Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of

Hindutva Agenda

An E Book
by
Ram Puniyani

(For Private Circulation)

Center for Study of Society and Secularism

602 & 603, New Silver Star, Behind BEST Bus Depot, Santacruz (E), Mumbai: - 400 055.
E-mail: [email protected], www.csss-isla.com

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
 Contents
Page No.

Preface 03

1. Pattern of Politics 04
Equations of Power, Acche Din, Changed Dispensation:
Sectarian mindset, Education, Caste and Gender, Fringe
Elements or Division of Labor

2. Hate Speech Galore 08

3. Holy Cow-Beef and Indian Political Games 10

4. Manufacturing and Undermining National Icons: RSS Style 12

5. Is ‘Hindu’ Our National Identity? 14

6. How Is Ghar Vapasi Different From Forcible Conversions? 17

7. Liberal Society and Growing Intolerance 20
8. Rohith Vemula: Hindutva Politics and Dalit Question Today 22
9. Undermining Democracy: Stifling Academic Institutions 24
State Repression of JNUSU and unleashing of street Violence

10. Manufacturing Emotive Issues 26

Summing up 28

References 29

Selected Bibliography 30
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
 Preface
Modi came to power with a bang. Riding on the support of the Corporate
World, the RSS combine, the media blitz and the promises of sky; he managed
to get 31% of votes and 262 seats in the Lok Sabha. This is the first time BJP
managed a simple majority in lower house of Parliament. This also became
an occasion for Modi-BJP-RSS to unfold their agenda in full. While economic
promises have floundered, the protective policies for the average
downtrodden have been partly retracted along with the claims of great
economic achievement by RSS combine and its supporters. The reality of
economic situation has forced the substantial section of media to take
cognizance of the plight of the people and criticize the failure of the
Government on economic and many other fronts.

The social scenario has been dismal, the growing intolerance, the attack on
autonomy of universities, the treatment of dalits, as reflected in the death of
Rohith Vemula, the intimidation of religious minorities through issues like
beef, Bharat Mata ki jai, and nationalism have dominated the scene. By now
most of the people are clear that RSS is in the driving seat supervising the
total unfoldment of its agenda of Hindu nationalism.

This e-book is a compilation of my articles written on the theme during last

two years. The idea was to take a stock of the direction of the present regime
and its attack on democratic, plural ethos of the country. I hope this will help
readers to comprehensively assess this regime, its promises and reality and
its deeper agenda of Hindu nationalism.

Ram Puniyani

Centre for Study of Society and Secularism

Mumbai

May 2016

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
 Chapter 1
Pattern of Politics

T he change in the ruling dispensation (May

2014) had more than one aspect which is
likely to affect the very social-cultural-political map
that they will like to see Modi as the future Prime
Minister of India. The backbone of the campaign
was lakhs of RSS volunteers, who acted as the steel
of India. Narendra Modi won the elections with an frame of the campaign. The projected factors
electoral success, 282 seats for BJP, with 31% of helping BJP win was the myth of Gujarat’s
vote polled, which is a landmark for this party. development. The media management and the
There was a meticulous planning to come to power discrediting of the ruling Congress, all this were the
and there were many factors bringing them to effective tools for swinging the votes in BJP’s favor.
power. One was the communal polarization carried RSS-BJP-Modi want to bring in Hindu nation
forward from the Gujarat carnage of 2002, to the imposed upon the values of Indian Constitution.,
one witnessed in Muzzafarnagar in 2013. The which have laid the foundation of democratic ethos,
unrestrained support of Corporate World was which have provided the ground for social
another factor as Modi had given all the facilities to transformation of caste-gender.
the Corporate World. Corporate in 2007 declared

a. Equations of Power
The previous time, 1999, BJP came to power at the Government. Secretaries of different departments
head of a NDA it did not have the simple majority so have been asked to directly report to him, and he
it suspended its “Hindutva’ agenda. Hindutva has not permitted the meeting of the Cabinet in his
agenda; in a limited sense; stands for abolition of absence, which was the norm with previous
article 370, Uniform Civil Codes and building of Governments. Though there is a Cabinet, the major
Ram Temple on the site where Babri Masjid stood. power is centralized around the prime minister. As
Now with the majority in parliament, the march Shourie points out “Prime Minister Narendra Modi
towards this Hindutva agenda and the deeper is narcissistic and is running a one-man presidential
agenda of Hindutva has been unleashed. Modi has government, the direction of which was dangerous
already instilled the authoritarian streak in the new for India…’ (1)

b. Acche Din
The major plank of winning the elections was the large, who had been victims of the rising prices and
slogan of Acche din (Good Times). The people at inflation, were sold the dream of better days in the
offing with victory of Modi. The relentless rise of
prices despite Modi coming to power has created a
sense of disillusion amongst the people, as high
hopes were created through propaganda. The
pattern of policies is clear. There is a removal of
whatever little protection has been there for the
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
average people. They do not give a hopeful picture were are going to affect the interests of the farmers
for times to come. FDA in retail has been raised in a very adverse way. It was opposed by all. It
from 26% to 49% in a single swoop. While in could not go through the parliament, now this is
opposition; BJP was opposing it. This is an being tried through the states where BJP is ruling.
opportunist turn around. The fear of privatization This bill aims to dilute the consent of majority of the
of public sector is very much there in the air. The farmers for acquiring land.
amendments to proposed Land Acquisition bill

c. Changed Dispensation: Sectarian mindset

The intolerance started growing right from the saying that she is the daughter-in-law of Pakistan,
word go. The Pune techie Mohsin Sheikh’s murder while the top level functionary of the Government
allegedly by the Hindu Jagran Sena was part of the said that she is pride of the nation.
well designed communalization process. The
violence in Saharanpur, Rampur and other parts of Similarly one of the outstanding lawyers, Gopal
UP and some parts of MP are part of the process to Subramaniam was denied the judgeship in Supreme
communalize the assembly areas, which are going Court. Gopal Subramaniam as an Amicus Curie in
to face the polls soon. The silence of Prime Minister the Supreme Court had brought out the connection
on these issues is more than eloquent. Rather it between Soharabuddin fake encounter and the
gives signal of sorts, which are not very healthy. present BJP President, and Modi’s confidante Amit
There have been many scattered incidents which Shah. Gopal was also criticized by Subramaniam
give us the glimpse of the Modi Sarkar. The Swami, a top BJP leader, on the ground that Gopal
shrewdest part of the new Government is that it has had hurt the Hindu sentiments on the Ram Setu
solid backing of vast Sangh Parivar to speak in issue. The Minorities affairs minister Najma
different languages; these different tongues make Haptullah went on to declare that Muslims are not a
the whole picture of their agenda. In case of the minority while Parsis are. One knows that the
tennis star Sania Mirza being appointed as the provision of minorities should be for deprived
brand ambassador of the newly formed Telangana sections, Muslims do fall in the category while the
state, the BJP leaders on TV openly opposed this miniscule Parsis do not fit in the category.

d. Education
One of the major problems of the present rule is knows that the communal historiography
going to be the changes in education, which will introduced by British was their main tool in
alter the thinking pattern of the coming implementing the ‘divide and rule’ policy which
generations. The goal is to instill a pattern in formed the ideology of the communal streams of
consonance with the Brahminical norms, to Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha-RSS. This
promote orthodox medieval mind set and to type of history; by focusing on the glories of ‘our’
undermine the scientific temper. One recalls that in kings also promotes the feudal values of caste and
the previous BJP led NDA regime apart from other gender hierarchy. Mercifully the BJP led NDA lost in
things, its major impact was the changes in the 2004 and the rational, national historiography was
history and social science books, where the divisive brought back.
history taught in the RSS shakhas, the communal
history, the history where the kings are looked at Now RSS volunteers are out to change the total
through the prism of religion, was introduced. One education system and the content of history, social
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
science and other books. Even before this that Dr Matapurkar was inspired by the
Government came to power, with the rise of Modi Mahabharata. Kunti had a bright son like the Sun
on political firmament, with the perception that he itself. When Gandhari, who had not been able to
is likely to come to power, the Right wing conceive for two years, learnt of this, she
organizations intensified their offensive against underwent an abortion. From her womb a huge
genuine scholarship. Dinanath Batra, by now is a mass of flesh came out. (Rishi) Dwaipayan Vyas was
well known name; he has been heading the RSS called. He observed this hard mass of flesh and then
outfits, Shiksha Bachao Abhiyan Samiti and RSS- he preserved it in a cold tank with specific
affiliated Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (SSUN) medicines. He then divided the mass of flesh into
from many decades. He succeeded in pressuring 100 parts and kept them separately in 100 tanks
Penguin, the World’s largest publisher, to pulp full of ghee for two years. After two years, 100
Wendy Doniger's scholarly book ‘The Hindus: An Kauravas were born of it. On reading this, he
Alternate History’. This book brings out through the (Matapurkar) realized that stem cell was not his
interpretation of mythology the need to understand invention. This was found in India thousands of
the caste and gender aspects in a sensitive manner. years ago. (Page 92-93)
The history she has focused on goes against the
hierarchical mind set of RSS combine and so Indian rishis using their yog vidya would attain
pressure was put to pulp it. Now Mr. Batra emerges divya drishti (divine vision). There is no doubt that
as a writer himself and a set of nine books written the invention of television goes back to this… In
by him have been translated in to Gujarati and Mahabharata, Sanjaya sitting inside a palace in
introduced in 42000 schools in Gujarat. This may be Hastinapur and using his divya shakti would give a
a trial run before doing similar things at larger live telecast of the battle of Mahabharata… to the
scale. Former BJP president and present union blind Dhritarashtra. (Page 64)  What we know
minister M Venkaiah Naidu explicitly stated as early today as the motorcar existed during the Vedic
as last year (June 23, 2013) that “it (the BJP) will period. It was called anashva rath. Usually a rath
change textbook syllabi, if it returns to power”. (chariot) is pulled by horses but an anashva rath
Batra is also quoted as saying that a nationalistic means the one that runs without horses or yantra-
education system has to be developed to address rath, what is today a motorcar. The Rig Veda refers
the requirements and through this we have to to this. (Page 60)
develop a young generation that is committed to RSS has already set up a consultative body called
Hindutva and nationalism”. Bharatiya Shiksha Niti Ayog (BSNA) to put pressure
The sampling of Batra’s books gives a good idea of on Modi’s government to “correct or Indianize” the
what is in store for us. A quote from one of the set of national education system. In the new syllabus “The
books, ‘Tejonmaya Bharat’, (Radiant Bharat) tells us passages in the textbooks which pointed out to any
“America wants to take the credit for invention of unsavory aspect of the Hindu faith like the
stem cell research, but the truth is that India’s Dr oppressive caste system in ancient Hindu society,
Balkrishna Ganpat Matapurkar has already got a untouchability of the low-caste people and
patent for regenerating body parts…You would be consumption of beef during Vedic ages were
surprised to know that this research is not new and scrapped, and anyone who resisted or opposed the
changes was dubbed as 'anti-national'.(2)

