HINDUTVA: RISING EXTREMISM IN INDIA
- Hindutva's Extremist Roots: The book highlights Hindutva’s ideological roots in Fascism, tracing its evolution through the RSS and BJP, emphasizing its anti-Muslim agenda and hegemonic ambitions.
- Global Silence and Strategic Interests: It discusses international inaction on India’s extremism, driven by India's economic ties, diaspora influence, and Western geopolitical strategies.
- Countering Hindutva's Impact: The author advocates regional collaboration, involving Pakistan, China, Russia, and Turkey, to address Hindutva’s implications for peace, stability, and regional geopolitics.
Nazism, a ruthless political ideology led by Adolf Hitler in mid-20th century Germany, was founded on principles of colonialism and extremism. Though the Nazi Party has long since vanished, its ideology persists in various forms worldwide. Similarly, Fascism under Mussolini in Italy represented another form of extremism. Khalid Rahman’s compilation, Hindutva: Rising Extremism in India, argues that Hindutva is an ideology rooted in similar fascist tendencies. The contributors delve into the concept of Hindutva, its genesis, development, globalization, and implications for Pakistan, providing a comprehensive exploration of the phenomenon.
The book is divided into two parts, consisting of seven and four chapters, respectively. Initially, the author distinguishes between pluralism and exclusionism. Pluralism, he explains, is synonymous with social diversity and interaction, while exclusionism promotes division and subtracts inclusivity from societal frameworks. Highlighting examples from Europe and India, the author argues that exclusionism inevitably fosters extremism. This ideological foundation is linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which embodies the rising extremism in India today. The pressing question is how Pakistan should respond to the growing threat posed by Indian extremism, as its impacts are likely to transcend borders.
The first part of the book traces the origins, aims, and philosophy of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Founded in 1925 with Hindutva as its guiding ideology, the RSS aimed to establish Hindu hegemony. According to the author, Hindutva seeks to assert dominance, a recurring pattern seen in various movements throughout history. The renaming of cities with Islamic connotations, the destruction of mosques, inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric, and systemic violence against minorities are manifestations of this ideology.
The RSS leadership, notably M.S. Golwalkar, admired Hitler and Mussolini, with documented instances of ideological inspiration. The BJP, Hindutva’s political arm, emerged in the 1990s, advancing the agenda of Hindu supremacy and fostering hatred toward Islam and Muslims. While Hindus and Muslims coexisted peacefully in the past, Hindutva propagates a divisive narrative of religious and racial superiority. This extremist trajectory has been fueled by deeply ingrained issues in Indian society, such as the caste system, which finds justification in ancient texts like the Manusmriti.
The author emphasizes the strategic moves by Hindutva proponents to achieve their objectives. These include revoking Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and replacing Muslim personal laws with state civil laws. These actions underscore the ideological drive to erase Muslim cultural and historical imprints in India.
In the second part of the book, the contributors examine the global implications of Hindutva and its impact on human rights. Presented in a question-and-answer format, the chapters address critical issues such as why India faces little international opposition despite its extremist policies. One contributor attributes this to global double standards and Western strategic interests, which prioritize alliances with India over human rights concerns. Another question explores China’s relative silence on India’s actions.
The contributor explains that China’s focus on geo-economics over geopolitics drives its cautious approach. While China prioritizes stabilizing relations with Pakistan for geopolitical reasons, it views India through an economic lens. Beijing avoids antagonizing India to prevent a closer Indo-US alignment, which could harm China’s strategic interests. The author suggests that China needs to reassess its policies and explore alternatives to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to foster regional stability.
The book also addresses the United States’ stance, noting that pushing India economically or politically would strengthen its ties with Washington. India’s robust diaspora, long-standing ties with the West, and integration into strategic narratives of Western powers further shield it from international criticism. This, the contributors argue, complicates efforts to counter India’s extremism. Additionally, the contributors highlight the systemic portrayal of Muslims as terrorists and other negative stereotypes, exacerbating global Islamophobia and tarnishing Pakistan’s image. The anti-Pakistan rhetoric prevalent in Indian politics often secures electoral victories, as opposing Modi is equated with supporting Pakistan and terrorism.
The author emphasizes the importance of Pakistan adopting a proactive regional strategy. Strengthening partnerships with countries like China, Russia, and Turkey is essential for countering Indian extremism effectively. While the rise of the BJP and Hindutva presents numerous challenges, the author maintains that diplomacy, dialogue, and international conferences remain the most viable solutions to fostering peace and stability.
Another contributor, Syed Rifat Hussain, critiques the discipline of international relations for prioritizing economic and strategic considerations over human rights. Referencing Roy Preiswerk’s essay Could We Study International Relations As If People Mattered?, Hussain argues that this neglect of humanity emboldens nations like India to commit atrocities without significant repercussions. He identifies four factors contributing to the international community’s favorable response toward India and its hostile attitude toward Pakistan. These include India’s economic rise, strategic alliances with Western powers, and its integration into global political narratives, which render it an attractive partner for many countries.
The realities arising from India’s behavior are stark. Muslims worldwide are increasingly stigmatized, and extremist policies have far-reaching consequences for regional stability. The book underscores the need for Pakistan to stabilize its position by fostering regional cooperation and crafting cohesive policies with neighboring countries. Engaging in multilateral diplomacy and leveraging partnerships with allies can help counter India’s influence and mitigate the threat of extremism.
The book concludes by providing a detailed understanding of Hindutva’s genesis and evolution, as well as its detrimental effects on peace, prosperity, and progress in the liberal world. It offers valuable insights for students of politics and international relations, as well as policymakers seeking to navigate the complexities of South Asian geopolitics. Khalid Rahman’s compilation serves as a crucial resource for understanding the rise of extremism in India and its implications for the region and beyond.
The author is an International Relations graduate based in Hyderabad.
