Hindutva aimed to integrate various Hindu castes and communities into a unified social and political community to create the foundations of a modern nation. But, still, Hindutva always had a strong strain inspired by the likes of the Arya Samaj movement, which appealed to the subaltern castes. Contrary to cliched liberal discourse, Hindutva and the promise of a common Hindu identity always appealed to a large Dalit and OBC castes as it promises to liberate them from the narrow identity of a weaker caste, and induct them into a powerful Hindu community. But the pivotal moment was the Ram Janambhoomi movement, when almost all the Hindu castes were mobilised. For example, the BJP was the only party in Uttar Pradesh to have diversity in ticket distribution to Dalit castes on reserved seats.

Source: Hindustan Times July 18, 2019 02:37 UTC