Results for: Hindutva

Deepak Kesarkar, a Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader, alleged that ‘fatwas’ played a significant role in the victory of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai during the recent Lok Sabha elections. He claimed that Muslim voters were convinced that former CM Uddhav Thackeray had abandoned Hindutva ideologies, leading them to support Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates. Kesarkar also accused Pakistan of orchestrating a conspiracy to undermine the NDA government’s efforts, and he criticized the opposition for misleading Dalit communities about the Citizenship Amendment Act. Despite securing seven parliamentary seats in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena (UBT) remained in opposition as the BJP-led NDA fell short of its goal, winning only 17 seats. The Mahayuti coalition, which included the BJP and Shiv Sena, managed to win just one seat in the Marathwada region, a stronghold of the Maratha agitation.

Mani Shankar Aiyar, an English-speaking intellectual, and Lalu Prasad Yadav, a Hindi-speaking politician from a rural background, embody distinct approaches to secularism in India. While Aiyar represents the gated community of India’s English-speaking secular elite, Yadav is a champion of the subalterns, the marginalized Hindu masses. Aiyar’s secularism focuses on inter-religious harmony, while Yadav’s extends to intra-religious justice, challenging caste domination and patriarchy within Hinduism. Both politicians face challenges in fostering subaltern secularism, with Aiyar struggling to reconcile his party’s elitism with the subaltern turn, and Yadav confronting resistance from within his own party to his emphasis on caste justice.

A report released by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC) has sparked controversy, claiming that religious minorities in India are safe and face no discrimination. However, critics argue that the report’s findings are based on outdated data and overlook key demographic trends. The issue of Muslim population growth has become a focal point, with some raising concerns about the ‘population jihad’ and the potential threat to the Hindu majority. However, demographers dismiss these fears, citing declining fertility rates and educational improvements among Muslims. The report’s use of population growth as an indicator of well-being is also questioned, as higher fertility rates are often associated with illiteracy and economic backwardness. Experts emphasize that the status of religious minorities should be assessed based on their access to education, social welfare, and representation in power structures. While India boasts a large Muslim population, their fertility rates are declining and are projected to stabilize in the future. Therefore, fears of Hindus becoming a minority are unfounded.

This cartoon sheds light on the BJP’s strategic use of religion and Hindutva to secure votes in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as highlighted by Madhavan Narayanan. The cartoon serves as a reminder of the party’s ongoing efforts to exploit religious sentiments for political gain.

Fr. Paul Thelakat, a respected public figure and former spokesperson of the Syro-Malabar Church, has strongly criticized efforts to drive a wedge between Christian and Muslim communities in Kerala. He condemned the screening of the propaganda film ‘The Kerala Story’ by a section of the Syro Malabar Church, calling it an attempt to fan the flames of hatred and bigotry. He expressed concern about the lack of moral leadership within the church, which allows some to succumb to propaganda against other communities. He also warned of the dangers of Hindutva ideology, which aims to transform India into a Hindu Rashtra, where minorities face discrimination and persecution.

Members of various Hindutva organizations staged a protest in Belagavi to demand justice for Neha Hiremath, who was brutally murdered in Hubballi recently. The protestors demanded capital punishment for the accused and protection for the victim’s family.