“Hindu nationalism is a thin program about Hindu dominance and creating a Hindu nation with rollback of democracy but it is without a vision of society, human welfare, economy. It cannot last,” said Prof Thomas Hansen, an Anthropologist, Stanford University, Stanford.
In this interview, he offered a critical perspective on the current state of Hindu nationalism in India amid India’s parliamentary elections. He emphasized the unsustainable nature of this ideology, predicting that its narrow focus without meaningful societal objectives would ultimately lead to its demise.
The discussion delved into the backdrop of India’s parliamentary elections and the broader implications for the country’s democratic future and economic trajectory. Contrary to the narrative propagated by the ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), Prof Hansen noted a disconnection between their electoral success and tangible improvements in people’s lives.
The interview also scrutinized the opposition’s emphasis on threats to democracy and social justice as potent talking points. Prof Hansen characterized Prime Minister Modi’s aggressive tactics, including the arrest of opposition figures, as indicative of both arrogance and shortsightedness. They will ultimately backfire and erode public trust, he said.
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