In an age marked by rising tides of ethno-religious nationalism, two ideologies, Zionism and Hindutva have emerged as parallel instruments of ultra-nationalist agendas that sanctify exclusion, legitimize violence, and weaponize identity. Though birthed in distinct historical and geopolitical contexts, both constructs have evolved into aggressive political doctrines, systematically deployed to marginalize and persecute Muslim populations under the guise of civilizational revivalism. Zionism, once a movement for Jewish self-determination, and Hindutva, a reimagining of Indian polity through a Hindu supremacist lens, now converge in their authoritarian praxis and militarized ethno-nationalism. Their actions are not mere policy decisions but calculated campaigns, anchored in a supremacist ethos that exploit historical grievances to justify the subjugation, dispossession, and annihilation of Muslim communities.
Zionism is a Jewish nationalist movement that emerged in the late 19th century with the goal of establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine. It was a response to widespread anti-Semitism in Europe culminating in the Holocaust. The movement led to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.While Zionism began as a secular nationalist movement but over time, it has incorporated religious elements particularly among ultra-Orthodox Jews, leading to policies that prioritize Jewish identity and often marginalize non-Jewish populations mainly the Muslim Palestinians.
Since its inception, Zionism has led to the displacement and suffering of millions of Palestinians. The establishment of Israel in 1948 resulted in the Nakba, where over 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes. In recent years, the situation has worsened, especially in Gaza. As of May 2025, Israeli military operations have killed over 53,339 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies, with the UN warning of imminent famine. Additionally, over 4,700 amputations have been reported, including 850 children, making Gaza home to the largest group of child amputees in modern history.
Hindutva which means “Hinduness,” is an ideology that seeks to establish the hegemony of Hindus and the Hindu way of life in India. The term Hindutva is coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 1923, promoted by organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and political parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Hindutva as a political ideology often excludes and targets religious minorities, particularly Muslims with an aim to redefine India as a Hindu nation.
Hindutva’s rise in India has been marked by violence and discrimination against Muslims. The 2002 Gujarat riots, following the Godhra train burning, resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims. Reports indicate that the violence was premeditated, with state officials complicit in the attacks. In 2019, the Indian government revoked Articles 370 and 35A, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status.This move was seen as an attempt to alter the region’s demographics and suppress its Muslim majority.Since then, there have been numerous reports of human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial killings.
Moreover, Pakistan has consistently been the target of India-sponsored terrorism, particularly in the restive province of Balochistan, where the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)—a group designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries—has carried out numerous deadly attacks with alleged Indian backing. India’s deep involvement in these destabilizing efforts is further evidenced by the capture of Kulbhushan Yadav, a serving Indian naval officer and intelligence operative, who confessed to orchestrating subversive operations within Pakistan. He himself stated “My purpose was to hold meetings with Baloch insurgents and carry out activities with their collaboration.” “These activities have been of criminal nature, leading to killing of or maiming of Pakistani citizens. Also he stated that “I realise during this process that RAW is involved in some activities related to the Baloch liberation movement within Pakistan and the region around it.”
Similarly, the BLA was responsible for the brutal attack on the Jafar Express, where scores of civilians were killed and injured in a targeted assault designed to sow chaos and fear. Furthermore, recently on May 21, 2025, a horrific suicide bombing on a school bus in Khuzdar which lead to killing of at least five individuals, including three innocent schoolgirls is an act widely condemned and attributed by Pakistani authorities to Indian-financed proxies. However, all these incidents form a disturbing pattern of cross-border terrorism that reveals the operational depth of Hindutva-aligned networks and their strategic intent to fracture Pakistan’s internal security and sovereignty under the larger ambition of Akhand Bharat.
The concept of Akhand Bharat, or “Undivided India,” is a vision promoted by Hindutva ideologues that seeks to reunify the Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan under Hindu rule. This expansionist ideology poses a direct threat to the sovereignty of neighboring countries and fuels regional tensions. By supporting separatist movements and sponsoring terrorism, proponents of Akhand Bharat aim to destabilize Pakistan and achieve their ultra-nationalist objectives
However, both Zionism and Hindutva are ultra-nationalist ideologies that prioritize the interests of a particular religious group while marginalizing others.They employ similar tactics: territorial expansion, demographic engineering, and suppression of dissent.In Gaza and Kashmir, these ideologies manifest as military occupations, human rights violations, and efforts to alter the demographic makeup of the regions.
Both movements use past traumas and historical injustices like the Holocaust for Zionists or centuries of Muslim rule and colonialism for Hindutva ideologues as justifications for their current aggressive policies. At the same time when the people they oppress (mainly Muslims) resist or fight back, these movements label that resistance as terrorism, even when it is a reaction to their occupation, discrimination, and violence. This framing shifts the blame from the oppressor to the oppressed and allows them to continue their actions without facing global condemnation.
The international community must recognize the dangers posed by Zionism and Hindutva. These ideologies which are rooted in ultra-nationalism and religious supremacy have led to widespread human rights abuses and threaten regional stability. The world cannot remain silent as Muslims are targeted and oppressed under the guise of national security and historical justice. Accountability and justice are imperative in order to prevent further atrocities against innocent civilian and to uphold the principles of human rights and equality.
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