In the intricate tapestry of India’s political landscape, the ascent of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leadership of a radical leader, Narendra Modi, and its embrace of Hindutva ideology have become defining threads. The inauguration of ‘Ram Mandir’ stands as a symbolic pinnacle of this shift, raising concerns about BJP’s strategy, the potential erosion of secular principles of India, and the broader implications for regional stability and global democracy.
Though India’s struggle with religious nationalism resonates globally, with similar movements rising in democracies from Turkey to Latin America and beyond, the gravity of concerns surrounding India’s internal dynamics is enormous. India’s internal panorama increasingly reflects the influence of religiously charged political appeals, a trend mirrored elsewhere but seemingly intensified in India. This raises questions about the Indian state’s role in fostering harmful narratives, including promoting misinformation, hate speech, and even terrorism, both within its borders and internationally.
The BJP’s increasing reliance on Hindutva ideology is obvious. Policies and rhetoric favoring Hindu majoritarianism have become a hallmark of their governance. While the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya may be a manifestation of long-standing religious sentiments, it has also served as a political instrument, solidifying the party’s Hindu nationalist base. The intertwining of religious and political narratives raises concerns about BJP’s true intent– is it fostering religious unity or exploiting faith for political gain?
One of the most disconcerting aspects of the BJP’s approach is the deliberate manipulation of Hindu symbols and narratives to further its political agenda, often at the expense of religious minorities. Critics argue that the BJP’s strategies have exacerbated existing communal fault lines, marginalized religious minorities, and fostered an environment of suspicion and division. The nation that prided itself on unity in diversity, is now grappling with the consequences of identity politics that threaten its social composition.
The digital realm in this regard has become a battleground for political ideologies and the BJP has proven adept at using social media to spread Hindu nationalist propaganda. The alarming rise of online hate speech and its real-world implications are threatening. The digital space in India, once hailed as a platform for democratic discourse, is now loaded with divisive narratives, which contribute to an atmosphere of intolerance and hostility. The weaponization of social media in facilitating political agendas poses a significant threat to the democratic values of free speech and open debate.
The BJP’s electoral successes in recent regional elections are partly attributed to their Hindutva-driven mobilization of Hindu voters. While the party celebrates these victories, there are growing concerns about the long-term impact on India’s secular democracy and social harmony. Critics argue that the BJP’s strategy, while politically expedient in the short term, risks deepening divisions among religious communities, eroding the very foundation upon which India’s democratic structure stands.
A worrisome aspect of BJP’s approach is its exploitation of economic worries, redirecting frustrations toward religious minorities. This has created a dangerous environment of intolerance and discrimination, where marginalized communities bear the brunt of societal discontent. Despite electoral victories, dissent and resistance are growing from civil society groups and opposition parties concerned about the BJP’s divisive policies. The resilience of India’s democratic spirit is evident in the voices that refuse to be silenced. The struggle for an inclusive and tolerant India continues, and the BJP’s mandate is not absolute.
As India grapples with the complexities of its evolving political landscape, the international community must play a proactive role. Pressure should be exerted on India to uphold its secular values, and engagement with civil society groups promoting tolerance and inclusivity should be encouraged. Navigating the perils of Hindutva requires a collective international commitment to preserving democratic principles around the globe.
For several years, Western allies of India have been unable to realize the threat of Hindutva, or Saffron radicalism brewing under the leadership of PM Narebdra Modi. Today, there’s a growing understanding that India’s mask of the world’s largest democracy and its image of a responsible state is fast vanishing. The right-wing Hindu takeover has made India more of a Hindu Rashtra than a secular responsible state. This scenario leads us to question if India is a reliable state. Indian killing plots on foreign soil should be a wake-up call for India’s Western allies. However, there is complete silence on India’s consistent engagement in a proxy conflict against other states.
Another worrisome aspect of BJP’s approach extends beyond domestic borders. Concerns about India’s domestic political climate are simmering internationally, with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Sajjad Qazi, making bold accusations. He alleged Indian intelligence agencies’ involvement in destabilizing Pakistan through extrajudicial killings, echoing similar accusations recently leveled by the USA. and Canada, alleging Indian intelligence links to attempted and actual assassinations on their soil.
India’s contradictory stance on terrorism is deemed unacceptable. While vehemently accusing Pakistan of terrorism, India has failed to thoroughly investigate purported false flag operations within its borders. Despite Pakistan’s repeated efforts to investigate and jointly engage in counter terrorism, India opts for a blame game. In the aftermath of the Parliament and Mumbai attacks, revelations from former CBI investigating officer Satish Verma and Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde add another layer to the complexity. On 21 January 2013, Shinde implicated the ruling political party BJP and RSS in conducting training camps to propagate Hindu extremism, linking these factions to the Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid, and Malegaon bombings. Verma disclosed on 19 July 2013, that the Indian government orchestrated incidents in Mumbai and the Parliament to bolster counter-terror legislation.
On the international stage, the rise of Hindutva nationalism raises concerns about India’s commitment to secularism and its regional leadership role. As the world grapples with the challenges posed by religious extremism, India’s trajectory becomes a critical focal point, shaping the narrative of democratic governance in the 21st century. The BJP’s model of religious nationalism is not confined to India only, it also sets a worrying trend for other democracies. The global community must pay heed to the lessons unfolding in India, recognizing the potential for similar movements to gain traction elsewhere. The erosion of secular values in one corner of the world could embolden similar endeavours, posing a collective threat to the democratic ideals that bind nations together.
As India grapples with the complexities of its evolving political landscape, the international community must play a proactive role. Pressure should be exerted on India to uphold its secular values, and engagement with civil society groups promoting tolerance and inclusivity should be encouraged. Navigating the perils of Hindutva requires a collective international commitment to preserving democratic principles around the globe.
