The unprecedented rise of Hindu Nationalism in the United States: Fueled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP ( News Break )

The Unprecedented Rise of Hindu Nationalism

Over the past decade, there has been an unprecedented rise in Hindu nationalism in the United States. Organizations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) have become increasingly powerful and influential in American political and cultural life. Fueled by the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India, Hindu nationalists have used their growing influence to propagate an exclusive version of Hinduism known as Hindutva.

Hindutva advocates for an “ideologically Hindu” Indian state and seeks to paint Hinduism as a cultural and religious majority that should dominate India. It’s also a movement characterized by deep-rooted hatred and violence against non-Hindus, including Muslims and Christians. This ideology has been embraced by many diaspora Hindu-Americans who have sought to whitewash the anti-Muslim bigotry and human rights abuses that have been perpetrated by the RSS and the BJP in India.

A resurgent India and its diaspora

The rise of Hindu nationalism in the United States is intimately connected to the rise of India as a global economic and political power. India’s emergence as a major player on the world stage has emboldened Hindu nationalists, who seek to export their brand of “Hindutva” to Indian diaspora communities around the world. With the rise of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, Hindu nationalists have seen an opportunity to gain a foothold in the United States and to shape the American domestic and foreign policy agendas. Hindu nationalists have sought to create a network of Hindu-American organizations that are dedicated to promoting the BJP’s Hindutva agenda. In addition, Hindu nationalists have invested heavily in public relations campaigns to portray Hindutva in a positive light in the United States and to downplay Hindutva’s violent and exclusionary tendencies.

Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have played an instrumental role in the rise of Hindu nationalism in the United States. Modi has become an icon for Hindu-Americans, particularly among second-generation Hindu-Americans, who see him as a crusader against “Islamic terrorism.” Modi’s appeal in the United States has been further bolstered by the BJP’s significant investments in lobbying and public relations efforts in America. The BJP has sought to maintain strong ties with Hindu-American groups, particularly those with strong ties to India, such as the VHP-A and the Overseas Friends of the BJP.

American Hindutva

Hindu nationalists in the United States have worked to establish a distinct version of Hindutva. This new version of Hindutva, commonly referred to as “American Hindutva,” seeks to create an ideology that is more acceptable to American audiences. American Hindutva seeks to downplay the Hindu nationalist movement’s violent and exclusionary tendencies, instead emphasizing its “cultural” aspects such as Hindu festivals, deities, and mythology. Hindu nationalist organizations such as the VHP-A and the HAF have sought to propagate this version of Hindutva through various strategies, including lobbying for Hindu-centric school curriculum and launching public awareness campaigns about “cultural Hinduism,” in an effort to influence the American public’s view of Hinduism and its traditions.

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