14 panorama DHAKA, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2012 panorama panorama panorama panorama panorama panorama panorama panorama panorama panorama Clash of the Paladins: India’s Hindu-nationalism in decline?

e are not giving any organization of the countless theless indicate that the BJP suf - consensus for the next general they want to attract the politi - more than 20 parties (National frontation between supporters soft corner to any - streams and sects among fers doubtless indicating that elections in 2014, it will have a cal mainstream in order to Democratic Alliance/NDA) of India’s integration into the body’! This remark - Hinduism, as well as the the BJP suffers from serious, tremendous impact on the broaden the social base they get involved they discovered that it global economy in order to able announcement made by an Bharatiya (BJP, deconstructive factionalism lower level ranks, especially on trapped in a dilemma. To be is not possible to combine cul - attract investment and to build- important spokesman of one of Indian People's Party), which which not only challenges their the social base, i.e fulltime work - able to do this successfully, one tural and power-orientated aims up a strong Hindu-Nation and the two India’s main socio-politi - assumed the task to represent own unity but also the cohe - ers (Pracharaks), activists (kar has to dilute the originally and purposes. In other words, opponents of free-market poli - cal forces in the context of cor - the movement in the political- siveness of the whole Hindu- sevaks), and sympathisers of the (mostly radical) vision and ide - you can’t rule India and try to cies who see these as threats to ruption charges against its top parliamentary sphere. Despite Nationalist movement. movement) leaving confusions, ology, which consequently leads establish a theocratic Hindu the indigenous economy. politician could mark another all the programmatic and insti - In this context, it seems that disruption and lack of trust in to a certain degree of incoher - State (Hindu Rashtra). This To sum up, it is obvious that turningpointinthecountry’spolit - tutional differentiations, the even within the RSS, which is the national leadership behind. ence within its own political marks a phenomenon which is the BJP sees power as a neces - icaldevelopment.Thisscenariois common -ties never - more known for its strict hier - However, the turmoil within agenda and tensions between still not accepted by significant sary instrument, but the radi - afurtherclearindicatorofamajor theless create a bond. At least archal order, discipline and loy - the parliamentary wing and the the different parts of the move - parts of the lead - cal, non-parliamentary pool of force in a critical state namely in the past the Sangh organisa - alty than for pluralism. In its attempts to restore its control ment.The movement gets torn ership making them unable to the movement headed by the Hindu-Nationalism.Theremark - tions could clearly be identified attempts to maintain the ‘pre - over the BJP indicates that there between its desired cultural ori - deal adequately with this antag - RSS and VHP developed a very able rise of Hindu-Nationalists in as a cohesive social and politi - tence of homogeneity’ and to is no clear chain of command entated ambitions, meaning the onism. Subsequently, the move - ambiguous, ‘uneasy’ relation - SIEGFRIED O. the parliamentary sphere – from cal movement. keep the ranks of the BJP closed as well as a lack of cohesive cen - norm and value orientated aims ment finds itself in a persistent ship towards power. Especially 3 (1951/52) to 182 (1999) seats in In this context one has to state in downplaying the struggle tral leadership within the and purposes of the movement, personal and institutional strug - processes of achieving and WOLF the (national parlia - that Hindutva served as the‘kit between Modi and Gadkari as Hindu-nationalist movement and the necessary power-ori - gle over the right approach on maintaining political power are ment)wasanincreasefrom3,1per & glue’ of the different ‘move - how to overcome this existen - perceived as some kind of‘dirty cent to 23,8 per cent. Hindu- ment’s organisations’. The fun - tial crisis. work’ and in contrast to its own Nationalismisgenerallyportrayed damental conception of this col - Against this backdrop, the on- habitus. A phenomenon which by most observers as the largest lective, national identity proj - going conflict is only a contin - is particularly confirmed by threattoIndia’sdemocracy.Thisis ect is the vision to transform uation of a series of confronta - increasing (alleged) cases of cor - becausetheycloselyassociatethis Indian society as well as its polit - tions which accompanied the ruption within the BJP, as latest