e. Caste and Gender

While these changes in the text books give us a full organization, its already manifest in the
idea of the agenda of this Government, which will appointment of Prof Y.Sudarshan Rao as the chief of
have to follow the guidelines set by its parent ICHR. This national body guides the research into

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
the Indian history. Prof Rao is not much known in written around 1-2 and Century AD. Contrary to
the circles of Academic history, as he has hardly this Prof Rao states that distortion in caste system
written any academic, peer reviewed papers or came with the coming of Muslim Kings. He had so
books. He has been engaged with writing few blogs far been working on proving the historicity of our
on his understanding of history, which is more of a mythological Mahabharat as a part of History.
fiction suiting the agenda of Hindu Rashtra, Interestingly RSS combine presents only one
reinstating the caste system in particular. In one of version of Ramayan but there are nearly 400
his blogs he emphasis that caste system served the versions of Ramayan. The scholarly essay by
society very well and there are no complaints A.K.Ramanujam on the diversity of Ramayan telling
against it. As per him “Most of the questionable again was withdrawn from Delhi University
social customs in the Indian society as pointed out curriculum, and the publisher forced to withdraw
by the English educated Indian intellectuals and the the book.
Western scholars could be traced to this period of
Muslim rule in north India spanning over seven With the coming of this Government the peripheral
centuries.” He argues that “The (caste) system was elements have started talking about making these
working well in ancient times and we do not find scriptures as a part of our curriculum. Justice Dave
any complaint from any quarters against it.” This is talks of bringing in Gita and others are talking of
a distortion. The customs related to caste Ramayana. Both these holy tomes have heavy
oppression were integral to the so called Hindu projections of caste. In Gita, Lord talks of taking
scriptures Vedas (Rig Veda, Purush Sukta) birth whenever Dharma is in danger. And this
Upanishad, (3) the scriptures which were written in Dharma is Varnashram Dharma (Varna system). In
the Pre Historic BC period. Even in Manu smiriti the Ramayan Lord Ram kills Shambuk, as Shambuk a
caste division is well articulated. Manu Smriti was Shudra is doing penance and this is something not
permitted by Caste system.

f. Fringe Elements or Division of Labor

VHP supremo and RSS member Ashok Singhal has Deepak Dhavalikar another BJP member stated that
also called Modi “an ideal swayamsevak” and under Modi India will become a Hindu Rashtra. This
emphatically declared that Muslims must respect is what the deeper part of RSS-BJP-Modi agenda, to
see that the religious minorities adopt the
the sentiments of the Hindu culture, threatening
Brahminical Hindu norms. That’s why they want
that “they cannot survive for long by opposing that to use terms like Christian Hindus or Ahmadiya
Hindus”. He has also asked Muslims to give up their Hindus. Gradually, the assertion will be that since
claims on Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi. The idea is you are a Hindu you must practice Hindu norms.
to reduce Muslims to second class citizens with no
privileges and rights. Another firebrand VHP leader On the long term agenda of RSS-BJP-Modi one needs
Pravin Togadia, known for his ‘hate speeches’, has to see the statement of RSS worker Joshi, “During a
endorsed these views by issuing a warning to the question-and-answer session, a volunteer asked
Yadavrao Joshi, then the head of Sangh workers
Muslims, saying they may have forgotten the 2002
across all of south India, “We say RSS is a Hindu
Gujarat riots but would remember the organisation. We say we are a Hindu nation, India
Muzaffarnagar riots of last year. (4) belongs to Hindus. We also say in the same breath
that Muslims and Christians are welcome to follow
Goa's deputy chief minister Francis D'Souza their faith and that they are welcome to remain as
apologized for his comment that India was already they are so long as they love this country. Why do
a Hindu nation. This was a tactical retreat. He was we have to give this concession? Why don’t we be
the one who said that all Indians are Hindus. very clear that they have no place if we are a Hindu
Christians are Christian Hindus for example. country?” Joshi replied “As of now, RSS and Hindu
society are not strong enough to say clearly to
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
Muslims and Christians that if you want to live in be trying to stick to the language which will be
India, convert to Hinduism. Either convert or subtle while undertaking steps in Hinduization. Its
perish. But when the Hindu society and RSS will associates, VHP-RSS will tell us bluntly about their
become strong enough we will tell them that if you
agenda. Needless to repeat that this agenda, being
want to live in India and if you love this country,
you accept that some generations earlier you were unfolded is that of Hindu nation, where religious
Hindus and come back to the Hindu fold.” (5) minorities will be relegated to secondary position
and the Chaturvarnya system will be slipped in a
So where are we heading to becomes clear in the subtle manner.
last few weeks of Modi Sarkar. The government will

***

Chapter 2
Hate Speech Galore

W ith the coming to power of Narendra Modi

there is an open license to all the affiliates of
RSS combine to indulge in open hate speech against
the hate speech is to consolidate the communal
polarization of the society along lines of religion.
The well known case of MIM’s Akarbar Uddudin
the religious minorities. The current agenda behind Owaisis’ hate speech has been despicable and very
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
rightly Akbarudin Owaisi had to be in jail for some society. Same Yogi went on to say that Mosques
time. The case against him should be pursued and should be converted into den of pigs and that
the legal course of action must be pursued. At the Muslims should not be allowed to come to Hindu
same time what about the hate speech indulged in holy places (7).
by the likes of Pravin Togadia, Subramaniam
Swami, Giriraj Singh, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Sadhvi Two central ministers of Modi Sarkar, Sadhvi
Prachi, Sakshi Mahraraj, Yogi Adityanth, Sanjay Niranjan Jyoti and Giriaj Singh made very insulting
Raut and company? and humiliating remarks about non Hindus and the
color of skin of UPA chief Sonia Gandhi. Niranjan
Apart from these associates of Hindu right wing Jyoti stated that all those who are non Hindus are
patriarch, RSS, who are reported in the media, there illegitimate, Haramzade. Giriraj Singh had earlier
are many more indulging in the divisive speech and said that those not voting for Modi should go to
worsening the communal situation. During this year Pakistan. Interestingly he said this before the
they have started feeling emboldened as they know elections and despite such a record he was elevated
it is ‘their’ Government and they can get away with to the level of minister in the Modi sarkar. He made
it. Day in and day out they are becoming more racial comments about Sonia Gandhi recently.
aggressive and vicious in their language. The hate Sakshi Mahraj also held Godse as a patriot, while his
speech against religious minorities has been another party colleague from Kerala, one Gopal
stepped up. Krishnan wrote in RSS mouth piece Keasri that
Godse chose a wrong target in killing Gandhi, he
One recalls even before Modi Sarkar assumed the should have killed Nehru instead.
seat of power the divisive activities of ‘BJP
associates’ in the form of propaganda of love jihad Subramaniam Swamy, one of the very senior
and Ghar Vapasi were on, and they continued leaders of BJP, said that God lives in temples alone,
without any respite during this year. The attack on not in mosques and Churches. The hidden
Churches was very glaring and the process which implication of this statement is fraught with danger.
was dominant in Delhi and Haryana was also These are few of the samples from what all has been
witnessed in places like Panvel near Mumbai, Agra stated during this year. Its impact in increasing the
in UP amongst other places. sense of fear amongst religious minorities is more
than obvious. BJP ally Shiv Sena’s MP Sanjay Raut
Sakshi Maharaj not only said that Godse was a went to the extent of demanding that the voting
patriot; he also went on to say that Hindu women rights of Muslims should be revoked.
should produce four children, as Muslims are
overtaking the population. (6) Sadhvi Prachi went The peak of all this was witnessed with the RSS
to prescribe eight children for Hindu women. She Sarsanghchalak stating that younger generation
also gave a call that the Muslim film actors, Aamir needs to be taught to say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. Then
Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan should be he took a step back saying it should not be
boycotted. Pravin Togadia has been the leading compulsory. In response to this Asaduddin Owaisi
person in making hate speeches; he has the highest of MIM gave and unwarranted statement that he
number of cases regarding hate speech against him. will not say so even if a knife is put on his throat. To
Yogi Adityanath, BJP’s MP keeps making very take the story further Maharashtra Chief minister
derogatory remarks, He said that in ‘love jihad’ if Devendra Fadnavis said it is a must for all those
one Hindu girl is converted then 100 Muslim girls who want to stay in India. As a matter of fact this is
should be converted to Hinduism. The propaganda a subtle intimidation of the religious minorities who
around love jihad keeps simmering and various don’t worship anybody but Allah as per Bharat Mata
small and big leaders keep using it to divide the ki Jai, it becomes like hailing mother Goddess, which

