Turning point came around 2009-2010 when Singh faced expulsion from BJP, a consequence of his authorship of history book
The legacy of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, a figure respected by both supporters and critics across India, reflects a complex narrative. While acknowledging his fallibility, Jinnah’s foresight continues to be unparalleled, especially given the current scenario in India, where minority communities face indiscriminate targeting under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Narendra Modi.
In a climate where Hindutva proponents spare no one, be it journalists or celebrities, the BJP demonstrated its strict stance by ousting one of its own, Jaswant Singh. His alleged transgression? Merely writing a book that offered a modest analysis of Jinnah, portraying him “as an ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity.”
South Asian expert Krzysztof Iwanek writes in his article, “Judged by the Cover: Remembering the Controversy Around Jaswant Singh’s Book on Jinnah” published in the Diplomat magazine, “Jaswant Singh, an Indian politician (who died on September 27), was not a man easily branded. An officer-turned-politician, Singh joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh party (which later became the present Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP) but at times appeared to be a bit of an outsider in it.”
Jawant Singh was often seen as a voice of moderation within the BJP. He stood apart from the mainstream by not aligning himself with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the predominant Hindu nationalist organisation affiliated with most BJP politicians. As time unfolded, Singh found himself at odds with the party, especially in the later years of his life.
The turning point came around 2009-2010 when Singh faced expulsion from the BJP, a consequence of his authorship of a history book.
Published in August 2009, Jaswant Singh’s book, “Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence,” became embroiled in controversy A S Iwanek put it, “History is a central aspect of the BJP’s worldview, as it arguably is for nationalists of all kind. Both the party and the RSS actively work towards advocating their particular interpretation of historical events. From an ideological standpoint, Singh’s book serves as a clear illustration of the boundaries set by the party-expressing goodwill or generosity towards Jinnah or Pakistan is deemed unacceptable.”
Mohammad Ali Jinnah played a pivotal role in the formation of Pakistan and from the perspective of the BJP and RSS, is undoubtedly viewed with regret. Within the broader Indian historical narrative, not limited to the BJP and RSS, Jinnah is commonly portrayed as an antagonist.
Singh stirred up a storm by placing the “Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity” quote on the back cover, drawing the wrath of BJP radicals. Curiously, their discontent was triggered by the book’s cover rather than its actual contents-many didn’t bother to explore the whole book.
In 2009, chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi was notably hostile toward Singh. His state government went as far as to ban the book. Five years later, Modi ascended to the leadership of the party and became India’s prime minister.
Despite holding several ministerial positions, Jaswant Singh’s role as India’s foreign minister from 1998 to 2002, recognised for improving relations of India with the US, set him apart. He was expelled from BJP and though he was welcomed again into the party, Singh was excluded from the party nominations for the 2014 elections, leading him to contest independently.
India has witnessed a rising wave of polarisation, marked by the ascendancy of Hindu far-right extremists in mainstream politics. These extremists openly advocate for the marginalisation of minorities, particularly Indian Muslims. Dissent and freedom of speech have become prime targets under the leadership of the BJP-led government. The current state of affairs in India paints a stark picture of minority rights being unabashedly suppressed, with little legal recourse available for those affected.
This situation prompts thoughtful reflection on Jinnah’s foresight in advocating for the demand of a separate state. The ongoing challenges faced by minorities in India underscore the validity of concerns that led to the creation of Pakistan. Jinnah’s vision for a nation where minorities could coexist without fear of marginalization or suppression seems increasingly relevant in the face of contemporary developments in India. The erosion of dissent and freedom of speech, coupled with the overt marginalisation of minorities, echoes the need for safeguarding the principles that inspired the creation of separate states based on religious identity.
In recent instances of free speech suppression, the Modi government has sought to block links sharing the BBC documentary, “India: The Modi Question,” labeling it as a “propaganda piece.” Facing another challenge from Al Jazeera, which produced a film titled “India...who lit the fuse?” highlighting the fears of the Muslim minority amid attacks and hate speeches, the government moved to ban the documentary through top courts, with the Allahabad High Court swiftly complying with the request.
Textbook revisions have quietly erased significant portions of India’s Mughal era, downplaying the achievements of the Muslim dynasty. With around 200 million Muslims forming the largest minority in India, a systemic anti-Muslim sentiment has pervaded the nation since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power in 2014.
According to Professor Christophe Jaffrelot, Indian jails are the only institutions where the Muslim population exceeds their demographic percentage. International organisations have vehemently criticised the BJP’s discrimination against Muslims, particularly in Kashmir, the Citizenship Amendment Act, and anti-Muslim rhetoric. The UN human rights office labeled the Citizenship Amendment Act as “fundamentally discriminatory,” while Muslim-majority countries like Iran, Kuwait, and Qatar lodged complaints against India for Islamophobic remarks.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), comprising fifty-seven member states, called on India to address the “growing spate of hatred and defamation of Islam” and “systematic practices against Indian Muslims.” The US State Department’s annual religious freedom report highlighted concerns such as calls for genocide against Muslims, hate-fueled violence, attacks on places of worship, home demolitions, and at times, impunity for perpetrators of violence against religious minorities.
These incidents underscore a troubling pattern of marginalisation and discrimination against the Muslim community in India, raising questions about the protection of free speech and religious freedom. Reflecting on this, one cannot help but recall Jinnah’s demand for Pakistan as a response to the concerns that persist today, where the struggle for a harmonious coexistence remains elusive.