By Syed Khalique Ahmed
NEW DELHI—BJP is building a political narrative based on a mix of religion and ultra-nationalism around the persona of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which are just a few months ahead.
If read properly, the resolutions passed at BJP’s national convention on February 17 & 18 at the Pragati Maidan here indicate that BJP is promoting PM Modi as indispensable for the party and the nation, and that he is sure to become the prime minister for the third consecutive term.
The party in its political resolutions focussed on Modi’s achievements (not party’s), especially the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, and its consecration on January 22, 2024 as the beginning of the establishment of 1000 years of Ram Rajya with the dawn of a new “kalchakra” (era).
In the same breath, the party also linked the Ram temple construction with Hindu revivalism by describing temple construction as “renaissance of India’s spiritual consciousness and the beginning of the journey back to great India.” And Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been credited for it.
But the Hindu religious narrative built around the persona of Modi is not restricted to Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir alone. It has been expanded extensively. Broadening the religious narrative, the party’s resolutions eulogise PM Modi for reconstruction of Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi, Mahakal corridor in Madhya Pradesh, Pavagadh Shaktipeeth in Gujarat and revival of Hindu religious centres like Kedarnath, Badrinath and Somnath. It also mentions the foundation laying of Kamakhya corridor in Assam, Kalki Dham Mandir at Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh among many other achievements of Modi.
Presenting PM Modi as “an ideal example of Sanatan culture” and praising him for rejuvenating “all the major centres of faith in the country”, the resolution on Ram Temple said that Modi not only built the Ram Temple but “he has also effectively implemented the concept of Ram Rajya in the last 10 years.”
“Whenever there will be a discussion in the future, historians will consider this event as a milestone in the continuous rediscovery of India’s civilisation heritage,” the resolution stated.
The resolutions also speak about Modi having inaugurated a temple in Abu Dhabhi (United Arab Emirates) as a “symbol of changing India.” He has also been showered panegyrics for presenting Hindu religious scripture Bhagwad Gita to foreign heads of state. Modi has also been lauded for abrogation of Article 370 and 35A that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019, ban on triple talaq, rechristening and overhauling the three law – Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Indian Evidence Act and construction of a new Parliament building etc.
However, all these achievements have either been linked with Hindu religion or ultra-nationalism, thus creating a new political narrative for the party. While Ram Mandir, CAA, triple talaq may be linked with religion, building of a new Parliament building and replacing three British-era laws is a part of narrative to what BJP leaders call “liberation from British slavery.” PM Modi and BJP are also trying to create an emotional narrative by using the abrogation of Article 370 and degrading the Muslim majority Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories – Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir – by saying that people will elect at least 370 candidates of their party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. So, the party is building a new political narrative revolving around the axis of religion and ultra-nationalism to win the next parliamentary elections and counter the opposition block led by Congress.
The two-day convention also gave an impression that BJP is going to win the 2024 elections without even a fight and Modi will become PM for the third consecutive term. Even PM Modi gave the same impression in his speech while addressing the audience at the convention. He said that he had invitations from foreign countries to visit them in July, August and September, saying that even foreigners know ‘Modi hi aayega’ (only Modi will win). Opposition leaders may call it political arrogance, but Modi has given an opinion that he is indispensable for the country.
