NATIONALISM AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN INDIA
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Authors
Qureshi, Faisal Shurjeel
Subjects
RSS
BJP
VHP
Bajrang Dal
Mahasabha
Arya Samaj
Hindu Nationalism
political violence
communalism
Gujarat violence
Love Jehad
Ghar Wapsi
BJP
VHP
Bajrang Dal
Mahasabha
Arya Samaj
Hindu Nationalism
political violence
communalism
Gujarat violence
Love Jehad
Ghar Wapsi
Advisors
Mabry, Tristan J.
Date of Issue
2018-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
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Abstract
India is considered the largest liberal democracy in the world. It is home to a widely celebrated secular national identity despite its ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity. This distinction sets India apart as a successful role model for heterogeneous developing countries transitioning to democracy. This impression is, however, tempered by persistent communal violence dating to Indian independence from the British rule in 1947. Over the last few decades, this group violence, particularly between the religious majority and minorities, appears to have increased. The rise in communal violence has coincided with the ascendance of Hindu nationalists in Indian politics, thus raising questions about their connection with this trend. This thesis analyzes the role of Hindu nationalist organizations and their ideology in promoting political violence in India. It contrasts primordialist and instrumentalist arguments and, based on a range of evidence, finds support for the instrumentalist argument that Hindu nationalist organizations deliberately promote communal violence in India to build support among their base and advance their political interests. The outcome of this analysis will assist in the study of domestic communal violence in India and the implications of this violence for India’s secular national identity as a heterogeneous country.
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Thesis
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Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.