"A symphony of anti-India agendas": Rahul Gandhi's camaraderie with Hindumisic author Christophe Jaffrelot in a recent event stirs controversy; the prolific critic of India, BJP & Indian judiciary, notably participated in 'Dismantling Hindutva' conference

In an act that seems to be fuelling the flames of controversy yet again, Rahul Gandhi, the perennial enfant terrible of Indian politics, reportedly shares the spotlight with the infamous author and columnist, Christophe Jaffrelot, a figure widely recognized for his deep-seated antipathy towards Hindus and India as a nation. This disconcerting camaraderie unfolded during Rahul Gandhi's ongoing Europe tour, painting a picture that many perceive as a blatant affront to the unity and secular ethos of India.

Rahul Gandhi, whose reputation precedes him as someone who seldom shies away from making anti-India remarks, seems to have found an ally in Jaffrelot. This French political scientist has persistently launched vitriolic attacks against the sitting Bharatiya Janata Party government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His literary contributions, which evidently revolve around disdain for the current Indian administration, echo in his book titled "Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy." Within its pages, Jaffrelot does not hold back his vexation concerning the triumphant stint of the BJP-led NDA in two consecutive general elections.

On the 8th of September, the Congress heir took it upon himself to address the students at a distinguished university in Paris. This episode saw him sharing intellectual space with Jaffrelot, an individual whose narratives are often tinged with unabashed hatred for Hindus and the Indian ethos. The official social media handle of the Congress party did not hesitate to broadcast snippets of this event, where Gandhi was seen actively engaging with students and the faculty members of Sciences PO in Paris.

Yet, the undercurrents of this gathering seemed to reverberate with tones far graver than a simple exchange of ideas. Jaffrelot, a staunch critic of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), denounced the legislative act as being in stark contradiction to the "spirit of Indian secularism." His words, heavy with antagonism, seemed to pierce through the fabric of India's pluralistic society, attempting to carve a narrative that pits communities against each other.

In an unsettling move, Jaffrelot went a step further by dragging the Jewish community and the State of Israel into his argument. He presented a distorted parallelism where he likened the Indian nation to an “ethno-religious body where those who do not belong to the sons of the soil’s majority are bound to be second-class citizens.” His reference drew a grim comparison to the “Israeli pattern where the state belongs primarily to the Jewish people.”

However, glaring in its absence was Jaffrelot's acknowledgment of the perilous threats or the palpable oppression that marginalized minorities, especially Hindus, endure in the neighbouring Islamic countries of India. This glaring omission paints a skewed picture, one that fails to account for the multifaceted realities that encapsulate the Indian subcontinent's complex socio-political landscape.

As we venture further into this labyrinthine narrative, we encounter a pivotal event that managed to stir substantial discourse across various platforms. The "Dismantling Global Hindutva: Multidisciplinary Perspectives" (DGH), which transpired virtually in 2021, stands out as a significant focal point in the unfolding narrative. Christophe Jaffrelot graced this event as a speaker, offering insights steeped in deep criticism and scrutiny of Hindutva, a topic that has ignited fervent debates globally.

The DGH was envisaged as a platform that purported to fight the Hindutva ideology, an initiative that, as critics argue, seemed to take an aggressive stance against Hinduism, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the RSS. With a sweeping analysis that spanned continents, Jaffrelot dissected the growth trajectory of the RSS and the Sangh Parivar, extending his critique to their burgeoning presence in the United States, a development viewed by many as an extension of their global influence.

Jaffrelot's engagement in this event brings to the forefront his deeply ingrained stance against the Hindutva ideology, one that resonates with the overarching theme of his various critiques and narratives. This event, hence, serves as a testament to his sustained effort to unravel what he perceives as the threatening aspects of Hindutva, a campaign that draws both staunch support and vehement opposition.

