Politicisation of Hindu Religion in Postmodern India : An Anatomy of the Worldviews, Identities and Strategies of Hindu Nationalists in Bharatiya Janata Party

Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. Atal Bihari Vajpayee: unmasking his Hindutva Hardliner identity. 2. Lal Krishna Advani: his strategies and Stratagems in politicising Hindu religion. 3. Murli Manohar Joshi's saffronisation of Indian education and cultural institutions. 4. Arun Shourie's Anti-Christian syndrome: A case study. 5. Narendra Modi: The icon of contemporary Hindu Communalism. Conclusion: political leaders who failed India. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

"Hindu cultural nationalism has grown prodigiously from a dormant and apparently minor communal presence to a vast movement in the country within a short span of time. It is best manifested in the rise of the Hindu right-wing political party--the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)--in post-modern Indian political scenario.

This study is an expose of the worldviews, identities and strategies of five leading political leaders in the BJP, namely, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Arun Shourie and Narendra Modi, who have left a mark on India's history and politics through their adherence to Hindu cultural nationalism, politicisation of Hindu religion and Communalist activities. The study also answers such questions as what is the BJP? What are its hidden agendas? What is its ultimate aim? Who really controls this party? What are the real identities and worldviews of its outstanding leaders?

This study will be of particular interest to political philosophers, philosophers of religion and other scholars." (jacket)