“KAAM JAARI HAIN” (IT’S WORK IN PROGRESS) is a phrase that was first used by Mahant Ramachandra Paramahans in 1993. He was the chairman of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, a trust set up by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to oversee the Babri Masjid-Ram mandir dispute and the construction of the Ram mandir. Paramahans explained that the Hindutva campaign, which is primarily anti-Muslim, has been ongoing since 1923 when Vinayak Damodar Savarkar introduced the Hindutva political treatise. He noted that the campaign has made progress and faced setbacks over the years, employing different strategies ranging from aggression to moderation.
Although Paramahans passed away in 2003, his phrase “KAAM JAARI HAIN” is resurfacing in Sangh Parivar circles across India, particularly in the northern states. The context in which it was first used in 1993 was different from the current political and electoral context. In 1993, it meant retreating from aggressive Hindutva positions and trying to attract non-upper caste sections of Hindu society and their political organizations. However, in 2002, after the Gujarat anti-Muslim pogrom, it took on a more aggressive meaning, representing a barbaric Hindutva assault aimed at communal polarization for electoral gains.
In recent times, the bulldozer has become a symbol of communal aggression. It was used during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections to target properties of alleged mafia dons from the Muslim community, which further fueled communal tensions. Following the elections, bulldozers were used to demolish buildings, properties, and houses in various states, with poor minority communities bearing the brunt of these attacks. Alongside this, there have been macabre communal campaigns, changes to educational curricula, and the renaming of districts, towns, and villages in northern India.
The Sangh Parivar’s aggressive Hindutva campaign is now in full swing, with communal aggression and divisive tactics being employed to consolidate power. This includes the imposition of vegetarianism during religious festivals, compelling people to recite devotional hymns, and changes in place names. The Sangh Parivar’s efforts to rewrite history, reshape social narratives, and consolidate power are raising concerns about the future of India’s pluralistic and inclusive society.