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
they say is not permitted by Islam. The RSS fellow rungs of society, what goes down below from this is
traveler Yoga guru and entrepreneur Baba Ramdev that certain elements will ask non Hindus to shout
said that had Constitution not been there by now this slogan and refusal to do that may result in
lakhs would have been beheaded. This is at the top unpleasant situation. (8)

***

Chapter 3
Holy Cow-Beef and Indian Political Games

W hile Cow protection has been on the political

menu off and on, with coming to power of
Modi the things took and ugly shape. The cow
role of cow is there in Indian political firmament.
Maharashtra Government got the Presidents assent
to the bill “Maharashtra Animal Preservation
protection, banning beef reached a high crescendo (Amendment) Bill 1995 which will now ban the
with the murder of Mohammas Akhlaq on the slaughter of bulls and bullocks as well. The
charge of beef eating. (9) Hindu vigilante groups defaulters will face a prison term of five years and a
intensified their attacks around cow protection, fine of Rs. 10000.
eating beef issues.
This bill applies only to Cow and its progeny,
Can the dietary practices, the animal which is contrary to what the name suggests. A decade ago
worshipped as a mother by section of population, one was shocked to read that one of the outstanding
be brought in on the political arena with such fury? scholars of ancient Indian History Professor
While all this sounds surreal, its true as far as the Dwijendra Nath Jha received regular threats on

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
phone telling him not to publish his book, ‘Holy Cow mention about beef eating in various books. There
Beef in Indian Dietary tradition’. This scholarly is a phrase in Taitreya Brahmin which states ‘Atho
work traces the place of beef in Indian diet from Annam Via Gau’ (Cow is in veritably food) Different
centuries. gods are mentioned to be having their choices for
particular type of cow flesh. Prof D. N. Jha quotes
The idea is to target the minorities for beef eating, innumerable examples of this in his masterpiece.
and cow slaughter. One recalls that one of the
slogans which rent the air in the run up the 2014 The preaching of non violence in India came with
General elections was "Modi ko matdan, gai ko the rise of agricultural society. Jainism called for
jeevadan [Vote for Modi, give life to the cow], BJP ka total non violence, while Buddhism talked non-
sandesh, bachegi gai, bachega desh [BJP’s message, violence; preventing of wasteful animal sacrifice in
the cow will be saved, the country will be saved]". particular. It was much later that Brahmanism
This slogan was propped up ‘Cow Development Cell’ picked up cow as a symbol for Brahmanism in
of BJP. response and as a reaction to non-violence of these
religions. Since Brahmanism has asserted itself to
As such emotive-identity issues are the hall mark of be the Hinduism it projects as if Cow is holy for
the politics in the name of religion. BJP built itself Hindus overall. The matter of fact is that many
up on another identity issue, that of Ram Temple. sections of society, more particularly Dalits and
The cow has always been accompanying and a Tribal have been eating beef all through. It is
parallel issue for political mobilization by RSS-BJP. another matter that lately with the rising assertion
It has also been the point of triggering violence in of Hindutva, many a communities which are
many cases all through. With the formation of VHP dependent on beef as a rich and cheap source of
by RSS in 1964, cow issue has been systematically protein are gradually being forced to either give it
propped up time and over again. Many a up or do a rethink on that.
misconceptions about cow, beef eating have been
constructed. Building of misconceptions has also In contrast to what is being asserted by BJP and
been extended to the dietary habits of the ‘Muslim’ company, Swami Vivekanand had a different take
community in particular. The profession of section on the issue. He points out speaking to a large
of Muslims, Kasai (butcher), those in the trade of gathering in USA said: “You will be astonished if I
beef selling has been brought in to the ‘Hate other’, tell you that, according to old ceremonials, he is not
‘social common sense’ in particular. The result a good Hindu who does not eat beef. On certain
being that it is perceived at broad layers of society occasions he must sacrifice a bull and eat it.”
as if beef eating is compulsory for Muslims. The
notion which has been popularized is that Cow is [Vivekananda speaking at the Shakespeare Club,
Holy for Hindus: Muslims kill her! The perception is Pasadena, California, USA (2 February 1900) on the
that the Muslim invaders brought beef eating into theme of ‘Buddhistic India’, cited in Swami
India. These misconceptions are by now the part of Vivekananda, The Complete Works of Swami
‘social common sense’ of the large number of people Vivekananda, Vol 3 (Calcutta: Advaita Ashram,
in the society. 1997), p. 536.]

All the components of this are myths and This is corroborated by other research works
stereotypes have been constructed over a period of sponsored by the Ramakrishna Mission established
time. Time and over again one hears about some by Swami Vivekananda himself. One of these reads:
small communal violence, killing of dalits and “The Vedic Aryans, including the Brahmanas, ate
traders of cows leading to communal polarization. fish, meat and even beef. A distinguished guest was
Many a dalits dealing with cow hide have been honoured with beef served at a meal. Although the
killed in places like Gohana in Haryana and the VHP Vedic Aryans ate beef, milch cows were not killed.
leaders had justified such acts (10). One of the words that designated cow was aghnya
(what shall not be killed). But a guest was a goghna
Contrary to this the beef eating and sacrifice of (one for whom a cow is killed). It is only bulls,
cows was prevalent here from Vedic period. The barren cows and calves that were killed.”[C. Kunhan
sacrifice of cows in the Yagnas (ritual around fire) is Raja, ‘Vedic Culture’, cited in the series, Suniti
extensively mentioned in the scriptures. There is Kumar Chatterji and others (eds.), The Cultural
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
Heritage of India, Vol 1 (Calcutta: The Ramakrishna Maharashtra Government. In a PIL filed in the
Mission, 1993), 217.] Bombay High Court the petitioner argues that this
ban on beef infringes on the fundamental right of
In response to this bill thousands of workers of citizens to choose meat of their choice is
Devnar abattoir (Mumbai), who will be losing their fundamental. The hope is that the society
jobs came on the streets to protest against this overcomes such abuse of ‘identity issues’ for
move of the government (March 11). Many traders, political goals and lets the people have their own
from different religion also came to Azad Maidan in choices in matters of food habits, and let those who
Mumbai to protest this communal act of the are making their living from this trade do so
peacefully. (Reading- Holy Cow Media House, 11)

