The BJP-RSS Strategy: Were Muslims Ever the Real Target?

Abstract

The BJP and RSS have long been accused of pursuing an anti-Muslim agenda, with policies and rhetoric that many argue seek to marginalize India's Muslim community. This article presents a key point analysis of the BJP-RSS's political strategy, arguing that while anti-Muslim rhetoric serves as a visible tool for Hindu consolidation, the Sangh Parivar's fundamental objective is the systematic dismantling of Bahujan (SC/ST/OBC) political resistance. Through an interdisciplinary lens combining political theory, sociology, and policy analysis, this study examines:

1. The BJP's narrative reversal post-Pahalgaon—from blaming Indian Muslims to targeting Pakistan - anti-Muslim rhetoric was abruptly replaced by "national unity" narratives.
2. Why Bahujan politics, not Muslims, poses the real threat to RSS's Hindu unity project
3. How Ambedkarite movements have been manipulated into weakening their own political base
4. The strategic use of Muslims as political pawns in the larger caste war

A deeper examination reveals that the real objective has always been Hindu consolidation, and the greatest obstacle to this project is not Muslims, but Bahujan politics—the ideology of Ambedkar, Phule, and Periyar. The systematic erosion of Bahujan resistance is the Sangh's endgame, while anti-Muslim rhetoric serves merely as a diversionary tactic to unite Hindus across caste lines.

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1. Introduction: The Pahalgaon Pivot (From Muslim-Targeting to "National Unity")

Following the 22 April, 2025 Pahalgaon terrorist attack, the immediate response from BJP-aligned groups and media was predictable—vilify Indian Muslims, particularly those in Kashmir, fuelling nationwide anti-Muslim sentiment. Yet within days, the BJP leadership executed a dramatic U-turn:

• Blame redirected to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, with minimal emphasis on Indian Muslims.
• Muslim IAF officer Sofia Qureshi was highlighted as the face of India’s retaliation.
• "National unity" rhetoric replaced communal polarization, with BJP leaders urging Hindus to "stand together."

Why This Strategic Reversal?

• Going too far in demonizing Indian Muslims could backfire:
• Risk of social unrest and economic disruption.
• Potential international backlash affecting diplomacy.
• Social stability: Extreme polarization could spark unrest damaging to governance
• Economic pragmatism: Unchecked anti-Muslim rhetoric risks foreign investment and trade relations

• Strategic Hindu Consolidation:
• As this article demonstrates, anti-Muslim rhetoric is a means to an end—not the end itself. The BJP-RSS requires Muslims as a "permanent enemy" to unify Hindus, but its primary threat is Bahujan assertion.
• Keeping the Muslim bashing on perpetually is necessary for keeping the bigger challenge of Bahujan resistance off.
• While anti-Muslim rhetoric helps consolidate Hindus, but it benefits most when egg is laid regularly. However, if the water is boiled too quickly it may end the hen laying golden egg ending perpetual benefits.

It shall be construed that Muslims were never the endgame—they were merely a tool to polarize Hindus, while the real battle is against Ambedkarite-Bahujan politics. Muslims serve as useful political tools rather than ultimate targets—the real battle is against Bahujan consciousness.

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2. The Real Target: Bahujan Politics, Not Muslims

The RSS's foundational mission—Hindu consolidation—requires dissolving caste divisions among SCs, STs, and OBCs into a monolithic Hindu identity. The most formidable barrier to this project remains Bahujan ideology, which:

• Rejects Brahmanical Hinduism (Ambedkar’s critique of caste).
• Exposes Brahmanical hegemony (Ambedkar's Annihilation of Caste)
• Champions Dalit-OBC unity (Phule-Periyar-Ambedkar philosophy)
• Sustains anti-BJP political blocs (like BSP before its decline)

Why Bahujans Are a Bigger Threat Than Muslims

Factor	Muslims	Bahujans
Population	14%	Over 70% (SCs+STs+OBCs)
Political Potential	Limited by minority status	Could permanently alter power structures
BJP's Approach	Containment via polarization	Systematic co-option and division

• Muslims are a minority (14%)—they cannot politically dominate India.
• Bahujans (SCs+STs+OBCs Over 70% + Religiously Converted Minorities)—if politically united, they can challenge upper-caste hegemony permanently.
• BJP’s rise depended on breaking Bahujan unity (e.g., splitting OBCs from SCs/STs via Hindutva).

How BJP-RSS Neutralizes Bahujan Resistance

1.     Co-opting Ambedkar Symbolism & Symbolic Appropriation

• BJP now celebrates Ambedkar, distorts his anti-caste message.
• Modi's pilgrimages to Ambedkar memorials while gutting SC/ST protections like reservation, dilution of  SC/ST Atrocities Act.
• RSS shakhas celebrating "Dalit heroes" as "Hindu saints"

2.     Divide and Rule - Dividing Bahujan Movements

i. Splitting SCs:

·        Propaganda paints politically vocal castes Jatavs (Chamars)/Mahars etc as "privileged", claiming they monopolized reservation benefits under parties like BSP.

·        Non-Jatav SCs (Valmikis, Mazhabi Sikhs) are made to feel excluded, breeding resentment.

·        BJP introduced SC sub-categorization in Haryana (2023), later adopted by Congress in Telangana/Andhra.

ii. Fragmenting OBCs: The Rohini Commission & Census Politics

·        Rohini Commission (2017) proposes sub-categorizing OBC quotas, pitting Yadavs vs. EBCs (Extremely Backward Classes).

