Following the uprising, the Hindutva-influenced Indian government extended refuge and support to the displaced Mujibist elements while simultaneously employing its state apparatus to delegitimize the movement. Through state-controlled narratives and a global propaganda campaign, the BJP sought to frame the uprising as either a “color revolution” or a radical extremist rebellion, undermining its democratic legitimacy. This narrative has been reinforced through the strategic use of religious polarization, with the BJP propagating Muslims as a perceived threat to Hindu communities. By constructing such binaries of religious conflict, Hindutva has bolstered its ideological platform and consolidated political power, legitimizing policies that marginalize minority communities and sustain a divisive politics of polarization.
Confronting Hindutva: The Politics of Friendship in South Asia
Hindutva, as an ideological construct rooted in Hindu nationalism, has evolved from its initial emergence within Indian political discourse to a broader framework of regional dominance and expansionism across South Asia. While its proponents advocate Hindutva as a cultural revival of Hindu identity, critics argue that it operates as a hegemonic project designed to reconstruct the political, cultural, and social structures of the region. Drawing parallels with the territorial annexation policies of Zionism, Hindutva redefines boundaries of legitimacy, branding traditions, beliefs, and practices outside Hindu customs as foreign or illegitimate. This expansionist vision is not confined to India but extends its influence into the internal dynamics of neighboring sovereign states and communities aspiring for independence within South Asia. The institutional framework supporting Hindutva is centered on organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its political counterpart, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Over the years, Hindutva has transitioned from cultural nationalism to assertive expansionist policies aimed at securing India’s regional hegemony. These policies are often justified through narratives of communal violence, which frame neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka as integral to a broader Hindu cultural domain.
Hindutva’s geopolitical ambitions are evident in its overt and covert interventions in the domestic politics of neighboring nations. In Bangladesh, this has been manifested in its alignment with the remnants of the fascist regime tied to Mujibism.This collaboration has drawn criticism for undermining Bangladesh’s democratic processes, as Mujibism has been perceived as a local collaborator aiding Hindutva’s expansionist agenda. The nexus between Hindutva and Mujibism has played a central role in perpetuating instability along the Bengal frontier, with Mujibism acting as a facilitator of Hindutva’s strategic interests. In the aftermath of the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh, this alignment has become particularly consequential, as the ousted fascist regime has sought to destabilize the nation across multiple fronts, with Hindutva acting as a critical ally in its survival strategy.
Following the uprising, the Hindutva-influenced Indian government extended refuge and support to the displaced Mujibist elements while simultaneously employing its state apparatus to delegitimize the movement. Through state-controlled narratives and a global propaganda campaign, the BJP sought to frame the uprising as either a “color revolution” or a radical extremist rebellion, undermining its democratic legitimacy. This narrative has been reinforced through the strategic use of religious polarization, with the BJP propagating Muslims as a perceived threat to Hindu communities. By constructing such binaries of religious conflict, Hindutva has bolstered its ideological platform and consolidated political power, legitimizing policies that marginalize minority communities and sustain a divisive politics of polarization.
These destabilizing efforts have also manifested within Bangladesh through violent incidents aimed at undermining communal harmony and neutralizing the democratic aspirations of its people. One notable example is the unrest in the Chittagong court area, triggered by the arrest of Chinmoy Kumar. This episode escalated into severe violence, culminating in the brutal murder of lawyer Saiful Islam. Such incidents underscore the coordinated attempts by Hindutva forces, in alliance with ousted Mujibist elements, to subvert Bangladesh’s socio-political stability and erode the momentum of the democratic movement.The struggle for a democratic and self-reliant Bangladesh necessitates resistance against the collaboration between Hindutva and Mujibism. Upholding the ideals of the July 2024 uprising requires dismantling this alliance, which poses a critical threat to the nation’s sovereignty and democratic aspirations. Solidarity with democracy-seeking forces across the region, particularly in India, is imperative for countering Hindutva’s expansionist ambitions and fostering a vision of South Asia grounded in economic prosperity and political dignity.To make the solidarity among the democracy seeking forces, we have to develop a politics of friendship in South Asia by rejuvenating historical relation among us reflecting broader cultural and community engagement.
Throughout history, civilizations have engaged not only in conflict but also in peaceful exchanges, fostering mutual learning and cultural synthesis. This interconnectedness often developed without conquest or coercion, highlighting the complexity of civilizational interactions.The Indian Ocean by which South Asian countries are connected exemplified this civilizational confluence, serving as the world’s largest trading network before European colonial disruptions. Spanning East Africa to Southeast Asia, this maritime domain fostered trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of ideas, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Unlike regions dominated by single powers, the Indian Ocean remained free from exclusive hegemony, nurturing principles such as freedom of the seas and the shared heritage of maritime trade .Key to this open system was the city of Malacca, a thriving 15th-century port with a diverse population of over 100,000, where 84 languages were spoken. Malacca’s inclusive and rule-based trade practices, including predictable customs duties and merchant-appointed officials (shahbandars), ensured fairness and facilitated global commerce. The port city’s prominence as a trading hub even surpassed Venice, reflecting the Indian Ocean’s significance as a global crossroads.Before European colonial powers imposed control, the Indian Ocean’s openness and collaborative ethos supported cultural and economic dynamism, shaping principles foundational to contemporary globalization. In the contemporary context, Hindutva’s expansionist ambitions threaten to disrupt the tradition of collaboration and interconnectedness that defines the region’s history. Aligning with the legacy of collaboration to counter these divisive forces like fascism and Hindutva, a multi-layered approach is necessary, emphasizing people-to-people and community-to-community relationships that extend beyond state-level interactions. The July 2024 uprising, Dhaka reflects a new political aspiration, one that seeks to foster inclusivity and cultural cooperation within the Bay of Bengal region. By embracing collective efforts, South Asia can overcome the challenges posed by fascism and Hindutva, paving the way for a future rooted in inclusivity, shared progress, and economic prosperity.