The writing on the wall in India is becoming clearer and clearer, there is a move towards Hindu polarization. The Congress (I), and the BJP are concerning on serious political matters, A’ silken ‘smooth way is being paved for a Congress(I)BJP coalition government after the April national election. It was thought until recently that the Rao government had during the past four years moved decisively close to the BJP, on the issue of converting India into a Hindu state, Illustrative of this new relationship was the demolition of Babri Masjid through virtually a joint enterprise of the two parties. Subsequently, the Rao government deepened its policy by “burning the Chirar e Shrief masjid in Kashmir, by not permitting ‘any progress towards punishing the Hindus guilt’s of the 1984 camage of Sikhs in Delhi and contemptuously declining suggestions to seek pardon of Sikhs for the 1984 operation Blue Star, The Rao government answered by appointing KPS Gill as director general of Punjab police who, in tum, slaughtered Sikhs in the most ruthless manner known in the history of India. This position is not altered by Gill’s retirement early this week. In any case, he had to go one day. He is 61 and was given an unusual three years more after retirement. Besides, his continuance had started hurting the ruling party in view of the forthcoming election. Even so, according to India’s home ministry, another appointment elsewhere is being considered, for Gill. The Rao government’s overall policies fall in a pattern. That pattern is Hindu is action of the polity and elimination of minorities as a decisive political force. It was generally thought that while the Rao government saw eye to eye with the BJP on the domestic issues, the government had different perceptions while dealing with foreign affairs. This myth stands exploded by the recent revelations that the Rao government had almost religiously implemented the foreign policy agenda set four years ago by the BJP. It so happened that the BJP’s national executive met at ‘thru vantha pura, Kerala, in 1991, and adopted a comprehensive resolution on foreign policy. It suggested full diplomatic relations with Israel: the suggestion was carried out. The party asked for not only normalization of relations with China but also a dialogue on matters of mutual concern: steps were taken on the dotted lines by the Rao government. The BJP demand deepened and diversified relations with Japan: the implementation of the suggestion is underway. The Kerala resolution further suggested that a step-by-step improvement in relations with South Africa be achieved: the Rao government has done just that by jointly moving to create an Indian ‘ocean rim block. The BJP further said that economic diplomacy must be integrated with conventional diplomacy: the Rao government recently appointed a full-fledged secretary to take care of economic diplomacy as an integral party of usual diplomacy. Even on the nuclear policy, there is a trend towards unity between the two parties. The differences, if any are not on the substance bur are on the methods. There appears to be Secret progress towards another nuclear explosion to which references were recently made by the USS. Media. The prime minister’s talk of India not accepting unjust N.PT. Just points towards that direction. ‘The convergence of the two parties on major issues of national and international politics is dangerous signals for minorities. Already, the Rao government backed by the BJP has taken the national fight against minorities into the international arena under cover of mobilizing opinion against terrorism. Indian description of terrorism simply means extension of its fight against the minorities such as Muslims and Sikhs. Since there have been informal and formal contacts between leaders of the BJP and the Indian home minister Chavan who has the backing of prime minister Rao, could not it be safely surmised that a Hindu polarization is in progress, Even if the two principal Hindu parties enter into friendly contests in the forthcoming elections, the two will join hands in the event of a hung parliament to run the country. It is not hard to imagine the fate of minority communities in that eventuality which will be pitiable, the basic issue in the context of these developments is no danger to the so-called economic liberalization. The basic issue is the quality of democracy to be ushered in the event of the two Hindu fascist parties joining hands.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 3, 1996
