- One of the kingpins of anti-India disinformation is Christopher Jaffrelot, views were prominently featured in the pro-Democrat US media, other Western media and some sections of the Indian media.
- George Soros, considered close to the present US administration, and his Open Society Foundations have sponsored many anti-India campaigns, including those by Christophe Jaffrelot from France and Canadian-Indian activist Ricken Patel.
- The main focus of these campaigns and US-based academics funded by the Open Society Foundations was to portray India’s democratic status negatively, especially under the BJP’s governance.
- Specific evidence indicates that the US and its allies do not want a stable, prosperous, and independent India. Instead, they seek an India that can be easily influenced by American and Western interests.
The United States of America considers itself a global champion of democracy, religious freedoms, transparency, inclusivity, and diversity—highly valued traits humanity values. The problem, however, lies in the fact that only the United States believes it fully embodies these ideals, while other countries do not share this view. Furthermore, American actions often do not align with these principles, leading to global instability and misinformation.
The United States often tries to force its moral values on the rest of the globe. This kind of thinking is undesirable and usually has unfavourable effects. The United States’ policies with India are an instance of interventionist policy. To undermine and sow division within India, several American organisations, sources, and operatives have waged hybrid warfare against the nation. These initiatives appear to be directed towards weakening India’s standing so that it doesn’t compete as much on the world market. NGOs, the media, and non-state actors are typically the origin of this hybrid warfare that the West is waging against India.
Examples of American interventionist policy against India can be seen in the report published by The Information Lab, titled “The Invisible Hands: Foreign Intervention in India’s Elections 2024.” The report highlights three primary factors that suggest a deliberate effort to influence the Indian general elections this year. It suggests that this narrative manipulation is part of a financially supported plot by the US-based Henry Luce Foundation and George Soros’s Open Society Foundations, with involvement from a political scientist and Indologist from France Christophe Jaffrelot.
The report accuses the United States of meddling in India’s internal affairs. According to an article from Disinformation Lab, it is mentioned that there has been overwhelming criticism of Indian institutions and their human rights record under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the six months leading up to the elections, which started on April 19 and concluded on June 1.
Christopher Jaffrelot – The Kingpin of Anti-India Criticism
In the report published by The Disinformation Lab, Christopher Jaffrelot, a self-proclaimed Indologist, emerges as a significant source of anti-India criticism. The report highlights that various English media outlets, influenced by Jaffrelot narratives, consistently criticize India. During the analysis of the recent elections, it was observed that his views were prominently featured in the pro-Democrat US media, other Western media and some sections of the Indian media.
The idea of a caste census was proposed by Christophe Jaffrelot, a French political scientist, back in 2021. He wrote many articles on the subject, which have sparked considerable interest. Since then, there has been ongoing discussion among various political factions in India, particularly the Indian National Congress, about conducting a caste census. This proposal has even made its way into the manifestos of opposition parties for the 2024 general elections in India.
The advocacy for a caste census not only highlights Jaffrelot’s significant influence and his research on India but also underscores an intriguing dynamic among Indian political parties. It appears that the opposition may be attempting to emulate this concept, potentially not in the best interest of India, which raises questions about the motives and relationships within the opposition parties. There seems to be a suggestion of an unholy alliance among these parties, aimed at countering the incumbent government. Christophe Jaffrelot did not stop at proposing the caste census. He also criticized the BJP, the current ruling party in India, labelling it as a party of upper-caste individuals. In his theory, Jaffrelot seems to suggest that the BJP’s policies could engineer divisions among different caste groups in India.
This situation should be a cause for concern not only for the Indian populace but also, more importantly, for the opposition parties. After all, the opposition plays a crucial role in the democratic functioning of society. These parties must ensure they are not contributing to societal divisions and instead focus on promoting unity and inclusiveness in their campaigns and policies.
It is important to note that Christophe Jaffrelot, a Frenchman, is a significant academic associated with a think tank founded by the US-based Henry Luce Foundation, known as the HLF. One of Jaffrelot’s major projects has focused on Muslims in the context of so-called ‘Hindu majoritarianism’. The report shows that Jaffrelot was paid $385,000 for this work. According to Disinformation Lab, the HLF also funded a project titled “The Hindu Right and India’s Regional Diplomacy” at the Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Additionally, the HLF was staffed by many former government officials and think tank members who are known to have close associations with the incumbent government of the US.