As the discourse unravelled during the event, attendees were presented with a tapestry of perspectives that aimed to dissect Hindutva from various angles. The talks ventured deep into the realms of politics, religion, and social dynamics, attempting to foster a multifaceted understanding of the ideology that governs the workings of the RSS and the Sangh Parivar.

However, this event has been perceived by many as a targeted attack against Hinduism, blurring the lines between a legitimate critique of a political ideology and the potential demonization of a religion that encapsulates a rich and diverse tapestry of beliefs and practices. Critics argue that the event may have ventured too far, painting a broad stroke that seems to encapsulate Hinduism within the confines of the Hindutva ideology, an assertion that remains a contentious point in the global debate.

Jaffrelot's Unyielding Criticism of Hindus and BJP: An Inflammatory Discourse

In a discourse that seems hell-bent on stoking the flames of division and distrust, Christophe Jaffrelot unabashedly accused the Hindu community of harbouring an inferiority complex, notably rooted in historical contexts. It appears as though Jaffrelot is leaving no stone unturned in painting a narrative that is steeped in accusatory undertones and sweeping generalizations.

Delving into what seems like a retrospective analysis, he referred to the 19th-century period as a time marked by a pervasive “majoritarian inferiority complex” amongst Hindus. With an assertion that can only be construed as demeaning, he proclaimed that Hindus possessed a "lower self-worth", a perception he feels has seemingly not changed over the years. He further emphasized this by pointing out the BJP leaders' ongoing discussions about the purported "Muslim population explosion," a narrative he describes as a myth.

In an attempt to provide historical context, Jaffrelot explained that this perceived Hindu vulnerability crystallised in the 19th century, a period when the British not only amplified divisions amongst Hindus through caste and sectarian lines but also cultivated communal stereotypes. The Census period was particularly notable in this aspect. Yet, in his critique, Jaffrelot conveniently overlooked the destructive role played by Muslim extremists and outfits like the Muslim League during that time, groups which have historically worked to foster division and unrest.

Drawing upon the words of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, infamously known as Mahatma Gandhi, he cited a rather controversial quote that encapsulates a derogatory view of both communities: “The Musalman, as a rule, is a bully, and the Hindu as a rule is a coward.” This reference serves to further fuel the divisive narrative he seems keen on portraying.

Moreover, Jaffrelot's discourse took a concerning turn when he sidestepped the criticism of terrorists who have waged relentless wars against India, causing loss of countless innocent lives. Instead, his critique was squarely aimed at the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing them of exploiting the tragic repercussions of these terrorist attacks for political gains. According to him, the BJP has successfully utilized a "politics of fear" in the wake of gruesome assaults ranging from the 1993 Bombay blasts to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, thereby securing electoral dividends.

In a further display of vehement criticism, he accused Hindu groups, particularly mentioning the Bajrang Dal, of being the perpetrators of violence and religious intolerance. Jaffrelot even questioned the term 'Sangh Parivar', a reference to a family unit within Hindu nationalist groups, as being a misnomer. He argued that the term should signify love and cohesion, values he believes are starkly missing given the allegations of these groups involving in attacks on churches and lynching Muslim individuals.

Through this discourse, Jaffrelot seems determined to construct a narrative that is not just critical but overtly inflammatory, raising serious questions about the authenticity and balanced perspective in his analysis.

Christophe Jaffrelot continues on his vehement discourse, turning his attention towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its myriad affiliate organizations. According to him, this large, sprawling network operates somewhat akin to a tightly-knit family, with the mother organization RSS at its helm. This network encompasses various unions such as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, among others, branching further to include offshoots like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Vidya Bharti, and Seva Bharti.

In his view, a distinctive feature that ties these organizations together is their purported denial of violence, especially pointing fingers at Bajrang Dal's alleged recourse to violent measures. Despite his sweeping claim of a "systematic denial of violence", Jaffrelot opts to completely ignore the plight of numerous Hindu victims who have suffered violence at the hands of Muslim aggressors. His narrative also conveniently omits instances where attacks on churches were orchestrated by criminals, not affiliated with any Hindu organizations.

