Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Vehl

(1,915 posts)
19. Great write-up, but not sure if we can call the BJP center right...they are pretty left
Fri May 16, 2014, 02:36 AM
May 2014

Great write-up Laelth!

I might have to disagree on the term "center-right" applied to the NDA though.

They are pro big government, pro public education and pro investment in national infrastructure(eg: highways). As someone originally from that region of the world, I find that me and most of my friends of my generation (Millennial's) are pro NDA/AAP. Hardly anyone in my varied friends circle supports the congress. They are seen as utterly corrupt, and stuck in the 1950s. The way the Congress party seems to be approaching the election is virtually unchanged. They swoop in on their limos, make promises , give handouts to the poor and promptly vanish when the elections are over.

The Educated and the Youth of India have grown out of the "we need to be helped/need handouts" mentality. They now demand opportunity so they can help themselves. The biggest hurdles for India's development at this moment are corruption, the lack of investment in national infrastructure and lackluster funding for higher education. Unlike republicans, or Ronald Reagon; Modi is not against big government or taxes, nor is he pro big business. However Businesses do like him not because he supports less regulation, but because he has never been accused of corruption. If you are a young Indian entrepreneur, your chances of making it big are really slim under the current Congress government. The moment your endeavor starts making money, the local politician's goons would pay a visit, asking for their "cut". Want to bid for government tenders? forget it...unless you are willing to pay millions in bribes. The current election results are a window into the changes happening in India. Times have changed, and the congress lost because it did not keep up with the changes.


*storytime *

With Regards to the "Hindu Nationalism/Communalism" of the BJP, there is an interesting back-story. Often news media just parrots the "Hindu Nationalists" title without hinting at their origins or what they stand for. The BJP's origins can be traced back to Sarvarkar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinayak_Damodar_Savarkar. He , along with Subash Chandra Bose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhas_Chandra_Bose were once members of the Indian national Congress; the parent party out of which the current congress party originated. However, Unlike Gandhi and Nehru, Bose and Sarvarkar were not fans of the non-violent struggle. They were pro nonviolent struggle early on, but decided that it is not worth it when the early non-violent protests were crushed by the British. Subhas Chandra Bose was the president of the Indian National Congress then.(And would have been the first PM of India had he stayed).

"He stood for unqualified Swaraj (self-governance), including the use of force against the British. This meant a confrontation with Mohandas Gandhi, who in fact opposed Bose's presidency,[42] splitting the Indian National Congress party. Bose attempted to maintain unity, but Gandhi advised Bose to form his own cabinet. The rift also divided Bose and Nehru." (shamelessly copied from wiki) "



This resulted in a considerable segment of the members of the Indian freedom movement cutting their ties to the Indian national congress and forming their own parties. Subhas Chandra Bose would end up forming the formidable Indian National Army, and die fighting the British, and Sarvarka would lay the groundwork for the current BJP.


Naturally it would not be correct to claim that Sarvarkar was the sole originator of the core ideals of the party, but rather he was one of the most vocal proponents of it. And he was an Atheist. Yes...this is not something most people are aware of..and is not something the news media events hints at. The term "Hindu Nationalist" might configure up notions of some frenzied group of religious cultists frothing at their mouth at a chance to have a go at the religious minorities, however the "Hindu Nationalist" as defined by Sarvarka simply meant someone who considered himself the son of the soil.

The word "Hindu" is not of Indian origin. Its the bastardization of the word "Sindu" . Sindu is the name of a river on the northwestern part of India, and the Persians called those who lived around and to the east of the river the "H(S)indhus". S morphs to H in Persian. Sarvarkar's Hindu Nationalist is defined thus in his own words.(shamelessly copied from wiki yet again )

"Savarkar promotes a radical new vision of Hindu social and political consciousness. Savarkar began describing a "Hindu" as a patriotic inhabitant of Bharatavarsha,[19] venturing beyond a religious identity.[13][20] While emphasising the need for patriotic and social unity of all Hindu communities, he described Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism as one and same. He outlined his vision of a "Hindu Rashtra" (Hindu Nation) as "Akhand Bharat" (United India), purportedly stretching across the entire Indian subcontinent. He defined the Hindu race as neither Aryan, or Dravidian but as[21]

“ that People who live as children of a common motherland, adoring a common holyland ”
Scholars, historians and Indian politicians have been divided in their interpretation of Savarkar's ideas. A self-described atheist,[2] Savarkar regards being Hindu as a cultural and political identity. While often stressing social and community unity between Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains, Savarkar's notions of loyalty to the fatherland are seen as an implicit criticism of minorities e.g. Muslims, Christians, etc. who regard Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, etc."


I digress. There were a huge number of Indians who supported the ideals of Subhash chandra bose, and Sarvarkar. They considered the path Gandhi took to be very demeaning and believed that freedom should not be begged in a non-violent manner, but fought for using any means. My grandfather, and great grandfather were supporters of the Indian national army, whereas some of their relatives supported Gandhi/Nehru. It was based solely on personal preference and not because one faction was considered more liberal and the other more religious.(Both my grandparents were Atheists).in fact both factions were (and are) very liberal and are hardly different when it comes to social issues; even to this day.

