An Indian politician recently took a direct stance against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) promotion of Hindu nationalism, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a speech to Parliament.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP, a major political party known for its Hindu nationalist policies, for deviating from Hindu values of peace and harmony, telling the BJP members, including Modi, “You are not Hindu.”
In a report by the International Christian Concern, Gandhi expressed concern over BJP members’ “constant talk of violence and hatred.”
“There has been a systematic, full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution,” he said.
Gandhi argued that the BJP’s policies toward the poor, Dalits, and minorities, and their efforts to centralize power, have suppressed opposition.
Parts of Gandhi’s remarks were removed from the parliamentary record, prompting protests from the Congress party, highlighting the volatile nature of his critique.
In response, Modi suggested that Gandhi’s comments were an attack on “the entire Hindu community.”
Gandhi, who identifies as Hindu, has consistently opposed violent Hindu nationalism, asserting in a forum in Paris last year that “there is nothing Hindu about what the BJP does.”
The recent elections shifted the political landscape, giving more power to Gandhi’s party in parliament. The BJP lost 63 seats while the Congress gained 47, forcing Modi to govern with a coalition. This change suggests challenges for Modi in advancing his nationalist agenda.
Analysts predict the coalition may align with the BJP on foreign policy and economic matters but resist policies that undermine India’s secularism. These political dynamics are significant as the country approaches the 2024 elections.
Violence against minorities
BJP, known for its Hindu nationalist policies, has been implicated in various reports for increased violence and discrimination against religious minorities in India.
Under BJP rule, there have been notable instances of violence and systemic discrimination targeting Muslims, Christians, and other minorities.
Human Rights Watch and other organizations report that the BJP-led government’s policies have fostered an environment where hate crimes and speech against minorities have become more frequent and severe.
In particular, the rise in communal violence and discriminatory actions, such as arbitrary demolitions of minority homes and the early release of convicts in high-profile anti-Muslim violence cases, point to an emboldened stance against religious minorities.
Reports from International Christian Concern and the Evangelical Fellowship of India indicate a significant increase in violent attacks on Christians since the BJP came to power.
From 2014 to 2018, violent incidents against Christians more than doubled. These include physical assaults and harassment by radical groups, often with inadequate response or outright complicity by local authorities.
Moreover, hate speech and calls for economic and social boycotts against Muslims have been documented extensively. Such incidents have been concentrated particularly in states under BJP governance, suggesting a pattern tied to the party’s ideological leanings and electoral strategies.
