The Rise of the Far-Right and the “Politics of Memory” in India Under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12797/Politeja.22.2025.99.13Abstract
This article aims to establish the correlation between far-right political ideology and the politics of memory to study the rise of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in India and the increasing attempts to reimagine memory. The course of Indian politics took a turn after the rise of the right-wing party in the Indian government in 2014. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Narendra Modi, adopted many policies that marginalise or exploit the non-Hindu population in India. It is evident that communal politics have gained momentum under Modi’s prime ministership, as the government overlooks many atrocities caused by Hindu individuals or organisations against Muslims. Similarly, the Modi government and BJP-led state governments are involved in the reimagining of memory. From a broader perspective, politicians frequently use mythologised understandings of the past to mobilise memory as a political tool in the present. Having said that, this article aims to study the attempt to distort history through the lens of “politics of memory”.
Downloads
References
Ahmed H., “What Is an ‘Official’ Memory?,” Economic and Political Weekly, 7 July 2014, at https://www.epw.in/blogs/hilal-ahmed/what-official-memory.html.
Ali A., “In His Second Term, Modi Govt Has Moved from Deen Dayal Upadhyaya to Veer Savarkar,”
ThePrint, 2 September 2019, at https://theprint.in/opinion/in-his-second-termmodi-govt-has-moved-from-deen-dayal-upadhyaya-to-veer-savarkar/284977/.
Aryal S.K., Bharti S.S., “Changing the Media Landscape in India under the Modi Government: a Case Study Based on the Narrative Policy Framework,” Studia z Polityki Publicznej/Public Policy Studies, vol. 9, no. 3 (2022), pp. 47-64, https://doi.org/10.33119/KSzPP/2022.3.3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33119/KSzPP/2022.3.3
Aryal S.K., Bharti S.S., “Focus 83 – Impact of Hindu Nationalism in India’s Foreign Policy Conduct,” South Asian Democratic Forum, 7 July 2022, at https://www.sadf.online/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Focus.83-1.pdf.
“Assam’s Himanta Sarma’s Controversial Remark Amid Bangladesh PM’s Visit,” NDTV, 7 September 2022, at https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/himanta-biswa-sarma-sheikh-hasinaindia-bangladesh-ties-assams-himanta-sarmas-controversial-remark-amid-bangladesh-pmsvisit-3323210.
Bernhard M.H., Kubik J. (eds), Twenty Years after Communism: The Politics of Memory and Commemoration, Oxford 2016.
Bhattacharya S., “Indian Government’s Intensifying Attack on Scientific Temperament Worries Scientists,” The Diplomat, 14 August 2024, at https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/indian-governments-intensifying-attack-on-scientific-temperament-worries-scientists/.
Bhosale B.G., “Indian Nationalism: Gandhi vis-a-vis Tilak and Savarkar,” The Indian Journal of Political Science, vol. 70, no. 2 (2009), pp. 419-427, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42743906.
“BJP Will Rewrite Constitution if It Gets Two-Thirds Majority in RS: Chidambaram,” The Hindu, 8 June 2022, at https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/bjp-will-rewrite-constitution-if-it-gets-two-thirds-majority in-rs-chidambaram/article65505005.ece.
Castelli Gattinara P., Froio C., Pirro A.L., “Far-Right Protest Mobilisation in Europe: Grievances, Opportunities and Resources,” European Journal of Political Research, vol. 61, no. 4 (2022), pp. 1019-1041, https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6765.12484. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6765.12484
Chenoy K.M., “BJP Distorting History: Savarkar Outshines Gandhi in Rajasthan Textbooks,” Dailyo, 9 June 2017, at https://www.dailyo.in/politics/bjp-rewriting-history-veersavarkar-gandhi-nehru-rajasthan-17721.
Chowdhury D., “BJP’s ‘Akhand Bharat’ Dream Is Not Only Problematic, Fascist Also,” Modern Diplomacy, 30 September 2022, at https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2022/09/30/bjpsakhand-bharat-dream-is-not-only-problematic-fascist-also/.
Chowdhury K., “School Social Science Textbook Revisions in India Kick Up Controversy,” The Diplomat, 28 July 2022, at https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/school-social-sciencetextbook-revisions-in-india-kick-up-controversy/.
“Citing Overlap, NCERT Removes Portions on 2002 Gujarat Riots, Emergency, Mughal Courts from Class 12 Books,” The Hindu, 17 June 2022, at https://www.thehindu.com/education/overlapping-ncert-portions-2002-gujarat-riots-emergency-mughal-courts-class-12-books/article65537166.ece.