****

Chapter 4
Manufacturing and Undermining National Icons:
RSS Style

any social and political processes related to 1998, Savakar’s portrait was unveiled in the
projection of some icons and undermining of the Parliament. At one level the game of undermining
others have intensified during last few years. Even some icons and projecting icons is a part of various
during the last regime of NDA led BJP rule from political streams and RSS seems to be the past
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
master in the same. One recalls its machinery has without challenging the very existence of caste,
been putting forward some names. bypassing which was the prime motive of Ambedkar.
others and undermining some others. Since the
time Modi has come to power as Prime Minister One can see two trends in the exercise being done
Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse is by the RSS combine. On one hand since RSS never
being upheld by many from RSS combine. One BJP participated in the freedom struggle as an
MP called him a patriot and other BJP MP said that organization, it has no icon to present as a freedom
Godse chose the wrong target, instead of Gandhi; he fighter. This is why they have to stretch their myth
should have chosen Nehru as his target. (12) There making to project Savarkar as being a freedom
are demands from various quarters to allot land for fighter. The case of Savarkar is peculiar. He was
raising his statues in different places. initially working against the British rule but after he
was jailed in Andaman’s, he buckled under pressure
Times and over again Sardar Patel is projected vis a and turned from anti British revolutionary to the
vis Nehru. In one of the speeches Modi said Patel one who apologized to British and later never
should have been the first Prime minister of India participated in any anti British agitation. That’s all
instead of Nehru. Various ‘word of mouth’ RSS combine has to show for their participation in
propaganda to denigrate Nehru has been the freedom struggle. Even Savarkar was not the part of
consistent activity of many. Again to undermine RSS, but ideologically Savarkar and RSS both held
Nehru Modi said something which was not true. He Hindutva, Hindu nation as their goals.
said that Nehru did not attend the funeral of Sardar
Patel. This again is a blatant lie. As far as Mahatma As many in the RSS combine revere Godse, he
Gandhi is concerned this present ruling always slips in as the major icon for them. Godse
dispensation has projected him but only for the was initially trained in RSS Shakhas and later he
values of cleanliness. One knows that the stature of went onto become the Secretary of Pune Branch of
Mahatma is such that even those who do not believe Hindu Mahasabha. Since many BJP leaders have
in his inclusive nationalism have also to pay background in RSS shakhas, and are on same page
obeisance to him at home as well as abroad. To as Godse as far as Hindu Nationalism is concerned,
circumvent this problem while the core essence of they do come out to praise Godse. These two,
Gandhi’s struggle for Hindu Muslim unity is Savarkar and Godse are projected to show their
sidelined, the teachings of the Mahatma for National allegiance to the ideology of Hindu nationalism in
Integration are give a go bye and he is projected for contrast to Indian nationalism, which is the core
only for swachhta abhiyan (cleanliness drive). part of Indian Constitution. This is necessary for
them as they are projecting themselves as biggest
Currently major concerted efforts are being made to nationalists unmindful of the fact that their
highlight Ambedkar. There are statements that nationalism is Hindu Nationalism and not Indian
Ambedkar and Hedgewars’ (The founder and first Nationalism (14). They want to derive legitimacy
supreme leader of RSS) values were similar, both from Savarkars’ initial anti British role. The later
were against untouchability for example. RSS part of Savarkar where he kept aloof from freedom
mouthpiece Organiser (English) and Panchjanya movements is the exact way in which RSS also kept
(Hindi) have come out with the special supplements aloof from freedom movement.
on the life of Ambedkar, presenting his teachings in
a distorted manner to create the illusion that there At another level they want to contrast Patel with
was similarity between the teachings of RSS Nehru. It is meant to undermine Nehru. Patel and
ideology of HIndutva and Ambedkars values. (13) Nehru, both were close allies on most of the issues
Ambedkar had contributed in various ways for related to freedom movement, both were the major
social justice and democratic values and struggle for followers of Gandhi, who was their mentor and they
annihilation of caste was the foremost amongst the were collaborating with each other in the national
movements launched by him. Incidentally one need movement and later as part of the first Cabinet of
to recall that in contrast to Ambedkars Annihilation Independent India. RSS combine cannot swallow
of caste, RSS has floated and organization called the uncompromising stand taken by Nehru during
‘Samajik Samrasta Manch’ (Social Harmony Forum) his long years of Prime Minister-ship on the issues
which works for bringing harmony between castes of secularism and his long association with these
principles in a forthright way so they want to
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
contrast him with Patel, who was also a deeply political compulsions and started making
secular person. arguments that this book was not written by
Golwalkar. It was withdrawn from market. Here
At another level there are some in-house icons electoral expediency shaped their decision.
which are propped up or are undermined. RSS
second Sarsanghchalak Golwalkar has been a great At another level they have been projecting
influence on generations of RSS workers. His book, Deendayal Upadhayay as the major figure.
‘We or Nationhood defined’, shaped the thought Deendayal Upadhdyay is the ideologue who had
process of many of them. He went to the extent of coined “integral humanism’ as the concept, this
upholding Hitler’s method and type of nationalism essentially talks about upholding status quo of
expounded by him. His book used to be available in social relations of caste in particular. This is done to
RSS shops for long time. One of his quotes sums up give a subtle message of deeper agenda of the RSS
the RSS ideology very well, writes Golwalkar politics. The play with the icons goes with the long
“German national pride has now become the topic term program of the cultural and social
of the day. To keep up the purity of nation and its manipulation for building a society with the
culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging hegemony of Hindutva politics, a politics which
the country of semitic races-The Jews. National derives its name from a religion but at core is the
pride at its highest has been manifested here. political agenda of elite of the Hindu society,
Germany has also shown how neigh impossible it is irrespective of the fact that some from the lower
for races and cultures, having differences going to strata of society are also co-opted for this political
the root, to be assimilated into one united whole, a agenda. It’s due to this that RSS focuses a lot on
good lesson for us in Hindustan to learn and profit propagating the culture of a variety which is
by. (15). From more than a decade ago RSS started sectarian and backward looking, the agenda of
feeling embarrassed about this due to electoral- Hindu Nationalism.

***

Chapter 5
Is ‘Hindu’ Our National Identity?

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
F rom the decade of 1980 the identity based
politics has come to the fore in our Country.
The Shah Bano issue, the Ram Temple imbroglio
Mohan Bhagwat went on the reiterate that "The
entire world recognizes Indians as Hindus
therefore India is a Hindu state. This is a very
and the Rath yatras, brought to fore the issues simple thing, if inhabitants of England are
related identity, the first major casualty of this English, those of Germany are Germans and USA
politics was the demolition of Babri Masjid. is Americans, all those who live in Hindustan are
Around that the notion that we are a Hindu known as Hindus." Mixing up Hindu with
nation propped up in a serious way and also that Hindutva, an altogether different category; he
‘we are all Hindus’ came to the fore. Lately with stated that "The cultural identity of all Indians is
Modi-BJP getting simple majority in the Hindutva and the present inhabitants of the
parliament, this formulation is being asserted country are descendants of this great culture," To
more powerfully. Around 1990 Murli Manohar articulate the political agenda behind all these
Joshi, the then BJP President, said that we are all assertions, Goa’s Co-operatives Minister Deepak
Hindus, Muslims are Ahmadiya Hindus, Christians Dhavalikar (BJP) told the assembly that India
are Christi Hindus and Jains-Sikhs-Buddhists are could well be on the way of becoming a "Hindu
also Hindus as such. Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists nation", with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at
are regarded as sects of Hindu pantheon by RSS. the helm.
It is another matter that when the earlier RSS
Sarsanghchalka, K. Sudarshan, said that Sikhism The whole rigmarole of Hindu, Hindutva, Hindu
is not a religion as such but is a mere sect of Rashtra is very deliberate and a part of political
Hinduism, there were massive protests in Punjab. agenda. These three terms have to be seen in a
historical context. The claims about Hinduism
With Modi at helm, the RSS combine is going have to be seen in today’s context. The evolution
hammer and tongs in asserting that all Indians of the term Hindu has a long journey. Over a
have to call themselves as Hindus. Keeping this in period of time its usage has changed. Its use for
mind, in tune with ‘when asked to bend you political goals; political adaptation is Hindutva
crawl’ the Goa Deputy Chief Minister Francis and Hindutva’s political goal is Hindu Rashtra
Desouza, a member of BJP, said that Christians (Nation). These terminologies have been neatly
are Christian Hindus.(16) The RSS Supremo
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
packaged by the Sangh combine, as part of one who regards this land as Holy land and father
Nationalism, which they believe in. land, keeping Christians and Muslims out of the
definition of Hindus. Hindutva as per him is a
total Hinduness, common race (Aryan) Culture
It is interesting to note that till 8th century the (Brahminic) and the land spread from Sindhu to
scriptures called as Hindu scriptures do not have sea. He also conceptualized Hindu Rashtra, as the
the word Hindu in them. This word Hindu as such goal of Hindutva ideology. This goal of Hindu
came into being with the Arabs and Middle East Rashtra was picked up by RSS from 1925. The
Muslims coming to this side of the continent. goal of Hindu Rashtra was opposed to the goal of
They called the land on east side of Sindhu as Indian National Movement, which aimed at
Hindu. Thus the word Hindu began as a secular democratic India.
geographical category. So even today in some
parts of the World, especially in West Asia, India There are also assertions that we all should call
is referred to as Hindustan. Mr. Bhagwat is wrong ourselves as Hindus, since it is a ‘way of life’
to say that we are referred to as Hindustan all common to all the people living here. This is a
over. It is only in Saudi Arabia and West Asia, that clever trick to deceive. Many a Muslim
the word Hindustan is prevalent. In Saudi even communalists similarly say that ‘Islam is a way of
today the Muslims going for Hajj are referred to life’. Religion alone is not the ‘way of life’; way of
as Hindi and In Saudi Arabia the discipline of life is much broader and includes language, local-
arithmetic in their language is called Hindsa regional cultural nuances, which cannot be
(Coming from Hind). uniform. Religion, again is not monolithic, and is a
part of way of life, not the other way around. The
It was later that religious traditions prevailing in matter as to what are we as a political entity had
this part started being called as Hindu religion. been a subject of extensive debate in the
The notion that there was a prevalence of a Hindu Constituent Assembly and the conclusion was to
culture here is a pure ideological construct. The call this country as “India that is Bharat’, a
Indus valley civilization had its own features religion neutral term. Today Hindu is not a
distinct from the other parts. The Aryans were regional-‘national’ identity; it is primarily a
initially a pastoral society, and then they went for religious identity. The subtle trick in calling
settled agriculture and formation of Kingdoms. everybody Hindu is to first talk of geographical
The native Adivasis had their own culture. The identity, common ancestor and then to say that
Brahimanical and Buddhist traditions were again since we are all Hindus, the Hindu scriptures,
very distinct, the litmus test here is the belief in Gita, Manusmriti are all our national books, cow
caste system, Brahmanism holding to birth based is our National animal; we all have to worship
graded hierarchy and Buddhism opposing the Ram etc.
same. The assertion that a homogenous culture
prevailed is a total myth. We know that culture is This is not an innocuous step. In the beginning
always evolving through interaction which is due ‘we are all Hindus, then so we are a Hindu nation
to migrations and mobility. and then follow the dictates coming from Hindu
holy seers or self proclaimed custodians of
The term Hindutva emerges in late 19th century Hinduism. The position of Constitution is very
with the rise of communal politics in opposition clear that Hindu is a religious identity and India is
to the nascent Indian National Movement. When a national identity. Surely RSS never had anything
Indian National Congress was form in 1885, the to do with either the freedom movement or belief
Muslim Feudal classes and Hindu Feudal classes in the Indian Constitution so in pursuance of its
opposed it and both articulated their own agenda, in contrast to Indian Constitution, which
communal ideology. The one coming from Hindu gives us the Indian identity, RSS wants to impose
communal stream was vaguely called Hindutva. Hindu identity.
This was brought to the fore prominently by
Savarkar in 1924. Savarkar also defined Hindu as

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
What will happen in the next step become clear to live in India, convert to Hinduism. Either
from the following discussion which transpired in convert or perish. But when the Hindu society
the RSS training camp, which gives us the inkling and RSS will become strong enough we will tell
of the agenda of RSS in the long term. Let’s see them that if you want to live in India and if you
the statement of RSS worker Joshi, couple of love this country, you accept that some
decades ago, “During a question-and-answer generations earlier you were Hindus and come
session, a volunteer asked Yadavrao Joshi, then back to the Hindu fold.” (17)
the head of Sangh workers across all of south
India, “We say RSS is a Hindu organization. We So what Sangh Combine had been aspiring from
say we are a Hindu nation, India belongs to last nine decades is being asserted with bigger
Hindus. We also say in the same breath that authority with Modi Sarkar at center. What
Muslims and Christians are welcome to follow Bhagwat of RSS is saying and followers are
their faith and that they are welcome to remain as speaking on the TV debates is a clear violation of
they are so long as they love this country. Why do the values of Indian Constitution. So where are
we have to give this concession? Why don’t we be we heading is a question which all the citizens
very clear that they have no place if we are a have to become aware and stick to what we have
Hindu country?” Joshi replied “As of now, RSS and gained through freedom movement epitomized in
Hindu society are not strong enough to say our Constitution. That needs to be saved and
clearly to Muslims and Christians that if you want protected from the sectarian motivated agenda.

