India’s Dual State Systems: Constitutional vs. Hindutva

Syllabus:

GS-2:

Salient Features of Indian Society , Diversity of India

Focus:

India is witnessing an ongoing ideological shift between its constitutional state and the Hindutva state, marked by the growing influence of religious nationalism. This tension is visible in state symbolism, public policies, and political discourse, as India celebrates 75 years of its constitutional republic.

India's Dual State Systems: Constitutional vs. Hindutva

The Two States: Constitutional and Hindutva:

A Formal Celebration vs. A Symbolic Reformation

  • India recently celebrated the completion of 75 years of its constitutional republic, a momentous occasion commemorating the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950. This republic, based on democratic values, equality, and secularism, stands as a symbol of the nation’s unity and democratic governance.
  • Simultaneously, the Hindutva state is steadily asserting itself, with the RSS chief’s statement underscoring his belief that India achieved true independence only when the Ram Temple at Ayodhya was consecrated. This marks a symbolic break from the secular ideals of the 1950 Constitution.
  • The Hindutva ideology espoused by the RSS calls for a state that intertwines religious and political power, which challenges the secular fabric of the Constitution. The Ayodhya event, while celebrated as a religious victory, also reflects the shift toward a state dominated by Hindu religious identity.

The Constitutional State vs. The De Facto Hindutva State

  • There is a growing contrast between the normative ideals of the constitutional state and the de facto reality of the Hindutva state. While the Constitution continues to be upheld in formal discourse, the actual practices of governance and public sentiment are increasingly influenced by religious identity politics.
  • Efforts are underway to reconcile these two versions, with claims suggesting that the Hindutva state is a true manifestation of the constitutional republic. However, this narrative is contested by critics who point to the growing antagonism between secular constitutional ideals and the religious undercurrents now shaping public policy.

Defining Hindutva:

  • Hindutva means “Hindu-ness” and is a modern political ideology advocating for Hindu supremacy.
  • Seeks to transform India, a secular state, into a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation).
  • Official ideology of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), a far-right political party.
  • Hindutva is promoted by the Sangh Parivar, including the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), which is central to the ideology.
  • The ideology has roots in early 20th-century ethnonationalist movements in Europe, particularly in Italy and Germany.
  • Hindutva advocates that some Indians, particularly Muslims and Christians, will be less equal than Hindus.

Harms of Hindutva:

  • Violence: Advocates of Hindutva have been involved in anti-Muslim violence since the BJP came to power in 2014.
  • Exclusionary Ideology: It rejects diversity and promotes homogeneity by trying to forcefully convert non-Hindus through ghar wapsi.
  • Marginalization: Affects Dalits, Adivasis, women, and other minority groups, demeaning their identity.

Distinguishing Hindutva from Hinduism:

  • Hindutva is a political ideology, while Hinduism is a broad religious tradition.
  • Many Hindus oppose Hindutva, and it is harmful to conflate the two.
  • Hindutva advocates sometimes misuse Hinduism to justify their far-right politics, narrowing the diversity within Hindu traditions.

Ideological Shifts: Hindutva’s Quiet Ascendancy:

Transforming the Nature of the Indian State

  • The ideological shift toward a Hindutva state has been gaining momentum over the past few years. While there was no immediate electoral payoff for the BJP after the Ram Temple consecration, its symbolic significance is undeniable in reshaping public consciousness.
  • Despite electoral setbacks for the BJP, the Hindutva state continues to gain traction through various state mechanisms and cultural symbolism. The Ram Temple has become not just a religious site, but also a political symbol representing the unity of the state and religion under the banner of Hindutva.

Symbolism and State Patronage

  • The consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple was a formal state event, with the Prime Minister and the RSS chief playing central roles. This merging of state authority with religious symbolism is a hallmark of the Hindutva state, signaling a shift away from the constitutional principles of separation between religion and state.
  • The government’s patronage of this event, including declaring a holiday for it, further solidifies the idea that the state is increasingly aligning itself with a particular religious community, blurring the lines between state and religious authority.

Pathways to Institutional Transformation:

Replacing Constitutional Symbolism with State-Religion Overlap

  • One of the key pathways toward establishing the Hindutva state is the substitution of constitutional symbols with religiously charged imagery. This overlap of state and religion is not just symbolic but becoming embedded in the functioning of the state.
  • The state’s alignment with Hindutva symbols and ideologies is gradually replacing the more neutral, secular imagery that once characterized India’s constitutional state.

Strategic Defacement of Constitutional Norms

  • Another approach is the strategic defacement of constitutional norms. This involves various state agencies, including the judiciary, police, and armed forces, moving away from constitutional propriety and embracing Hindutva-aligned practices.
  • This departure from constitutional norms is evident in the actions of certain judges and officials, who express public support for policies and ideologies that align with the Hindutva agenda, even if they deviate from the constitutional framework.

Tactical Infiltration of Institutional Spaces

  • A more cynical and tactical pathway is the infiltration of state institutions with individuals who may not be ideologically active but support policies aligned with Hindutva. This tactic ensures that the functioning of state organs gradually conforms to Hindutva ideals, whether through overt actions or subtle non-compliance with constitutional norms.
  • By undermining constitutional checks and balances, this pathway weakens the democratic framework and reinforces the Hindutva agenda within state structures.

The Public and Electoral Context:

Popular Support for Hindutva Ideals

  • A survey by Lokniti revealed that for almost a quarter of respondents, the construction of the Ram Temple was the most liked work of the government in the last five years. This reflects the deepening public support for the Hindutva agenda and the increasing entanglement of religion with politics.
  • Despite occasional setbacks in elections, the Hindutva state continues to enjoy a significant level of popular support, with public opinion aligning more with the religious-nationalist agenda than with the secular democratic ideals of the Constitution.

Electoral Complexities and Long-Term Strategy

  • Although the BJP’s electoral setbacks suggest that not all of the Hindutva agenda has been universally accepted, the party’s long-term strategy focuses on subtle shifts in public consciousness. The gradual normalization of Hindutva ideas and their integration into governance signals a slow, deliberate transformation of India’s political landscape.

The Future of the Constitutional Republic:

Questions for the Future

  • As India celebrates its 75 years of the constitutional republic, we must ask critical questions: Why do we have two versions of the state co-existing? Is this a reflection of a duality in India’s national identity? Why is there no strong opposition to the growing Hindutva influence, and why hasn’t the constitutional state been more assertive in resisting this shift?
  • These questions point to the complex reality of India’s political environment, where the constitutional state is under subtle but consistent threat from the rise of the Hindutva state, which is slowly but surely embedding itself in the national psyche.

A Complex Political Moment

  • India currently finds itself navigating a moment of duality. The constitutional republic is not dead, but neither is it in a position of unquestioned dominance. Meanwhile, the Hindutva state continues to gain ground, both symbolically and institutionally, without triggering open confrontation or rejection of the constitutional framework.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, as India celebrates 75 years of its constitutional republic, it is also witnessing the quiet rise of the Hindutva state, a shift that threatens to replace the secular ideals of the Constitution with a religious-nationalist agenda. This transformation, occurring through subtle institutional changes and public support, presents a complex and challenging moment in India’s democratic journey.

Source: IE

Mains Practice Question:

Examine the ongoing ideological tension between India’s constitutional state and the rise of the Hindutva state. How can the country address this challenge while maintaining the secular ideals enshrined in its Constitution? Discuss in light of the evolving political landscape.