Is India the New Israel?

India is a country that has stood firm against the passage of time, maintaining a place in the spotlight. From Maharajas to modern day, it is a place much coveted by tourists and historians alike. But of late, perhaps it is time to view the country in lei of a darker reality, one that has largely been eclipsed by its reputation for economic progression. We live in an era where political ideologies are dominated by the zeal of democracy. After the “Great Wars,” self-determination became a salient characteristic of developing nations and the idea was to promote one’s image as being the greatest advocate for democracy. While we all know that the reality is far from this, the need to recognise exactly how far, is becoming increasingly necessary in the case of India.

Since its creation, Israel has found itself in the center stage of contention owed to its controversial foundation in Zionism, as well as its domination of Palestinian territory. Built on the idea of a land for Jews, and executed in a manner that has flagrantly undermined Palestinians, Muslims, and non-Jewish residents, Israel is notorious for committing human rights violations and implementing acts of violence that are on par with the Russian pogroms that had seen Jewish populations targeted in Russia, during the 19^th century. While the question of Israel is a popular subject that has monopolised world headlines since its establishment, the Indian question has portentously lain dormant and unstudied by the international community.

In saying this, the matter has quickly been removed from the backburner and earned crucial recognition in lei of the upcoming government elections that are to take place in India. Although the Congress party has maintained power in India for the majority of the past decade, today there is a serious surge in support for the opposition party; Bharatia Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, led by Narendra Modi, is infamous for its extremist Hindu ideologies that promulgate the notion of an “India for Hindus.” Having forged complex and deep ties with Indian diasporas in the West, the party has built a strong treasury and support network to see the fulfillment of its vision.

Much like the Zionists in the shaping of Israel, members and followers of the BJP have created an identity based on militant nationalism. Such militant nationalism feeds on the victimisation of a particular people, in this case Hindus, and argues that the religion of Hinduism is threatened by the dilution of the nation by secular Indians and Muslims alike. Furthermore, such victimisation is also rooted in the historical narrative of the country, particularly its extensive entrenchment in the colonial system of the 19^th century.

Despite a command to establish an Indian state for Hindus seeming unfeasible in the grand scheme of things, it should not be left unchecked; especially given the BJP’s history of violence against Muslim communities within India.

To cite a couple of examples, one might look at the demolition of the Babri Mosque at Ayodhya, in 1992, and the Gujrat massacres in 2002. The former involved the destruction of a Muslim place of worship, based on claims that the land held religious value to Hinduism as well. Bolstered by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) party (a party associated with the Sang Parivar, an umbrella of Hindu nationalist organisations that also include the centre-right BJP party), the demolition took place at a time when tension between Muslims and Indians was at a peak, and the act significantly proved the rampant desire of the right wing political parties to raze Muslim presence and influence within India.