phenomenon,withanincreaseof ical-institutional structures from Hindu-Nationalists movement Gadkari, as well as the ‘high- atrocities within India’s political a secular into a theocratic Hindu since it entered the parliamen - handed’ and non-consensus cultural; especially regarding vio - state. In the past this persist - tary floor. Most noteworthy was orientated leadership style of lent excesses against religious ently led to massive violent the internal tussle over the use certain BJP politicians, espe - minoritiesisbythesecriticsclose - clashes, especially between of aggressive communal poli - cially Modi.The deconstructive ly associated with an enforced Hindus and Muslims.The con - tics, not only in the context of rivalries between the second change in India’s political culture frontation between both‘group - Gujarat. A couple of years ranked leaders like Rajnath featuring violent excesses against s’ found its most dramatic flash - before, inspired and backed by Singh, , Arun religious minorities (communal point in the 2002 Gujarat riots radical elements within the Jaitley are enhancing the RSS’a violence). Furthermore Hindu- in which militant Hindu- movement (RSS/VHP), Advani antipathy towards politicians. Nationalist attempts to erode Nationalists were responsible initiated an agitation, the Ram Nevertheless, being convinced essentialconstitutionalprinciples for the killing of more than 1000 Janmabhoomi (birthplace of of the merits of a functional and suchassecularism.Inadditionthis people. In addition, 520 places Hindu God Rama) movement loyal political representation – political movement has several of worship were damaged, which not only led to the especially when it comes to radical and extremist socio-polit - mainly mosques besides a few destruction of the Babri Mosque gaining political, parliamentary icaldemandsonitsagenda,which Hindu temples and Christian in the town of Ayodhya but also protection of the institution as inevitably and fundamentally churches, and more than 70.000 to the forced resignation of the such – the RSS continues to stands in conflict with the model people were turned into IDPs first Hindu-Nationalist govern - informally exercise informal, HINDU-NATIONALISM of‘peacefulconsensus’andIndia’s (Internally Displaced Persons) ment after only 13 days in power indirect political influence. vision ‘unity and diversity’, which and over 35.500 people were in 1996. In consequence, the BJP Therefore, it seems that the RSS IS GENERALLY are both cornerstones of India’s arrested, creating intense com - under the leadership of Atal is not willing to grant much PORTRAYED BY MOST politicalsystem,thestateandsoci - munal unrests in many parts of Bihari Vajpayee decided to ‘institutional autonomy’ to the ety. the Gujarat state and a civil war ‘freeze’ most of the radical BJP, which was a quite reluctant OBSERVERS AS THE Having this in mind, Hindu- like scenario in the provincial demands from the RSS andVHP ally and useless tool regarding Nationalism must be under - capital Ahmadabad. like building the Ram the ‘saffronisation’ of the polit - LARGEST THREAT TO stood as a social and political However, the calculations of Janmabhoomi Mandir (on the ical landscape by the Sangh INDIA’S DEMOCRACY movement, supported by a the militant hardliners within ruins of the Babri Mosque), family in the last 15 years. But widespread network consisting the Sangh movement to gain enacting a uniform civil code in trying to regain control over of various organisations; the so political capital by attacking applicable to adherents of all its ‘black sheep’ and keeping it called Sangh Parivar or Sangh Muslims and Christians did not religions, and removal of Article on a short leash, the RSS sets its Family. It is an alliance of add up. The Indian electorate an internal as well as ‘low key at the moment. Recognising entation focusing on the strate - 370 of the Indian Constitution political wing back to the time numerous parliamentary and reacted harshly.The population affair’ it appears that the RSS is this, one must state that the gies and resources to implement which granted Kashmir a spe - of the BJP predecessor Jana extra-parliamentary organiza - was not only shocked by the also affected by the ‘internal ‘Modi-Gadkari clash’ is not only these aims and purposes. In cial status in order remain an Sangh, a radicalised, unsuc - tions which obliged to the so massive human rights violations fractious elements syndrome’. about personal animosities, a brief, the basic problem of attractive, responsible and cred - cessful political organisation, called Hindutva-concept. But it and brutality, but also by the fail - There are occasions in which decision about a certain policy Hindu-Nationalism is that all its ible political actor/player for the which was everything but