Modi’s India, secularism versus Hindu nationalism

An interesting political situation has emerged in neighbouring India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is persistent in championing the forthcoming polls and grasping the Country’s premiership for the consecutive third time, while his staunch rivals are endeavouring hard to fail him in his plan which is a tough job so far.

More than two dozen opposition parties in India have decided to jointly contest the 2024 national elections against Narendra Modi as they aim to prevent the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) third straight victory. The 28-party bloc called the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), has recently announced that the group will work out seat-sharing arrangements in different states to avoid splitting votes in favour of Modi’s BJP.

India’s national elections are scheduled to be held in May next year, while the run of Kutch has commenced ahead of a crucial nationwide contest that has equal stacks for the ruling BJP government as well as the Congress-led 28-parties network. Both warring groups mull over the prospects to defeat each other through strategic deception, deceit and propaganda. The 28-member alliance has created a real challenge for the Modi regime, which has lost ground in the country besides improving its credibility at the global level.

Currently, the opposition has challenged Modi’s regime on its economic record, rising unemployment and a host of other domestic problems, including rising anti-Muslim sentiment and atrocities against Christians, Sikhs and Dalits. Opposition also slammed the Modi government for its authoritarian rule, reducing space for free media, and positive criticism, trashing India’s secular ideology and mishandling the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Congress-led alliance aimed at defeating Modi’s BJP through mutual seat adjustment and evolving strategy during the months-long Lok Sabha and state elections scheduled in mid-2024. Interestingly, the Modi government was also well aware of the plans of its political rivals and the government has introduced the idea of a one nation one election formula to tactfully handle its opponents by holding countrywide polls simultaneously that would be the first of its kind in Hindustan history.

Historically, Modi’s BJP has gained power by promoting Hindu nationalism, spreading hate speech and monetizing cow vanigatlizatism over the past decades, it persistently fueled hate and violence against minorities and low casts to boost its politics ahead of crucial polls to gain victory for third times in India’s history.

The majority of the civic groups have joined hands to reset India’s secularism and rebirth previous social and civic life in the country, whereas RSS led Hindutva regime blatantly pursuing his hate philosophy to get a stronghold in Bharat. Presently, a tug of war is continuing between Hindu nationalism and Secular forces in our neighbourhood, the time will decide about the champion which will not only set fate of Indians but equally effects peace and stability in the region.