The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) pursuit of Hindu unity is
widely known. It successfully forged a pan-Hindu vote bank in the 2014 Lok
Sabha elections and subsequent state assembly elections. However, it is crucial
to recognize that Hindu unity, as promoted by the BJP and Hindutva ideology, is
not a monolithic concept. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, perspectives,
and ideological variations within the Hindu community. The question arises: how
long will this Hindu unity sustain, particularly in light of emerging
discussions that the BJP seems to be avoiding?
One such discussion gaining traction is centered around Dr.
B. R. Ambedkar and his views on Hinduism. Ambedkar, a towering figure in Indian
history, had a hostile attitude toward the religion he was born into. The
coexistence of Ambedkarwad (Ambedkarism) and Hindutvawad (Hindutva ideology)
raises questions about the compatibility of these worldviews. At present, the
Hindu unity created by the BJP seems to rely on continuous praise for Dr. Ambedkar
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other party leaders. However, the avoidance
of engaging with Ambedkar's views in the Hindutva discourse is causing concern
among many observers. It gives the impression that the foundation of Hindu
unity created by the BJP may be fragile.
The sustainability of this unity in the face of critical
analysis of Ambedkar's writings by Hindutva intellectuals remains uncertain.
Will the BJP allow space for criticism of Ambedkar from within its party ranks,
or will it take similar actions to those witnessed in the case of Nupur Sharma?
Will the party risk neglecting and alienating its traditional voter base by
legitimizing and accepting Ambedkar's seemingly antagonistic ideology toward
Hinduism? Moreover, the tradition of placing historical personalities on
pedestals, as exemplified by the near God-like status of subaltern leaders like
Phule, Ambedkar, and Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj in Maharashtra, raises concerns.
Could this trend create a new type of "untouchables" who are both feared
and respected, leaving no room for constructive criticism? These are pressing
questions that should be at the forefront of the BJP's strategic
considerations.
The recent filing of an FIR against certain pro-Hindu online
news portals and a Twitter account by the Maharashtra police, following
complaints of defaming historical figures Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule,
further amplifies the ramifications of this issue. The tweet from Eknath
Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and leader of the Shiv Sena faction
allied with the BJP, gave the impression that criticism of the Phule couple was
off-limits in the state. The outrage and political reactions were expected,
considering the quasi-deity status enjoyed by subaltern leaders in Maharashtra.
While the freedom of speech debate surrounding this incident warrants
attention, the focus should remain on the broader impact on Hindutva and its
discourse.
These developments raise important questions about the BJP's
strategy and the delicate handling required. Will Dalit voters continue to
support the BJP if and when Ambedkar's views face criticism from Hindutva
intellectuals, or will they shift their allegiance to the Congress, a party
that, despite a strained relationship with Ambedkar in the past, now champions
his ideology? Will the BJP encourage open dialogue and criticism of Ambedkar,
or will it resort to silencing dissenting voices, as seen in the Nupur Sharma
case? These considerations highlight the delicate balancing act faced by the
BJP in accommodating diverse ideologies within its umbrella.
The current trends in Hindutva scholarship, which are
increasingly challenging established notions of history and worldviews, warrant
attention. Will scholars engage with Ambedkar's works, or will they treat him
as an "untouchable," given the potential backlash they might face for
taking a critical stance? Young readers, like myself, yearn for a nuanced and
critical biography of Ambedkar, moving beyond hagiographies that have elevated
political and historical figures to mythical status. Arun Shourie's book,
"Worshipping False Gods," provides some insight into Ambedkar's life
and ideas, but a comprehensive biography that explores all aspects of
Ambedkar's life, writings, and views is eagerly awaited.
In the current political landscape, both Lord Ram and Dr. B.
R. Ambedkar have become icons of Hindutva and Ambedkarism, respectively.
However, the paradoxical alignment of these ideologies raises questions about
its genuineness. Ambedkar's writings about Lord Ram and the 22 vows he outlined
for those converting to Navayana Buddhism create inherent contradictions within
this alignment. This raises doubts about whether Hindu unity pursued by the BJP
is a mirage, akin to how leaders of the Indian National Congress chased Hindu-Muslim
unity while striving for independence from the British.
The future trajectory of this paradoxical alignment, which
the BJP has endeavored to create and sustain, will be intriguing to observe. It
is imperative that the party's leadership reflects on the broader implications
and devises political strategies that address the complexities and potential
challenges arising from this convergence of ideologies. Only time will tell if
Hindu unity can endure in the face of critical scrutiny and if the BJP can
navigate the fine line between embracing Ambedkar's legacy and upholding the
sentiments of its traditional voter base.
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