The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is at a crossroads. From just two MPs in 1984, he has gained power over large swathes of India and at all levels of decision-making, both inside and outside government. Today, no state remains immune to BJP politics. At the top of power, the question facing the BJP is whether it should turn more radically right to keep the electorate polarized or tone down its rhetoric in an attempt to appeal to a diverse electorate. There are indications of both impulses within the BJP, but as the international row over comments made against the Prophet Muhammad by now-suspended party members shows, it would be a mistake to assume that a moderate stance can coexist with a radical populace. -vibrant.

The party is hectic

The impulse towards radicalism and polarization is evident not only in the explosion of hate speech against minorities, as seen at Dharam Sansads where there are open calls for mass murder, the ’80-20 in the UP elections, and on other occasions, but in the repeated attempt to force conflict with Muslims and provoke reactions through the hijab controversy in Karnataka, the namaz issue in Gurugram and calls to search chills in mosques. These issues are irrelevant to the affirmation and consolidation of Hindu identity unless the basis of Hindu identity is not its own rich cultural ethos but playing an antagonist to a Muslim protagonist. Serious BJP leaders and supporters try to explain this unrest in two ways: first, by trying to distance the party from the most egregious instances by labeling these people as “marginal” or lower-level leaders who are jostling to gain visibility or advantage over competitors in factional battles; and second, by dismissing them as one-time gross excesses by hitherto suppressed non-elites who are now finding their voice. These explanations are not convincing because there is no condemnation or action against these “marginal” actors. Instead, the cadre appears to be finding identity and purpose by intimidating minorities under the auspices of the BJP leadership.

This strategy is wrong and needs to be rethought. The outburst of hatred against minorities is not only against the national interest, but also against the long-term interest of the BJP. Leaders attempting to build new organizations often work outside the confines of traditional behavior or the law for various reasons such as lack of social or financial capital and increased visibility of shock value to attract engaged executives through pointed messages, polarization, etc. However, as organizations gain power and influence and reach a certain size, they seek legitimacy to further consolidate their position. In a democracy, winning elections gives legitimacy. But pursuing an openly sectarian agenda delegitimizes both electoral victory and the governing party’s governance record.

The way to go

Over the past eight years, the BJP has brushed off any criticism of elite myopia. However, it should be obvious that mainstream legitimacy cannot be achieved by marginalizing 15% of the country’s population. This is for two reasons. First, embarrassing excesses are not aberrations but the inevitable tendency of politicians to exaggerate cleavages. If management does not set and enforce boundaries of acceptable behavior for its executives, lower-level leaders will tend to engage in more obnoxious behavior, thereby moving the party outside of management’s comfort zone. current. This is already visible in the criticism of the BJP leadership by some of its online supporters for the actions taken against the two BJP leaders. Second, the conflict that is being pursued by part of the leadership with 15% of the population will inevitably strain the rule of law and impact governance.

In the absence of a strong national opposition, it would be a mistake to assume that repeated electoral victories justify divisive politics. There is evidence across the country that people are growing weary of constant hatred and the specter of widespread violence, but they lack a national political platform to channel that disenchantment into meaningful opposition. Moreover, the type of politics pursued by the BJP currently will also make it difficult for it to find allies in the future to counteract the inevitable anti-tenureality of two terms. The only long-term and viable way forward for the BJP then is moderation – not just in rhetoric but in policy. The strand of welfare-oriented cultural nationalism pursued by the BJP falls within the realm of mainstream politics and provides a ready model for the party of the future. It is up to his leadership to decide the course of the BJP. However, it must contain the vigilantes and make it clear that the path to advancement in the party does not lie in spreading hatred.

Ruchi Gupta is the Executive Director of the Future of India Foundation. Twitter: guptar