The ‘Nazification’ of India

By Sajjad Shaukat

The concept of Hindutiva (Hindu Nationalism) in India is working against the Indian Muslims on the same pattern as Nazi Party in Germany had worked against Jews/non-Aryan races.

Indian Constitution declares India to be a secular and democratic state, which safeguards the rights of religious minorities. But, under the fanatic government of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi-the leader of the biased ruling party, discrimination and persecution of religious minorities such as Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and even lower-caste Dalits have been accelerated by the extremist Hindus, which also include recent violence on Christians in the state of Manipur and on the Muslims in the state of Haryna.

Particularly, following continued undemocratic practices, Modi-regime has, continuously, been targeting the Muslims. Since he came to power various developments like unprecedented rise of Hindu extremism, assaults on the Muslims, their places of worships and property—abrogation of articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019, which gave a special status to the disputed territory of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)—continued military lockdown there, the deployment of more than 900,000 military troops, who have martyred tens of thousands of the Kashmiris, including women and children through brutal tactics-fake encounters, while closure of mosques, shortage of foods, medicines for the patients have further increased the plight of the Kashmiris—bringing ethno-demographic changes in the IIOJK, introduction of new laws, amendment of the laws to facilitate non-Kashmiris and outsiders in order to usurp the rights of the Muslim Kashmiris—issuance of domicile certificates to more than 800000 non-Kashmiris, registration of almost 2.5 million new non-local voters in the IIOJK, creation of war-like situation with Pakistan etc. have clearly proved that encouraged by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-led Hindu biased outfits like BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena have been promoting religious and ethnic chauvinism especially against the Muslims in India by propagating the ideology of Hindutva.

Some other discriminatory policies and moves against the Muslims such as the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA), passed by the Indian Parliament coupled with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is mainly against the Muslim immigrants especially from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In December 15, 2019, despite daily mass protests, across every state against the CAA and the NRC, which resulted into killing of more than 300 persons-mostly Muslims by the police and prejudiced Hindus, Modi-led regime has not withdrawn the CAA/NRC—assaults on Muslims, their shops, burning of their houses and recently a mosque etc. might also be cited as instance.

?Likewise, Citizenship Law re-defined German citizenship to exclude people of ‘non-German blood.’ Citizenship right was acquired by state. The latter would grant a certificate to confirm the citizen who was then entitled to political rights, protection of the state etc.

?However, especially India Muslims are suffering the same type of ‘otherness’ and demonization Jewish population faced under Nazi regime. Hindutva ideology of India’s ruling party draws its inspiration from Nazi supremacist ideology. India’s equivalent of Nazi party, RSS which applies this derived ideology in its teachings and actions. Modi’s ruling BJP which is political arm of RSS, operating as a paramilitary organization. RSS chief receives government’s VVIP security.

?Nazis started with hate campaign involving dehumanization, marginalization and socio-economic boycott of Jews. RSS/Sangh Parivar being aided and abetted by the state is doing the same against the Indian Muslims leading to their ostracism.

RSS is not in itself a political party rather it is a paramilitary organization that operates via many different branches. Ruling BJP serves as its political arm. Modi and most of his cabinet—many members of Indian parliament are followers of RSS/Hindutva ideology.

RSS mobilizes mobs for violence, while a dedicated IT Cell pushes its propaganda, rallying people behind its ideology, isolating moderates, neutralizing opposing media, and targeting Human rights activists and minorities for benefit of the BJP politicians and policies.

RSS organizes 60,929 daily military drills in their units called Shakhas. These are attended by 500,000 people daily. Combined power of BJP government and the street power of paramilitary RSS define Hindutva force.

Rise of German Aryan supremacy and methods employed by Nazi party in its persecution of Jews provided early leaders of Hindutva movement with a model to learn from.

Rashtra (Hindu nation), Hindutva is the official platform of BJP. RSS is the prime leader of this ideology. Hindutva ideology dates back roughly 100 years, but has gained tremendous popularity in India under Premier Modi.

Hitler believed that so-called ‘Aryan blood’ (true German blood), made them physically and spiritually perfect. By the same token, Hinduism is defined by a caste system which is connected to concepts of racial perfection Indian term for caste—‘Varna,’ means color. At top of this color caste pyramid sits rahmins, who tend to have lighter skin. Then comes Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. Darkest-skined Dalits, treated as untouchables, and Adivasi, or indigenous tribes, are historically oppressed outcastes of India. So, inspired by Hitler’s race ideology, the RSS leaders promote notions of racial and blood superiority, claiming a link to Aryanism as well.

Nazi Party had several strong-arm groups to protect its meetings and public rallies. Members of these groups were drawn from different paramilitary groups.? Squads were unified with other security agencies under leadership of Heinrich Himmler. Similarly, RSS and other extremist militant groups have their own squads. Much as Nazis did about Jews, New Delhi has Islamophobic conspiracy theories of Muslim domination through procreation.

