Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of Hindu Rashtra

Hindu Rashtra

Written by Ashutosh

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it

350 pages, about 7 hours of reading

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

About the Book A SEARING EXAMINATION OF THE CHANGES THAT INDIA HAS UNDERGONE SINCE 2014 Riding the storied Modi wave, the BJP and its allies won the 2014 general elections to form the government at the centre. While the supporters of the new government may have hoped for economic reforms and accelerated development, the past four and a half years have only delivered incidents of hate attacks, mob violence and an increasingly hostile attitude towards religious minorities. With questionable decisions like demonetisation still fresh in the minds of people, how is the BJP gearing up for the 2019 general elections? As the Hindutva hardliners continue their clamour for a Hindu Rashtra, is the ideology strong enough to withstand the increasing unrest and discontent of the common Indian? In this astutely observed and expertly narrated account of India’s socio-political present, Ashutosh employs his experience as a journalist as well as a politician to give us an insider’s view of India’s changing political terrain. Relying on research, observations and personal experience, Hindu Rashtra takes a hard look at the political reality of India and what its future may hold. About the Author Ashutosh began his career in print journalism, was a part of the original team of Aaj Tak, and went on to be the Managing Editor of IBN7 for eight years, before he gave it up to become a political activist and join the Aam Aadmi Party. In 2018, he resigned from the party and returned to journalism with the Hindi news portal, Satya Hindi. He is also the author of Anna: 13 Days That Awakened India and The Crown Prince, The Gladiator and The Hope: Battle for Change.

Read it with a club

Chaptra's ideas and essays clubs — small groups reading the same books and talking as they go.

All clubs
Deep shelves of leather-bound volumes

Books That Changed My Mind

Ideas and essays

  • 5 members
  • 4 discussions
  • Active 12h ago

Not books you enjoyed. Books that moved you off a position you'd genuinely held for years. This is a Chaptra house club — set up and moderated by us to get the conversation going. Open to everyone; jump in anywhere.

Read Hindu Rashtra alongside people who are reading it too.

Chaptra Prime — paid clubs, every club feature, and unlimited reading support, for $5 a month or $60 once.

See Prime

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Hindu Rashtra, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 9 hours
  • intermediate
  • Investigative
  • Critical
  • Urgent

Ashutosh's "Hindu Rashtra" offers a trenchant examination of India's socio-political landscape following the 2014 general elections and the ascent of the BJP government under Narendra Modi. Moving beyond the initial hopes for economic reforms and development, the book critically analyzes the subsequent four and a half years, highlighting a disturbing rise in hate attacks, mob violence, and an increasingly hostile environment for religious minorities. Drawing on his dual experience as a seasoned journalist and a former political activist, Ashutosh provides an insider's perspective on the shifting political terrain. The book scrutinizes the BJP's strategies leading up to the 2019 elections, questioning the sustainability of the Hindutva ideology amidst growing public unrest and the impact of contentious decisions like demonetization. It ultimately serves as a stark assessment of India's present reality and speculates on its potential future trajectory.

The 'Modi wave' promised economic reforms, but delivered a surge in social discord.

Key themes

The Rise of Religious Nationalism (Hindutva)
This is the central theme, exploring how the Hindutva ideology has gained unprecedented traction in India's political landscape since 2014. The book examines its historical roots, its contemporary manifestations in policy and public discourse, and its implications for India's secular identity. It details the mechanisms by which this ideology is propagated and the figures championing it.
Erosion of Secularism and Democratic Values
The book critically analyzes how the secular and democratic foundations of India are being challenged and potentially eroded by the ascendancy of a majoritarian agenda. It highlights incidents and policies that undermine the rights of minorities, freedom of expression, and the rule of law, fostering an environment of fear and division.
Disparity Between Promises and Reality
This theme explores the significant gap between the promises of economic development and 'good days' made by the BJP in 2014, and the actual socio-economic and political realities that unfolded. It scrutinizes how economic policies (like demonetization) and social conditions contributed to widespread 'unrest and discontent' among the common Indian population.

Worth discussing

How does Ashutosh's background as both a journalist and politician influence his analysis in 'Hindu Rashtra'?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!