The remarkable success of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2019 general elections in India was owed to the Hindutva. The fact is cause for serious concern for peace in South Asia.
Hindutva ideology is often defined as aggressive Hindu nationalism. It is frequently invoked to spread hatred and preach violence against Pakistan. Closer to home it targets minorities, especially Muslims in India and abroad. For several years now, with BJP leadership in power, Hindutva has been used to threaten war against Pakistan.
It is ironic to see India claiming that it feels threatened by Pakistan and China. BJP’s Hindutva narrative sells its war pitch against Pakistan alone. The 2019 post-Pulwama incidents present a practical manifestation of the Hindutva hazards. The use of phrases like “qatal ki raat” (the night of murder) and “mother of nuclear bombs” by Prime Minister Modi has exposed India as an irresponsible nuclear state. It is illuminating that the United Nations remained silent following the war threats that could have escalated toward a nuclear stand-off involving the so-called largest democracy.
In India, several political leaders have questioned PM Modi’s motivation in ordering the so-called surgical strikes. Some have described it as a ploy to secure petty electoral advantage.
Indian scholars have acknowledged that “Pakistan chose not to overplay its nuclear card, even as the Indian Navy announced operational deployment of its major combat units.”
The Indian Diaspora in the US represents a strong lobby influencing the political system
A review of the literature suggests that India might again use the Hindutva premise to either score political points or divert public’s attention from some domestic issue. US National Intelligence Director Daniel Coats said, “Political manoeuvring resulting from the Indian national elections probably will further constrain near-term opportunities for improving (India-Pakistan) ties.”
Consider some other aspects of the Hindutva policy. The presence of a large Indian Diaspora in the US is spreading Hindutva practices and is deeply involved in influencing the US political system, mostly against Muslims.
In South Asia, the dangers of a nuclear war should never be ignored, particularly since states like Pakistan and India share borders. India has recently shown that it is fully capable of lowering the nuclear threshold in South Asia. Nuclear extremism in India is also a concern for strategic stability in the region. Indian military modernisation and its hegemonic designs to pursue “power and prestige” need to be addressed by the international community. The non-safeguarded Indian military facilities are potentially producing 356 to 493 plutonium nuclear warheads to add to its already large nuclear stockpile, the world’s fastest growing nuclear arsenal.
In a longer run, India under BJP leaders cannot move towards peace and stability vis-a-vis Pakistan. PM Modi’s recent peaceful gesture to PM Khan is likely to go without a follow up. It has provided PM Modi with an opportunity to deflect criticism over escalating a minor crisis into a potential war.
Pakistan’s restraint and India’s irresponsible nuclear behaviour and a deliberate attempt to escalate the crisis have been witnessed by the world.
A sincere effort for peace and stability has been missing during the BJP years. Pakistan and India cannot afford a resort to war. India needs to play a responsible role in sustaining strategic stability in this region.
Confidence-building measures between Pakistan and India are essential. Talks are needed on all issues including Kashmir. Pakistan believes that regional stability can be achieved following a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. However, BJP’s attitude towards the issue has been dismissive.
The writer is a visiting fellow at SASSI, Islamabad