***

Chapter 6
How Is Ghar Vapasi Different From Forcible
Conversions?

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
P ropaganda around conversions has been one of
the major political tools during last few
decades. It was Niyogi Commission report which
hand this is being projected as a great valorous
achievement by the RSS leaders like Yogi Adiytnath,
on the other it is being labeled as a master stroke by
investigated the conversions in Adivasi areas in RSS by other RSS ideologues. According to one
1950s, then the Meenaxipuram conversions of ideologue of RSS, they had been calling for a ban on
Dalits into Islam, and then the gruesome murder of conversions, which was being opposed by the
Pastor Graham Stewart Stains on the charges that secular elements and religious minorities. This
he was doing conversion; these are a few amongst conversion nay Ghar Vapasi will bring to fore the
the big spectrum related to the phenomenon of debate to bring in the strict law against any
conversions. As such the regular propaganda by conversion. If, as reported, the conversion of 350
communal forces that Muslim Kings converted odd Muslims in Ved Nagar in Agra to Hinduism is
people into Islam by sword has been made the part the work of RSS, it is clear that the RSS has grown
of ‘social common sense’ by now. On regular basis strategic, according to RSS ideologue.
around Christmas time one saw the anti Christian
violence in Adivasi areas a decade ago, and in that As per this ideologue this move of RSS is a smart
context rather than focusing on the violence against one too. It seems to have triggered a debate on
religious minorities, the then Prime Minister Atal conversions which it has been asking for decades
Bihari Vajpayee called for a National debate on but was evaded by its critics. While communal
Conversions.(18) elements are crying hoarse that Meenaxipuram has
been the act of conversions through petro dollars
In the recent conversions to Hinduism in Agra (10 and the Christian missionaries are doing conversion
December 2014) nearly 350 pavement dwellers-rag though foreign money, the truth of the matter is
pickers and other destitute sections were promised somewhat different. Meenaxipuram conversion was
that if they participate in the religious function they triggered by humiliation of the dalit youth by the
will be given the ration card and BPL cards. (19) upper caste. While the propaganda that Christian
This was done by the Bajrang Dal activist and the missionaries are doing forcible conversions is on
Hindu Janjagriti Samiti both outfits affiliated to RSS. the peak the fact is that no evidence of the
The only difference is that this process has been application of force has been generally reported. It
called as Ghar Vapasi and not conversion. On one is also true that while some sects of Christian do
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
claim that they are converting; the majority sects the appeal of which prompted many Adivasis-Dalits
affirm that when the conversion is sought by to embrace this religion. It is only from last six
someone in the society and only under that decades that communal forces have been showing
voluntary request the conversion if at all takes their discomfort of Missionaries working in the
place. Interestingly as many people have started Adivasi-village areas violence has been more in
believing that the missionaries are converting the those areas. Not to forget here is the point that
population of Christians has been shown a marginal many Christian institutions are located in cities,
decline during last few decades as per census where all sections of society vie to send their
figures (1971-2.60, 1982-2.44. 1991-2.34, 2001 children. One can also concede that a few of these
-2.30 and 2.30 in 2011) The Wadhwa Commission, missions may be aiming for conversions through
which was appointed by the then home minister their prayer and healing services. The question of
L.K.Advani in the after math of the burning of Pastor allurement and fraud, if at all, may be a small
Stains points out that Pastor was not involved in the component of the phenomenon of conversion to
work of conversions and that in Keonjhar in Christianity. Most of the attacks and accusations
Manoharpur of Orissa, the percentage of Christians which took place against Christian missionaries
has shown fair stability, or an statistical were when they were holding prayer meetings. The
insignificant rise in the percentage of Christian money they receive comes through proper FCRA
population during the time Pastor Stains was channel, and many NGOs including the
working there. organizations like RSS also receive foreign funds to
be sure.
How have conversion taken place in India? We can
examine this in two stages. In medieval period as Now the assertion is that what RSS affiliates do is a
far as conversion to Islam is concerned it took place Ghar vapasi! They claim so many things which are a
mainly due to the caste oppression, as pointed out pure political concoction. The voluntary
by Swami Vivekananda "Why amongst the poor of conversions have very much been a part of caste
India so many are Mohammadens? It is nonsense to ridden Indian society. It is another matter that even
say that they were converted by the sword. It was the Christian and Muslim communities could not
to gain liberty from Zamindars and Priests....." remain free from this caste virus, but the hope of
(Collected Works- Vol. 8- Page 330). Surely a small the dominated castes to get social justice has played
section did convert to Islam due to anticipation for a major role in changing one’s faith. The RSS claim
reward by Muslim kings, a smaller section due to that the ancestors of all these converts are Hindus
fear and a substantial chunk due to the social has no relevance in the debate. How is ancestry
interaction as seen in the Muslims of Malabar coast important in one’s faith and the citizenship today?
and the Muslims of Mewat. Major conversion to Do we have to trace our ancestry to decide today’s
Islam during medieval time was due to the faith? Where will this lead us? The theory of
influence of Sufi saints, at whose Dargaha the evolution apart from the latest DNA studies show
untouchables could also visit. Since even today one that human’s beginning is from South Africa. The
fourth of the population holds to the norms of coming of Aryans to India from Arctic zone
untouchablity, it is not surprising that some (Lokmanya Tilak) to that Aryans were original
dominated castes do keep deciding to leave the fold inhabitants of India is a perpetual debate, with
of Hinduism, as was proclaimed by Dr. Ambedkar, more heat than light in it.
who left Hinduism with proclamation that ‘I was
born a Hindu; that was not in my hands, but I will What was the religion of Nomads-Pagans? Some
not die a Hindu.” social scientists call it Indigenous culture, rather
than religion for the phenomenon which was and is
The conversions to Christianity did not begin with practiced by indigenous (Adivasi) people all over
the coming of British as propagated by some. the World. Society is always changing. As caste
Christianity is centuries old, entering India with the system has been the central part of religion in India
coming of St Thomas in the first century. Some many of the dominated castes regularly kept
doubt this version and hold that Christianity came leaving Hinduism to opt for other religions, Jainism,
here in fifth century. The Christian missionaries Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism. People
have been working here in the neglected Adivasi felt that they are not getting equality and so kept
areas providing the health and educational services, leaving the Hindu fold and embracing other
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
religions. After Lord Buddha’s teachings a large religions for political purpose, Gandhi in contrast
chunk of people became Buddhists in the sub was harping on ‘morality’ of religions to unite the
continent. It is another matter that later in the people. So while he was leading the anti colonial
Brahminical reaction, Buddhism was wiped out struggle the communalists were spitting fire against
from here. Many felt that the missions are doing the ‘other community’ and ‘Shuddhi’ (Arya Samaj)
service to their community so they changed their and Tanjim (Tablighi Jammat) was part of their
faith. political agenda in the early part of twentieth
century. The Hindu religion is not a prophet based
The problem, which RSS projects is due to its being religion, so the concept of conversion is not there.
hung up to the values and system of past; pastoral, In most prophet based religions the call for
agricultural-feudal societies. The changes in social spreading the divine word is there. So earlier Arya
system accompany the changes in systems of Samaj coined the word Shuddhi, which was for
production and education in particular; are totally forcible conversion into Hinduism. RSS improvised
missing in its world view. India came into being on that and has coined the word Ghar Vapasi as a
through the freedom struggle led by Mahatma clever move to hide its ‘forcible conversion drive’.
Gandhi, who could unite the people of all religions Its claim that it is undertaking Ghar vapasi to bring
as he treated all religions on equal ground. For him, the religious minorities in the mainstream is again a
there is no distinction between foreign and Native hoax as minorities had been equal participants in
religions. the movement for India’s freedom, a struggle from
which RSS remained aloof, barring one exception.
Unfortunately Gandhi is quoted extensively by Right To claim that adivasis are Hindus, is again does not
wing forces to oppose conversions; but his quotes hold water as Adivasis are animists, believing in
which are taken support are fragments of what he nature worship, and in the spirit of their ancestors
said. His major quote on conversion is from and spirit of Nature. All over the World indigenous
collected works, Volume XLVI p. 27-28. In an people hold similar belief and have similar practice.
interview dated 22nd March 1931, given to The This is unlike Hinduism where Gita, Ram and
Hindu, Gandhi apparently stated that “if in self Acharya are the core part of it belief today.
governing India, missionaries kept ‘proselytizing’
by means of medical aid, education etc., I would The central point is that RSS does not recognize
certainly ask them to withdraw. Every nation’s Indian nationalism and holds to Hindu nationalism
religion is as good as any other. Certainly India’s so the whole maneuver for this ‘forcible conversion’
religions are adequate for her people. We need no is being passed off as ‘Ghar Vapasi’ while dubbing
converting spirituality.” This is the first part of the other conversions as forcible. Rather than
quote and the lines that follow give the totally recognizing the qualitative change in the formation
opposite idea, the ideas, which Gandhi held. Gandhi of India as the nation state, it is stuck to the
goes on to write, “This is what the reporter has put pastoral-feudal-preindustrial society with the
in my mouth… All that I can say is that it is a values of caste and gender hierarchy. The ‘Ghar
travesty of what I have always said and held.” He vapsi’ is being planned at larger scales. And an
goes on to explain, “I am, then, not against intimidating and fraudulent atmosphere is being
conversion. But I am against the modern methods of created to execute the forcible conversions. This is a
it. Conversions nowadays have become a matter of frightening message to religious minorities. This is a
business, like any other… Every nation considers its clever manipulation of political power to violate the
own faith to be as good as that of any other. norms of Indian constitution.
Certainly the great faiths held by the people of India
are adequate for her people. India stands in no need
of conversions from one faith to another.” And then
he goes on to list the faiths of India, “Apart from
Christianity and Judaism, Hinduism and its
offshoots, Islam and Zoroastrianism are living
faiths.”

