During an NDTV India debate last week (it was actually a debate, sane and orderly, moderated by Naghma) on ‘Modi and Muslims’, I was asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed or the Muslims have changed since the BJP stormed to power last summer. The question followed an eloquent and elliptical testimonial for Modi by an Imam with a flowing beard and in flowing robes who had recently led a delegation to Race Course Road. I had a one sentence answer: Neither Modi has changed, nor have the Muslims changed.

If I were to say that Modi has changed, it would be tantamount to admitting that Modi’s critics and foes were right all along: he was an ogre who presided over the 2002 riots. It would also mean validating their claim that Modi is now trying to don a new persona and recast his image. Neither the charge nor the claim is true. Modi remains what he was, the only change is that he is now Prime Minister of India.