NEW DELHI: DisinfoLabโs report โThe Invisible Hand: Foreign Interference in Indian Elections 2024โฒ underscores the significance of Indiaโs 2024 general elections, given its status as the worldโs largest democracy and an emerging economic and strategic power. With 968 million eligible voters, these elections shape not just Indiaโs political trajectory but also have far-reaching implications for global geopolitical dynamics.
The report delves into how foreign entities seek to influence Indiaโs electoral process by crafting narratives to sway opinions. DisinfoLab alleges that the Henry Lewis Foundation and George Sorosโ Open Society Foundation are key players in these efforts.
A section of the report zooms in on the role of French media in shaping narratives around the Indian elections, focusing on French intellectuals and media outlets. DisinfoLab accuses the French newspaper Le Mondeโ of involvement in these activities. It also implicates French political expert Christophe Jaffrelot, alleging that his statements were used to influence the elections, although others were also involved.
ALSO READ: Man posed as 67-year-old to go to Canada, caught at IGI
DisinfoLab further claims that the Henry Lewis Foundation (HLF) and George Sorosโ Open Society Foundation (OSF) funded these efforts, operating from France and the United States. The report also accuses these groups and individuals of more significant actions.
According to DisinfoLab, โLe Mondeโ published articles on topics like โincreasing Islamophobia in Indiaโ and โdefamation of Muslimsโ before the elections. Christophe Jaffrelotโs articles were disseminated not only in France but also across many Indian media outlets, leading DisinfoLab to dub him โThe Common Sourceโ in their report.
The report alleges that Christophe Jaffrelot received substantial funding from Americaโs Henry Lewis Foundation (HLF), totaling $385,000 for a project titled โMuslims in a Time of Hindu Majority.โ
Moreover, DisinfoLab accuses Christophe Jaffrelot and colleague Gilles Verniers of pushing narratives through the Trivedi Center for Political Data (TCPD) at Ashoka University, particularly emphasizing the under-representation of lower castes in Indian politics.
ALSO READ: CBI to probe NEET paper leak scam
In todayโs world, where information can influence nations and shape opinions, DisinfoLab positions itself as a truth advocate, aiming to unravel misinformation and disinformation webs. Their work, focused on elections, politics, and social issues, seeks to empower individuals and communities with transparent and accurate information, vital for informed decision-making and upholding democratic integrity.