Taking a further deep dive into what he perceives as societal disparities in India, Jaffrelot asserts that Muslims in the country are finding it increasingly challenging to live in mixed neighbourhoods, to enter interfaith marriages with Hindus, or to secure certain jobs. He backed this claim with data from a few panel surveys that seemingly reveal a disparity in job interview invitations based on the religious undertone of names on CVs. According to these surveys, Muslims reportedly receive fewer interview calls compared to individuals with Brahmin or Dalit names, painting a picture of an unsettling disparity in the employment sector.

However, it is essential to note that these alleged occurrences, as portrayed by Jaffrelot, are far from being commonplace, and can potentially occur reciprocally from either side. Furthermore, his attempt to liken the situation to apartheid seems exaggerated and an overreach, failing to capture the nuanced realities of Indian society, which is often characterized by its diverse and pluralistic nature.

As Jaffrelot weaves this narrative, one cannot help but notice a glaring omission of balanced perspective and a lack of acknowledgment of the complexities that encompass the multi-faceted social dynamics of India.

A Sustained Barrage on Narendra Modi and the BJP Government

Christophe Jaffrelot doesn't mince words as he directs his ferocious critique towards none other than the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. In his highly critical narrative, he doesn't shy away from venting his frustration over the sweeping victories of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the general elections held in 2014 and 2019, a topic he extensively explores in his controversial book, "Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy".

In this contentious piece, he lashes out at Modi, accusing him of exploiting a wave of national populism that has supposedly rocketed him to success at the polling booths, initially in Gujarat and eventually transcending to the national frontier. According to Jaffrelot, Modi has been "seducing" a significant portion of the Indian populace, promising them prosperity while simultaneously fuelling division on ethno-religious grounds.

Remarkably, he chooses to sidestep the pivotal role Modi's innovative and inclusive schemes have played in securing these electoral victories. Initiatives like Digital India, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna, and Ayushman Bharat Yojana have revolutionized the lives of millions, particularly the economically marginalized sections of society, a narrative Jaffrelot seems keen to overlook.

As he continues to rail against Modi's governance, Jaffrelot argues that it has propelled India towards a form of ethnic democracy where the majority community is seemingly synonymous with the nation, relegating Muslims and Christians to a lesser status. Despite these grand assertions, he fails to substantiate his claims with concrete data or empirical evidence, a gaping hole in his narrative that cannot be ignored.

His rhetoric escalates as he mourns the purported rise of Hindu nationalism, a movement he claims has unleashed a wave of assaults against secularists, intellectuals, universities, and NGOs. Painting the BJP as power-hungry zealots eager to consolidate power not just in New Delhi but in states across the nation, he accuses the government of eroding the federal structure and undermining institutions critical to maintaining checks and balances in a democratic setup, including the Supreme Court of India.

As readers navigate through Jaffrelot's narrative, the lack of substantial proof to corroborate his allegations leaves a lingering sense of skepticism, urging one to question the authenticity and intent behind this scathing critique.

A Tumultuous Assailment on the Indian Judiciary and Police

In an impassioned critique, Christophe Jaffrelot further escalates his narrative, this time aiming his allegations squarely at the Indian judiciary and the police force. In his ongoing discussion, he scrutinizes what he perceives as the declining independence of India's judiciary system, linking several high-profile cases and personalities to construct an unsettling picture of India's democracy.

He begins by dissecting the treatment meted out to notable figures such as Judge Loya, Gopal Subramanium, and Justice Akil Kureshi, suggesting that the incidents surrounding these individuals indicate a deeper issue threatening the pillars of India's democratic structure. According to Jaffrelot, the safeguarding of democracy transcends elections; it demands a respect for the autonomy of institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law. This, he contends, is only possible when the executive branch doesn't wield influence over judge appointments - an assertion he unhesitatingly puts forth as a reality in present-day India.

