Majoritarian Politics Is Here To Stay: Ideology And Identity In Indian Politics

Summary

In this insightful interview, Rahul Verma, a political scientist, examines the ideological and identity-based shifts in Indian politics, particularly during the 2019 elections. He discusses how the rise of the BJP reflects broader historical trends of majoritarianism, diverging from the inclusive, pluralist vision of India's founders. Verma highlights the increasing polarization, the decline of the political center, and the challenges these pose to India's democratic fabric. The conversation stresses the need for critical engagement with the evolving political landscape and reflects on the future trajectory of India's democracy amidst growing ideological divides.

Takeaways

• 😀 The photo on the book cover represents Nehru's first cabinet, symbolizing the ideological diversity in India's politics at the time of independence.
• 😀 The central theme of the conversation focuses on how India's political landscape has been shaped by the interplay of ideology and identity, especially post-partition.
• 😀 The partition of India remains a significant and lasting influence on the country's politics, especially in terms of religious and identity-based divisions.
• 😀 The concept of India's identity has always been a subject of ideological conflict, with different political parties representing various interpretations of Indian identity.
• 😀 The Nehruvian consensus, while dominant in the 1950s and 1960s, faced internal challenges from both the left and the right, illustrating early ideological diversity within the Congress party.
• 😀 The idea of 'the Idea of India' has been contested over time, with different factions, especially during the rise of the BJP, presenting their own version of what India represents.
• 😀 Ideological conflicts in India are deeply connected to social hierarchies, with policies often aligning with or against specific community identities, such as caste and religion.
• 😀 The BJP, under Modi's leadership, has presented an overarching national identity, often downplaying pluralism in favor of a more uniform narrative focused on Hindu identity.
• 😀 The rise of nationalism and nativism in global politics, including in India, has resulted in efforts to unify national identity at the expense of recognizing diverse regional and cultural identities.
• 😀 Majoritarianism, a key theme in the 2019 election, has sparked debates about democracy, where the will of the majority is prioritized, potentially sidelining minority rights.
• 😀 The 2019 election has seen the emergence of strong regional identities and parties, challenging the traditional ideological divide between national and regional politics, and raising questions about the future of India's plural democracy.

Q & A

What is the significance of the photograph on the cover of Rahul Verma's book 'Ideology and Identity'?

The photograph on the book's cover is of Nehru's first cabinet, taken on August 16, 1947. It features individuals from different ideological backgrounds, including Nehru at the center, with figures like Shama Prasad Mookerjee on the extreme right and Dr. Ambedkar on the extreme left. The photo symbolizes the ideological diversity within India's political landscape, highlighting the challenges of uniting diverse political ideologies in post-independence India.

What role does the shadow of partition play in contemporary Indian politics, according to Rahul Verma?

Rahul Verma suggests that the legacy of partition, which was deeply tied to religious identity, continues to influence Indian politics. The divisive nature of partition still shapes political debates, especially those surrounding identity, religion, and the policies related to them in contemporary Indian society.

How does Rahul Verma define the concept of 'ideology' in Indian politics?

Rahul Verma defines ideology as a bundle of related political issues that are interconnected and often form a cohesive political stance. He explains that ideologies in Indian politics go beyond mere political preferences and are deeply tied to identity, shaping the policies and beliefs of political parties.

What is the relationship between ideology and identity in the context of Indian politics?

Verma argues that in India, identity and ideology are deeply intertwined. Political ideologies in India often stem from social identities such as caste, religion, and regional affiliations. These identities influence which ideologies individuals and groups align with, making the study of Indian democracy more complex as both elements—ideology and identity—shape political alignments and party loyalties.

How does the rise of the BJP in recent years reflect long-term historical trends in Indian politics?

Rahul Verma sees the rise of the BJP not as a sudden development but as a culmination of a long-standing ideological battle over the 'idea of India.' He explains that the BJP's success builds on decades of ideological conflict and competition over the definition of India’s political identity, particularly around issues of secularism, nationalism, and regionalism.

What is the difference between national identity and religious or regional identity in the context of BJP's political strategy?

The BJP’s political strategy aims to promote a national identity that transcends religious and regional differences. This overarching identity focuses on unity and nationalism, often sidelining the complex plurality of India’s social fabric. In contrast, regional parties and other opposition groups emphasize regional or caste-based identities in their political mobilization.

How does majoritarianism differ from democracy, and why is it a concern in the context of the 2019 election?

Majoritarianism is about the dominance of the majority’s will, potentially at the expense of minority rights. While democracy is based on majority rule, it also entails the protection of minority rights. The 2019 election, with its emphasis on Hindu-majoritarianism, has sparked concerns about whether India’s pluralistic democracy is being threatened by a shift toward a more exclusionary majoritarian politics.

What does Rahul Verma mean by 'politics of recognition,' and how does it relate to the current political landscape?

The 'politics of recognition' refers to the acknowledgment and inclusion of marginalized groups’ identities, such as caste, religion, and region, in the political and economic spheres. Verma suggests that while some parties like the BJP may favor a unified national identity, others such as the Congress or regional parties support the recognition of multiple identities and their respective rights.

How does the concept of populism, especially of the right-wing variety, influence the political narrative in India?

Right-wing populism in India, as per Verma, seeks to consolidate national identity by downplaying diversity and focusing on a unified vision of India. This narrative often involves portraying the nation as being under threat from external or internal forces, particularly from minorities or ideologically different groups. It aims to rally support by creating a sense of unity among the majority, often at the expense of pluralism.

What challenges does India face in reclaiming a central, pluralistic space in politics, according to the discussion?

Verma highlights that the center has become vacant due to increasing polarization in Indian politics, with people being pushed to extreme positions. He questions whether it is possible to reclaim the center, suggesting that this is a crucial conversation for both left- and right-wing political groups to engage in, to restore a more balanced and pluralistic political space.