Posted 8/26/2023, 2:30:31 AM

How India’s Economy and Hindutva Rise Together

India is experiencing significant political and cultural changes as Hindu nationalism and neoliberal economic ideas reshape the country, benefiting new elites and the middle class while negatively impacting the working class. This transformation is influenced by the "Gujarat model" of development, characterized by collaboration between the state and the corporate sector, low wages, tax holidays, and land acquisition. Additionally, India has shifted towards the right politically, with a move towards neoliberalism leading to a market-oriented economy and a decline in social spending. This has had negative consequences for the working class, and the rise of neoliberalism has created more space for the politics of Hindutva. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has successfully cultivated support among the emerging middle class, which values individualism and the ownership of private property. With the growing influence of the middle class and the close ties between the government, industry, and finance, India has experienced a preference for governance by decree or judicial decisions rather than democratic decision-making. This has led to the dominance of Hindutva and the erosion of basic rights for minority groups.

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