Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Why BJP-RSS Lost Moral Ground as India’s Arbiters
The article says many people became unhappy with the Indian government during the Shaheen Bagh protests.
Some protesters opposed citizenship laws, while others worried about jobs and everyday problems.
The author says people from different religions and many universities joined the protests.
The article also says Muslims were blamed unfairly for protests, riots, and the spread of COVID-19.
It claims that officials later said a nationwide population register would not happen.
Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are described as still being in prison without a trial.
The author compares this situation with protests by farmers against new farm laws.
According to the article, those laws were eventually withdrawn after the protests continued.
The author presents the Shaheen Bagh protests as a national expression of public disappointment with the Modi-led BJP and RSS.
The protests included students and people from multiple religions, although Muslims were disproportionately affected, according to the article.
The article says BJP-RSS supporters spread claims that only Muslims protested, Muslims caused riots, and Muslims spread COVID-19.
It argues that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam remain imprisoned without trial because authorities lack evidence against them.
The author compares the anti-CAA movement with farmer protests, saying government accusations failed and the farm laws were eventually withdrawn.
- Who
- The article discusses the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, anti-CAA protesters, Umar Khalid, and Sharjeel Imam.
- What
- It argues that the BJP-RSS lost moral authority after their handling of the anti-CAA and farmer protests.
- When
- During and after the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA protests, with later references to the pandemic and farmer protests.
- Where
- Shaheen Bagh and other locations across India, including Delhi’s universities and major educational institutions.
- Why
- The author attributes the loss of moral ground to alleged misinformation, disproportionate treatment of Muslims, imprisonment without trial, and accusations against farmer protesters.
Author’s assessment
Claims attributed to BJP-RSS supporters
Who participated in the protests
Author’s assessment
The protests were national and included people from different religions, as well as students from major educational institutions.
Claims attributed to BJP-RSS supporters
The article says the opposing narrative portrayed the protests as primarily or exclusively Muslim-led.
Responsibility for unrest
Author’s assessment
The author rejects claims that Muslims organized the riots and says Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam remain imprisoned without trial.
Claims attributed to BJP-RSS supporters
The article attributes to the BJP-RSS network claims that the riots were organized by Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
Farmer protests
Author’s assessment
The author says accusations against farmers failed and that the farm laws had to be withdrawn.
Claims attributed to BJP-RSS supporters
The article says farmers were characterized as foreign-funded and Khalistani.
- Central argument
- The author says the BJP-RSS can no longer claim unquestioned moral authority as India’s arbiters.
- Protest discussed
- The Shaheen Bagh protests opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act and concerns linked to the National Register of Citizens.
- Participants
- The article says students from Delhi University, IITs, IIMs, and other institutions joined the protests.
- Government response described
- Amit Shah reportedly said that no National Register of Citizens would happen and urged people to understand the chronology.
- Imprisoned activists
- Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are described as remaining in prison without a trial.
- Farmer protests
- The article says farmers were labeled foreign-funded and Khalistani, but the farm laws were eventually withdrawn.