Abstract
Right-wing extremism has had a long history in India with the current atmosphere heavily tilted in favor of right-wing extremists. This article explores the history of the right wing in the nation and various factors that strengthened different actors within this spectrum of politics in India. Relying on secondary sources, it notes that the Indian caste system has played a role in bolstering the Hindu majoritarian identity that is currently dominant in India apart from various other factors, such as the incompetency of other political parties (including left-wing parties). Drawing on several examples, it argues that the unwillingness of the current government to tackle right-wing extremism could facilitate the rise of fringe groups that will eventually turn against the government for being too soft. As such, it aims to be an introductory article for readers unfamiliar with the phenomenon in India.
Recommended Citation
Siyech, Mohammed Sinan
(2021)
"An Introduction to Right-Wing Extremism in India,"
New England Journal of Public Policy: Vol. 33:
Iss.
2, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/nejpp/vol33/iss2/5
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