India, the world's largest democracy, has long prided itself on its pluralism and secularism, ideals enshrined in its Constitution. However, recent years have witnessed a profound and disturbing shift in the political and social landscape of the country. Under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, religion—specifically Hinduism—has been increasingly weaponized to consolidate political power, marginalize minorities, and reshape the national identity. The rise of Hindutva ideology, which seeks to establish Hindu primacy in India's socio-political fabric, marks a dramatic departure from the secular vision championed by the country’s founding fathers. This article explores how religion is being used as a tool for political domination in contemporary India and the implications of this majoritarian agenda for its democratic future.
Historical Context: Secular Foundations
India's independence movement was marked by a vision of unity across religious lines. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, and other leaders emphasized secularism and inclusive nationalism. The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, guaranteed equality before the law, freedom of religion, and protection of minority rights. While communal tensions were never entirely absent—partition itself being a bloody reminder of religious divisions—India’s political ethos largely resisted the idea of religious majoritarianism.
This delicate secular balance began to erode in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly with the rise of the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 marked a turning point, symbolizing the assertion of Hindu nationalism and the beginning of a more aggressive religious polarization.
The Rise of Hindutva
Hindutva, a term popularized by V.D. Savarkar in the 1920s, goes beyond religious devotion; it is a political ideology that equates Indian identity with Hindu identity. Unlike Hinduism, which is diverse and philosophical, Hindutva is rigid, exclusionary, and ultra-nationalistic. The RSS, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Bajrang Dal have long worked to promote this ideology at the grassroots, but it is under the BJP-led government that Hindutva has achieved state patronage.
Since 2014, with Narendra Modi’s ascent to power, Hindutva has entered the political mainstream. Campaigns are often laced with religious undertones, and policies increasingly reflect majoritarian interests. The BJP’s electoral rhetoric routinely invokes the supremacy of Hindu civilization, and dissenting voices are branded as anti-national or “urban Naxals.”
Legislating Majoritarianism
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
One of the most glaring examples of religious discrimination was the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019. The CAA offers fast-tracked citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. This marked the first time Indian citizenship criteria were explicitly based on religion. When coupled with the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), there is widespread fear that millions of Indian Muslims could be rendered stateless.
Protests erupted nationwide, notably led by students and women, but were often met with state violence. In Delhi, peaceful demonstrations like those in Shaheen Bagh were demonized, and police were accused of colluding with Hindu mobs during communal riots in early 2020.
Anti-Conversion and Cow Protection Laws
Several BJP-ruled states have passed laws ostensibly to prevent forced religious conversions, but in practice, these laws are used to harass interfaith couples and criminalize Muslim men marrying Hindu women under the fabricated specter of “Love Jihad.” Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka are among the states with stringent anti-conversion laws.
Similarly, cow protection has become a pretext for vigilantism. Muslims and Dalits have been lynched by mobs for allegedly transporting or consuming beef. In many of these cases, the perpetrators enjoy impunity, with investigations either stalled or deflected. Instead of condemning such violence unequivocally, political leaders often offer tacit support or remain silent.
Temple Building and Cultural Symbolism
The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid, is a crowning achievement for the Hindutva movement. While the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict granted land for the temple, critics argue that the decision rewarded illegal acts and set a dangerous precedent. The government’s open endorsement of the temple’s consecration further blurred the line between religion and state.
Religious symbolism now pervades public discourse and state affairs. From renaming cities to removing Mughal references from textbooks, there is a deliberate effort to rewrite history in favor of Hindu supremacism. This not only marginalizes India’s rich Muslim heritage but also fosters a sense of “otherness” among minority communities.
Media and Propaganda Machinery
The transformation of India into a de facto Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation) is not just happening through legislation and violence but also through control of the narrative. A vast media machinery, both mainstream and digital, serves as the echo chamber of the ruling regime. Channels like Republic TV, Times Now, and Zee News often indulge in hate-mongering and target dissenters.
WhatsApp forwards, Facebook posts, and YouTube channels propagate fake news and communal content, often originating from BJP-affiliated groups. The ecosystem ensures that the Hindutva worldview dominates public discourse, while voices of secularism, pluralism, and dissent are drowned out or labeled anti-national.
Targeting Minorities
The systematic targeting of India’s Muslim population is the most visible aspect of this majoritarian agenda. Muslims are frequently portrayed as invaders, terrorists, or demographic threats. From bulldozing Muslim homes in the name of illegal encroachments to disproportionately incarcerating them under terrorism laws, the state has weaponized institutions to suppress a whole community.
Other minorities are not spared either. Christians face increasing attacks on churches and accusations of forced conversions. Tribal communities, whose indigenous faiths differ from mainstream Hinduism, are also being “Hinduised.” Sikhs, especially those sympathetic to farmer protests or Khalistan concerns, are being watched with suspicion.
Dalits, although part of the Hindu fold, remain at the receiving end of caste oppression. Hindutva seeks to incorporate Dalits symbolically, often showcasing Dalit deities or leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, while ignoring their material and social grievances.
Erosion of Democratic Institutions
Weaponizing religion goes hand in hand with weakening democratic institutions. The judiciary, once a bulwark against authoritarianism, is increasingly perceived as pliant. The delay in hearing critical constitutional matters—such as the abrogation of Article 370 or the electoral bonds scheme—reflects this institutional decay.
Agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department are routinely used to target opposition leaders and dissenters. Universities, once bastions of critical thinking, are being saffronized, and student activism is under surveillance. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sedition laws are deployed to silence journalists, activists, and academics.
The International Response
India’s descent into majoritarianism has not gone unnoticed globally. International human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized the Indian government for its treatment of minorities and crackdown on civil liberties. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly recommended designating India as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
Yet, geopolitical considerations and economic interests have prevented many democratic countries from taking a firm stand. India’s large market, strategic location, and role as a counterbalance to China mean that global powers often choose pragmatism over principle.
Resistance and Hope
Despite the grim scenario, resistance persists. Civil society groups, independent journalists, students, farmers, and women continue to fight back. The anti-CAA protests, although eventually subdued, revealed the potential for mass mobilization across religious and regional lines. The year-long farmers’ protest forced the government to repeal controversial farm laws, proving that grassroots resistance can succeed.
Regional parties, though often opportunistic, act as counterweights to BJP’s centralizing tendencies. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have resisted Hindutva incursions with relative success.
The judiciary, though compromised in many instances, still has pockets of independence. Activists like Teesta Setalvad, Anand Teltumbde, and Harsh Mander, despite persecution, continue to speak truth to power. Young voices, both online and offline, are asserting a vision of India rooted in justice, diversity, and equality.
Conclusion
The weaponization of religion in India is not merely a political strategy—it is an existential threat to the very idea of India as a secular, pluralistic democracy. The majoritarian agenda being pursued systematically erodes the rights of minorities, undermines institutions, and redefines citizenship on exclusionary lines.
Hindutva’s rise has created a society where identity is policed, history is manipulated, and violence is normalized. It is crucial for citizens, institutions, and the international community to recognize these dangers and push back against the tide of religious nationalism. The future of Indian democracy depends on reclaiming the constitutional promise of secularism—not just as a legal principle, but as a lived reality for all.
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