Put your money where your mouth is — that’s what the British say when they want to tell someone to show by his actions and not just his words that he supports or believes in something.

My reaction was no different to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to a question thrown at him by a United News of India (UNI) correspondent in an interview to mark his first anniversary in power.

Asked how he would rein in Bharatiya Janata Party leaders spreading religious hatred, Modi replied: “Some totally uncalled for unfortunate comments have been made. Our Constitution guarantees religious freedom to every citizen and that’s not negotiable. I have said this before and I say it again any discrimination or violence against any community will not be tolerated.”

“My position on this is very clear. Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas (development for all; inclusive growth). We stand for every one of the 1.25 billion Indians regardless of caste or creed and we will work for the progress of every one of them. Every faith in our country has equal rights; it’s equal not only before the law but also before society. My government’s focus has been on governance and development. Our focal point is clear — vikas, vikas, vikas (development); jobs, jobs, jobs.”

Modi’s carefully chosen words shouldn’t be taken at face value. His and the BJP’s record are too murky! Unless Modi really does something — instead of just talking about it — no one should foolishly believe that he is a changed man, or hastily conclude that minorities won’t have to live in the shadow of fear any longer.

The print and electronic media highlighted Modi’s assurance to minorities in news stories, indirectly proving that the condition of Muslims and Christians is indeed a matter of public concern in officially secular but predominantly Hindu India. Significantly, not a single leading newspaper published editorials hailing Modi’s promise to stand by minorities because they know better.

Excerpts from Modi’s interview to UNI were published in newspapers on June 1. That day’s newspapers also carried reports of Muslims holed up inside a police station barely 50 km from national capital to save their life and limb. Hundreds of terrorized Muslims belonging to Ballabhgarh in BJP-ruled Harayana on Delhi’s outskirts had no option but to seek refuge in a police station.

On May 25, Ballabhgarh’s Hindu Jats attacked badly outnumbered Muslims injuring 15 and burning 20 houses, after Muslims started building a mosque on a plot, which the court recently ruled belonged to them. But Jats would have none of it — they refused to accept a mosque in the predominantly Hindu village. Muslims who fled to the police station refused to return to their village until the attackers were arrested. The administration and political parties told Muslims not to make arrests a precondition for their return in the interest of peace. The Muslims gave in on June 3 and returned to their homes after nine days only to find that everything had been destroyed.

Ballabhgarh is the first major test of Modi’s new vow to stand by minorities. Let’s see whether the administration arrests attackers and rebuilds gutted and looted Muslim homes at government expense — and ensures that Muslims are not coerced into abandoning their perfectly legitimate plans to construct a mosque.

There is an unprecedented anti-Muslim climate in India since Modi-led BJP took charge. Its most virulent manifestation is calls by the Hindu right-wing elements to de-enfranchise Muslims and telling beefeaters to migrate to Pakistan.

Forcible observance of World Yoga Day on June 21 when all students are expected to turn up in school on a Sunday, including Muslim children fasting during Ramadan and Christians who have a Church service to attend on that day, for participation in what is essentially a Hindu spiritual-cum-physical exercise, also flies in the face of Modi’s promise.

Muslims find yoga un-Islamic. Yoga has also been banned from a church hall in England and prominent pastors in America have branded it “demonic.” So what’s the logic behind forcing it down everyone’s throat in India? Obviously, the objective is to give India a makeover in Modi’s image.

Before the UNI interview, Modi spoke to CNN and Time magazine where he made similar highfaluting statements, which became talking heads. But nothing came out of them. The new pledge, which Modi apologists are raving about, may appear promising to some but will ultimately disappoint if Modi’s record is anything to go by.