Couperus S., Tortola P.D., Rensmann L., “Memory Politics of the Far Right in Europe,” European Politics and Society, vol. 24, no. 4 (2023), pp. 435-444, https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2022.2058757. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2022.2058757
Das M., “What RSS Chief Bhagwat Really Meant when He Said ‘Akhand Bharat’ Could Be Reality in 10-15 yrs,” The Print, 23 May 2022, at https://theprint.in/india/what-rsschief-bhagwat-really-meant-when-he-said-akhand-bharat-could-be-reality-in-10-15-yrs/963004.
Dénes I.Z., “Interpreting Regimes of Memory,” European Review, vol. 21, no. 4 (2013), pp. 465-469, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1062798713000458. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1062798713000458
Eatwell R., Fascism: A History, London 2011.
Ellis-Petersen H., “What is Hindu Nationalism and How Does It Relate to Trouble in Leicester?,” The Guardian, 20 September 2022, at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/20/what-is-hindu-nationalism-and-who-are-the-rss.
Farooquee N., Yadav N., “Explained: India’s Controversial Places of Worship Law,” BBC, 13 December 2024, at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwypgp8gnjjo.
Friedländer S., Reflections of Nazism: An Essay on Kitsch and Death, transl. by T. Weyr, New York 1984.
“Govt Launches National Curriculum Framework for Education of Children in 3-8 Yrs Age Group,”, The Economic Times, 21 October 2022, at https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/govt-launches-national-curriculum-framework-for-education-of-children-in-3-8-yrs-age-group/articleshow/94988153.cms.
“Gujarat HC Issues Notice to Government on Introducing Bhagavad Gita in Schools,” The Economic Times, 11 July 2022, at https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/gujarat-hc-issues-notice-to-government-on-introducing-bhagavad-gita-in-schools/articleshow/92808117.cms.
“Hindutva in Britain,” Community Policy Forum, November 2023, at https://bridge.georgetown.edu/p-content/uploads/2023/11/Hindutva-in-Britain.pdf.
“India’s Narendra Modi Opens Flashpoint Ram Temple Ahead of Re-election Bid,” SBS News, 30 January 2024, at https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/indias-narendra-modi-opensflashpoint-ram-temple-ahead-of-re-election-bid/s4sbk01oj.
Jayakumar N., “Building Fascism: Why Is BJP Renaming Cities & Altering History?,” Feminism in India, 21 January 2020, at https://feminisminindia.com/2020/01/22/buildingfascism-bjp-renaming-cities-altering-history/.
Jha D.K., “Has The RSS Revived Golwalkar’s Plan for Muslims?,” The Caravan. A Journal of Politics & Culture, 30 March 2022, at https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/has-therss-revived-golwalkars-plan-for-muslims.
“JNU to Establish Center Focused on Shivaji Maharaj’s Legacy and ‘Akhand Bharat’,” ANI News, 18 October 2024, at https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/jnu-toestablish-center-focused-on-shivaji-maharajs-legacy-and-akhand-bharat20241018174337/.
Jose H., “Modi Claimed He Was ‘Sent By God’, but Has His Aura of Invincibility Cracked?,” ABC News, 20 July 2024, at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-21/narendra-modi-image-after-indian-election/104103332.
Judt T., Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945, New York 2006.
Kidwai N., Kumar A., “Savarkar Flew Out of Jail on Birds: Karnataka Book for Class 8 Students,” NDTV, 29 August 2022, at https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/savarkar-lesson-inrevised-karnataka-school-textbooks-triggers-outrage-3294207.
Krishnan M., “India: What is Behind the ‘Reclaiming Temples’ Campaign?,” Deutsche Welle, 2 December 2024, at https://www.dw.com/en/india-what-is-behind-the-reclaiming-templescampaign/a-70937598.
Krishnan M., “Why is India Changing cities’ Muslim Names?,” Deutsche Welle, 12 November 2018, at https://www.dw.com/en/why-is-india-hinduising-cities-muslim-names/a-46259523.
Kubik J., Bernhard M.H., “A Theory of the Politics of Memory,” in M.H. Bernhard, J. Kubik (eds), Twenty Years after Communism: The Politics of Memory and Commemoration, Oxford 2016, pp. 7-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199375134.003.0002
Lall R.R., “Why do Governments Change Place Names?,” The National, 20 April 2016, at https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/why-do-governments-change-place-names-1.137490.
Lamont Ch., Research Methods in International Relations, Los Angeles–London–New Delhi–Singapore–Washington 2021.
