Yogi’s outburst

Published October 12, 2023

REVANCHIST geography is a central plank of the Sangh Parivar’s ideology, as devotees of Hindutva dream of recreating ‘Akhand Bharat’, a mythical, massive landmass covering all of South Asia and beyond. It is one thing for rabid ideologues to support such irresponsible notions. But quite another when elected high officials in India talk of recreating this imagined geographical entity. India’s neighbours, then, have good reason to be concerned. In this regard, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks about “taking back Sindhu” are shocking, coming as they do from the elected leader of India’s most populous state. The Yogi, a rabid Hindu priest, is not known for his tolerance towards Muslims, and has made numerous racist remarks targeted at them. Speaking at a Sindhi convention in Lucknow, he first gloated over the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and then crowed that if Ram Janmabhoomi could be reclaimed after five centuries, “Sindhu can also be brought back”. This attack on Pakistan’s territorial integrity is unacceptable, especially from a politician who could one day become prime minister of India. As the Foreign Office noted, the Yogi’s views “reflect a perverse view of history”.

One may well ask why stop at ‘Sindhu’? After all, in the minds of Hindutva zealots, Akhand Bharat stretches from the snowy peaks of the Pamirs in Afghanistan, to the muddy banks of the Irrawaddy in Myanmar. The proponents of this scheme will have to erase many an international border to achieve their fabled dreamland. But on a more serious note, the Akhand Bharat stunt is not limited to one or two Sangh leaders. In fact, when the new building of the Indian parliament was inaugurated earlier this year, much controversy was raised over a map displayed in the building which showed parts of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh as Indian territory. All three states sought explanations from New Delhi. The BJP will be looking to shore up its Hindu nationalist credentials by trotting out canards like Akhand Bharat in time for next year’s elections. But questioning the territorial integrity of South Asia’s independent states is a bad election ploy that will only add to toxic regional relations, especially between Pakistan and India. Instead of Akhand Bharat, South Asians deserve a region free from hate, violence and poverty, where prosperity and development are available to all in the spirit of equality.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

A positive note
Updated 10 Feb, 2025

A positive note

With govt unable to press growth accelerator without upending fragile recovery, sufferings of low-middle-income households are unlikely to disappear soon.
Justice for all
10 Feb, 2025

Justice for all

ALONG with his domestic agenda, Donald Trump is busy ripping to shreds the post-World War II ‘rules-based...
Held back
10 Feb, 2025

Held back

IT is a crying shame how women are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s civil services. Despite comprising half ...
Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...