?India has promulgated Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance—otherwise known as the ‘love jihad’ law in most of the BJP ruled states. This law prohibits intermarriage of a Hindu woman to a Muslim man. Violation of law is punishable with ten years of imprisonment and an annulment of the marriage. BJP-RSS militias beat up interfaith couples and sometimes kill them. while the police arrest interfaith couples to enforce the so-called laws.

In fact, Hindutiva concept originates from V D Savarkar’s two ideological treatises-‘Essentials of Hindutva’ and ‘Hindutva: Who is a Hindu’?

?Sequel to Savarkar’s demise (1966), his lieutenant Golwalkar took over Hindutva project. Duo’s work got traction with emergence of RSS; founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar on September 7, 1925. Hindutva project would not have flourished, but Indian National Congress’ waning political fortune paved way for BJP. Babri Mosque demolition further provided stimulus to BJP.

?Since 1972, Modi has been RSS pracharak (full-time volunteer) and ardent follower of RSS slogan–Hindu, Hindi, Hindustan—hence, his anti-Muslim malice is not un-understandable.

?India is rife with ‘communal suffocation’. Sangh Parivar fanatics with state approved ‘free lease’ are robbing country of its secularism. Muslims are the worst sufferers. Recently, Atiq Ahmed, a former MP and his brother Ashraf were shot dead live on TV, while both were in police custody in Prayagraj (UP). Sanghis are doing this all with audacity.

?Undoubtedly, a greater similarity in the activities of Nazi Party under Hitler in Germany and that of Sangh Parivar is seen. Nazis had staged pogrommes against Jews and non-Arayan races in Germany and elsewhere in Europe leading to holocaust. In the same fashion Modi has been instrumental in extending audacity to RSS/Sangh Parivar to do the same with Indian Muslims leading to holocaust-like situation for them.

?In this regard, showing similarities, a renowned website Justice for All wrote: “The RSS has very close parallels to Hitler’s Nazi Party. This is not a coincidence. Early leaders of the RSS praised Hitler’s methods to attain racial purity and recommended it as a model for India to use against its Muslim and Christian populations.”

?It pointed out: “Anti-Semitism and vilification of Jewish population as political agenda—Islamophobia and vilification of Muslim population as political agenda [of India]—Sought to establish Aryan supremacy—Seeks to establish Hindu supremacy. Reich Citizenship Law redefined German citizenship to exclude Jewish people—India’s National Register of Citizens (NRC) will strip many of their citizenship as is already happening in Assam since they do not possess historic documents. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) grants non-Muslims a path to regain citizenship. Muslims would remain stateless. The ‘Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor’ banned marriage and extramarital relations between Jews and those of ‘German blood’—‘Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance 2020’ disparagingly known as ‘Love Jihad’. Law seeks to ‘protect’ Hindu women and their honor from Muslim men by preventing inter-faith marriages. Law banning kosher slaughter—Campaign against halal products—Ban on beef consumption. Lynching on the transportation of cattle—The Propaganda Ministry controlled the press to propagate Nazi ideology—A professional Information Technology cell and a compliant media (called Godi or lapdog media) spread fake news to demonize minorities and mold public opinion in favor of Hindutva ideology. Reporters Without Border ranks India below Afghanistan and Burma in media freedom at 142nd level. Textbooks demonize Muslims. Admiration for Nazism is rampant in the RSS-BJP ideology. Vandalization and destruction of synagogues—Vandalization and destruction of mosques [in India]”.

In this respect, famous historians agree that Adolf Hitler was impulsive ruler, guided by ungoverned temper. When he came to power, he acted upon an aggressive foreign policy as New Delhi has been pursuing against Pakistan and China.

?Hitler’s internal policies were authoritarian and totalitarian. Liberty disappeared completely. The secret police-Gestapo was formed to deal with the slightest indication of opposition. This is also quite true in case of New Delhi.

?By imitating Hitler’s propaganda techniques, in the Indian general elections of 2014 and 2019, the BJP won huge majority in the Lok Sabha, as during the election-campaign, Hindu majority was mobilized on ‘hate Muslim’ slogans and ‘anti-Pakistan’ jargons. Like Hitler, Modi succeeded in misguiding the general masses with promises to restore jobs and to resolve the internal problems of India. During his emotional speeches, Mod’s body language and way of speaking are not less than those of Hitler.

?It is of particular attention that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said on October 8, 2019: “Bharat is Hindu Rashtra and all Bharatiyas are Hindus.”

?Nevertheless, the BJP-the political face of RSS has gradually engulfed India and is tightening grip over the social mindset like an angry “Octopus”. The tolerance levels in Indian society are rapidly diminishing and Hindutva stands order of the day.

?It is misfortune of New Delhi and the international community that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been following Hitler’s Germany in the modern era.

?While, slogan ‘Never Again,’ raised after Holocaust still echoes throughout the world, but that promise rings hollow as international community remains largely silent on Modi government’s Hindu supremacists—growing marginalization and persecution of Muslims, and other minorities. So, it is crucial that the international community must act to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

?Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: [email protected]