Hindu Nationalism and Democracy
Hindu Nationalism and Democracy examines the rise
of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as one of the dominant forces
within Indian politics. The ideology of the party is analyzed as
a form of religious nationalism, with possible strains in its relation
to the religious minorities of India. The book focuses on the position
of the Muslim minority and analyzes he position of the BJP in relation
to two issues with major importance within Indian politics: Uniform
Civil Code - Shah Bano case and controversy in Ayodhya. Both issues
have been studied on a national level and in a local study conducted
in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
On a theoretical level the book draws upon the
discourse of nationalism theory. It also discusses the position
of the BJP on minority versus majority rights in relation to the
debate beween liberals and communitarians, where the latter is a
reaction against the liberal ideal of a neutral state, instead suggesting
a political theory based on the specific values and traditions of
each community. The party's position in the Shah Bano case and the
Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi controversy is best described as mono-communitarian,
emphasizing Hindu supremacy at the expense of minority rights.
Contents
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Religion, Nationalism and Democracy
3. Ideological Roots of Hindu Nationalism
4. Hindu Nationalism after Independence
5. The Uniform Civil Code
6. Ayodhya and The Rama Temple
7. BJP in Varanasi
8. Challenge to Secularism and Democracy
References
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