Hindutva – An ideology milked by politicians for their gains
The Kamandal was BJP’s answer to Mandal politics and grew phenomenally and soon found a resonance amongst Hindus both in India and abroad. Thanks to articulate L.K. Advani, complex terms like Pseudo Secularism became the lexicon of media and the entered the minds of Indians.
The debate amongst media and intellectuals involved explaining the definition of terms like Minorityism, Pseudo Secularism and the broader philosophy of Hindutva.
Hindutva appealed instantly to Hindus who has been sick of minority appeasement, rejection of Supreme Court verdict in Shah Bano case and driven to despair by Islamist Jehadis in Kashmir. The return of Golden Era of Hindus, last seen 3000 years ago during Chandragupta Maurya’s rule now seemed a reality. The fierce espousal of Hindutva by BJP and its increasing tacit acceptance by the public rattled the entire political class who had always tried to use the divisions in the majority to their advantage. The continued minority appeasement by the then Rajiv Gandhi government meant that compromising concessions be granted to the majority community as well which saw the opening of Ram Janambhoomi Babri Masjid gates. The image of Ram lala in chains, was too much to resist for Hindus and used effectively by L.K. Advani during his Rath yatra. Advani was cautioned that he was riding a tiger – it was easy to mount a tiger than to dismount from it for the fear of being eaten. Even after a decade Hindutva forces have still not been able to define an exit strategy and are flummoxed and divided between soft and hard Hindutva. An attempt was made to soften Hindutva by terming it as Bhartiayata. India’s highest court the Supreme Court also got involved and laid a judgment calling Hindutva as a way of life.
What punctured Hindutva was its lack of pan Indian appeal. Hindus in Chennai and Kerala were disinterested in Hindutva and they found more connection with local issues like communism and Dravidian culture than Hindutva. BJP got only 2 seats in Tamil Nadu at the height of Hindutva, forcing a rethink that Hindutva alone would not win elections and it did not appeal to all voters.
Bribe taking by party’s president on National Television and lack of good governance has punctured this once powerful ideology. The philosophy had its critics who warned that continued hammering of the same issues by Hindutva gang caused a disservice to Hindus as Hindu anger never reached a crescendo and they continue to be the victims. The public infighting and a disoriented cadre have caused an erosion of sympathy towards Hindutva. For now the term Hindutva has lost its meaning and is no longer a cause.
Khan
359 days ago
You seems to be critical of Hindutva in this article but it seems that the proppaganda of Hindutva votaries such as LK Advani, as you have mentioned yourself, is so strong that the author is himself affected by it. Example: “who has been sick of minority appeasement”. Where is the appeasement when in every lifestyle. social and economic indicator, muslims are lagging far behind. Shah Bano was not muslim appeasement, it was merely pandering to our useless so-called leaders who are muslimns; worst enemies. I am amazerd every time I see educated, sophisticated, even jourlsists such as this esteemed writer being caught by the Hindutva propaganda,