is significant to emphasise that ure of the (BJP controlled) state certain sections of its senior line, or who is in charge of a organisations have to realise electorate as well as for poten - attractive to the dynamic elec - Hindu-Nationalism is not a institutions in stopping the vio - members indicate that they are political party, it is much more that they will not be able to push tial coalition partners, to This torate of India. Finally, taking monolithic-block. In fact, its lence immediately. With these not willing to support the offi - about what is the central their program of cultural trans - of course disappointed espe - into account the obsolescence organizations differ substan - images still fresh and an erod - cial RSS line in rallying behind authority of the Hindu- formation without political cially theVHP, who saw the BJP of the RSS structures and the tially regarding structures, ing economy to cope with, the Gadkari as the sole protégé for Nationalist movement, the RSS power, but too much cultural departing from its core tremendous aging processes of behavioural patterns, mem - Indian electorate penalised the party presidency and future or the BJP. In other words, both orientation will prohibit the Hindutva agenda, thus betray - its human resources, and the bership (from full-time worker Hindu-Nationalist in the fol - Prime Ministerial candidate of sides have their eyes on the accumulation of power to a cer - ing the main interests of the ‘stickiness’ towards Hindutva, to part-time activist), aims, and lowing general elections in 2004 the BJP. For example, the grand prize. tain degree or even the access movement. This accusation it is not surprising that the RSS spheres of action. In the center and 2009. Since then the BJP has demand by veteran RSS ideo - However, for observers of the to power. This is because radi - divided the front organisations has enormous problems in not of the Sangh family stands a been involved in numerous, fre - logue M.G. Vaidya that the BJP Sang family as well as analysts cal agendas are identified as of the Hindu-Nationalists. Not only recruiting new, qualified work-sharing triumvirate, con - quently surfacing struggles over president Gadkari should resign of similar anti-secular, nation - anti-systemic forces and either only the parliamentary and members in general but also in sisting of the Rashtriya its leadership and agenda set - and rather support Modi as the alist movements the process of passively neglected by the elec - non-parliamentary wing were maintaining its layers within the Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS, ting. The most recent example next BJP‘top poster boy’ can be disintegration is not a surpris - torates or actively forbidden by split into a radical and moder - Indian youth in particular. To National Volunteer is the on-going conflict between seen as an indication that power ing and/or an unknown phe - the state in order to protect its ate pole. This finds its expres - sum up, the Hindu-Nationalists Organization).Which functions Gujarat’s BJP Chief Minister struggle is also well alive with - nomenon. Societal groups constitution and political-insti - sion in the increasing fragmen - are ‘Nomads of the Past’. as an organisational and ideo - and BJP presi - in the RSS. always have to face this essen - tutional setup. Both can be seen tation of its leadership which logical backbone, the Vishwa dent Nitin Gadkari. Therefore one can state that tial challenge. Not only the as defence mechanisms of a was particularly enforced by the The writer is a lecturer of Hindu Parishad (VHP, World But before one sheds more the whole Modi-Gadkari split access but also the maintenance consolidated and resilient two BJP led governments (1998 Political Science and Hindu Council) which covers light on this issue one has to portrays that neither the BJP nor of political power through elec - democracy, like India. to 2004) and the challenge of International Relations as well as all kinds of (Hindu) religious emphasise that these party in the RSS or the whole movement tions demands a wide-scale As a result, since the BJP had the appearance of new cross- a senior research fellow in the matters, e.g. reconstruction of fights are for obvious reasons function as a ‘well-knit and accommodation of interests the opportunity to take over cutting cleavages like the intro - Department of Political Science, Hindu-temples, and attempts driven by the media and polit - homogenous family’. Even if the that are also likely to be diver - political responsibilities and had ductions of liberal economic South Asia Institute, Heidelberg to function as an umbrella ical adversaries. They never - leadership is able to find a new gent. Consequently, as soon as to lead (ruling) coalitions with reforms; namely, the con - University Cultural intrusion: The dynamics and outcomes

