The Saffron surge in Indian politics: Hindu nationalism and the future of secularism

In: Asian affairs: an American review, Band 22, Heft 3, S. 181-206

Abstract

The strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the lower house of the national parliament (Lok Sabha) of India rose from 2 in 1984 to 119 in 1991. The BJP is now in power in four states, while it is the principal opposition party in five other states. The authors examine the implications for the country's secular tradition of the mounting success of India's right-wing Hindu nationalist movement, in particular the BJP. (DÜI-Sen)