The RSS Combine’s agenda of establishing a Hindu Rashtra has been systematically advanced through various mechanisms, with religious festivals serving as a crucial platform for furthering this ideology. Over the years, certain deities have been strategically highlighted to propagate socio-political messaging, embedding Hindutva narratives deeper into public consciousness.
The recently held Kumbh Mela was transformed into a grand national spectacle rather than just a religious gathering. This time, the event was heavily marketed as a cultural and developmental showcase, even being branded as “The Greatest Show on Earth” for Hinduism. While providing facilities such as accommodation, cleanliness, and transportation is a standard state responsibility, this edition saw an unprecedented level of state involvement in organizing the event itself. Furthermore, affiliates of the ruling party, such as VHP, Dharma Sansads, and individual Sants/Sadhus, took the lead in promoting Hindutva ideology, with anti-Muslim rhetoric emerging as a prominent theme.
Despite the spiritual significance of the Kumbh for devotees, its increasing politicization was evident. The Uttar Pradesh government extensively advertised the event, attracting massive crowds, yet its mismanagement led to stampedes and numerous casualties. Additionally, Muslim traders were barred from setting up stalls based on baseless allegations—such as the claim by Swami Avimukteshwaranand that Muslims spit in food. In contrast, it was Muslims who opened their mosques and provided food to victims of the stampede, demonstrating their humanitarian spirit.
Historically, the Mughals contributed to the development of Kumbh, with rulers like Akbar constructing ghats and appointing officials to oversee arrangements. However, contemporary editions of the festival have been marred by sectarian politics. The venue was dominated by hoardings featuring Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath, while significant portions were reserved for VIPs, exacerbating crowd mismanagement.
Prominent political analyst Ram Puniyani, in a recent article, has expressed concerns over how religious festivals have increasingly been weaponized for Hindutva politics. He argues that events like the Kumbh are no longer just about faith but have been turned into platforms for spreading communal propaganda. He highlights how targeted narratives—such as the call to reclaim mosques and the vilification of Muslims—are systematically employed to consolidate political power.
One of the most alarming aspects of this Hindutva-dominated Kumbh was the blatant spread of hate speech. The VHP’s Margdarshak Mandal meetings were filled with communal rhetoric, with figures like Sadhvi Ritambhara, Praveen Togadia, and Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati openly targeting Muslims. Propaganda about population growth, Bangladeshi infiltration, and cow protection was repeatedly emphasized, aligning with the BJP’s broader political objectives. Saffron-clad leaders also reiterated demands for Kashi and Mathura, claiming that 1,860 mosques needed to be “reclaimed” as Hindu temples.
A 2024 book by Irfan Engineer and Neha Dabhade highlights how religious festivals have been increasingly used to instigate violence. Festivals that were once inclusive social events have been turned into occasions for sectarian aggression, with Hindu processions deliberately passing through Muslim neighborhoods, replacing green flags on mosques with saffron ones, and chanting hateful slogans while brandishing swords. The book details incidents of violence during Ram Navami in 2022-2023, including those in Howrah, Hooghly, Sambhaji Nagar, Vadodara, Biharsharif, Khargone, Himmat Nagar, and Lohardaga.
The trend of weaponizing religion for political gains is further evident in tribal areas, where the Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram and VHP have promoted figures like Shabri and Hanuman to counter Christian influence. The construction of a Shabri Temple in Gujarat’s Dangs region, where Swami Aseemanand—later accused in bomb blast cases—was active, reflects this agenda. Similarly, Lord Hanuman has been popularized among Adivasi communities to align them with Hindutva ideology.
The politicization of religious festivals and their transformation into tools for communal polarization is a troubling development. The way Kumbh Mela has been turned into a platform for anti-Muslim rhetoric and how Shabri and Hanuman are being used to influence tribal communities exposes the deeper political strategy at play.
