There was a historical moment when in the late 20th century those grudges had some political traction. There is no doubt that the BJP, for a brief moment, looked empowered by a range of constituencies feeling anxious. The critique of pseudo-secularism had real resonance, the promise of tapping into an Indian cultural ethos seemed to be alluring to some, the sheer idealism (even if often misplaced) of its cadres seemed a refreshing change from the cynicism Congress years brought, and the relative newness of its leadership seemed to offer a plausible alternative. But all of this has for the moment dissipated.

First, the BJP’s critique of pseudo-secularism itself became obsolete because of the shifts in the ground realities of Indian politics, particularly the transformation in Muslim politics. But more importantly, it could not dissociate that critique from a politics of hate. At the state level, Gujarat, Karnataka, Orissa and even Rajasthan, there is little doubt that the BJP’s grassroots tactics are deeply polarising, if Mangalore and Kandhamal are harbingers of what BJP politics can bring. And the BJP’s response to them is still the discourse of “justified” revenge.

Its promise of tapping into an Indian intellectual tradition was not entirely off the mark. But its concrete articulation was laughable in its results. It produced virtually nothing of lasting intellectual interest, and was deeply embarrassing to the tradition in whose name it claimed to speak. Its attempt to colonise Hinduism ended up diminishing it. Post-Mandal, it had benefited from people looking for a party ready to articulate a genuinely anti-casteist position. But its caste politics ended up looking like any other party’s. There was a generation attracted to the idealism of the RSS. But, as the RSS acknowledges more than the BJP, it has a challenge mobilising well-meaning young people. Instead of dedicated idealists, the BJP has now empowered a whole range of lumpen elements that make some nostalgic for the RSS of the old. It is not an accident that even the RSS is more lukewarm to the BJP. Power of course sullies the reputation of the best of politicians; and the BJP was no exception.

... contd.