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not in contrariety and conflict. It would uplift <strong>the</strong> poor and downtrodden, without<br />

putting caste against caste, without inciting class against class. 90<br />

It is very significant to note that although caste and class are mentioned, religion<br />

seems to have been deliberately omitted.<br />

The nexus between religion and politics is apparent mainly in <strong>the</strong> states where <strong>the</strong><br />

BJP rules or has ruled. This link was especially clear during <strong>the</strong> election. There<br />

are a number <strong>of</strong> examples quoted by Brenda Cossman and Ratna Kapur from <strong>the</strong><br />

speeches <strong>of</strong> Shiv Sena and BJP leaders illustrating how religion was used for<br />

electoral gain during <strong>the</strong> state election in Maharastra in 1987. 91 A recent incident<br />

related to <strong>the</strong> last election in <strong>the</strong> State Assembly <strong>of</strong> Gujarat in 2008 fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

illustrates this fact. Narendra Modi, <strong>the</strong> present chief minister <strong>of</strong> Gujarat and a<br />

BJP candidate, was given notice by <strong>the</strong> Election Commission who asked for an<br />

explanation about a comment that provoked <strong>the</strong> religious sentiments <strong>of</strong> people<br />

during his election campaign. However, <strong>the</strong> most significant issue is that although<br />

his statement aroused a great reaction among <strong>the</strong> people, he wanted to continue<br />

with Hindutva ideology in his election campaign. 92 Cossman and Kapur argue that<br />

‘Hindutva cannot be separated from its appeal to religion, or from its assault on<br />

<strong>the</strong> legitimacy <strong>of</strong> religious minorities.’ 93<br />

90<br />

Patnaik and Chalam, ‘Ideology and Politics,’ 272; for more details <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> discussion, see pp.<br />

252-80.<br />

91<br />

See Cossman and Kapur, Secularism’s Last Sigh? 21-22.<br />

92<br />

It is reported that he justified <strong>the</strong> brutal killing <strong>of</strong> Serabudeen, who was a Muslim, by <strong>the</strong> state<br />

police. The murder case was charged against <strong>the</strong> police. The case is in <strong>the</strong> Supreme Court, and <strong>the</strong><br />

trial still continues. However, people were shocked to hear such an irresponsible statement from<br />

<strong>the</strong> Chief Minister, and many people believe that he made such a comment for political gain<br />

aiming at some Hindu votes. For more details, see ‘Theranjeduppu Commission Idapettu:<br />

Modikku Notice’ [Election Commission Interfered: Notice Sent to Modi]<br />

http://deepika.com/mainnews.asp? (accessed 07 December 2008).<br />

93<br />

Cossman and Kapur, Secularism’s Last Sigh? 3.<br />

200

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