Hindutva is an extremist term coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his pamphlet Hindutva: Who is Hindu? The core belief of its devotees is that India only belongs to Hindus weighing Muslims and Christians as a minority creating an atmosphere of hatred and ethnic polarization. Notorious organizations that arose from this ideology are Rashtariya Swayamsek Sangh( RSS) in which the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, Nathuram Godse was grounded, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the ruling party of India Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Hindu Rashtra-inspired Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP) increasing political control, India’s traditionalist Hindutuva-inspired approach is dominating its statecraft
The Hindu Rashtra-inspired Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP) increasing political control, India’s traditionalist Hindutuva-inspired approach is dominating its statecraft absorbing the state nationalistic elements which is obstructing its capacity to allow for pragmatic engagement. This extreme rhetoric reflected through unethical political strategies is not only a concern for its domestic practical decision-makers but also its neighboring states. India is constantly targeting Pakistan by conducting terror engagements and ambiguously accusing Pakistan of the same. Pakistan and India are two strong militaries with nuclear capacities and this short-sighted policy approach from India can shake the peace and stability of the region.
BJP’s political leadership has implied a Hindu-centric approach to domestic policymaking in the form of the National Register of Civil in Assam and Citizen Amendment Act which has raised significant concerns in Dhaka. The results of such drastic measures can also be witnessed in the recent Manipur incidents, which caused displacements of over 60,000 people. There are multiple other examples of Hindu-extremist leading aggressive activities such as the Gujarat Riots of 2002, the Demolition of Babri Masjid, and Anti- Muslim Violence of 2013 in Muzafargarh, and hundreds of cow vigilante incidents. This discourse-building has been done by the Hindu-centric leadership of the BJP over the period. These ethno-national policies not only affect domestic stability but are also a threat to regional peace.
The illegal abrogation of Article 370 was executed only to earn votes and support from the Hindutuva-inspired extremist population
Narinder Modi’s leadership fueled the narrative of national aggression various times against Pakistan, to meet its heinous political objectives. The illegal abrogation of Article 370 was executed only to earn votes and support from the Hindutuva-inspired extremist population. The failed Balakot Strikes in Pakistan is another example of this radical thinking. India is involved in state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan which is evident not only from the recent incident of the Jaffar train hijacking but also from compelling proof of India’s state-sponsored terrorism has been presented in a recent press conference by Director General Inter Service Relations.
Along with brutal terror practices, India shamelessly accused Pakistan of the Pulwama attack without providing any substantial evidence. A similar practice was done in the false flag operation of the Phalgam attack where Pakistan is accused under less than ten minutes of the incident that took place inside the occupied territory of India in the presence of 7000 military personnel. Pakistan at the time of Pulwama and Phalgam is firm on the stance that, Pakistan is open for a neutral and transparent investigation of the incident. In addition, Pakistan aims to respond with all its military capabilities to any aggressive action against the sovereignty of its state.
The USA has acknowledged Pakistan’s narrative by demanding a neutral and transparent investigation of the Pahalgam attack
Pakistan and the International Society have condemned the killings of innocent people in Phalgam. But since the BJP government is involved in cross broader killings in Canada, the USA, and Pakistan, the International community is not buying the BJP’s political theater. The USA has acknowledged Pakistan’s narrative by demanding a neutral and transparent investigation of the Pahalgam attack. None of the international stakeholders including the United Nations Security Council has seconded the Indian blame game on Pakistan. However, this war mocking can have serious implications for the region’s stability.
Pakistan and India both are equipped with modern destructive weaponry as well as nuclear arsenals. According to a study of Proceeding of National Academy Science, by Jonas Jagermeyr at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, even a limited nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan could lead to severe famine that would likely last for more than a decade. Furthermore, any escalation between the two could undermine the multi-lateral peace-building efforts like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Any military action can have severe economic and trade disruptions in the region.
BJP should stop its unreasonable ethnocentric agenda to maintain peace in the region
The RSS-inspired BJP does not only pose a threat to minorities in India but its xenophobic religious discourse is now a threat to the region’s stability. BJP should stop its unreasonable ethnocentric agenda to maintain peace in the region and should maintain a commitment to secularism.
In case of any armed conflict, not only Pakistan but the whole region would suffer
Pakistan maintains clear standing on being a defensive state and in case of any violation, the response would be given similar to what has happened in 2019. In case of any armed conflict, not only Pakistan but the whole region would suffer as a consequence of extreme and aggressive Indian policies. International Society should intervene and conduct transparent investigations to have a clear picture of the culprit to maintain peace. As peace is essential for the growth and prosperity of nations.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
