Hindutva Under Modi’s Regime: Consequences for Regional and International Security

Abstract

In the wake of independence, Indian founding fathers realized that in a country highly divided into communal differences based on caste, creed, religion, ethnicity, and regionalism of conflicting nature, only secularism could work as a great cementing force for the diverse communities of India. That dream appeared short-lived and space for secular ideology faded away creating a vacuum and providing Hindutva with an opportunity for its growth by filling the vacuum in the Society. Over time, it has appeared as a dominant social movement than ever before and has, ultimately attained political dominance as a unique wave in the electoral success of a political party of Hindu nationalists, the BJP, under the leadership of Narendra Modi. As the domestic policies and strategic decisions under the Modi regime have been mostly influenced by the Hindu extremist ideology of RSS, the BJP government has made this narrative a social reality with its overarching implications on India‟s political landscape and its subsequent reflection on regional and international peace as well. Besides, an exclusive and non-accommodative strategy of Modi-led BJP in the guise of Hindu majoritarian norms has currently led India‟s transition into a destabilized parochial polity with regional consequences. The article attempts to search out historical evolution of Hindutva ideology, its features and dominance in the period of the BJP government from 2014 onwards. It also highlights the emerging nature of society in India as well as the threat to environment of the region.