This paper explores how Orientalist narratives underpin the exclusion of Muslim communities in contemporary India within the context of BJP’s Hindu nationalist policies. Since Narendra Modi’s ascent to power in 2014, a shift towards cultural homogenisation rooted in Hindu nationalism has been evident, purportedly to foster national unity and independence from colonial legacies. However, such narratives often echo Western Orientalist tropes, positioning Hindu civilisation’s origins in Aryan-centric Vedic traditions as central to India’s rise and identity, while marginalising indigenous Muslim populations through ideological othering. This discourse, characterised by anti-Orientalism and a nascent Indian New Orientalism, informs state political narration, influencing public societal discourse and shaping individual identities. The paper delineates the components of Orientalist discourse, illustrating its role in constructing exclusionary national identities and facilitating organised violence. It critically examines how state-sponsored narratives, propagated by bureaucrats and activists, exploit Orientalist tropes to rationalise and reinforce social hierarchies, particularly targeting Muslim communities. Moreover, the study analyses the societal repercussions of such narratives, emphasising the mutual reinforcement of stereotypes, othering and exclusion. Ultimately, this research highlights the enduring impact of Orientalist frameworks on the societal fabric of India, contributing to ongoing intergroup tensions and violence grounded in identity-based stereotyping and marginalisation.
Zhao et al. (Wed,) studied this question.