Revival of Hindu Nationalism: Interplay of Religion and Caste in 21st Century's India
The relationship between caste and religion remains to be an important problematic for modernity and electoral democracy in Indian socio-political discourse. The theme of this research paper lays its foundation on the intersections of caste and religious mobilisation in India. The spaces of religious mobilization in contemporary Indian politics have been determinately occupied by Hindutva (a form of Hindu nationalism). It is evident that the Hindutva project is precariously positioned on the political agenda of bringing in diverse caste groups and organizing them under an overarching Hindutva religious identity that often labels Muslims and minorities as the "other". The rise of political party such as Bhartiye Janta Party (BJP) on the premises of Hindu nationalism ushered a momentous change in the socio-political landscape of India. Deeply divided by caste Indian society have sustained its historically violent, unjust and unequal form of Hindu social order. Quintessentially, Hindu religion being the doctrine for such stratification has shaped the socio-political identities and differences. This has brought the caste consciousness and religious identities to the fore and more importantly the mobilization of electoral support on the basis of caste and religion as a complex phenomenon. Hence, this research paper aims to unfold the dynamics of caste and religion in contemporary political ambience charged by Hindu nationalist projects.
Under the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP (1990-2010)
Elaisha Nandrajog
Claremont McKenna College
Communalism, Caste and Hindu Nationalism: The Violence in Gujarat,
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007
Ornit Shani
Belligerent Hindu nationalism, accompanied by recurring communal violence between Hindus and Muslims, has become a compelling force in Indian politics over the last two decades. Ornit Shani's book examines the rise of Hindu nationalism, asking why distinct groups of Hindus, deeply divided by caste, mobilised on the basis of unitary Hindu nationalism, and why the Hindu nationalist rhetoric about the threat of the impoverished Muslim minority was so persuasive to the Hindu majority. Using evidence from communal violence in Gujarat, Shani argues that the growth of communalism was not simply a result of Hindu-Muslim antagonisms, but was driven by intensifying tensions among Hindus, nurtured by changes in the relations between castes and associated state policies. These, in turn, were frequently displaced onto Muslims, thus enabling caste conflicts to develop and deepen communal rivalries. The book offers a challenge to previous scholarship on the rise of communalism, which will be welcomed by students and professionals.
Anna Juhos
In spite of India’s growing middle class and significant economic development over the last decade, its democracy has been challenged by the growing number of right-wing organisations and their supporters in India. At the centre of this research is the question why modernization and economic growth have not led to increased secularization of society, as it happened in the West? Additionally, what are the factors which pose a threat to democracy and secularism? I argue that the way modernization and economic growth have come about in India have not led to increased democratization and secularization but lent support to the right wing and caused the resurgence of Hindu nationalism. This resurgence and the consequent
stagnating, or one can argue reversed, secularization process resulted from the combined effect of some deeper (indirect) determinants and proximate (direct) causes. In the first category I include the retreat of the state together with an expanding private and unorganized sector, the problem of 'jobless growth', additionally, the one-sided focus on institutional/procedural democracy and the relative neglect of substantive/representative democracy. Resulting from these, the proximate causes are the spread of grassroots, service-providing right-wing organisations, and the successful rhetoric applied about a new, rising and united India, envisaged by the right wing to gain support.
AND OF COURSE SEE MY POST HINDUISM IS FASCISM
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