Adani Indictment: Does Modi Govt Needs A Serious Introspection?

How can Adani’s rise be portrayed as a “strategic maneuver in India’s geopolitical positioning”? It is also a big lie that Adani is contributing to counterbalancing China in the global economy. India hardly poses any challenge to China in economic competition on the global stage

The Indictment of Adani by Brooklyn Court in New York has again confirmed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that the Prime Minister is protecting Adani. As soon as the indictment appeared in the media, the propaganda machinery of the RSS and the BJP became active in crying foul. It started accusing the US prosecutors and intelligence officials of conspiring against Adani. According to the RSS’ mouthpiece, “Adani, one of the wealthiest businessmen in the world, has emerged as a significant force shaping India’s economic trajectory, particularly through his investments in critical infrastructure like ports, airports, and energy projects. However, his meteoric rise appears to have irked powerful interests in the West and China. Allegations, legal battles, and orchestrated attacks—particularly from entities connected and US intelligence—appear to undermine Adani’s influence and, by extension, Bharat’s sovereignty and global future.”

“Adani’s rise is more than a business story; it is a strategic maneuver in India’s broader geopolitical positioning,” says the RSS magazine. “As the world’s largest democracy, India represents a powerful counterbalance to China’s expansionist ambitions, and Adani’s success is closely tied to India’s economic rise,” it says further.

BJP spokespersons are airing similar views. They are blaming the Indian National Congress that they are playing in the hands of an anti-India nexus. Another stance the BJP has taken is that those State governments that have agreed to purchase the power generated by Adani Green Energy against a bribe to their officials should be investigated for corruption. Since four of five State governments—Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh—were ruled by non-BJP parties, the BJP is demanding investigations against them. They are omitting the fifth State from the list. This is the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This was under the central rule. However, Rahul Gandhi has asserted that whoever is involved in the scam should be investigated. So, the BJP's attempt to corner the Congress leader on the ground that one of his chief ministers, Chhattisgarh, was also involved becomes futile.

“It’s now pretty clear and established in America that Adani has broken both American law and Indian law. He has been indicted in the United States, and I am wondering why Adani is still running around a free man in this country. Chief Ministers have been arrested. Jharkhand Chief Minister was arrested, many people have been arrested, and Adani has apparently done one 2,000 crore scam, multiple others probably, but he is scot-free. He is running around. There is no problem, there is no investigation, and we have been raising this again and again; we have been raising it with the Madhabi Puri Buch issue. We have been raising it, and it’s a vindication of what we have been saying. The Prime Minister is protecting Adani, and the Prime Minister is involved in corruption with Adani. This has been clearly indicated,” he said in a press conference. He is demanding the arrest of Adani.

A close look at the contrasting stances of the BJP and the Congress reveals the political crisis India has entered into. The BJP and the RSS portray Adani as the pioneer of the imagined rise of India as a global giant. Does it help India to create a façade around Adani’s business? We have seen how Kenya has cancelled the multi-crore deal on airport development. The announcement received a big applause from Kenyan lawmakers. Does it not reflect the poor standing of Adani as a global business group? His contract for power supply is being investigated in Bangladesh. His business activities in Australia and Sri Lanka are facing similar challenges. How can Adani’s rise be portrayed as a “strategic maneuver in India’s geopolitical positioning”? It is also a big lie that Adani is contributing to counterbalancing China in the global economy. India hardly poses any challenge to China in economic competition on the global stage. Our response to China on borders speaks a lot. Our balance of trade displays our position. If we look at our so-called geopolitical positioning, we can understand how much we have lost our international standing. We have even lost our last neighboring ally—Bangladesh. We must see whether Adani has contributed to the failure of our diplomacy.

Does the Modi government not require a serious introspection? Does it not require us to revisit our policies that have landed us into the shame we have never seen in the past? No Indian company has ever faced a court trial on foreign soil. The saffron propagandists fail to see that an arrest warrant has been issued against Adani. Have we heard such things in the past? Is it ridiculous on the part of the RSS and the BJP to portray Adani as the leader of Indian business on the global stage? The man might be declared a fugitive in the coming days. What would be the response of India when it happens? Will it be a small thing? Adanis’ poor business practices have hugely tarnished the image of Indian business. The later has a difficult phase ahead. It is going to be very difficult for Indian companies to convince international lenders and collaborators to join them.

Can we recover? This can be done by a total change in Indian democracy. The biggest challenge is to revive our institutions. Rahul Gandhi is rightly accusing SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch. Had she acted on time, Adani could not have been able to fool people in India and the USA. His interpretation that Adani has breached both American and Indian laws is right. He bribed people in India to ensure investments from the USA. All other agencies, including the ED and the CBI, kept their eyes shut and allowed him to violate laws and morality.

It is disturbing to see that the BJP and the RSS are solidly standing in support of a businessman who has been indicted by a foreign court.

(The author is a senior journalist. He has experience of working with leading newspapers and electronic media including Deccan Herald, Sunday Guardian, Navbharat Times and Dainik Bhaskar. He writes on politics, society, environment and economy)