Abstract
Hindu nationalist organizations have pursued their activities not only in India but also overseas, and have established various networks across national borders. This article examines the political relationship between the Hindu nationalist party in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and its affiliated organization overseas, the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP).
The article first analyzes the Indian diaspora policy of the BJP-led alliance government. It argues that the BJP supported the Hindu nationalist movement overseas through this policy. While in power, the BJP had to consider its relationship with its allied parties and the acquisition of extensive support from the constituency. Therefore, the BJP could not crystallize its ideology-oriented policies in India, such as the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. On the other hand, the Hindu nationalist organizations in India, its strongest support base, severely blamed the BJP for its passive ideological stance. Under these circumstances, the BJP looked for a new political strategy overseas and incorporated various demands of the OFBJP into government policies, such as the dual citizenship and the appointment of the person involved with these organizations as ambassador in charge of Indian diaspora affairs. The OFBJP, on the other hand, strengthened its supporting activities for the BJP in Indian diaspora society.
Despite such political support, however, the BJP had to face strong criticisms on the ideological line of the BJP from the OFBJP after its debacle in the 2004 election. The OFBJP, as an organization more strongly committed to the Hindu nationalist movement, expressed its dissatisfaction with the ideological stance and the political strategy of the BJP and demanded that the party correct them. For instance, the BJP and the OFBJP have expressed different views on the significant role of the Hindu nationalism in national and state elections. According to the OFBJP, the victory of the BJP in elections was the result of the electorate supporting its ideology.
Thus the OFBJP imposes pressures on the BJP both directly and through Hindu nationalist organizations in India which the BJP cannot afford to ignore. Otherwise the BJP will have to suffer isolation from Hindu nationalist organizations in India and overseas. Consequently, the BJP has no choice but to commit to its ideology.
