Calling the Gravediggers? Hindu-Nationalism - India's Bêtes Noires under Stress

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Abstract

One of the most noteworthy developments in contemporary Indian politics is the occurrence of a phenomenon often described as Hindu-Nationalism, Hindu fundamentalism or even Hindu-Chauvinism. Since recently, even the buzzword of Hindu-terrorism appeared. Irrespective of the debate circling around the proper terminology , the issue being discussed so vividly refers to serious efforts to undertake dramatic changes and shifts within the political culture of India. This attempted transformation of state and society in the country, which manifested itself through „communal violence‟ (clashes between religious communities, especially Hindus and Muslims) as well as actions aimed at challenging constitutional provisions such as secularism in combination with increasingly radical socio-political demands, have posed a severe threat to the Indian model of consensus democracy and have sadly lived up to bleak forecasts