Obvious lies doesn't dent the integrity of polarizing strongman leaders. Rather, it enhances their popularity among their supporters.
Recently, despite the Modi government's coordinated effort to press celebrities for trumpeting an alleged international conspiracy against India, people like Tapsee Pannu and Anurag Kashyap voiced opinions critical of the government. Their houses were subsequently subjected to Income Tax raids. The government has stated that these raids were purely based on leads, and were not politically motivated.
Most previous Indian governments have misused their agencies for political ends in one form or the other. But unlike in the past, considering the blatantly obvious nature of the recent raids, the Modi government isn't even seeking to wear a semblance of fairness. Rather, it is trying to convey the message that it is powerful enough to publicly intimidate people even for trivial issues.
Interestingly, while Indira Gandhi's misuse of government agencies and her coercive actions during the emergency were extremely unpopular with the citizenry, Prime Minister Modi isn't likely to take a dent to his popularity on these counts - thanks to the polarizing nature of his politics!
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