THE POLITICS OF HINDUTVA: A LOOMING CHALLENGE FOR SECULARISM IN INDIA

India is renowned across the world due to its various distinctions and rich diversity. The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, also known as the Mini Constitution of India, confirms that the country is secular with no state religion. However, this unique tapestry of cultural and religious diversity faces substantial challenges, particularly with the rise of Hindutva politics. This ideology has significantly challenged the secular framework of contemporary India. This research study examines the intensifying influence of Hindutva on the political and social spheres of India, analyzing its implications for the country’s secular framework. Rooted in the ideological basis laid by Savarkar and institutionalized through political organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hindutva advocates for India as a Hindy Rashtra or Hindu nation, challenging the secular values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. This research investigates how Hindutva has shaped political discourse, policy formulation, and societal dynamics in present-day India. Through a comprehensive analysis, this study explores the strategic alignment of Hindutva with educational reforms, media narratives, and economic policies to consolidate political power. Despite achieving electoral success, Hindutva’s promotion of Hindu nationalism has heightened communal disturbances and sparked debates on religious diversity and minority rights. Critical events like the Ayodhya controversy and the Babri Masjid demolition highlight how Hindutva ideology has a polarizing impact on the socio-political landscape of India. In order to address the impact of Hindutva ideology, the Indian state must reassert its commitment to secularism, which includes bolstering democratic institutions, defending pluralistic ideals, and promoting intercommunal communication. Upholding the constitutional principles of equality and religious freedom while negotiating the complex web of cultural diversity is necessary to preserve secular values in India.