Modi, was a child laborer (as a child,sold tea to support his family),is from one of the "lowest castes" and had neither money nor dynastic power. The Opposing candidate is the scion of the ruling dynasty, was born with a silver spoon and belongs to the "highest" caste. While Modi is not perfect, he sure is way better than what the opposition has to offer...and his story is one of the unlikeliest stories in India.

A former child laborer getting elected as the Prime Minister of a Billion people? This is indeed a proud moment for Indian democracy, and a testament to how far it has come in the past 65 years.



PS:
I created a thread on Bose a couple of years back, in case anyone is interested in checking it out
Divergent paths to the same goal, Gandhi and Bose
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9244480
Sonia Ghandi has to go. Dawson Leery May 2014 #1
I hope I am dead wrong about the Reagan/Modi comparison. Laelth May 2014 #2
I hope you are wrong about that comparison too. Dawson Leery May 2014 #3
War with Pakistan...on the horizon ,,, nt kelliekat44 May 2014 #22
I doubt that. Laelth May 2014 #24
Thanks for this Laelth! villager May 2014 #4
My pleasure. n/t Laelth May 2014 #5
wow. that was a lot to read, but i learned a lot too. Sheri May 2014 #6
My pleasure. I am glad you found the post informative. n/t Laelth May 2014 #27
This should be in The New York Times. Octafish May 2014 #7
You are very kind. Laelth May 2014 #8
Marvelous, edifying post! Thank you so much! scarletwoman May 2014 #9
Aw, thanks. Glad you appreciated the post. Laelth May 2014 #29
Good stuff. Thanks for posting. n/t Benton D Struckcheon May 2014 #10
Thanks for the response and for the kind words. n/t Laelth May 2014 #37
The incredible diversity in India is always interesting to read about. pampango May 2014 #11
but most of his support is not for religious reasons but economic JI7 May 2014 #13
+1 nt Vehl May 2014 #20
I hope you are right. My reading of his time as governor is one of increased strife between pampango May 2014 #33
i would like to see exit poll results and see how certain groups voted , how much muslim JI7 May 2014 #40
very informative post JI7 May 2014 #12
Stunning early numbers: BJP 220, Congress 66 Recursion May 2014 #14
And it's official: NDA has 272 Recursion May 2014 #15
Gandhi will concede at noon; BJP alone hits 250 Recursion May 2014 #16
The governor of Assam just resigned during an interview Recursion May 2014 #17
Thank you! I will... JackRiddler May 2014 #18
Thanks. Glad you liked it. n/t Laelth May 2014 #41
Great write-up, but not sure if we can call the BJP center right...they are pretty left Vehl May 2014 #19
Excellent post. Thanks. Laelth May 2014 #21
The Liberalism Congress stands for is anything but that. Vehl May 2014 #43
Muslims Vote Is Increasing Joel thakkar May 2014 #51
Good points Vehl May 2014 #58
Blame Sonia Gandhi. She bent over backwards to appease Dawson Leery May 2014 #55
Yep, India really needs a single secular civil code Vehl May 2014 #59
But Netaji was hardly free from controversy either Recursion May 2014 #39
He had no other choice, imo; and the Brit Rule of India saw Millions of deaths due to famine Vehl May 2014 #44
Still, I always wonder, if Vivekenanda had lived... Recursion May 2014 #49
This is a really interesting question indeed. Vehl May 2014 #60
It's one of those great "what-ifs". Ironic his first name was "Narendra"... Recursion May 2014 #63
Excellent post, thank you! Very interesting to read. sabrina 1 May 2014 #46
You are welcome! Vehl May 2014 #61
Update: 7:00 AM EDST Laelth May 2014 #23
A wonderful writeup seveneyes May 2014 #25
Update: 8:15 AM EDST Laelth May 2014 #26
Narendra Modi takes a "selfie" with the BJP lotus. Laelth May 2014 #28
The BJP (alone) has crossed 272. Update: 9:50 AM EDST. Laelth May 2014 #30
It appears to be quite a landslide for BJP IronLionZion May 2014 #31
Hindustan Times suggests Obama is playing nice at the moment. Laelth May 2014 #34
Thx for taking the time to put all that together. nt okaawhatever May 2014 #32
My pleasure. n/t Laelth May 2014 #36
Final Tally - Indian Lok Sabha Election of 2014 Laelth May 2014 #35
Thank you for an excellent thread. I hope they do not squander this victory sabrina 1 May 2014 #47
My pleasure. I am glad you found the post informative. n/t Laelth May 2014 #54
thanks for the information! n/t RainDog May 2014 #38
My pleasure. n/t Laelth May 2014 #42
My prediction here: LittleBlue May 2014 #45
n/t Joel thakkar May 2014 #52
I appreciate this very much. woo me with science May 2014 #48
Sorry for the delay: great post Recursion May 2014 #50
Large Amt of info..i have closely studied this election Joel thakkar May 2014 #53
All good info - thank you. Kber May 2014 #56
I have already made another thread Joel thakkar May 2014 #57
Modi to propose and Indian Version of Americorps? seems like they are looking for volunteers Vehl May 2014 #62
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The Indian Election of 20...»Reply #19