Religious nationalism threatens democracy and minority rights

Source: The post Why Manual Scavenging Still Exists in India has been created, based on the article “Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: Why the South Asian neighbourhood is on edge” published in “Indian Express” on 3rd December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1-Society-Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Context: The article discusses the rise of religious nationalism in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It warns that this ideology harms democracy, increases sectarian violence, and threatens minorities. It argues that religious nationalism will lead to authoritarianism and destroy both human rights and democratic values in these countries. Religious nationalism threatens democracy and minority rights

For detailed information on Threat of Majoritarianism to Indian and US Democracies read this article here

What is the main issue in South Asia?

South Asia, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, is witnessing rising religious nationalism. This threatens democracy, peace, and human decency. These countries show similar symptoms of communalism, with state policies increasingly targeting minorities and fostering religious conflicts.

What is happening in Bangladesh?

1. Loss of Legitimacy: Sheikh Hasina’s government faces declining legitimacy. Political rivalry between the Awami League and its opponents dominates Bangladesh’s political history.
2. Rise of Islamism: Islamist groups are gaining influence, creating risks for minorities, especially Hindus.
3. Communal Targeting Denials: The elite deny Hindu targeting, citing reasons like collateral damage or performative secularism. India often exaggerates the situation for political gains, worsening the issue.

What role does India play?

1. Concerns About Minorities: India claims concern for minorities in Bangladesh but uses it politically to stoke communalism domestically.
2. Internal Majoritarianism: India is normalizing hate speech, lynching, and prejudice. For example, actions like mosque claims and Waqf Board issues escalate communal tensions.
3. Ayodhya Effect: The Ayodhya dispute’s outcome fuels further Hindu nationalist agendas rather than resolving communal issues.

What is Pakistan’s situation?

1. Religious Identity Crisis: Pakistan’s state identity, based on religion, puts minorities like Ahmadiyyas and Shias at risk. Recent Shia-Sunni violence, such as in Kurram, highlights this problem.
2. Perpetual Crisis: The military’s weakening legitimacy and religious benchmarking contribute to ongoing instability.
3. Lessons for Others: Pakistan demonstrates how state-enforced religion leads to authoritarianism and violence, influencing Hindutva ideologies in India.

What is the key lesson?

1. The identities of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh remain tied due to their shared history of partition and current communal politics. Each uses the other’s turmoil to justify its actions, worsening the regional crisis.
2. State-sponsored religious nationalism always leads to authoritarianism, undermines democracy, and causes humanitarian crises.
3. Examples include the communal targeting in Bangladesh, India’s majoritarian politics, and Pakistan’s religious identity crisis.

Question for practice:

Discuss how religious nationalism in South Asia threatens democracy and minority rights in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.