Socio-political Dynamics of Hindutva: Evolving Narratives and Implications

Abstract

In World and particularly in South Asia, violent extremism is associated with Muslims only. Quite the reverse, the Hindu extremism or Saffron terror in India is easily ignored. Bharatya Janata Party (BJP)’s rule under Narendra Modi for the second time has unleashed the political face of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindu fundamentalism. This paper examines historical development of RSS led Hindutva in relation to broader sociopolitical dynamics. It also attempts to provide an alternative point of view by concentrating on the rise of Hindutva and how its consolidation of political power in India has an impact on social development of South Asian people. First and foremost, the paper establishes Hindutva terrorism as a legitimate threat to regional political environment and people living in it. . Due to the fact that anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan sentiments are at the heart of Saffron terror, Pakistan must take counter- measures and raise awareness among regional and international leaders about the increasing influence of Hindu fanatics in the Indian society. Ultimately, the paper concludes that Hindutva violence and politics in nuclear-armed India is becoming permanent, and as a result, it will remain to have a significant influence on South Asian societies in the foreseeable future. In order to study and analyze this subject, both the qualitative and quantitative research techniques - including interviews and statistical charts - have been used