India, a nation long celebrated for its pluralistic ethos and secular foundations, faces an escalating challenge to its social fabric under the current political dispensation. The ideology championed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, deeply rooted in Hindu nationalism, or Hindutva, has demonstrably intensified societal divisions and fuelled a climate of hatred. This transformation manifests through a systematic marginalisation of religious minorities, the promotion of a singular cultural identity, and the weaponisation of historical narratives, leading to a palpable erosion of national unity and an alarming rise in communal tensions and violence. The implications of this shift extend beyond rhetoric, impacting legislative frameworks, institutional independence, and the everyday lives of millions, particularly India's Muslim population.
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Historically, India's identity has been a complex tapestry woven from diverse religions, languages, and cultures, united by a constitutional commitment to secularism. However, the rise of Hindutva as a dominant political force, spearheaded by the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has fundamentally altered this understanding. Hindutva posits India as a Hindu nation, where non-Hindus, especially Muslims and Christians, are often relegated to a secondary status, perceived as 'outsiders' despite centuries of shared history and heritage. Consequently, this ideological shift is not merely academic; it translates into concrete policies and a pervasive narrative that actively seeks to redefine Indian nationhood along narrow religious lines. The resulting environment has, moreover, seen an alarming normalisation of anti-minority sentiment, fostering a growing sense of fear and insecurity among non-Hindu communities.
Several key arguments illustrate how the BJP's ideology under Narendra Modi is fostering hatred and division in India.
Firstly, the systematic marginalisation of religious minorities, particularly Muslims, has become a hallmark of the current era. This marginalisation is multifaceted, encompassing discriminatory legislation, divisive public rhetoric, and the perceived impunity of those who commit acts of violence against these communities. A critical example, demonstrative of this legislative bias, is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, which fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from select neighbouring countries, explicitly excluding Muslims. This law, seen by critics as a direct assault on India's secular constitution, sparked widespread protests and was, furthermore, criticised by human rights organisations for its inherently discriminatory nature. Moreover, the push for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), while ostensibly aimed at equality, is viewed with deep suspicion by minority communities who fear it will erode their distinct personal laws and cultural practices, thereby further centralising a majoritarian Hindu identity. Beyond legislation, reports from organisations like Human Rights Watch highlight how prejudices, now seemingly embedded within the government, have infiltrated independent institutions, such as the police and courts, empowering nationalist groups to threaten, harass, and attack religious minorities with alarming impunity. Correspondingly, the Council on Foreign Relations notes that anti-Muslim sentiments have heightened considerably under Modi's leadership, with violence against Muslims becoming more common since 2014; indeed, specifically since his re-election in 2019, controversial policies have been pushed that critics argue explicitly ignore Muslim rights and restrict religious freedoms, potentially disenfranchising millions.
Second, the promotion of a singular cultural and historical narrative that privileges Hindu identity has actively sidelined the contributions and existence of other communities. This revisionist approach to history often demonises past Muslim rulers and exaggerates historical grievances, thereby fostering a sense of victimhood among the Hindu majority and resentment towards Muslims. The construction of the Ram Temple at the disputed Ayodhya site, where the Babri Masjid once stood, serves as a potent symbol of this narrative. While a complex legal issue, the manner in which the temple's construction has been championed by the BJP, often invoking triumphalist rhetoric, has deepened communal divides. Consequently, textbooks and public discourse are increasingly being reshaped to align with this Hindu-centric view, leading to a diminished recognition of India's diverse cultural heritage. This selective historical interpretation further contributes to the 'otherisation' of non-Hindus, portraying them as alien to the 'true' Indian identity. Adding to this, the India Foundation discusses how the association of the motherland with the sacred, encapsulated in 'Bharat Mata', has become a definitive facet of Hindu nationalist thought, enduring to this day and sometimes seen as exclusive by large sections of India's Muslims due to its explicitly Hindu symbolism.
Thirdly, the widespread proliferation of hate speech and disinformation, often emanating from political leaders and affiliated groups, has created a toxic public discourse. A stark illustration of this trend is found in a report by India Hate Lab in 2024, which revealed a 74% increase in anti-minority hate speech in India, peaking notably during the national elections, with 98.5% of recorded instances directed against Muslims. The report explicitly mentions that politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, were among the most frequent purveyors of hate speech. Furthermore, 931, or 79.9%, of these hate speech events took place in states governed by the BJP or its allies. This surge in hate speech is not merely rhetorical; it often precedes or accompanies acts of violence. Such rhetoric includes calls for economic boycotts of Muslim businesses, the destruction of Muslim properties, and even explicit calls to arms, as meticulously detailed by the India Hate Lab report. Human Rights Watch also noted in August 2024 that Modi's electoral campaign frequently used hate speech against Muslims and other minorities, making 'blatantly false claims' to incite discrimination, hostility, and violence. The consistent nature of this hateful rhetoric, amplified by social media and often met with insufficient action from authorities, normalises prejudice and cultivates an environment where violence against minorities is implicitly sanctioned.
Finally, the normalisation of vigilante violence and mob lynchings, particularly over issues like cow slaughter, underscores the deepening communal divide. While cow protection has historical roots in certain Hindu traditions, under the current government, it has been deliberately weaponised to target Muslim communities. Significantly, between 2015 and 2018, cow protection mobs, predominantly in BJP-governed states, caused at least 44 deaths and 280 injuries, according to Ballard Brief. The brutal lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in 2015 over allegations of consuming beef and the killing of Pehlu Khan in 2017 while transporting cattle are stark examples of this disturbing trend. These incidents are often characterised by a lack of swift justice for victims and a perceived leniency towards perpetrators, further emboldening those who engage in such violence. This pervasive environment of impunity perpetuates a corrosive cycle of fear and distrust, as minority communities feel increasingly vulnerable and unprotected by the state.
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The critical analysis reveals that the BJP's embrace of Hindutva under Narendra Modi has shifted India from its foundational secular principles towards a majoritarian ethno-religious nationalism. This trajectory not only undermines constitutional guarantees of equality but also actively dismantles the social cohesion painstakingly built over decades. The consequences are profound, threatening the very essence of India's democratic and pluralistic identity.
In conclusion, the ideology propagated by the BJP under Narendra Modi, rooted in Hindu nationalism, is unequivocally fuelling hatred and division in India. This is evident through the systematic marginalisation of religious minorities, the promotion of a singular cultural and historical narrative, the pervasive spread of hate speech, and the normalisation of vigilante violence. The once-cherished vision of India as a vibrant, inclusive democracy, where diverse communities coexisted harmoniously, is being progressively eroded, replaced by a society increasingly polarised along religious line.
