Why India's Nationalist Surge Is Stoking Tensions: QuickTake Q&A

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s victories in provincial elections have given him greater clout to tackle reforms, boost jobs and expand what is already the world’s fastest-growing economy. Still, the move to install a Hindu nationalist priest as head of the most populous state, plus reports of vigilantes seeking to prevent the slaughter of cows, considered sacred in Hindu culture, has generated negative headlines.

The movement has been around for decades, but has gained momentum. Before entering politics, Modi was a member of the main Hindu nationalist organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS. The group has links to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and several cabinet ministers are members. The BJP’s election victories are emboldening fringe factions of Modi’s support base, especially in Uttar Pradesh, a state of 200 million people, where the party appointed saffron-robed Hindu priest Yogi Adityanath as leader. In another state ruled by the BJP, vigilantes beat a Muslim farmer to death on suspicion he was transporting cows for slaughter.