Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7 October. In recent months, the call for unity among Hindus has intensified, with prominent leaders emphasizing the need to overcome internal divisions within the community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat have each urged the Hindu community to eliminate differences based on language, caste, and region to ensure collective security and societal harmony.
At an event in Baran, Rajasthan, Bhagwat reiterated the importance of unity, emphasizing that Bharat’s identity as a “Hindu nation” goes beyond labels and that Hindus have lived on this land since ancient times, even though the term “Hindu” came later. “Hindus embrace everyone and live in harmony through continuous dialogue,” Bhagwat remarked. His statement echoes the sentiment expressed by Modi and Yogi Adityanath, who have both highlighted the dangers of division within the Hindu community.
Political and Social Context
This call for unity is not happening in isolation. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been increasingly accusing opposition parties, particularly the Congress, of attempting to divide Hindus along caste lines to weaken their political base. Rahul Gandhi and his Congress party have been at the forefront of caste-based mobilization, promoting policies that aim to uplift marginalized groups, often drawing criticism from the BJP for exacerbating internal divisions within Hindu society.
In August 2024, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a stern warning to Hindus, cautioning them that “batenge toh katenge” (if Hindus get divided, they’ll be cut down). Prime Minister Modi reiterated this sentiment during a rally in Maharashtra’s Thane on October 5, emphasizing the importance of staying united in the face of political and social challenges.
Bhagwat’s statements not only align with the political messaging of the BJP but also underline the RSS’s long-held view that a unified Hindu society is essential for Bharat’s strength and security. He described the RSS as an unparalleled organization, driven by values that influence its volunteers and the larger society. According to Bhagwat, the RSS operates not just as a mechanical entity but as a values-based organization that seeks to foster harmony and national cohesion.
The Strategic Importance of Unity
The emphasis on unity within the Hindu community comes at a crucial time in Bharat’s socio-political landscape. The BJP, which has long relied on a consolidated Hindu vote bank, faces challenges from opposition parties that are increasingly appealing to caste-based and regional identities. This fragmentation of the Hindu vote poses a potential threat to the BJP’s dominance in national and state elections.
By promoting a message of unity, leaders like Modi, Yogi Adityanath, and Bhagwat are attempting to reinforce a pan-Hindu identity that transcends caste and regional differences. The underlying message is clear: internal divisions within the Hindu community could weaken their collective political and social power, potentially benefiting opposition parties that exploit these fault lines.
The focus on Hindu unity also ties into the larger narrative of Bharat’s civilizational identity. By portraying Bharat as a “Hindu nation,” these leaders seek to reclaim and assert a cultural and historical continuity that, they argue, has been diluted by decades of secularism and identity politics. For the RSS, this cultural assertion is not just a political strategy but a fundamental aspect of its vision for Bharat.
Conclusion
The growing call for Hindu unity, spearheaded by leaders like Modi, Yogi Adityanath, and Mohan Bhagwat, is a calculated response to the political and social challenges that arise from a divided Hindu electorate. As opposition parties attempt to mobilize support along caste lines, the BJP and RSS are doubling down on a pan-Hindu identity that seeks to overcome internal divisions and present a unified front.
This push for Hindu unity serves both ideological and strategic purposes. Ideologically, it aligns with the RSS’s vision of a unified Hindu nation, which emphasizes cultural continuity and collective security. Strategically, it is a response to the growing threat posed by caste-based political mobilization, which could erode the BJP’s traditional support base.
However, while the call for unity resonates with many within the community, it also risks alienating groups that feel marginalized by the dominant narrative of Hindutva. The challenge for the BJP and RSS will be to balance their message of unity with a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that their rhetoric does not deepen existing social fractures. Ultimately, the success of this strategy will depend on how effectively it addresses the real concerns of Bharat’s diverse Hindu population while maintaining the cohesion that the leaders so fervently advocate.
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