As Gandhi opposed the divisive agenda of

communal forces, which were using identity of
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
Then how do we distinguish between a forcible With RSS plans for a bigger conversion nay Ghar
conversion and adoption of a new religion. In the vapasi in Aligarh this Christmas (2014) the attempt
present scheme of things if one leaves Hindu fold to to polarize the society are being taken to a higher
embrace Buddhism-Jainism-Sikhism, it is OK, as pitch. The heroes of RSS parivar like Yogi
they are ‘Indian religions. For communalists Adityanath are saying that those being subjected to
problem seems to be only with Islam and ghar vapasi will be given the Gotra and caste from
Christianity! The basic shrewdness is to call which they converted! So come what may the caste
religions as national or foreign. As such religions structure and rigidities remain and thrive. That’s
are basically universal not bound by national what the agenda of nationalism in the name of
boundaries. Hinduism is!

Constituent Assembly had discussed this thread Do we need laws to ban conversions? We have laws
bare and so the right to practice and propagate to punish those who indulge in force, fraud and
one’s religion is very much there. In the debate the allurement. What we need is to distinguish between
word used is ‘converting’ others. Where is the place voluntary conversion and forced one’s. Ghar Vapasi
for people volunteering and adopting another is a shrewd name for forcible conversions. So what
religion, like Ambedkar and so many others? In a we need is the political and moral will to promote
way it is a way to undermine the conscience of freedom of religion and punish the guilty, using
people that somebody is converting them. Where is illegal means to achieve the change of faith. The so
the place for choice of one’s religion in a democratic called ‘Freedom of Religion’ bills are there not to
society believing in ‘freedom of religion and provide freedom of conscience but to curb the same
conscience’? by legal means.

***

Chapter 7
Liberal Society and Growing Intolerance

L ast few months of 2015 saw many an eminent

writers, artists, film makers and scientists
returning their well earned honors. This was not in
When Dr. Dabholkar, Com Pansare and then Prof
Kalburgi were killed over a period of months, the
danger signals started being perceived but still it
response to one particular incident but was a took the beef lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq and
anguish being expressed against the growing burning of dalit children that led a perception in the
intolerance in the society. (20) society and amongst all progressive liberal people
that something has drastically changed in the
Since then what has been puzzling was that instead society, and the spate of returning of Sahiya
of doing introspection to these acts these citizens Academy, National and state, awards followed in
are were questioned as to why they did not do so quick succession. Their protest was against the
when emergency happened or anti Sikh violence rising intolerance in the society. The incidents that
took place or when the mass migration of Kashmiri followed and ran parallel to these ‘award-returns’
pundits took place or when the Mumbai train blasts were equally horrific. The killing of a trucker on the
killed hundreds of innocent lives. There is a need to assumption that he is carrying cows for slaughter;
think seriously as to what has happened precisely beating of a MLA in Kashmir Assembly by BJP
during last over a year that such reactions are legislatures and the scattered incidents of attacks
shaking our conscience. on Muslims on the ground of beef consumption are
too striking.

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
The viciousness of atmosphere is not lost on the saying that “as a Christian suddenly I feel stranger
social perceptions. The insecurity of minorities has in my own country.”(22) And the renowned actor
gone up by leaps and bounds. One knows that since Naseeruddin Shah had to point out that “Have never
the present NDA regime came to power all those been aware of my identity as a Muslim until now.”
‘spewing hate’ are working overtime. For one
Akbaruddudin Owaisi there is an army of Sakshi These are not ordinary times. The values of
Mahraj, Sadhvis, Yogis and what have you. This pluralism and tolerance have been pushed to the
army of mostly saffron robed or the one’s with the margins. With this Government in power all the
association with Hindu Nationalist politics has high wings of communal politics, the RSS affiliates, have
position within their political combine, what is unleashed themselves in full blast. Communalism is
known as Sangh Parivar. The prime Minister not just the number of deaths due to violence, it is
himself had exerted the Hindu youth to emulate much more. The foundation of this violence begins
Maharana Pratap to save the honor of Mother cow with the manufacture of perceptions about the
during the election speeches. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, religious minorities. These perceptions based on
the BJP’s Muslim face advised those wanting to eat history and some selective aspects of present
beef to go to Pakistan. society are given an anti human tilt and
interpretation. This is used to create hatred for the
Even after the awards started being returned the minorities and that’s where the communal elements
BJP leadership looked down upon the can unleash violence either as a massive violence
writers/scholars and overlooked the phenomenon like Gujarat or Mumbai or Bhagalpur or
which has lead to returning of awards. To mock Muzzafarnagar or the one in Dadri. This creates the
these writers Buddhi Shuddhi puja path divides in society which over a period of time is
(purification of intellect ritual) has been organized converted into polarization. And polarization is the
and BJP spokespersons are humiliating them in talk foundation of electoral strength of party wanting a
shows with all their ferocity. (21) To cap it all the nation in the name of religion. As per Yale study, the
Haryana Chief Minister, an old RSS pracharak, said communal violence is the vehicle which strengthens
that Muslims can live here but only if they will give BJP at electoral level.
up beef eating. And lately the minister Gen V.K.
Singh has accused that those protesting against The present combination of the Government guided
intolerance are doing it for money. No doubt the BJP by the ideology of Hindu nationalism and the ‘fringe
Chief Amit Shah has talked to some of these leaders elements’ having same ideology, has a vast network
behind the close doors, but that does seem to be a and with a wide reach. This party has the advantage
mock drill as the leaders concerned did say that that mostly it does not have to dirty its hands in the
they went to meet their chief for some other local agenda of sectarian nationalism, and so there
reasons and none of them gave any serious apology. are many elements which can do the local work for
dividing the society. The so called fringe elements
Disturbed by what is going on, the President Pranab now are occupying the center stage, and so the
Mukherjee on three occasions urged the nation to ‘qualitative change’ in the situation. The flood of
uphold, pluralism, the core civilizational value of awards being returned is due to the situation
the country and to uphold tolerance. The Vice created by deeper communalization of society. This
President Hamid Ansari reminded the Government is manifested in growing intolerance, attack on
that it is the duty of the state to uphold the ‘right to plurality and is leading to the insecurity of
life’ of citizens. The index of the changing social minorities, which has qualitatively transcended the
atmosphere is reflected by the statements of two earlier limits. The question is how to uphold the
outstanding citizens of the country. Julio Reibero, values of Indian Constitution in the current times?
the top cop, expressed his pain and anguish by

