Salvaging the idea of India

Aakar Patel offers a sober analysis of Hindutva ideology from a non-BJP perspective and explains why it can be countered

The growing dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Indian politics has led to a greater focus on the many ideas espoused by the Indian Right. The ideas of Hindu nationalism or the Hindu Rashtra have consequently gained huge salience in the public discourse in the country over the past few years. Many BJP ideologues and sympathisers have also produced books and essays explaining what concepts such as Hindutva or Hindu nationalism actually mean for the right-wing party in power at the Centre and in many states.

This was to be expected. What was not expected and, therefore, had become