The year 1980 marks the formation of a party which was to change the face of Indian politics in the coming decades. Its members dedicated themselves to preserve and nurture the values and virtues of Hindutva. A party that gave this country its first poetic Prime Minister, a party that initially secured 2 seats in its first parliamentary elections and now holds a majority of 282 seats in the Parliament. The Bhartiya Janta Party, as of 2018, stands as the country’s largest political party in terms of representation in the national parliament. Defending the principles of Hindu culture, the BJP has set an example of how political battles are won by shielding oneself with heritage and culture.
For a brief period of time while in power, the BJP had been criticised about its dedication towards the Hindu majority. The question constantly raised was, “What has BJP done for Hindus?”. Here is evidence and proof of where BJP stood for the Hindu majority without discriminating against other groups.
With the advent of PM Modi in 2014, Hindus who felt oppressed, subjugated and made to feel inferior for a thousand years, saw a new bright ray of hope and loaded the man with expectations. In the short tenure of 5 years, NDA government led by PM Modi has done its utmost to reciprocate the extensive support it has received from the Hindu community. It puts an end to several policies started by the previous regime that were deemed unfair by a large percentage of the Hindu populace. The Modi government has taken into account the grievances of the Hindu community and has acted accordingly. What the Modi government has given to Hindus, the Congress failed to give in their 60 years of rule. Let us take a look at some important steps initiated by the Modi government for the cause of Hindu religion.
Under the Narendra Modi government, India has been witnessing accelerated efforts towards the preservation of the Indian cultural ethos.The first in the row is the cultural and heritage preservation carried out by Modi government. Artifacts/idols stolen from India were returned by the USA. These include a priceless bronze idol of Lord Ganesha (estimated to be 1,000-years-old), a statue from the Chola period and a Mauryan dynasty statue.
Restoring the old names of cities of India to regain the lost glory of the Hindu ethos – Allahabad was renamed as Prayagraj, Faizabad as Ayodhya and Mughal Sarai rechristened as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar. Yoga is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophical traditions and PM Modi, in his UN address, had suggested the date of 21st June to be celebrated as International Yoga day. Narendra Modi’s biggest achievement in promoting Hinduism was getting land for building the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. While other opposition parties challenged the traditional values of the Sabrimala Temple, Narendra Modi held a firm stand on the cultural practices at the temple to function the way they have been for the past centuries.
With steps like the introduction of the Bharatiya Siksha Board which have been aimed to into the mainstream the long neglected Vedic education in India, the Narendra Modi Government has taken a number of steps to tap in the huge potential behind Indic knowledge systems. Unlike the ministers who had been pleasing the audience with lust knitted Urdu shayaris, Modi took the world stage (United Nations) and Indian Parliament to glorify Sanskrit, world’s oldest language revered as Devbhasha in Sanatan Dharma. Modi proudly recited Sanskrit shlokas and Subhashit verses that speak about the betterment of entire humanity.
Hindu pilgrims in their own country were never provided with ease of travel and safety during their pilgrimage. In 2015 the Prime Minister visited China after which, Nathu La pass in Tibet was opened as the 2nd route for Indian pilgrims for Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra. Special trains for Kumbh Mela were running for which Hindu devotees flocked from different parts of the country. Also, ‘mela surcharge’ were removed for pilgrims. Special trains for pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine during Navratras like the Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Special train were introduced. Adding to all these efforts is the launch of special tourist train called ‘Shri Ramayana Express’, which will cover 4 important destinations associated with the life of Lord Ram in a 16-days tour package spread over India and Sri Lanka. Projects are also under construction to further benefit the pilgrims in their travel to religious destination.
While the party and PM Modi is blamed for propagating communal divide in India, in the economic, social or educational front, this government has striven to meet expectations, for the social emancipation of the Hindus who have suffered for years in the country, the Modi government has taken firm steps. The closure of illegal slaughter houses and the ban on cow smuggling in Uttar Pradesh, protecting the livelihood of lakhs of Hindus in the state that are engaged in animal husbandry. Cancellation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licences of about 20,000 NGOs, as many of these NGOs, received huge funds from foreign countries for conversion of Hindus of lower-economic status was a major step against the religious conversions of Hindus.
In 60 months, the Modi government has been able to achieve what could not be achieved in 60 years by the dynasty in power. Be it the economic, social, educational, or any other front, this government has striven to meet the expectations of the people. The decisive and bold decisions taken by the Prime Minister, without consideration of the political outcomes, have stood the test of time. Five years ago, PM Modi took charge of transforming the lives of more than a billion Indians. That day marked the beginning of a new dawn for the people of India who gave the mandate to him to not only take charge of the government but also to transform their lives in a ‘new India’.