On April 11, the largest democratic exercise in human history began. Over the next month, an anticipated 900 million voters will head to the polls to choose the next government of India.

Regardless of the sheer multitude and diversity of voters, the election is really all about one man: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his conception of a so-called New India.

Elected in 2014 on the back of audacious promises and an unpopular incumbent government, Modi and his colleagues in the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party — BJP — have systematically undermined Indian secular democracy. If re-elected, they could finish the job that they have started.

By any standards, the Modi administration has failed at providing the “good governance” that it had promised. The best example of this comes from India’s rising unemployment rate. In a country where several millions join the labor force every year, nearly 20 percent of young people are unemployed. It is no coincidence that official unemployment figures are guarded with more care than national security reports.

Another example of the Modi government’s incompetence came in November 2016, when the administration demonetized 86 percent of the currency in circulation. The move severely damaged economic growth, crushed the informal sector, reduced industrial production and met none of its supposed objectives.

So much for good governance.

For the first few years, the supposed highlight of Modi’s prime ministership was foreign policy, a perception primarily based on the optics of the Prime Minister’s frequent overseas trips. Whatever goodwill was generated from such trips has been wasted, as the government has managed to provoke everyone from China to the United States.

The government’s most prominent geopolitical failure came earlier this year, in response to a terrorist attack allegedly carried out by an organization based in Pakistan. With the election in mind, Modi ordered airstrikes against supposed terrorist hotspots deep into Pakistani territory. On that same day, Modi used an election rally to boast about the airstrikes. Within 24 hours, a resultant aerial confrontation with Pakistan resulted in the capture of an Indian pilot, much to the embarrassment of New Delhi.

Apparently using airstrikes as an election stunt is not the wisest geopolitical ploy.

The Modi government’s ineptitude is not unique. Like in most countries, Indian politicians have a long bipartisan tradition of overpromising and underperforming. Yet what distinguishes Modi is not his failure, but rather his success in undermining the secular and democratic fabric of India.

Modi’s apathy for secularism and democracy should come as no surprise. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was best known for overseeing the 2002 Gujarat riots, a conflict in which more than 2,000 Muslims were murdered with the help of the state apparatus. Modi was personally never convicted — despite compelling evidence. Furthermore, his subsequent statements made clear that he had no sympathy for the victims.

As Prime Minister, Modi has attempted to be more subtle with his xenophobia, even giving speeches about tolerance and secularism. Yet, such speeches ring hollow when minorities are routinely made to feel unsafe under his administration. His government has overseen an enormous increase in hate crimes against minorities, especially in states ruled by the BJP.

Perhaps most shocking has been the rise in so-called cow vigilantism, as vigilante groups — often affiliated with the BJP — have taken it upon themselves to brutally enforce draconian cow slaughtering laws, resulting in the death of at least 44 people over the last four years.

Modi has also surrounded himself with fellow fanatical bigots. The best example of this is Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, a self-styled monk who is now the leader of a region that is more populous than all but four countries in the world. Adityanath’s resume includes hate speech, rioting, criminal intimidation and an accusation of murder. Unsurprisingly, his rule has seen an incredible increase in extrajudicial killings committed by state police.

In addition, Modi and his cronies have systematically undermined democratic institutions.

The independence of the Supreme Court has been called into question, with the government attempting to influence the selection of judges for certain cases. The Reserve Bank of India has been treated like the Prime Minister’s fiefdom, with two governors jettisoned in five years. Investigative agencies have been reduced to political pawns to harass opposition leaders.

Perhaps the biggest damage has been done to India’s once-famed media. Most mainstream TV channels and newspapers have become completely subservient to the government. Any journalists that do not follow the party line are harassed, either by the official government apparatus or the BJP’s notorious social media troll army.

Remarkably, Modi has not held a single press conference in India during his five year term. On the few occasions that he has sat down for an interview — usually with a friendly TV anchor — the Prime Minister has been asked questions about pressing issues like his unique sense of humor, his energy and his enthusiasm. Quality journalism indeed.

If there was any doubt about the BJP’s commitment — or lack thereof — to democracy and secularism, an ugly election campaign has removed it. Modi and his surrogates have finally clearly outlined their vision for a New India. It is an India where Hindus and Muslims are pitted against each other, an India where minorities are threatened by cabinet ministers. An India where pluralism is disparaged and an India where democracy is mocked.

Voters will have to decide if they want to live in a country like this. 2019 might be the last time they get to make such a choice.