Modi’s bigger challenge: What people away from protest sites are saying about his government

Ordinary citizens in Delhi express frustration and discontent with the government, citing inflation and electoral rigging as major concerns.

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A jewellery store owner in Delhi's Karol Bagh area expressed frustration with the recent protests against the government, calling them a 'nuisance'. However, he was sympathetic to the cause, stating that there is 'something fishy' about the current voting system.

The store owner, who wished to remain anonymous, had received a notice during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which had struck 13 crore names off voter lists across India. He questioned the need for re-verifying voter credentials, calling it 'absurd'.

Despite being a staunch supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the store owner acknowledged that the protests had dented Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity. He stated that the protestors were demanding Modi's resignation, accusing him of being a 'vote chor' and manipulating the voting system.

In the national capital, support for the protests runs high, even among those who are not aware of the details. The protests may have blown the lid off brewing discontentment with the government, with ordinary people feeling more emboldened to express their grievances.

Inflation is a major concern for many citizens, with some stating that it is the best time to change the government every five years. A security guard, Ram Prasad, expressed this sentiment, stating that the current government has stayed in power for over 10 years.