Bharatiya Janata Party

Definition

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a major political party in India that promotes Hindu nationalism and seeks to establish India as a Hindu nation. As the ruling party, it has significantly influenced contemporary issues and challenges facing Hinduism, particularly regarding religious identity, social policies, and the intersection of religion and politics in a secular state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The BJP was founded in 1980, evolving from its predecessor, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and has since become one of the two dominant political parties in India.
2. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elected in 2014, the BJP has pushed policies that emphasize Hindu nationalism, impacting minority communities in India.
3. The party's rise has led to increased tensions between different religious groups, particularly between Hindus and Muslims, affecting social cohesion.
4. The BJP promotes various social initiatives that align with its ideology, including campaigns for 'Make in India' and 'Digital India,' framing them within a nationalistic narrative.
5. The party's governance style has faced criticism for undermining secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution, raising debates about democracy and pluralism.

Review Questions

• How does the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideology of Hindutva influence its policies and approach to governance?
  • The BJP's ideology of Hindutva significantly shapes its policies by promoting a vision of India centered around Hindu cultural values. This approach often results in legislation and initiatives that prioritize Hindu identity, which can marginalize minority communities. The party aims to foster national pride through cultural promotion while navigating the complexities of governance in a diverse society.
• Discuss the relationship between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in shaping India's political landscape.
  • The BJP's relationship with the RSS is pivotal in shaping India's political landscape as it provides ideological support and grassroots mobilization for the party. The RSS influences the BJP’s policies by reinforcing Hindutva principles and fostering a network of dedicated volunteers who promote these ideals across the country. This symbiotic relationship helps solidify the BJP's base while also impacting broader societal views on religion and nationalism.
• Evaluate the impact of the Bharatiya Janata Party's rise to power on secularism and communal harmony in India.
  • The rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party has brought significant challenges to secularism and communal harmony in India. As the BJP prioritizes Hindu nationalist policies, tensions between religious communities have intensified, leading to incidents of violence and discrimination against minorities. This shift raises critical questions about India's democratic values and whether it can maintain its commitment to pluralism amid increasing religious polarization driven by political narratives.

Related terms

Hindutva: A political ideology that seeks to define Indian culture in terms of Hindu values, often associated with the BJP's vision for India.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS): A Hindu nationalist volunteer organization that serves as the ideological backbone of the BJP, promoting Hindu unity and culture.

Secularism: The principle of separating religion from government affairs, which is challenged by the BJP's policies favoring Hindu identity.