Kashmir furiously debates Modi's rise and rise

"He will have to prove he is not anti-Muslim as his political adversaries claim. How can anyone expect to rule India and be seen as anti-Muslim?" asked Abdul Majid, a retired government employee.

"There are 18 crore (180 million) Muslims in India. It is not the question of just Jammu and Kashmir," Majid, 62, told IANS.

For those living in the Hindu-majority Jammu region, Modi represents a change for the better. People in Jammu speak of him as somebody who has no great legacy to defend, unless he creates one or leaves it behind.

"He will definitely ensure that corruption, mis-governance and nepotism are checked," said a Jammu government official who did not want to be quoted by name.