India’s socio-political landscape is increasingly raising concerns about the neglect of its majority Hindu population. Many, including noted commentator Dr. Anand Ranganathan, believe that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is failing the Hindus who placed their trust in him. Ranganathan argues that Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” has not only diluted the focus on Hindu interests but also pushed the community toward becoming marginalized in their own country. The opposition parties, on the other hand, appear to have effectively capitalized on this by securing the Muslim community as a steadfast vote bank. This shift has seemingly emboldened them, contributing to a growing sense of disillusionment among Hindus who voted for Modi in 2014 and 2019, expecting him to safeguard their interests. This perception is exacerbated by internal disputes within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and external factors like economic hardships, leading many to question Modi’s commitment to the Hindu cause. The Modi government’s recent decision to refer the amended Waqf Board Act to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) rather than passing it directly in the Lok Sabha—where it holds a majority—has been perceived as a major setback. Many ask why, when decisive actions like the abrogation of Article 370 and the passage of the Triple Talaq Bill were taken, the government hesitates on the Waqf Board Amendments Act. This reluctance is viewed as indecisiveness by the Modi 3.0 government, leaving the majority Hindus wondering about their place in the government’s agenda.
Figures like Dr. Anand Ranganathan, Supreme Court lawyer Sai Deepak, and Vishnu Jain, a legal advocate for reclaiming Hindu temples, have been vocal about the lack of government support for Hindu causes. Meanwhile, leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav continue to issue open threats, warning of civil unrest if decisions perceived as “anti-minority” are made. Despite the Supreme Court’s pointed remarks about deteriorating law and order in states like West Bengal, where communal violence and injustices, like the gang rape and murder of a junior doctor, prior to at Sandesh Khali, where the ruling party members, among whom majority were migrants from either Bangladesh or Myanmar, have occurred, the Modi government has been conspicuously inactive. Further compounding Hindu concerns is the Modi government’s failure to repeal the Endowments Act, a legislation inherited from the Congress era that allows state governments to control revenue generated from Hindu places of worship. This control is justified by the claim that it separates religion from state, yet it disproportionately targets Hindu institutions while other religious establishments remain untouched. This discrepancy has led to accusations of a biased approach that undermines the essence of secularism.
The judiciary, another pillar of democracy, has not escaped criticism. Instead of addressing the grievances of the majority Hindu community, the judiciary often appears entangled in political overreach, such as its decision to stay the implementation of the Farm Laws or its ambiguous stance on protests like those against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). These actions have been perceived as judicial activism rather than upholding justice. For true justice to prevail, the judiciary must acknowledge the historical and cultural realities of Hinduism, which preaches peace and harmony. Misinterpreting this inclusivity as a weakness is a grave mistake. All three branches of the Indian Constitution—Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary—must work to protect the interests of all citizens without pandering to vote banks or engaging in appeasement politics. Unfortunately, the Indian media, often touted as the “fourth pillar” of democracy, is also seen as failing the majority Hindus. Instead of acting as a balanced watchdog, the media often appears polarized and more interested in sensationalism than truthful reporting, reasons best known to them. Thus far, the neglect and perceived sidelining of the majority Hindu population by all four pillars of Indian democracy—Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and Media—pose a significant threat to social harmony and justice in India. It is time for a balanced approach that respects and protects the interests of all communities while upholding the principles of democracy, secularism, and justice.