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
 ***

Chapter 8
Rohith Vemula: Hindutva Politics and Dalit
Question Today

T he death of Rohith Vemula has been projected

as suicide by some and murder by others,
depending on their political orientation. Rohith’s
The ABVP, which nationally has become
hyperactive since the Modi Sarkar came to power
(May 2014) opposed all these issues as a part of
being dalit and his participation in Ambedkar their Hindu nationalist agenda. The freedom of
Students Association (ASA) and active contribution expression in the academic campuses is very basic
to this politically vibrant dalit group is the major in a democratic society. ABVP, the student’s wing of
cause of his death. Apart from issues directly RSS, could not digest the dalit group taking up
related to dalits, this association did raise the issues issues related to secularism and democracy. The
related to democratic rights which are relevant cause of Vemula’s death becomes clear in the light
today, like beef eating, opposition to death penalty; of the issues raised by ASA. Rohith’s own
as was given to Mumbai blast accuses Yakub understanding on these issues becomes clear from
Memon and went on to screen the film his face book posts on these issues. For example
Muzzafarnagar Baki hai. This film on let’s see what he wrote on beef issue, “Eating beef
Muzzafarnangar violence (2013) exposes the role of and celebrating beef eating is an act of solidarity
communal forces. with all those who are getting murdered on this
reason nationwide. If we fail to see the fact that the
BJP-RSS-VHP scheme of anti-beef campaign is
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
essentially a tool to persecute Muslim minorities in rope, what comes to surface is that the VC with his
this country, we would regret for being the mute authoritarian anti dalit orientation, deliberately
spectators of another mass unrest in OUR ignored the letter, leading to this tragedy. The
COUNTRY. The whole cow myth is less anti-Dalit response to Rohith’s death from the ruling
today and more of anti-Muslim propaganda.” (23) dispensation has been very revealing of the politics
which they espouse. Mr. Dattatreya, in tandem with
His understanding of the deeper democratic the local ABVP, termed the ASA activities as being
politics, not being restricted to so-called dalit issues ‘den of casteist, extremists and anti-national
is more than obvious here. The issues of politics’. MHRD minister true to her mindset
marginalized sections- dalits, Adivasis, women and asserted that it is not a dalit issue while some
workers and religious minorities are deeply others doubted Rohith being a dalit, as his mother
interwoven with each other. He is very right that was a dalit but father was OBC. This was to
today the issue of beef eating is raised on emotive undermine the intense injustices due to which
pitch mainly to intimidate and target the Muslim Rohith had to take his life. A small video, trying to
minorities, irrespective of the fact that other create sensation, is being circulated on the social
sections of society also consume it in good measure. media. This video is trying to present Rohith as
The issue of Muzzafar nagar film is also related to being a supporter of terrorists’.
Muslim minorities at one level. At deeper level it is a
part of communal politics, which wants to polarize In the TV debates the RSS-BJP spokespersons are
the community along religious lines to impose coming down heavily on the anti national; casteist
Hindu nationalism which is against the concept of politics. To cap it all the timing and nature of
rights as such. At yet another level his participation expression from Prime Minster says it all. Mr. Modi
in the protest to oppose the death penalty to who generally is a very vocal person; he does not
terrorism accused Yakub Memon; is more from the keep quiet on issues which expose his agenda of
angle of humanism; opposition to death penalty as Hindutva. His earlier being quiet for long on the
such. There is a global movement to oppose the lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq is a case in point. In
death penalty irrespective of the nature of crime Rohith’s case also after five days of being quiet, he
and those with deeper humane values worldwide artificially tried to present a tear jerker, ‘Ma Bharati
and in India do support the abolition of death has lost a son’, while his party men, cabinet
penalty. It was not an act of supporting terrorism in colleague, have been calling him anti national. This
any way. was Modi’s way of putting under the carpet the
underlying issue of anti dalit atrocities, the anti dalit
Annoyed by these secular democratic Human stance of the University administration, BJP M.P. Mr.
positions taken by ASA, ABVP did come to clash Dattatreya, MHRD ministry and ABVP whose joint
with ASA at ideological level. ABVP president actions has caused this death.
Susheel Kumar complained that he was beaten up.
According to the first committee which investigated In a way the whole issue shows the dilemma of
this alleged physical assault the complaint was Hindutva politics. On one hand it is intensifying the
baseless. With the change of Vice Chancellor the activities aimed at opposing secular values,
matters started changing. The pressure of BJP intensifying intimidation of dalits-minorities and
central minister B.Dattatrey backed up by the opposing the voices standing for democratic values.
authority of MHRD minister Smriti Irani, Rohith and With Modi sarkar coming to power all the RSS
his four friends were penalized; their scholarship combine organizations have got a shot in the arms.
was stopped and they were evicted from hostel. They are getting a strong political patronage to
oppose other political tendencies. We have earlier
From his letter to the present Vice Chancellor (VC) seen the role of Central Government in
asking for dalit students being given poison and a unsuccessfully banning Ambedkar Periya Study
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
Circle in IIT Madras. (24) In most of the academic about it means that they want the present caste
campuses the communal student groups have equations to continue.
become more assertive, knowing full well that the
authorities in charge are either pro Hindutva or Mr. Prime Minster in his Ambedkar University
they will buckle under the pressure from the top to address, before moistening his eyes, was lecturing
implement BJP agenda. Pursuing the campaigns for the students that they should emulate Ambedkar
social justice is being opposed very strongly. In the who endured insults and humiliation without
same direction their; RSS progeny Samajik complaint. Similar thing was stated by Mr. Rajnath
Samrasta Manch; is very active. What is being said Singh also. One recalls that Prof. Y. Sudarshan Rao
is that they don’t believe in caste, all castes are who was earlier the Chairman of ICHR, appointed
equal! What it means is that they want to overlook by this Government also defended caste hierarchy
the caste issue as they want to retain caste by saying that nobody complained against it. So on
hierarchy in newer situation by using more subtle one side there is an attempt to appropriate
expressions. Those who want to eradicate a Ambedkar as Hindutva icon, and on the other
particular disease; first recognize it so that it can be Hindutva agenda of preserving caste hierarchy is
dealt with, ignoring caste issues or keeping quiet being rolled out through the concrete interventions
by different affiliates of Hindu nationalism.

***

Chapter 9
Undermining Democracy: Stifling Academic
Institutions
State Repression of JNUSU and unleashing of street Violence

O n the back of the death of Rohith Vemula in

Hyderabad Central University (HCU), one of
the most prestigious University of the country
targeted by the ruling Modi Sarkar. The frightening
things which happened in HCU were just part of
attack on autonomy of universities, on the free
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has been thinking in a democracy. Rohith was forced to kill

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
himself by the machinations of ABVP, which had secular voices in the country. As in Rohith Vemula
brought pressure through a BJP MP on the ministry case the ABVP, has become emboldened to call all
to get Rohith expelled from hostel and to stop his those opposing their politics as anti national and
fellowship. Similarly the local ABVP unit brought are getting the state support to intimidate the
pressure through its usual channels to intimidate voices for social justice; the progressive voices. BJP
and stifle the democratically elected student union related organizations are creating a mass hysteria
in JNU. around ‘Anti national’. All those who don’t endorse
the ‘RSS promoted Hindutva nationalism’ are being
It is alleged that in JNU some anti India; Pro- called as anti national.
Pakistan slogans were shouted. There are confusing
versions as to who did it. Some doctoring of videos All this is a big erosion of the values and practices
is also part of the game unleashed to stifle which India has been nourishing. RSS combine is
democratic freedoms. On the pretext of that seeing this as an opportunity to wipe out all the
Kanhiaya Kumar, the president of the JNUSU was norms and ethos of democratic culture and
arrested and the charges of sedition were slapped dissenting voices. It is a matter of shame that the
on him. Now Kumar is a member of AISF, the police lacks the spine and professionalism and
student wing of CPI, which is opposed to the arrests the likes of Kanhaiya Kumar.
separatist-pro Pakistan stance and in no way can he
be part of type of slogan shouting which is The argument has been uniformly spoken by the
supposed to have taken place. The original video Delhi lawyers taking law in their hands to those
also makes it clear. He neither shouted the slogans indulging in violence, from the ministers and top
nor can anybody be arrested on the charge of BJP leaders to those indulging in street violence.
shouting slogans. The constitutional position as The second observation is that JNU students have
clarified by noted lawyer Soli Sorabjee is that been demonized through the propaganda as being
incitement to violence alone can be termed anti- anti National, and JNU being the den of anti India
National. (25) activities. One recalls that all this demonization of
JNU has started with this Government coming to
How come Delhi police enter the campus? The Vice power. The RSS affiliates, VHP etc have been taking
chancellor, a BJP appointee, is indulging in double the marches to JNU gate to protest against the anti
speak on the issue. On TV he stated that he will be National JNU students and faculty.
the last person to call police in the campus. The
investigation shows that he wrote letters to police Both these arguments show the deeper agenda in a
calling them to take suitable action. Delhi police, way. The anti national rhetoric has been created to
working under Home Minister Rajnath Singh; went generate a mass hysteria against those disagreeing
on recklessly to put the charge of sedition against with BJP politics. The resorting to violence on this
Kumar. The lawyers in the court indulged in pretext clearly shows that this is a concerted effort
violence against those who looked like JNU to browbeat the practices and ideas which are not
students. One BJP MLA is involved in mercilessly in keeping with the RSS-BJP mindset. This hysteria
beating up a CPI activist. This MLA also said that has been created to distract the attention from the
had he got the gun he would have shot those raising social movement building up around the death of
anti India slogans. One journalist was also attacked Rohith Vemula. The all round anger on the Rohith
by BJP supporters. The same violence was repeated issue had put the BJP on the back foot. This creation
by lawyers the next day also and when Kanhaiya of mass hysteria around anti India slogans has been
was being brought to court he was also beaten. created and is leading to street violence. This is an
attempt on the part of BJP associates to wrest the
Now what is happening is a blatant attack by RSS initiative away from the movement which is
controlled ABVP-BJP to crush the democratic building around Rohith. Apart from the attempt to

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
abolish autonomy of universities this is also an dispensation and its political associates’ to create a
attempt to sidetrack the issue of Dalits. The latter mass hysteria around anti-Nationalism and to erode
has also been reflected in the resignation of three the image of a progressive institution like JNU is as
office bearers of ABVP of JNU. These office bearers such an attack on the principles of democracy in the
in their letter point out their dissatisfaction with the country. (26)
Government-BJP-ABVP interference in JNU affairs
and their attitude of undermining the dalit issue as The issue remains whether the mass hysteria and
reflected in their attitude to the death of Rohith. the street violence which has been unleashed on the
pretext of anti India slogans can be brought under
The demonization of JNU again is on purpose. This control? The massive rallies of the students
institute has reflected the democratic spirit, the demanding the release of Kumar, demanding that
freedom of thought, and the progressive values, all government should not interfere in autonomy of
of which are an anathema to the agenda universities and opposing the demonization of JNU
represented by ABVP-BJP. They want to abolish the drew a massive response. ABVP and family in a
autonomy of academic institutions as reflected in recalcitrant manner is mobilizing all through the
their policies in case of FTTI, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi country to protest against ‘Anti nationalism’. All
and HCU to name the few. JNU was a particular those who were part of the JNU students meeting
target due to its outstanding contribution to high and of JNU have condemned the anti-India pro
level of scholarship and adherence to progressive Pakistan slogans. The need is to take up the struggle
secular values. The concerted move by the ruling for preserving democratic values to the masses.