Jaffrelot further aggravates his diatribe with claims surrounding the repeal of Article 370. The writer throws incendiary allegations, stating that the perceived delay in the Supreme Court hearing cases related to Article 370 and the CAA is symptomatic of the court's diminishing independence. In a fiery addition, he equates this alleged hesitation from the court to a silent surrender to the government's decisions, a stance he finds deeply unsettling.

The police force does not escape Jaffrelot's withering critique. In his view, the law enforcement in India harbours an inherent bias against minorities, a notion he bases on the disproportionate representation of Muslims in the prison system. Moreover, he vehemently accuses the police of collusion with vigilante groups like the Bajrang Dal and the Gau Raksha Dal, alleging that these alliances manifest in various forms, including highway patrolling in the guise of cow protection. In Jaffrelot's lens, these developments mark a concerning convergence of official and unofficial power structures in the nation, blurring the lines of jurisdiction and accountability.

In a concluding jab, Jaffrelot dubs India as a "de facto Hindu Rashtra," painting a grim picture of a nation diverging from its secular foundations, a narrative that he espouses with fervent conviction yet remains contentious in the face of opposing views and narratives.

Rahul Gandhi's Controversial Stance and Diplomacy on Foreign Soil

In the ongoing narrative, we turn our attention to Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Indian politician who hails from the Indian National Congress party. His recent voyage to Europe stands as a testament to his propensity to air controversial views, often crossing boundaries that many argue should remain sacrosanct when representing one's nation on a global platform.

During his European tour, Rahul Gandhi, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Wayanad, accentuated the perceived rise in discrimination and violence in India, a view that echoes sentiments voiced by several international observers. He painted a dire portrait of the state of democracy in India, pointing to an alleged "full-scale assault" on democratic institutions – a claim that has been both widely debated and criticized.

In his observations, Gandhi highlighted the perceived vulnerability of various communities in India, encompassing not only minorities but also other significant demographics including Dalits, Tribals, and lower-caste communities, whom he claimed were increasingly facing attacks. This stance, however, has been criticized for possibly being a selective narrative, ignoring broader perspectives and data that paint a more complex picture of the Indian societal dynamics.

However, Gandhi's narrative becomes more contentious given his silence on certain inflammatory remarks that have emanated from members of the I.N.D.I alliance, a conglomerate of opposition parties which includes his own party, Congress. A glaring instance is the recent inflammatory remarks by Udhaynidhi Stalin, a Tamil Nadu Minister and a senior member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), another pivotal player in the alliance. Stalin drew widespread criticism for his derogatory comparison of Sanatan Dharma to mosquitos and the coronavirus, advocating for its "eradication", a statement that many view as an outright attack on Hinduism.

Despite the severity of these remarks, notable figures within the Congress party seemed to align themselves with Stalin's stance, adding fuel to the fire that threatens to engulf the delicate fabric of religious harmony in India. This endorsement by high-profile Congress members including Mallikarjun Kharge’s son and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, veteran Congressman P Chidambaram's son and Lok Sabha MP Karti P Chidambaram, and Tamil Nadu Congress spokesperson and General Secretary Lakshmi Ramachandran has been met with vehement criticism, questioning the ethos and principles of the party.

As we reach the conclusion of this saga, it's noteworthy to highlight the growing concern surrounding Rahul Gandhi's penchant for engaging with individuals and platforms that are perceived as anti-India, a trend that many critics argue undermines the nation's standing on the global stage. Gandhi's track record of airing grievances against his country while on foreign soil stands as a contentious aspect of his political career, sparking fervent debates about the line between constructive criticism and potential defamation.

In the backdrop of the swirling controversies and conflicting narratives, the Indian political arena remains a hotbed for fervent debates and discussions, a stage where power dynamics and ideological clashes continue to unfold with each passing day. As observers, we are left to sift through the complexity of these narratives, in a bid to foster a nuanced understanding of the ever-changing political landscape in India.