• Commentary
  • Research
  • Experts
  • Events
Carnegie China logoCarnegie lettermark logo
{
  "authors": [
    "Christophe Jaffrelot"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "SAP",
  "programs": [
    "South Asia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "South Asia",
    "India"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Democracy"
  ]
}
REQUIRED IMAGE

REQUIRED IMAGE

In The Media

‘This govt is of Ram bhakts, and Gita is above the Constitution’—Inside Modi’s India

The nature of new legislation to promote Hinduism, the extent of which remained very limited, indicates that it was not through lawmaking that the BJP primarily intended to operate: discourse and practices were the preferred means of action in their repertoire, as can be seen in debates about the respect owed to India’s very name.

Link Copied
By Christophe Jaffrelot
Published on Nov 15, 2021

The Print

About the Author

Christophe Jaffrelot

Former Nonresident Scholar, South Asia Program

Jaffrelot’s core research focuses on theories of nationalism and democracy, mobilization of the lower castes and Dalits (ex-untouchables) in India, the Hindu nationalist movement, and ethnic conflicts in Pakistan.

    Recent Work

  • Research
    The BJP in Power: Indian Democracy and Religious Nationalism
      • Rahul Verma
      • +4

      Milan Vaishnav, Rahul Verma, Rukmini S., …

  • Article
    Ceasefire Violations in Kashmir: A War by Other Means?

      Christophe Jaffrelot

Christophe Jaffrelot
Former Nonresident Scholar, South Asia Program
Christophe Jaffrelot
DemocracySouth AsiaIndia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie China

  • Commentary
    The Challenges Behind China’s Global South Policies

    While China will remain a significant political and economic force in the Global South, its ambition to leverage the Global South as a counterbalance to the United States and the Global North is far from assured.

      Xue Gong

  • Article
    The Many “One Chinas”: Multiple Approaches to Taiwan and China

    Beijing says that over 180 countries accept its “one China principle” regarding Taiwan, but the reality is more complicated.

      Chong Ja Ian

  • Commentary
    Renewed Clashes on the China-India Border

    Can China and India disengage from contested territories along the border?

      • +1

      Paul Haenle, Ashley J. Tellis, Han Hua, …

  • Commentary
    China’s Zero COVID Policy Is a Double-Edged Sword

    Beijing must choose between preserving its pandemic narrative or facing more unrest.

      Paul Haenle

  • Commentary
    Why U.S.-China Relations Are Locked in a Stalemate

    Three months after the Biden-Xi summit, the two sides’ divergent framings of the bilateral relationship are hindering progress.

      Paul Haenle, Sam Bresnick

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie China
Carnegie China logo, white
  • Research
  • About
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie China
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.