, demonetization and pretense of curbing money laundering all makes me believe they are not what they pretend to be. I read many articles that they mainly stand for Buddhists and Hindus and are against Muslims and all other castes: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48278441
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_against_Christians_in_India
https://www.ucanews.com/news/indias-secular-nature-will-die-forever-if-bjp-wins-poll/84835

The hatred for Muslims has increased in the past 4 years.

[Vishnu.Reang]

It is always believed that mostly Christians and Muslims vote for Congress and it's true as well. I supported Congress this year as well because BJP has many flaws and mostly stand for Hindus. The beef ban, demonetization and pretense of curbing money laundering all makes me believe they are not what they pretend to be. I read many articles that they mainly stand for Buddhists and Hindus and are against Muslims and all other castes

~~snip~~

The hatred for Muslims has increased in the past 4 years.

You are telling only one side of the story. And that is the problem with the Congress supporters. They still don't understand why the majority of the Indians despise them.

My family was driven out from the state of Mizoram 21 years ago, just because we happened to be Hindus. My tribe (Reang or Bru) have been residing in the north-western portion of Mizoram for many hundreds of years. Perhaps even before the majority tribe (Lushais) arrived in Mizoram. Out of the dozen or so different tribes in Mizoram, by now only two are majority non-Christian: the Buddhist Chakma (around 8% of the population) and the Hindu Reang (around 4% of the population). Things were peaceful until the 1990s. But that changed after the death of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

After 1991, the ruling Congress party came under the control of Italian Catholic Sonia Gandhi (wife of Rajiv). She took a hardline on Christianizing the northeast India. Arunachal Pradesh went from 4% Christian in 1990 to 60% Christian as of now. Hindus were driven away from Christian states such as Nagaland and Meghalaya.

For my tribe also, the troubles started during early 1990s. The Lushais sent several Christian missionaries to the Reang area. Very few of the Hindus converted to Christian, even after the allurement of monetary gifts (Reangs are the poorest community in Mizoram). As the Lushais lost patience, they began threatening the Hindus to change religion.

Finally in 1998, there was an all out attack by the Christian militia on Hindu villages. Hundreds of my tribesmen were killed, all the villages burnt to ground and many of the girls and women were raped. Entire Reang population was forced to flee to the neighboring state of Tripura. For the past 21 years, my tribesmen are living in subhuman condition in these refugee camps. Some people converted to Christianity, and went back to Mizoram. But they were even forced to change their names. They are not allowed to speak their language. Of those who remained in the refugee camps, very few people like me have managed to get education and find good jobs.

Now the Lushais are threatening to do the same to the Buddhist tribe (Chakmas). And it may happen anytime soon.

Now see the irony. India is a country where Hindus and Buddhists are 80% of the population. Yet Hindus are being driven away from their villages in Kashmir, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Kerala.

The mainstream media never covers the plight of the Hindus. But as social media is getting popular, these incidents can be no longer hidden. Now the Hindus have woken up and that's why there was such large Hindu polarization during the last month's elections.

[erikalui]

You are telling only one side of the story. And that is the problem with the Congress supporters. They still don't understand why the majority of the Indians despise them.

My family was driven out from the state of Mizoram 21 years ago, just because we happened to be Hindus. My tribe (Reang or Bru) have been residing in the north-western portion of Mizoram for many hundreds of years. Perhaps even before the majority tribe (Lushais) arrived in Mizoram. Out of the dozen or so different tribes in Mizoram, by now only two are majority non-Christian: the Buddhist Chakma (around 8% of the population) and the Hindu Reang (around 4% of the population). Things were peaceful until the 1990s. But that changed after the death of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

After 1991, the ruling Congress party came under the control of Italian Catholic Sonia Gandhi (wife of Rajiv). She took a hardline on Christianizing the northeast India. Arunachal Pradesh went from 4% Christian in 1990 to 60% Christian as of now. Hindus were driven away from Christian states such as Nagaland and Meghalaya.

For my tribe also, the troubles started during early 1990s. The Lushais sent several Christian missionaries to the Reang area. Very few of the Hindus converted to Christian, even after the allurement of monetary gifts (Reangs are the poorest community in Mizoram). As the Lushais lost patience, they began threatening the Hindus to change religion.

Finally in 1998, there was an all out attack by the Christian militia on Hindu villages. Hundreds of my tribesmen were killed, all the villages burnt to ground and many of the girls and women were raped. Entire Reang population was forced to flee to the neighboring state of Tripura. For the past 21 years, my tribesmen are living in subhuman condition in these refugee camps. Some people converted to Christianity, and went back to Mizoram. But they were even forced to change their names. They are not allowed to speak their language. Of those who remained in the refugee camps, very few people like me have managed to get education and find good jobs.

Now the Lushais are threatening to do the same to the Buddhist tribe (Chakmas). And it may happen anytime soon.

Now see the irony. India is a country where Hindus and Buddhists are 80% of the population. Yet Hindus are being driven away from their villages in Kashmir, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Kerala.

The mainstream media never covers the plight of the Hindus. But as social media is getting popular, these incidents can be no longer hidden. Now the Hindus have woken up and that's why there was such large Hindu polarization during the last month's elections.

I am sorry to hear what happened during the Congress rule but I wasn't aware that Hindus were also ill-treated. Caste-based politics is the worst of all and may it be Congress or BJP, they both are equally bad but actually we are left with no choice. Now Muslims are being threatened like earlier Hindus were and this will continue till we let these political parties decide our future.