***

Chapter 10

Manufacturing Emotive Issues

T he national scene is being dominated by the

current ‘you must chant Barat Mata ki jai’ to
prove your nationalism. This was preceded by the
‘Anti national' abuse being hurled on all those
showing dissent with the present regime. These two
major issues have been propped up in the recent
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
times and these are trying to undermine the core monotheistic religions also had problem with this
issue of the state’s onslaught on University song. (27)
autonomy, from the issues where the state is trying
to displace the democratic ethos and from failure to In 1937, the 'Song committee' of the Indian National
keep the pre-election promises. This is an attempt Congress with Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam
to prop up a new emotive issue to add to the array amongst others as members selected Jana Gana
of emotive issues already manufactured by the Mana as the national anthem and picked up first
communal forces. two stanzas of Vande Matram as national song,
leaving out other stanzas, which had imagery of
This was thrown up by RSS patriarch Mohan Hindu goddess.
Bhagwat when he said early March 2016 that "Now
the time has come when we have to tell the new Similarly Bharat Mata ki Jai was one amongst many
generation to chant '*Bharat Mata Ki Jai'* (Hail slogans to exhort the people during freedom
Mother India). Armed with this cue Asadduddin movement. Other slogans were Jai Hind, Inquilab
Owaisi the MP from Hyderabad and leader of the Jindabad and Allaho Akbar. The response of
MIM, suo motto came forward with provocative communities have not been uniform to these
denial to chant this slogan. He did say he has no slogans.
problems with shouting Jai Hind. This was a While some Muslim groups will not chant Vande
statement parallel and opposite to the spirit of Mataram, the others will freely chant the same and
Bhagwat's statement. one of the most beautiful tune on this has been
Some Muslim sects have been feeling that Vande composed by none other than A. R. Rahman, Ma
Mataram and by extension Bharat Mata ki Jai means Tujhe Salam.
bowing to Goddess mother, something which is Same applies to Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Javed Akhtar
opposed to their understanding of Islam. chanted it time and over again in Rajya Sabha, while
Accordingly some of them refuse the use of both condemning the attitude of Owaisi. Akhtar was
these slogans. In a way Bharat Mata ki Jai is an quiet on whether someone should be forced to
extension of the ‘Vande Matram Kahna Hoga’ chant such slogans in the first place. The jugal bandi
assertion from the aggressive sections, expressing (duet) of RSS-BJP on the one side and MIM, Owaisi
the politics of right wing. on the other is clear. Owaisi had no business to
One recalls in the aftermath of 92-93 post carnage respond to Bhagwat’s comments, as they don’t hold
in Mumbai those participating peace marches were any water in the eyes of the law of the land. He
intimidated to shout Vande Matram by Shiv Sena merely was playing the game of inciting the mob to
elements. Shiv Sena assertion was 'Is Desh mein polarize the communities. This helps the agenda of
Rahna hai to Vande Matram Kahna Hoga' (If you RSS-MIM. Both are a perfect foil to each other.
want to stay in this country, you will have to shout This game of advising-shouting of slogans has been
Vande Mataram). preceded by the scene where anti National label has
Song Vande Matram has a complex history. It was been hurled on JNU students, who had organized
written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and, later meeting to oppose death penalty to Afzal Guru.
was made a part of his novel Anand Math. This There are many dimensions of this issue and there
novel has strong anti Muslim rhetoric. This song are many elements in the student community who
was popular with a section of society, but Muslim do stand for autonomy of Kashmir as was promised
League strongly objected to the song, as the song in article 370, the treaty of accession.
compares India with Goddess Durga. Islam being The meeting at JNU had multiple slogan and the
monotheistic religion does not recognize any other most horrendous slogans were shouted by the
God-Goddess than Allah. Many others belonging to
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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
masked students. The CD which showed the temperature in Delhi and on the other it allies with
students like Kanhaiya Kumar shouting Azadi political parties who challenge many of the things
slogans was a doctored one as the truth has come enshrined in our Constitution.
out by now. Here there are twin issues. One, there is
no investigation as to who doctored the video and The matters are clear. RSS-BJP’s central politics is to
two why the masked youth have not been polarize the communities by raising emotive issues.
apprehended? That apart; hurling anti National Right since its inception RSS on one side kept itself
slogans on JNU students and labeling JNU as a den aloof from the process of ‘Nation formation’ (India
of anti national activities has been engineered by is a nation in the making). That was the time many
the state and by BJP combine. social groups and formations were associating with
freedom movement and in turn becoming part of
Interestingly when 'anti national' rhetoric is being Nation building. RSS talked exclusively of Hindu
used so liberally for those dissenting with the Society and propped up emotive issues of temple
Government, the hypocrisy of the situation is very destruction, bravery of Hindu kings, greatness of
revealing. On one hand 'pro Kashmir autonomy' and Hindu system (which has caste and gender
those opposing death penalty are being dubbed anti hierarchy built into it). It did not recognize tricolor
national by BJP associates while at the same time as Indian flag and in due course propped up issues
BJP had a coalition government with PDP, related to cow slaughter, beef eating, Indianization
Mahbooba Mufti’s party in Kashmir. PDP regards of Muslims, Ram Temple, Ghar Wapasi and love
Afzal Guru as a hero and martyr. While The jihad. Now two more issues have been added to the
intensity of attack is directed at JNU, similar slogans list, anti nationalism, and Bharat mata ki Jai.
have been part of daily life of sections of Kashmiri
people from many decades. Lo and behold BJP also Its’ only by keeping up emotive issues alive that
has an electoral alliance with Akali Dal who uphold society can be polarized on one hand and the issues
Anand Pur Sahib resolution calling for autonomous related to deeper societal concerns can be kept at
Sikh state of Khalisthan. bay. Such emotive issues are used to distract the
social forces from the core issues of the
Let's recall the in North East the integration process downtrodden sections of the society. In
to 'Indian Nation' has seen many bumps and contemporary times the types of concern raised by
separatism has been part of the process running Rohith Vemula and Kanhaiya Kumar have drawn
along with integration process on the other. the focus to the real issues of dalits, farmers suicide,
betrayal of promises by Modi Sarkar to name a few.
The whole sedition laws needs to be examined and
the anti national label being dished out is more to With Bharat Mata Ki Jai the emotive pitch is on the
promote emotive issues. BJP’s hypocrisy on this peak along with attempts to erase Rohith Vemula
issue stands exposed as on one side it raises from public memory.

***

Summing Up
As the matters stand it is becoming clear that all the is to oppose the secular, plural and democratic
wings of RSS are in full action. They are getting all activities in the campuses as witnessed in
the protection and support from ruling government. Hyderabad Central University, Allahabad University
The RSS progeny which has come to most and JNU in particular.
prominence is ABVP, which has been in the lime
light in different educational campuses. Its direction

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
HCU and JNU in particular tell us as to how brazenly the democratic platform. This upsurge of youth is a
ABVP can assert itself on the issues related to guide to the national movement as a whole
pluralism and democracy, with due support from reminding us of the need for all anti-communal
ruling party. Incidents have also revealed the forces to come together at social and political level
attacks on dalits and other democratic formations to oppose the rising tide of authoritarianism in the
are possible by ABVP as it has the protective cover name of religion-Hindutva. While the electoral
of the authorities who have been chosen based on experiment in Bihar has given the first respite, the
their loyalty to Hindutva ideology. students are providing the ground for march of the
movement to protect democracy.
On one hand we have this imposition of RSS
ideology, on the other students and youth have We are in for challenging times. There are attacks
come forward to defend the mantle of progressive and there is hope. We definitely can look forward to
values. The most heartening thing of recent times is a united platform of all forces believing in the
that the students of different political persuasions, values of Indian Constitution to come together and
Ambedkarite-left-socialists are coming together on preserve the values of the same.

***

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Modi Sarkar: Unfolding of Hindutva Agenda
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1. Anhad, 365 Days of Democracy and Secularism, Delhi 2015

2. Nilofar Suharawardy, Image and Substance: Modi’s First Year in Office- Pharos Media Delhi, 2015

3. Shamsul Islam, Muslims against Partition, Pharos Media, Delhi, 2015,

4. Shamsul Islam, A Critique of Golwalkar’s ‘We or our Nationhood defined’, Pharos Media, 2011

5. Shamsul Islam, Know the RSS, Pharos Media, 2015

6. L.S. Hardenia, RSS Ideology: greatest danger for Democracy, Bhopal, 2014

7. Ram Puniyani, Indian Nationalism versus Hindu Nationalism, Pharos Media, 2016

8. Ram Puniyani, Holy Cow: Indian Political Chessboard (Edited), Media House Delhi 2015

9. Ram Puniyani, Ghar Wapsi, Conversions and Freedom of Religion (Edited), Media House Delhi 2015

===========================================================================================

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