Until secular parties do not compete based on ideologies, it will remain challenging to fully defeat the parties running and fighting based on Hindutva ideologies. Even if these ideology-supporting parties lose many seats, the hatred, misconceptions, and influences that have infiltrated most people in the country due to Hindutva ideologies can only be eradicated based on ideologies. The misunderstandings, fear, misconceptions, and hatred that have been spread can only be addressed when they are openly discussed and the truth is conveyed to the people of the country. This is something secular parties should have been doing from the beginning, but they did not, and now they are paying the price for it.
When YouTuber Dhruv Rathee resolved to save democracy right at the time of elections, he chose the ideological path to confront the forces harming democracy, and he openly advocated Gandhian secular ideologies. At a time when hatred for Muslims was at its peak across the country, and various propaganda were being spread to incite hatred against Muslims, a YouTuber with 15 million followers deciding to defend Muslims and convey the truth to the people of the country was a significant risk. This could have completely ruined his career, just as all secular parties today feel that speaking out for Muslims will lose them Hindu votes and lead to a severe defeat. But Dhruv Rathee took this risk, which in itself is a courageous act and a lesson for all secular parties in the country. To advocate Gandhian secular ideologies, it was necessary to speak out against the atrocities, hatred, violence, and poison being spread in the country, and Dhruv Rathee did this openly. Just as secular parties fear losing Hindu votes, there was a risk of Dhruv losing followers, but advocating Gandhian secular ideologies was the most effective way to successfully counter the forces supporting Hindutva ideologies. For this, it was necessary to defend Muslims and raise their voice because the hatred is being spread primarily against them, the poison is being filled in people against them, and they are the main victims of violence and mob lynching.
Dhruv Rathee’s decision to compete based on ideologies was successful. On one hand, democracy was somewhat safeguarded, and there was a significant reduction in the seats of parties supporting Hindutva ideologies in the elections. On the other hand, instead of losing followers, Dhruv Rathee’s followers increased from 15 million to approximately 24 million today, and his videos receive just as many views. Secular parties should learn from Dhruv that just chanting the slogans of being Gandhian, saving the constitution, and secularism will not bring about any change. If Hindutva forces are to be stopped, democracy is to be strengthened, and hatred and violence are to be eradicated from the country, then they need to think beyond the fear of losing Hindu votes and defend Muslims by advocating Gandhian secular ideologies.
Until secular parties respond to the Hindutva forces’ propaganda against Muslims, attempt to clear the misunderstandings being spread against Muslims, and openly convey the truth to the people, it will be difficult to stop the parties supporting Hindutva ideologies and to prevent their own Hindu votes from slipping away.
