| Title | : | Majoritarian State: How Hindu Nationalism is Changing India |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1787381471 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781787381476 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 472 |
| Publication | : | First published March 28, 2019 |
The contributors explore how Hindutva ideology has permeated the state apparatus and formal institutions, and how Hindutva activists exert control over civil society via vigilante groups, cultural policing and violence. Groups and regions portrayed as ‘enemies’ of the Indian state are the losers in a new order promoting the interests of the urban middle class and business elites. As this majoritarian ideology pervades the media and public discourse, it also affects the judiciary, universities and cultural institutions, increasingly captured by Hindu nationalists. Dissent and difference silenced and debate increasingly sidelined as the press is muzzled or intimidated in the courts. Internationally, the BJP government has emphasised hard power and a fast- expanding security state.
This collection of essays offers rich empirical analysis and documentation to investigate the causes and consequences of the illiberal turn taken by the world’s largest democracy.
Majoritarian State: How Hindu Nationalism is Changing India Reviews
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This extensive essay collection is nothing short of a proper academic work, it reads more like a collection of papers on the socio-cultural-economic changes that India has witnessed over the past few years as the current BJP government has been riding on a wave of populism and Hindu fundamentalist driven demagoguery.
The essays cover various themes and are even categorised into eight different sections. Many of these essays examine the deteriorating relationships between the majority and minority groups as India seems to be dangerously edging towards a state of what is termed 'ethnic democracy'. Minority groups have been Othered in reaction to perceived threats and Majoritarianism has been masked as democracy. One of the essays outlines how Muslim presence in the police force and government bodies that was weak to begin with, has only worsened in the last few years. Police brutality, Hindu vigilantism and the ethno state have been reinforcing each other in a vicious cycle.
The BJP government has sustained its ideologies through networking and strengthening of pre-existing organizations and has also obtained approval of corporate interests for economic agenda leading to blatant crony capitalism. RSS members and associates have been appointed in leading positions in key institutions that regulate cultural and educational norms in India, and RSS also has a big influence over cabinet formation. The RSS agenda and its rising power over the government is discussed in detail and that alone makes this book a very important read. The RSS has been instrumental in rewriting of Indian history and in creating a narrative wherein 'Hindu' and 'Indian' are treated as synonymous.
The BJP rule has also made corporate funding of political parties extremely easy by introducing an amendment to a key act. Donors can buy electoral bonds and transfer them to a political party while remaining anonymous for all practical purposes. We are way past simple lobbying now.
Many of these essays address Dalit under-representation in educational institutions, increased atrocities against Dalits, relegitimization of caste, dehumanization of Kashmiris in the Hindu Rashtra, and rising Islamophobia.
A key strategy the Modi government has employed in building international relations is nation branding wherein the difference between 'citizen' and 'consumer' is erased. The BJP wants good relations with the west, but they also engage in internal propoganda that strives to destroy 'western influence'.
The last part of the collection is a study of queer and gender dynamics within the majoritarian state. The authors are careful to differentiate between pre-colonial and current forms of queer repression. Is it a surprise that the virile, heteronormative idea of Hindu majoritarian masculinity has caused increased cases of gendered and sexualized violence across India but especially in UP? Nope. Rant over. -
The book perfectly shows the sorry state of affairs in our country since 2014.
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This book is good but long and because it was compiled prior to the 2019 election, a bit dated. Though I will say the contributors did see the writing on the wall regarding what would happen if the BJP got a second term; which is what happened in 2019 and immediately after the BJP began enacting their policies, such as getting rid of Kashmir's special status, starting to cement the "other" of Muslims by taking away citizenship, by turning a blind eye to violence against women and continuing to court lower castes.
I was hoping the book would provide further insight into why Indians continue to support this party even when there is no hard evidence that they have made life better in India? Unfortunately no answer really firmly given.
This is a good book for diplomats, those trying to understand current events in India and those immersed in this region for work/studies purposes. Its not light reading and wouldn't recommend to pick up if you don't already have a basic knowledge of the inner workings of Indian politics and the make up of India. -
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