Similarly, the HLF funded $120,000 to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to write an article on Hindu nationalism titled “From Ethnic Identity to Authority: Representing Religion, Citizenship, and Belonging in India’s Regions.” The article covers topics such as ethnicity and the emerging Hindu vote in India, among others. Along with this, it also suggests that the HLF funds anti-BJP academics within the United States. This includes activists like Anjana P. Chatterjee from California and Audrey Truschke, an academic at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
George Soros and Anti-India Campaigns
Another person involved in anti-India campaigns is George Soros, considered close to the present US administration. Trail of evidence shows that Soros and his Open Society Foundations have sponsored many anti-India campaigns, including those by Christophe Jaffrelot from France and Canadian-Indian activist Ricken Patel. Between 2016 and 2020, Ricken Patel’s foundation reportedly received millions of dollars from the Open Society Foundations.
The main focus of these campaigns and academics funded by the Open Society Foundations was to portray India’s democratic status negatively, especially under the BJP’s governance. Interestingly, the Indian opposition parties seem to be echoing these external critiques, raising questions about their motives. This parallel between external anti-India campaigns and the opposition’s stance suggests a concerning alignment.
Indians need to be aware of these dynamics and question whether the opposition, particularly the Indian National Congress, genuinely represents their interests. It is crucial to understand the intentions and standpoints of these parties in light of these revelations.
The United States’ interventions against India are part of a long-standing strategy, initiated around the 1970s, to destabilize the country through various means. One key tactic involves supporting Khalistani and Kashmiri militants to create instability within India’s sophisticated societal fabric. The ultimate goal is to weaken India and pressure it to succumb to American interests.
Recently, the U.S. has attempted to exploit the Khalistan issue by suggesting that India is no longer a haven for Sikhism, promoting the notion that the American continent is a better sanctuary for Sikhs. This strategy aims to create a religious divide within India. A notable figure in this effort is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, founder of Sikhs for Justice, who allegedly has ties with the U.S. government. The U.S. has even accused the Indian government of being involved in assassination attempts against him, underlining their ulterior motives.
Regarding the Kashmiri militants, the U.S. has historically aligned with the Pakistani military, a significant strategic partner, to support these militants. This support is not only through intelligence sharing but also through financial aid and the provision of Western-origin weapons, as evidenced by the weaponry found among Kashmiri militants. The collaboration between Western countries and Pakistan aims to destabilize India from within, ultimately positioning India to function according to U.S. interests and potentially becoming a satellite state of the United States.
Understanding the above, specific evidence indicates that the United States and its allies do not want a stable, prosperous, and independent India. Instead, they seek an India that can be easily influenced by American and Western interests. This is further evidenced by the use of NGOs and satellites to exert control. Indians must recognize what is truly beneficial for them. The Western countries aim to weaken India, and even the opposition parties in India are complicit, prioritizing power over national interest. These parties not only receive funds from Western countries but also face pressure and threats, aligning with foreign interests at the expense of India’s stability.
Power politics within India should not come at the cost of compromising with agents who seek to destabilize the nation. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the Indian population to discern what is best for their country. Western countries continue to view India as a potential colony rather than a sovereign nation. As independent citizens, Indians must ensure that their country operates based on its interests and does not succumb to external pressures.
References:
- https://thedisinfolab.org/the-invisible-hands/
- https://www.newindian.in/how-us-france-philanthropy-funds-anti-india-culture-war-in-academia-media/
- https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/us-made-m-series-carbine-rifles-new-weapons-for-militants-in-kashmir-1720479-2020-09-10
- https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/india-taking-this-seriously-us-official-over-report-on-assassination-plot-of-pannun/articleshow/109708743.cms
- https://sundayguardianlive.com/news/george-soros-remote-controls-anti-india-campaign
- https://www.opindia.com/2021/07/who-is-audrey-truschke-hinduphobia-stalking-and-other-controversies-historian-rutgers-university/
- https://democracyparadox.com/2021/07/13/christophe-jaffrelot-on-narendra-modi-and-hindu-nationalism/
- https://sputniknews.in/20240621/west-protecting-its-khalistan-assets-globally-by-discrediting-india-7671216.html
(Aayush is a post-graduate student in International Relations at Kalinga University, Raipur. The opinions expressed are the author’s own)
Sahana A 
Saisha Kamla Dudha