·        BJP delays caste census while letting regional parties demand it, keeping OBCs politically divided.

·        Dominant OBCs (Jats, Patels, Kurmis) are co-opted, while marginalized OBCs are promised "justice."

iii. Encouraging "Upper vs. Lower" OBC Conflicts

·        In UP: Lodhs, Nishads mobilized against Yadavs.

·        In Bihar: EBCs positioned against Yadavs/Kurmis.

·        Prevents a unified OBC-Dalit alliance.

iv. Encouraging factional Conflicts:

o   Encouraging Ambedkarite factions to fight each other (e.g., BSP vs. radical Ambedkarites & ASP).

o   Pushing "Ambedkar vs. Islam" debates to divert attention from caste oppression.

• Encouraging BSP-AIMIM conflicts to fracture Dalit-Muslim unity
2. Cadre Subversion - Turning Ambedkarites Against Their Own Politics
• Redirecting Ambedkarite energy into anti-BJP but politically rudderless activism

o   Many Ambedkarites now blindly oppose BJP but align with Congress/SP, weakening independent Bahujan politics.

o   Example: BSP’s cadre & BSP Sympathisers becoming foot soldiers for Congress/SP, instead of building their own movement.

4. Using Hindutva to Override Caste, But Only Superficially

·        BJP wants Bahujans to identify as "Hindu first", but keeps caste identities alive for vote banks.

·        Example:

o   SC/STs are mobilized against Muslims (love jihad, cow vigilantism), but denied real empowerment.

o   OBCs are told they are "true Hindus", but their sub-castes are played against each other.

5. BJP’s Master Strategy – "Divide, Hinduize, Rule"

a)     Divide Bahujans (SCs vs. SCs, OBCs vs. OBCs, SCs vs. OBCs).

b)     Use Hindutva to absorb them into a "Hindu vote bank".

c)     Prevent a unified Ambedkarite movement that could challenge Brahmanical dominance.

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3. Muslims as the "Sacrificial Animal" in BJP’s Strategy

The BJP-RSS doesn't seek Muslim elimination—it requires them as permanent political adversaries to sustain Hindu unity. They need them as a permanent "enemy" to sustain Hindu consolidation project with upper caste hegemony.

The Role of Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

• Diverts attention from caste oppression(Caste Obfuscation):
• Instead of demanding reservation and land reforms, OBCs/SCs/STs are distracted by "love jihad" and "terrorism" debates.
• Creates a false Hindu unity:
• A Dalit may face discrimination daily, but if he sees Muslims as the "greater enemy," he will vote for BJP alongside his oppressor. A sanitation worker voting BJP alongside his Brahmin oppressor to "protect Hinduism"

• Controlled Conflict:
• Violence is kept at a simmer—enough to polarize, not enough to destabilize.
• Data: Lynchings peaked in 2017-19 (28 deaths) but dropped sharply post-2020 (4 deaths annually) after international backlash (Hindutva Watch, 2023).

Why BJP Can’t Afford Full-Scale Muslim Exclusion

• Economic consequences: Muslim labor, businesses, and consumers are vital to India’s economy.
• International image: Extreme persecution would lead to sanctions and isolation.
• Hindu unity breaks without a "common enemy": If Muslims are fully crushed, caste divisions re-emerge.

Thus, Muslims are kept in a state of perpetual fear but not destroyed—because their existence is politically useful. Muslims are maintained as useful enemies—threatened enough to unify Hindus, but protected enough to remain politically exploitable.

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4. The Fatal Mistake of Ambedkarite Movements

Instead of strengthening independent Bahujan politics, many Ambedkarites have fallen into the trap of:

• Fought BJP on communal rather than caste terms
• Fighting BJP on BJP’s terms (e.g., getting into Hindu vs. Muslim debates).
• Becoming tools for Congress/SP, who exploit their anger but do not represent Bahujan interests.
• Losing focus on ground mobilization, wasting energy on social media wars.

The Devastating Consequences

• BSP’s decline: Once a strong Dalit party, now electorally declined.
• BJP’s expansion: SCs/STs/OBCs increasingly voting BJP, believing it represents their interests.
• No strong Bahujan alternative: No party today truly carries forward Ambedkar’s vision of caste annihilation.

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Conclusion: Reclaiming Battle ground

The BJP-RSS's real strategy is:

1. Use Muslims as unifying bogeymen. Use Muslims as a scarecrow to unify Hindus.
2. Destroy autonomous Bahujan politics. Break Bahujan unity by co-opting, dividing, or misdirecting Ambedkarite movements.
3. Preserve caste hierarchy under Hindu nationalist cover. Ensure no strong anti-caste political force emerges to challenge Brahmanical hegemony.

The Way Forward for Bahujan Politics: This is a whole new topic requiring separate examination and analysis- (soon to come). 

• Build independent Bahujan political power beyond reactionary anti-BJPism
• Beware of Social Media: Earlier it was only print media then electronic Media and now there is social media that is a powerful tool in the hands of diversionary forces. Be skeptical on social Media too before entering the trap. 
• Focus on ground mobilization, not just social media outrage. Lie Low like a seed remaining dormant and working on the ground and making the roots stronger without much public view until the right conditions are formed.

Muslims were never the endgame—the annihilation of Bahujan resistance was. Unless Ambedkarite movements recognize this and reorganize accordingly, caste oppression will persist, merely rebranded as Hindu unity. Unless bahujan movement stop engaging in the shadow fighting in a constructed scarecrow, the blame for their own annihilation shall lie with them and they would successfully defeat themselves and the Nation.