Modi ran a ‘Hindutva plus development’ model in Gujarat for 12 years but as the Hardik Patel agitation shows the state still suffers endemic unemployment. Just as socialism was implemented through state power by Left-inclined regimes, now Hindutva is being implemented through state power. The Hindutva state is in fact a massive socialist state with a religious hue. The Vajpayee-led NDA and Manmohan Singh-led UPA had realised that state as mai baap has to recede if development is to take off. But the Hindutva model of triumphalist state power is in no mood to back down after tasting huge electoral success.

Source: Times of India March 28, 2017 20:51 UTC