What If?

Ever since the genesis of Modi’s regime, Indo-Pak relations have slowly been taking a turn for the worst. As contentions between the two countries escalate, their bilateral relations suffer from chaos. With this thought in mind, one begs to wonder how life would have been if the Indian National Congress was at the helm in Delhi and not BJP. The thought is accompanied by a plethora of “what ifs”. What if bilateral relations were better? What if Article 370 had never been rescinded? What if Kashmir had been slightly more peaceful? All of this makes us ponder if a change in governance in India would have brought an era of peace within the subcontinent.

It is unlikely that the strife between the two nations might ever seize to exist but a Congress hegemony would have been more favourable when it comes to rekindling the flame of bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. This can be clearly seen from the recent remarks made by the Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. He said that if Congress comes to power they will reconsider the abrogation of Article 370.

This statement actually sheds light on the possibility of more cordial bilateral relations between India and Pakistan if the Congress was in power. For several years, Kashmir has been the epicenter of all feuds between both countries. The unjust way in which India has mistreated Kashmir and its people has always aggravated friction between Delhi and Islamabad. BJP leaders hoped that they would win Kashmir by rescinding Article 370, something that Congress doesn’t support. Therefore, BJP has always accused Congress of “speaking Pakistan’s language” but in reality, it is actually BJP’s hardliner approach and their “Hindu Rashtra” narrative that is hampering peace talks between the two nations. This Hindutva ideology, coupled with BJP’s “majoritarian agenda” is the real catalyst that has been stropping the India-Pakistan dichotomy. This makes the BJP seem more “communal” in nature, which is a stark departure from Congress’ secular ideology. One might argue that the actual meaning of “Hindutva” equates with people of all communities but actions always speak louder than words and BJP has always been biased against minorities, especially the Muslims.

The secular ideology of Congress would have had a better opportunity to strengthen ties with Pakistani nationalism as Pakistan is a firm advocate for a secular India. This Congress-led multicultural ideology, underpinned by democratic ideals, was more fruitful if both nations wanted peace to prevail across the subcontinent. Even to this day, many including BJP leaders believe that cultural identity is synonymous with religious identity and this ideology is far too restrictive for any peace talks. This can be seen from such Indian laws as NRC, which prompted citizens of Assam to provide proof for their citizenship and CAA that provided rapid citizenship to all other religions that face persecution in predominantly Muslim countries. These laws clearly showcased the religious prejudice against Muslims by BJP and oppose the pluralist nature of secularism. These laws make it almost look like as if BJP is deliberately preventing many Muslims from being proud citizens of the state. These actions have been seemingly pointing to an anti-Muslim rhetoric and in essence an anti-Pakistan rhetoric. Congress on the other hand has always been more lenient in this regard.

The recent debacle for BJP in the Bengal elections serves as an an eye opener for many Indians who thought that the pro Hindu ‘majoritarian’ rule was a favoured policy. Many BJP supporters will argue that the Congress’ secular approach just revolves around appeasement but even if it is appeasement, at least the Congress is trying to head in the right direction and usher peace. BJP moving ever so quickly towards reimagining India as a “predominantly Hindu” country, falls in dissent with the national identity of Pakistan as well. This is a clear sign of how Modi is a sound supporter of an ethno-nationalist ideology riding high on a “supremacist Hindutva” agenda. Modi often forgets that besides Hindus, there are several other minorities living in India. Modi’s anti-Pakistan sentiments are in line with “communal nationalism” which trickles down to a rising anti-Muslim sentiment in India itself, where several BJP officials and supporters have deemed several Muslim critics of the government as “pro Pakistani” and have told them to go back to Pakistan. This is also coupled with ensuing violence in Kashmir and an upsurge in violence across the line of control by the Indian forces.

BJP, the party that held the reins of power through “defections” has always been an antithesis of peace in the India-Pakistan region in particular and South Asia in general. Congress on the other hand has always been less radical when it comes to Pakistan. Even though a hypothetical regime of Rahul Gandhi might have its own caveats for bilateral relations to be peaceful with Pakistan, but surely, the Congress is ideologically less stringent than BJP.