Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'India to become a Hindu Rashtra?' that was published in Newsband

India to become a Hindu Rashtra?

There is growing chatter about 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Some question whether there will be an election in 2024 if BJP wins the election in 2019? Or will RSS and BJP go on to realise their long-standing dream of establishing a Hindu Rashtra. Many have written about creeping authoritarianism and rise of Hindutva in India. Will the idea of India associated with Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru be destroyed?

RSS is resolute in its “idea of India” as a quintessentially Hindu country. A section of Hindu society felt that after the creation of a country for Muslims, Hindus were denied their own country.

Another thing is BJP has a compelling leader in Modi with a real hunger for power. Modi has used populism, nationalism and anti-secularism to great effect and fired up the imagination of millions looking for instant progress and national greatness.

A Hindu Rashtra is incompatible with India’s Constitution and its democratic norms. But what was the ideology of Congress since 1947? India Gandhi an authoritarian imposed emergency for two years to rule. India has withstood 60 years of Congress rule and even emergency. The country was divided on lines of religions by the architects of the Congress party. While the minorities have grown in India it is just the opposite in Pakistan & Bangladesh.

Hindu civilizations have always embraced other religions. The minorities are safest in this country rather than in declared Islamic Republics. Ours is the only country in this planet where Hinduism the most ancient intelligent rich civilisation exist. World should take all measures to preserve it before it disappears with all its uniqueness and treasure of vast knowledge. Government should also work seriously to revive its past glory.

After independence, be it Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian and other minorities - all got the same level playing field to start with. Those who didn't, were given reservations and other means. For 60+ years we were in the hands of those so called seculars

The undivided India was partitioned on the basis of religion. The division was the outcome rivalry between Nehru and Jinna with tacit approval by Mahatma Gandhi. Pakistan has become Islamic state and right of non-Muslims are not recognised there. A sizeable Muslim populations stayed back in India and were being used by Congress, CPM and other political parties with support from Muslim religious leaders to remain in power. The victim is democracy and development. Now a group of so called liberal leaders including some people from Muslim community is afraid of resurgent BJP.

The fact is no religion is followed in spirit - 'religion' is only an excuse to impose fascism and dictatorship. But it is a fact that with Hindus in majority everyone is doing well. It is Hinduism with its amazing diversity and unity which created the concept of acceptance of all faiths and gave birth to the idea of true secularism.