Lex H., “Clashes Erupted outside a Hindu Temple near Toronto. They’re the Latest Sign of Canada and India’s Spiraling Relations,” CNN World, 29 November 2024, at https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/29/india/clashes-hindu-sikh-canada-india-intl-hnk/index.html.
Malhotra R., “Explained: The Persistent Theory that Taj Mahal Was a Hindu Temple Called ‘Tejo Mahalaya’,” The Indian Express, 15 May 2022, at https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/taj-mahal-controversy-hindu-temple-tejo-mahalaya-7916684/.
Maloney R., “Religious Figures Call for Calm after Violence and Vandalism among Victoria’s Indian Communities,” News, 31 January 2023, at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-01/sikh-hindu-khalistan-tensions-religious-leaders-call-for-unity/101910030.
Mudde C., The Ideology of the Extreme Right, Manchester 2002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7228/manchester/9780719057939.001.0001
Muneer S., Aryal S.K., “Institutional Instrumentalization and Democratic Backsliding in India under the Rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),” Romanian Journal of Political Science, vol. 24, no. 1 (2024), pp. 29-43, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo. 16271949.
“Nepal PM Prachanda Calls for Further Study on India’s Claim ‘Akhand Bharat’ Map Is Cultural, Not Political,” National Herald, 7 June 2023, at https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/nepal-pm-prachanda-calls-for-further-study-on-indias-claim-akhand-bharatmap-is-cultural-not-political.
Neumayer L., “Integrating the Central European Past into a Common Narrative: The Mobilisations around the ‘Crimes of Communism’ in the European Parliament,” Journal of Contemporary European Studies, vol. 23, no. 3 (2015), pp. 344-363, https://doi.org/10.1080/14782804.2014.1001825. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14782804.2014.1001825
Norris P., Inglehart R., Cultural Backlash: Trump, Brexit, and Authoritarian Populism, Cambridge 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108595841
“President of India: Government’s G20 Invite from ‘Bharat’ Sparks Row,” BBC, 5 September 2023, at https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66716541.
Qamar F., “Akhand Bharat: 50 Shades of Grey,” National Herald, 8 May 2022, at https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/akhand-bharat-50-shades-of-grey.
“Ramjas College to Hold Quiz on ‘Akhand Bharat’ Today,” The Hindu, 22 March 2017, at https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/ramjas-college-to-hold-quiz-on-akhandbharat-today/article17567000.ece.
“Rationalisation of Textbooks Done for Speedy Recovery, Compensating Time Loss Due to Covid: MoE,” The Economic Times, 18 July 2022, at https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/rationalisation-of-textbooks-done-for-speedy-recovery-compensatingtime-loss-due-to-covid-moe/articleshow/92956369.cms?from=mdr.
Rensmann L., “Im Schatten des Trumpismus: Autoritärer Populismus in der Regierung und die Neuformierung der radikalen Rechten in den USA,” ZRex – Zeitschrift für Rechtsextremismusforschung, vol. 1, no. 1 (2021), pp. 5-25, https://doi.org/10.3224/zrex.v1i1.02. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3224/zrex.v1i1.02
Rensmann L., “The Noisy Counter-Revolution: Understanding the Cultural Conditions and Dynamics of Populist Politics in Europe in the Digital Age,” Politics and Governance, vol. 5, no. 4 (2017), pp. 123-135, https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v5i4.1123. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v5i4.1123
Rossetti F., Abts K., Meuleman B., Swyngedouw M., “‘First the Grub, then the Morals’? Disentangling the Self-Interest and Ideological Drivers of Attitudes Towards Demanding Activation Policies in Belgium,” Journal of Social Policy, vol. 50, no. 2 (2021), pp. 346-366,https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279420000197. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279420000197
Sengar Sh., “25 And Counting: Name-Change Syndrome Has Travelled from Streets to Cities in India,” IndiaTimes, 14 November 2018, at https://www.indiatimes.com/news/
india/25-and-counting-name-change-syndrome-has-travelled-from-streets-to-cities-in-india-356604.html.
Singh A., “It’s Not Just about Its Colonial Past. Here’s what India’s Possible Name Change is All about,” Revista De Prensa, 24 September 2023, at https://www.almendron.com/tribuna/its-not-just-about-its-colonial-past-heres-what-indias-possible-name-change-is-all-about/.
Valencia-García L.D. (ed.), Far-right Revisionism and the End of History: Alt/Histories, Abingdon 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003026433
Varshney A., “India’s Watershed Vote: Hindu Nationalism in Power?,” Journal of Democracy, vol. 25, no. 4 (2014), pp. 34-45, https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2014.0071. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2014.0071
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
