NEW DELHI, February 6, 2024 — Nitin Nabin, the newly appointed president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), wasted no time signaling a sharpened focus on cultural issues and national security in his first address to party workers Tuesday. It’s a clear message as India heads into a crucial election cycle, and a potential shift in tone from his predecessor.
Nabin Calls for Protecting ‘Sanatan Faith’ and Flags Security Concerns
The BJP’s new leader outlined a vision centered on Hindutva and nationalism, challenging opposition parties on key cultural and security issues.
- Nitin Nabin, 45, is the youngest-ever president of the BJP.
- He urged party workers to defend the “centres and legacy of Sanatan faith.”
- Nabin criticized parties opposing traditions like the ‘deepam’ lighting in Madurai and the existence of Ram Setu.
- He also raised concerns about infiltration, particularly in poll-bound states like West Bengal and Assam.
What is ‘Sanatan Dharma’? Sanatan Dharma, often referred to as Hinduism, is an ancient and diverse religious tradition emphasizing dharma (righteous conduct), karma, and moksha (liberation). Nabin’s call to “protect” it reflects a core tenet of the BJP’s ideology.
Nabin’s address, delivered at the party headquarters in New Delhi, came after his unopposed election as the 12th BJP president. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present at the announcement, alongside several former party chiefs, including JP Nadda, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Nitin Gadkari.
The new BJP president framed his vision around the party’s long-held principles of Hindutva and nationalism. He specifically targeted the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party’s opposition to a Hindu group’s attempt to light a ‘deepam’ (lamp) at a hilltop shrine in Tamil Nadu, a state heading towards assembly elections. Nabin argued that parties opposing such traditions, or questioning the existence of the Ram Setu – a chain of limestone shoals between India and Sri Lanka considered sacred by many Hindus – have no place in politics.
Beyond cultural issues, Nabin also emphasized the importance of national security, specifically raising concerns about infiltration in states like West Bengal and Assam, where elections are approaching. This issue has been a consistent focus of the BJP’s campaign messaging.
Shah congratulated Nabin on his election, expressing confidence that his leadership, under Modi’s guidance, would inject new energy into the party’s work for national interest and public welfare. Nabin, a fifth-term Member of the Legislative Assembly and the first person from Bihar to lead the BJP’s organization, is seen as representing a generational shift within the party.
Nabin also encouraged young people to become more involved in politics, urging them to view it as a “marathon, not a 100-metre sprint,” and to prioritize stamina over speed. He assured them that the BJP has a “watch tower” in place to identify and nurture talent.
The speech is expected to be closely analyzed by party members as they prepare for upcoming elections. Nabin, who was appointed BJP working president last month, is now tasked with leading the party through a critical period.
What impact will Nabin’s leadership have on the BJP’s electoral prospects? Only time will tell, but his initial remarks suggest a continued emphasis on core ideological principles and a willingness to engage in cultural and political battles.
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