MOHABBAT MORSHED try which follow British cur - riculum. he culture of a nation is These schools are also active - something that reveals ly contributing to the ever and upholds its identi - increasing threat to our cultur - ty to the people within and al identity.The students of these outside its borders. Only schools are on the verge of for - those cultures survive in this getting their own culture and fast-paced world which can are becoming the products of remain true to its essence. the western culture. They Our culture has reached that proudly say (with some excep - crucial situation where it tions) that they are weak in needs to reinforce its identi - Bangla and this subject seems ty to survive the blemishes of tedious to them. They call their time. Unfortunately, howev - mothers “mummy”, “mom”, er, it must be mentioned here “mama” and various other that we are exploiting our own names, and not“Ma”, although culture. It is us who are we know that many gallant peo - responsible for putting our ple sacrificed lives in 1952 for culture under the threat of this language. extinction. We have already It seems as if those valiant sac - come far away from our tra - rifices are of no importance to ditions, values and beliefs.We us. Instead of making our chil - have severed our ties with our dren proficient in the British roots and are adopting for - curriculum, we can formulate eign culture. Some might and strengthen an effective cur - argue that this is not the case; riculum in English, which will that we are true to our cul - reflect our culture and heritage, tural heritage. But the ques - so that our children grow up tion remains, if we are in PHOTO CREDIT: ADNAN M S FAKIR learning to love and respect their touch with our roots then why own national and traditional are we pushing ourselves our culture. We are more like entertaining channels? One start subscribing to the foreign tural intrusion. Some channels test being broadcasted in a for - beliefs. In short, we are in deep towards a foreign culture – the those stray birds trying to find must ask this question to one’s cultural notions. And it is affect - broadcast programmes con - eign channel. Alas! Soon I waters. We need to address the western culture.We celebrate our true identity. The tragedy conscience.We waste hours and ing our coming generation sig - taining events which completely realised that the programme problem of cultural intrusion as only a handful of our cultur - is, we have a vibrant and pol - hours on these meaningless nificantly. According to a sur - contradict our cultural values. was arranged locally and was soon as possible to stop it form Want to al festivals.We celebrate occa - ished culture, embedded in mega Hindi serials, which vey conducted involving over And this is harming our future being telecasted by a local TV taking a destructive shape. sions like Pahela Baisakh, or the history of our land, but exhausts our brains and infil - hundred university students, generation by brainwashing channel. I was startled thinking Otherwise, this flood of culture Borsha Boron with colourful we hardly take notice of it, we trates our intellectual ability. about 35 per cent of the young them. how it was possible to show intrusion will make all of us float contribute? enthusiasm and festive gai - hardly celebrate and cherish These serials leave a viewer per - students prefer speaking Hindi The other day while chang - such western fashion constructs away on a sea of uncertainty.We ety. But such celebrations last it. We are now die-hard fans of plexed. and English to Bangla. ing channels, I was stuck at a so blatantly in our own chan - must now revive our culture and only for the day. The next the Sky culture (especially And as the women of our Moreover our local channels channel for a while, watching nel. The television is definitely encourage the future genera - at.independent morning we wake up and for - Indian channels). Do we really country are the avid viewers of are also contributing to this phe - beautiful women walk down the one of the most important tions to cherish our own culture. get all about it. Unfortunately, acquire positive and construc - these eccentric programmes, nomenon to a great extent.They ramp in a beauty contest. I was channels of cultural intrusion. @gmail.com our attire, behaviour, norms tive knowledge or even enter - the children (who stay mostly are letting themselves float in really astonished and assumed Then we have the English The writer studies English at and etiquettes hardly reflect tainment from these so-called nearer to their mothers) also favour of the current named cul - that it was an exotic beauty con - medium schools in our coun - Northern University Bangladesh