How Hindu nationalists and militants are using WhatsApp against Muslims and Christians

TL;DR

Hindu nationalism, driven by far-right groups like the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), has increasingly targeted religious minorities in India, particularly Christians and Muslims. Using modern technology like WhatsApp, these groups organize forced conversions and attacks in rural areas like Bastar and Chhattisgarh. The story of Jaldhar Kashyap, a Christian farmer forced to convert back to Hinduism during his mother's funeral, illustrates how vulnerable communities are persecuted for their beliefs. Despite laws against forced conversions, the VHP operates with impunity fueled by political backing and internet mobilization. This situation highlights the dangers posed by the rise of Hindu nationalism and the erosion of religious freedom.

Hindu nationalism, spearheaded by groups like the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and closely aligned with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has intensified its efforts to marginalize religious minorities, especially Christians and Muslims. This aggressive nationalism aims to establish India as a Hindu-only state, where other religions are seen as foreign and threatening. In rural areas like the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, this ideology has manifested in violent acts of forced conversions and social ostracism.
 
One of the most disturbing elements of this campaign is the use of modern technology, particularly WhatsApp, to coordinate attacks. With rural internet penetration surpassing urban rates in India, far-right groups can now spread information, incite violence, and mobilize vigilante mobs within minutes. This was the case for Jaldhar Kashyap, whose mother had converted the family to Christianity after being diagnosed with cancer. Although Christianity provided them with emotional and community support, it also placed them in the crosshairs of Hindu nationalists.
 
When Jaldhar's mother died in 2023, a WhatsApp-coordinated mob of VHP members confronted him, demanding that his family reconvert to Hinduism before they would be allowed to bury his mother in the village. The mob gave the family an ultimatum: if they did not abandon Christianity, they would be isolated from the community, economically and socially. Faced with no other choice, Jaldhar and his father participated in a forced conversion ritual, allowing them to proceed with the burial.
 
This case highlights several significant problems associated with Hindu nationalism. First, religious freedom is eroded, a core principle enshrined in India's constitution. Minority communities are denied the right to practice their faith and are instead coerced into following the dominant religion. Second, these conversions are not merely spiritual matters but a means of maintaining social and economic power. In rural India, where communities are tightly knit and interdependent, social ostracism can be life-threatening, leaving minority families cut off from vital resources like food, land, and trade.
 
Third, the political environment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has enabled the far-right to thrive. The VHP and similar groups are not just fringe movements; they are closely tied to the BJP and often work in tandem with local authorities. Despite laws that make forced conversions illegal, these groups operate with impunity, exploiting the weak enforcement of such laws and the political fear of being labeled anti-Hindu. Furthermore, the technology that should be a democratizing force in India is instead being weaponized against vulnerable communities. WhatsApp, with its encrypted messages and widespread use, provides Hindu nationalist groups with a powerful tool to incite violence and coordinate attacks without facing legal repercussions.
 

Conclusion

The rise of Hindu nationalism presents a grave threat to India's religious diversity and social harmony. Groups like the VHP have increasingly targeted religious minorities, undermining their constitutional rights and forcing them into conversion. By leveraging political connections and modern technology like WhatsApp, these groups can quickly and efficiently mobilize support for their cause, spreading fear among minority communities. Unless India takes concrete steps to uphold its secular principles and protect religious freedom, the country risks deepening divisions and fostering an environment where violence against minorities becomes the norm. The situation in Bastar is a powerful example of how unchecked nationalism and technological manipulation can unravel a society's core values.
 
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