What is Akhand Bharat

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What is Akhand Bharat

"Akhand Bharat" translates to "Undivided India" or "Greater India" in English. It is a concept that envisions the unification of all the territories that were historically part of the Indian subcontinent, including present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Afghanistan and Myanmar.

What is Akhand Bharat

The idea of Akhand Bharat is rooted in cultural, historical, and geopolitical considerations. Proponents of Akhand Bharat believe in the historical unity and shared cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent, which was divided into multiple countries during the partition of British India in 1947.

History

Historically, many nation-states have employed civilizational arguments to bolster their political claims, drawing from cultural ties to the past to justify present-day aspirations. This includes invoking notions of civilizational identity to support territorial claims, such as irredentism, which seeks to reclaim territories based on ethnic or historical grounds. States often assert these claims by referencing a perceived historical landscape.

The question arises: Is India's South Asia policy experiencing a paradigm shift driven by civilizational aspirations? Could this shift complicate India's relationships with its South Asian neighbors?

The portrayal of Akhand Bharat in the mural suggests a reimagining of historical boundaries and civilizational ties, which could signal a shift in India's approach to its neighbors. By emphasizing a shared historical heritage, India may seek to assert itself as a regional leader based on cultural and historical affinities.

Countries part of Akhand Bharat

However, this approach could strain India's relations with its South Asian neighbors, particularly Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. These countries perceive the depiction of Akhand Bharat as a challenge to their territorial integrity and sovereignty. They may interpret it as a veiled attempt by India to assert dominance or lay claim to their territories based on historical narratives.

Furthermore, the controversy surrounding the mural highlights existing tensions and sensitivities in the region, including unresolved territorial disputes and historical grievances. India's embrace of civilizational aspirations in its South Asia policy could exacerbate these tensions and complicate efforts to foster mutual understanding and cooperation among neighboring countries.

Civilizational Narratives

India's civilizational narratives in South Asia, particularly under the BJP regime, operate on two distinct levels. At the official level, there is a noticeable absence of overt endorsement of Hindutva ideology in India's South Asia policy formulation. While the current government does emphasize India's exceptionalism through its foreign policy, it largely refrains from overtly promoting Hindutva-related agendas. Instead, it focuses more on cultural and religious elements, such as promoting practices like yoga, while avoiding contentious issues like muscular nationalism or religious homogeneity.

However, despite occasional rhetoric and appeals to India as a civilizational state, these cultural elements have not translated into significant shifts in India's foreign policy approach towards its South Asian neighbors. Bilateral relations with neighboring countries largely follow established patterns, with continuity prevailing over change. While the idea of Akhand Bharat, symbolizing a unified South Asia under Hindu cultural dominance, holds sway among certain segments of the Hindu Right, it remains more of a cultural concept than a formal policy agenda.

The notion of Akhand Bharat, rooted in the beliefs of Hindutva ideologues like Savarkar and Golwalkar, posits that the Indian civilization was fragmented by religious divisions, leading to the territorial disjunction seen in the Partition of 1947. This concept evokes sentiments of past Hindu glory, a sense of victimhood, and a determination to reclaim lost territories. However, despite its powerful imagery, Akhand Bharat is unlikely to be translated into formal policy for several reasons.

Firstly, key figures within the RSS, the ideological backbone of the ruling BJP, have framed Akhand Bharat as more of a cultural aspiration than a political agenda. Territorial disputes with Pakistan and China persist irrespective of Hindutva ideology, and the BJP government has not entertained the idea of redrawing borders to achieve Akhand Bharat. Instead, it remains primarily a rhetorical tool aimed at domestic audiences and the Indian diaspora.

In conclusion, while India's civilizational narratives may occasionally resonate with elements of Hindutva ideology, they do not fundamentally alter India's foreign policy approach towards South Asia. Despite the evocative symbolism of Akhand Bharat, it remains more of a cultural construct than a practical policy agenda, with bilateral relations guided by pragmatism and continuity rather than ideological fervor.

Why does Akhand Bharat matter?

The concept of Akhand Bharat, or undivided India, holds significance for various reasons, primarily rooted in historical, cultural, and political contexts:

1. Historical and Cultural Heritage: Proponents of Akhand Bharat argue that it represents the historical and cultural unity of the Indian subcontinent, emphasizing the shared heritage, traditions, and civilization of the region. They view the division of India during the Partition of 1947 as a rupture of this unity, leading to the separation of communities that had coexisted for centuries.

2. Symbolism of Unity: Akhand Bharat symbolizes the idea of unity among the diverse peoples of the Indian subcontinent, transcending religious, linguistic, and ethnic differences. It reflects the aspiration to overcome divisions and forge a common identity based on shared values and heritage.

3. Political Assertion: For some political and ideological groups, advocating for Akhand Bharat serves as a means of asserting territorial claims and asserting India's historical primacy in the region. It is often associated with nationalist and revivalist movements that seek to reclaim lost territories and restore India's perceived past glory.

1. Regional Stability: Conversely, critics argue that the pursuit of Akhand Bharat could undermine regional stability by fueling territorial disputes and exacerbating existing tensions between India and its neighbors. The concept is often viewed with suspicion by neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Bangladesh, who fear it may threaten their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

2. Ideological Debate: The idea of Akhand Bharat also fuels ideological debates within India, with proponents of Hindutva ideology advocating for a unified Hindu Rashtra (nation) encompassing the entire Indian subcontinent. This vision is contested by those who advocate for a pluralistic and inclusive India, respecting the rights and identities of all communities.

1. Conclusion

1. Overall, while Akhand Bharat holds different meanings for different people, it remains a potent symbol of historical continuity, cultural unity, and territorial aspirations within the Indian subcontinent, shaping discourse and debates on identity, nationalism, and regional geopolitics.