The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is one of two major political parties in India, along with the Indian National Congress. Since it was founded in 1980, the BJP has been the principal opposition party in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian parliament) and has been a key player in state politics. In 2014, the party won a landslide victory in the general election, securing a majority in the Lok Sabha for the first time. However, the BJP's rise to power has been accompanied by a number of controversies and criticisms.
Here are some of the dark sides of the BJP:
1. The BJP has been accused of being a Hindu nationalist party
This is perhaps the most controversial accusation levelled against the party. The BJP's official stance is that it is a secular party, but many of its members and supporters are openly Hindu nationalists. This has led to accusations that the party is trying to turn India into a Hindu state. The party has also been accused of promoting Hindu nationalist violence against minorities, particularly Muslims.
2. The BJP has been accused of being anti-Muslim
This is another controversial accusation against the party. The BJP's official stance is that it is a secular party, but many of its members and supporters are openly anti-Muslim. This has led to accusations that the party is trying to turn India into a Hindu state. The party has also been accused of promoting Hindu nationalist violence against minorities, particularly Muslims.
3. The BJP has also been accused of being involved in several corruption scandals, including the 2G spectrum scandal and the Vyapam scandal.
4. In recent years, the BJP has been accused of stoking religious tensions and of being involved in violence against minorities, particularly Muslims.
5. The party has also been criticized for its handling of the economy, with some accusing it of pursuing policies that favor the rich and of not doing enough to help the poor.
6. The party has been accused of being autocratic and intolerant of dissent.
7. The party has been accused of being corrupt and using its power to further its own interests.
8. The party has been accused of being involved in violence and human rights abuses.
