All articles tagged with #hindu nationalism
A strike at the Eiffel Tower involving a Hindu sect BAPS thrusts a debate on Hindutva into French politics, drawing comments from across the spectrum and prompting diaspora groups to warn against rising anti-immigrant rhetoric; the incident coincides with Modi-era temple diplomacy and highlights tensions around religious nationalism and how far-right critique may shape discourse in France and among Indians abroad.
New York Democratic candidate Brad Lander was booed and subjected to antisemitic abuse by protesters outside Madison Square Garden as Mohan Bhagwat — head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh — spoke to about 5,000 attendees. Lander, who has criticized Israel but identifies as a liberal Zionist, was forced to move to safety amid the confrontation, which highlighted tensions around Hindu nationalism and minority rights. Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized RSS’s ideology as exclusionary, while The Post notes it sought Lander’s comment after the incident.
Two years after losing a parliamentary majority, Modi’s BJP has swept multiple state victories—including West Bengal and Assam—expanding its reach to 22 of 36 states and paving the way for a possible fourth term in 2029. The comeback stems from Modi’s populist blend of robust infrastructure growth, extensive welfare schemes and relentless campaigning. Critics warn that Hindu nationalism and perceived tilt toward powerful institutions threaten India’s secular democracy, while opponents fault disunity; nonetheless the BJP’s grassroots revival marks a dramatic reshaping of India’s political map.
A new Bollywood film, The Taj Story, promotes the long-standing claim that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu structure rather than a Mughal tomb, reviving debunked theories and stoking sectarian tensions. Critics say the movie rehashes fringe ideas, blurs fact and fiction, and serves nationalist narratives. The piece traces origins to P. N. Oak, notes repeated court dismissals of the claims, and highlights how the controversy has entered mainstream discourse online, even as historians and the Archaeological Survey of India push back.
A CSOH/India Hate Lab report shows a sharp rise in hate speech and violence against Christians and Muslims in India under Modi’s BJP-RSS environment, with 1,318 hate-speech events in 2025 (up 97% since 2023) and attacks across states including Raipur, Delhi, and Kerala. Anti-Christian rhetoric grew alongside anti-Muslim hate, often framed as “forced conversions” or conspiracies like “love jihad,” and linked to BJP-affiliated groups and leaders. Experts warn this escalating rhetoric facilitates violence and seeks to consolidate political support for Hindu majoritarianism while triggering laws targeting religious conversions.
The article discusses the rise of Hindu nationalism in India, driven by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has transformed India's secular identity into a Hindu-first nation over the past decade, with significant influence on politics, culture, and education under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the recent election but with a significantly reduced mandate, securing only 240 seats and falling short of a majority in the lower house of parliament. This outcome forces Modi to rely on coalition partners for the first time in his decade-long rule, raising questions about his ability to govern effectively. The BJP's weaker performance, particularly in key states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, signals voter dissatisfaction with Modi's governance and Hindu nationalist agenda. The opposition, led by the Indian National Congress and its allies, made substantial gains, marking a significant shift in India's political landscape.
The article critically examines the political career of Narendra Modi, highlighting his controversial rise to power, his association with the 2002 Gujarat riots, and his tenure as Prime Minister of India. It discusses Modi's use of Hindu nationalism, his alleged corruption, and his ability to maintain electoral dominance despite significant opposition. The piece also touches on the challenges faced by the Congress Party and other opposition groups in countering Modi's influence.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a polarizing figure known for his Hindu nationalist agenda and economic reforms, has secured a third consecutive term despite his party not winning a majority on its own. Modi's tenure has seen significant economic growth and social welfare improvements, but also increased religious tensions and accusations of undermining democracy. His leadership style, rooted in Hindu nationalism, has both fervent supporters and strong critics.
As India's election nears its end, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial for two days of meditation, a move seen as a display of religiosity to bolster Hindu-nationalist sentiment. Modi's campaign has increasingly intertwined religious symbolism with politics, raising concerns about rising Islamophobia and deepening religious divides in the constitutionally secular nation.
India begins voting in the world's largest election, with nearly 970 million voters electing 543 members to the lower house of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a rare third term, facing a tough challenge from a broad opposition alliance. The election is seen as a referendum on Modi's Hindu nationalist politics and economic development, with critics warning of growing illiberalism and threats to India's secular roots. The BJP hopes to secure a landslide win, while the opposition alliance promises to arrest what it sees as a democratic slide under Modi's rule.
Hindu nationalism, once a fringe ideology in India, has become mainstream under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, heavily influenced by the paramilitary right-wing group RSS. Modi's political upbringing in the RSS has shaped his policies, leading to attacks against minorities and blurring the line between religion and state. As he campaigns for a third term, Modi's popularity and influence have made Hindu nationalism acceptable to a nation of 1.4 billion, with immense support from the Hindu majority.
The upcoming Indian election is expected to result in a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which aims to reshape India as a Hindu nation. The BJP's Hindu nationalist ideology, rooted in the early 20th century, seeks to marginalize Muslims and Christians, and has already led to discriminatory laws and policies. With a strong majority, the BJP could further solidify its vision, potentially altering the constitution and fundamentally restructuring the Indian state. The opposition faces challenges, and the outcome of the election will have significant implications for the future of India and its diverse population.
India has announced rules to implement a controversial citizenship bill that excludes Muslims, providing a fast-track to citizenship for immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, but not for Muslims. The bill, originally passed in 2019, has been heavily protested by opposition parties, claiming it marginalizes India's 200-million Muslim population. Critics argue that it reflects the Hindu nationalist agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, leading to religious divisions and persecution of minorities in the country.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, a new temple built on the site of an ancient mosque torn down by a Hindu mob in 1992, marking a significant event for many Hindus but also symbolizing Modi's vision for India's future. Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has worked to replace India's secular democracy with a Hindu sectarian state, revoking autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir, implementing biased citizenship and immigration rules, and suppressing critical speech. The construction of the temple is a culmination of this agenda, reflecting the erosion of Indian democracy and the rise of Hindu nationalism under Modi's leadership.