US political analysts called Donald Trump's victory “magic realism”. American intellectuals are shocked. They are appalled by the margin of Trump's victory and are trying to figure out why. They have a hard time understanding whether it is a defeat of elite politics or a rejection of democracy as it was unfolding in America. But what surprised me more was the reaction of some people in India. Instead of lamenting the defeat of Indian-origin candidates, they are celebrating the victory of American Christians supported by evangelical churches. These are the same people who were angry when Hindus were targeted by “forces of evil” in Bangladesh and Canada.
Kamala Harris is the daughter of a Hindu mother. She is proud of her Hindu background. The story of a Hindu woman who later became the vice president of the United States and eventually a presidential candidate is noteworthy. Unlike Hillary Clinton, she is neither a product of the right nor a member of the American establishment. She is a maverick who rose from humble beginnings to become Vice President of the United States through sheer grit, talent, and hard work.
Why are Indians happy?
But why are these people happy about her defeat? Is it because she didn't pay lip service to Bangladeshi Hindus like Trump? Or is it because Kamla Harris' politics – she's not divisive, she talks about democracy and constitutionalism – are making these people uncomfortable? Is it because she doesn't support majoritarian politics? Or will she speak for people of all faiths and not discriminate against people based on race or gender? Or is it because she doesn't make vulgar, sexist jokes like Trump?
Those celebrating Trump on the assumption that he is India's friend and that India will benefit from his presidency are living in a fool's paradise. They are victims of false consciousness and prisoners of illusion. It's important to remember that Trump is an American and the President of the United States. His promise is to make America great again, not India. Every step President Trump takes to fulfill his promise to make America great again will likely come at the expense of India as well as the rest of the world. If strong action against India becomes necessary, he will not hesitate to do so.
Trump politics is transactional
It must be remembered that his politics are not principled but purely transactional. India will soon face the consequences of his cynicism. He is likely to impose restrictions on Indians entering the US, with the H1B visa program being the first casualty. He will pressure the Indian government to “lower tariffs” and potentially even “impose higher tariffs on Indian products,” making trade with the United States even more difficult. Even before the election, he lumped India in with Brazil and China on the issue of tariffs, calling India a “huge abuser of tariffs.” If he follows through on his key promise to American voters, deporting immigrants, Indians will not be exempt.
But it would have been a similar situation with Kamala Harris. Had she been elected president, she would have prioritized American interests despite her Indian heritage. So, whoever wins, there is no reason for India to celebrate. India must focus on protecting its national interests, and it is always preferable to do business with a predictable and stable leader. However, Trump has a volatile and unpredictable personality and did not have a clean record during his first term as president.
Who is President Trump's biggest supporter? conservative christian
Those celebrating Trump's victory recognize that he represents a resurgence of “Christian nationalism,” which many, like Bishop Michael Curry, have called “a threat to the soul of America.” There must be. of new york times “He (President Trump) has said he affirms that God created only two genders, male and female. He plans to create a task force to combat anti-Christian bigotry. “If we elect him, we will have greater access to them.'' “We have to save the religion,'' he says. The New York Times notes, “And for nearly a decade, right-wing Christian forces have been strengthening, largely on the watch of Mr. Trump, who promised in 2016 that “Christianity will have power.” won the White House.
President Trump's strongest support comes from Central America, a stronghold of conservative Christians. In this election, evangelical churches were particularly active among Latin American Christians, who traditionally vote Democratic, convincing them to support Trump. And they succeeded. More than 40% of Latinos supported Trump, contributing significantly to his wide margin of victory.
Does this mean that those who advocate Hindu nationalism in India now support the rise of Christian nationalism? If so, why are Hindutva proponents putting Christianity alongside Islam in a bid to unify India, alleging that Christians are pouring millions of dollars into converting Hindus to Christianity? And condemn it as a hostile force that threatens its integrity?
What Golwalkar said
Golwalkar, the father of Hindutva, once named Christians as one of India's three enemies and accused Christian missionaries of working under the guise of humanitarian aid to turn India into a Christian country. , worth remembering. “This is the role of the Christian gentlemen who live in our land today, not only to destroy the religious and social fabric of our lives, but also to create political influence in different regions and, if possible, throughout the country. “Wherever they set foot, they soaked the land with the blood and tears of the natives, wiping out entire races.'' Don't we know the heart-breaking story of how Africa's indigenous peoples were wiped out?
I don't know if the RSS has changed its stance towards Christian missionaries and their ideology. We also do not know if the RSS has reached any form of truce with Christian nationalism. The undeniable fact is that President Trump's America supports the concept of a clash of civilizations and champions the cause of Christianity. Hindu nationalism, despite its best intentions, cannot align with Trump's Christian nationalism without undermining Hindu ideology itself. This begs the question: Why does Trump have so much support?
Isn't it ironic that followers of Hindutva, while strongly calling for Hindu unity in India, are reluctant to support women of Hindu origin who have achieved great success abroad? Among Hindus? Doesn't this indicate some sort of ideological confusion and contradiction within a movement that claims to make India great and to position India as a nation? Vishwaguru?This is worth serious pondering.?
(Ashutosh is the author of 'Hindu Rashtra' and co-founder of SatyaHindi.com)
Disclaimer: These are the author's personal opinions.
