India’s transition in 2014 from a seven-decade-long pseudo-secular political framework to a nationalist paradigm under Narendra Modi was not merely a reflection of his immense popularity. It was, more significantly, the outcome of deep-rooted scars of subjugation, exploitation, and persecution endured by the Hindu majority for over a millennium under successive Muslim and British rulers. For patriotic and nationalist Indians, Modi represented a beacon of hope-a leader who could catalyze a renaissance and restore India’s cultural ethos, which had been consistently undermined for centuries.
It is vital for Narendra Modi and the BJP to understand that the 2014 mandate was not solely about achieving goals like “Viksit Bharat by 2047” or becoming a “Vishwaguru.” While progress and prosperity were undoubtedly desired, they were secondary to the larger aspiration of reclaiming the pristine glory of Sanatana Dharma. Hindus, who had been relegated to second-class citizens in their own land through systematic marginalization, voted for a restoration of their pride, hugely trampled by the Mughals, the British and ironically the Congress that colluded with the later overtly and covertly. The growing realization of safeguarding the Hindu identity manifested in the formation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951 as a political alternative to the Congress to represent the cultural, social, and political aspirations of nationalist Hindus in post-independence India. Its creation was rooted in dissatisfaction with the policies of the British. The seeds of nationalism began to take root and flourish during the period of Hindu subjugation under British colonial rule for nearly 200 years.
Indians in general and the Hindus in particular bore the brunt of policies that subjugated their identity, divided their society, and weakened the fabric of Sanatana Dharma. British rule systematically undermined the Hindu way of life through caste divisions and one after another legislative interventions. They viewed India not just as a colony but as a civilization to be reformed and controlled. Hindu society, with its diverse practices and spiritual richness, was perceived as an obstacle to the colonial mission. The Sahibs disempowered Hindus in governance, education, and military ranks. They replaced time tested systems of governance with British laws, often disregarding Sanatan customs and traditions. This led to the gradual erosion of self-governance that India’s benevolent majority community had practiced for centuries. True that the caste distinctions existed in pre-colonial India, the British amplified these divisions to create havoc with the Hindu society for their sustenance and political control. Through the introduction of census classifications and land tenure systems, the British rigidified the caste hierarchy. Communities were often categorized arbitrarily, solidifying social divisions that were previously fluid. This did not end there. Making the caste system more pronounced was actually intended to fragment the Hindu society and create an atmosphere for conversations. Mughals did their worst while enforcing conversion, the British unleashed a soft attitude to lure Hindus, especially, what they kept trumpeting as lower castes. The British prioritized Christian missionaries and their efforts to “civilize” Hindus. Missionaries denigrated Sanatan customs and practices, labeling them as backward and superstitious, thereby eroding the confidence of many Hindus.
Sanatana Dharma, the eternal way of life followed by Hindus, was deeply affected. Temples, which were centers of learning and community welfare, came under state control. This is continuing even now, thanks to the Congress, the creation of aggressors. Most of the famous temples of India are still under the control of the government. The British imposed heavy taxes on temple lands, diverting resources away from spiritual and cultural activities.