Aisha Saeed
The history of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right wing Hindu paramilitary nationalist organization, dates back to the pre-partition era. While the ruling parties of India presented the charade of secularism to the world, the extremist Hindu party established deep roots within the sociopolitical landscape of the country.
But RSS seems to have taken over the epitome of secularism and the world’s largest democracy – known until recently as shining India – and hence the country has shifted to authoritarianism if treatment of Kashmiris and Muslims were any indicator. India’s secular image in the world is gradually fading- and the reality has become too ugly to ignore even for most of the west and the USA, triggered by the BJP government’s silence over BJP-RSS high-handed approach to religious minorities, particularly Indian Muslims.
The 2002 Gujrat riots continue to burden and haunt Prime Minister Modi. With Modi’s rise to power the original ideology of BJP has resurfaced. A war mongering, xenophobic and expansionist government is currently holding India hostage and the situation for its minorities is deteriorating day by day.
In December, the Indian government passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and in months prior it had implemented the Article 370 in Kashmir. Both the acts violate the basic rights of Muslims in India and in the occupied Kashmir and are highly discriminatory. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom also finally took note of this and has called for India to be put on the religious freedom blacklist, resulting in a strong protest from India. Other countries have also been voicing their concerns about the situation of Muslims in India, including leading Gulf states.
The unfolding of events taking place in India had long been in the making. Gradually, the true essence of democracy faded and now India depicts the signs of becoming an authoritative state.
Firstly, the limited political pluralism prevailing in the Indian government and its policies has choked the concept of a democratic government. Passing of the Acts such as the CAA and the Article 370 are a prime example of the limited political activities, devised to keep the monitories in a low social standing.
The BJP’s Hindu nationalistic approach that practices class structure deeming only Hindus as the higher beings is openly used in forming and amending laws in India. The acts of violence against the minorities including Muslims have become an everyday matter for India and the puppets of Modi’s government, which does not denounce such acts; execute violence to establish hegemony. Animosity against Christians and Dalits has also been on the rise. The Indian media has become a mouthpiece of the government; further strengthen the narrative of the BJP government and downplaying the concerns of the Muslims living in India. Even in the times of a pandemic, India is using the COVID-19 to further persecute Muslims. From “do not buy from Muslims “to attacking places of worship , to denying rights to property ,to lynching people over eating beef – India is subjecting Muslims to emotional and physical torture to keep a control over the Muslim population.
Modi ‘s election campaign revolved around the anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim sentiments that appealed to its supporters. Modi’s political legitimacy hinged upon the emotions of intolerance against the minorities and a strong Hindu centric approach, marking the second indication of any authoritarian state. The Congress which believes in secularism has greatly been sidelined as well.
Thirdly, the minimal political mobilization has left little space for the minorities to fight for their rights in a largely BJP supported government including the judiciary. The Indian judiciary supported the CAA and the implementation of the Article 370 in Kashmir. With law making bodies taking the side of the government, discriminatory laws cannot be fought against.
Through its influence and the use of force, the BJP has suppressed anti- government and anti- Modi voices that have added to the incidents of mob violence.
Lastly, even the executive institutions of India support the notions of the BJP. In a recent move, Modi established the post of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and appointed another BJP hardliner General Bipin Rawat as the first CDS. The post will integrate the working and policies of the Indian army, air force and the navy. The CDS will act as the single advisor to the government in regards to the matters of military. But even the minorities serving in the Indian forces are feeling the heat and are looked down upon in terms of promotions.
This will extend the political influence of the BJP deep within the ranks of the Indian forces. General Bipin is known to have anti-Pakistan and anti- minority sentiments and was responsible for the military mobilization in the occupied Kashmir. With his appointment, the war- mongering and the use of military to control people in India and Kashmir will increase.
But the sheer violence against the minorities may invoke strong rebellion and amp up the separatists’ movements prevalent in certain parts of India. The Indian military build-up and its unification with the policies of the government may be used to counter such incidents as it has been doing in Kashmir for decades.
The jingoistic and expansionist posture of the BJP government also poses multiple threats to the region. With the recent appointment of a CDS, the use of Chanakya’s tactics of deception and subterfuge that are embedded deeply in the Hindu thought of statecraft.
With a largely anti-Muslim and anti-Kashmir narrative, the notion of “shining India” has taken considerable battering since changed since the BJP won elections.
The measures the BPJ government is talking against Muslims and other minorities is a modern day revival of fascism- the RSS ideology with modern ways of prosecution, prompting prominent author Arundhati Roy to remark “the situation in India is approaching genocidal” and that genocide has just begun, unless secular forces in India pick up the courage to stand up and speak for equal rights of all Indian citizens, not just high-cast Hindus.
Aisha Saeed is an independent analyst on media and foreign policy of Pakistan. She tweets @MsAishaK.
