How the BJP Promotes Hindutva through a Nationalist Agenda https://www.epw.in/engage/article/how-bjp-promotes-hindutva-through-nationalist PDF: https://www.epw.in/node/154321/pdf Under Modi, the BJP has espoused a more extreme ideology and used nationalism to gain support for right-wing policy, and to unite sentiments against religious minorities.
Suhas Palshikar: Instead of the coexistence of democracy, nationalism and diversity, binaries are now being posed upon the populace: democracy vs nationalism and nationalism vs diversity. Palshikar contends that this has led to the emergence of a new political elite and political culture in India, which in the absence of an effective political counter, could cement this new hegemony. (https://www.epw.in/journal/2018/33/indias-democracy-today/towards-hegemony.html)
Atul Sood: A “politics of hate” can work to build a consensus for ruling class economics. nationalism is often used by governments to hide their shortcomings, or to conceal fragmented social realities. BJP uses nationalism to appeal to the so-called “aspirational” class, whose impatience allows the party to make economic and social decisions on behalf of the nation. (https://www.epw.in/journal/2016/37/perspective/majoritarian-rationale-and-common-goals.html)
Ganshyam Shah: the BJP does not rely solely upon its Hindutva ideology to win votes, instead copying the Congress’ electoral strategy by building a base among OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis, and also by fielding numerous OBC candidates for mass support. While the Congress campaigned around the fact that the BJP was a communal party, they were unable to convince the masses why communal politics were dangerous to the nation. (https://www.epw.in/journal/1996/2-3/special-articles/gujarat-bjp-s-rise-power.html)
Anand Teltumbde : Gandhi first articulated Ram rajya as a concept during the freedom movement, but disassociated it from religion. Teltumbde contends that such a state under the BJP would exclude Dalits, Adivasis, and other minorities. the Congress is pedlling “soft Hindutva” to reiterate that it is not “anti-Hindu.”
Radhika Ramaseshan: The Tripura election result shows that demography played a larger role, with only 9% of the population Muslim. Further, the Hindu agenda failed to make inroads in other North East states, where its vegetarianism drive and “save the cow” campaign failed to resonate with voters.