Must-see morning clip: Jon Stewart wants you to pay attention to India's election

The "Daily Show" host says the outcome will have "global consequences," and he's right

Published May 16, 2014 1:07PM (EDT)

"The Daily Show" shifted its attention to India on Thursday, as the world's largest democracy awaits confirmation that Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi, leader of India's opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, will be the nation's next prime minister.

India, which gained independence in 1947, has been ruled by the Indian National Congress for nearly 50 years. Headed mainly by the Nehru-Gandhi family, the INC's defeat will mark a major turning point for a nation that's home to one-sixth of the world's population.

"Daily Show" correspondent Jason Jones traveled to India to get a sense of the nation's spirit during an election in which more than 800 million people have voted.

It'll take Jones more than a single visit and a few interviews to dispel some of the stereotypes the American media propagates about India, but at least "The Daily Show" acknowledges that these elections will have a global impact, and it's time we learned more about the nation. "No matter who becomes India's next prime minister," Stewart said, "their election will have global consequences."


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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