The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a major national political organization in India. Established in 1980 as the successor to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, it promotes a platform of cultural nationalism, economic growth, and strong governance. The BJP currently leads India’s ruling coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Advocating “Nation First, Party Next, Self Last,” the BJP views national unity and development as intertwined with India’s cultural identity. Its rise has significantly reshaped India’s political landscape, challenging the dominance of the Indian National Congress and influencing debates on secularism, federalism, and national security.
The BJP traces its roots to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Bharatiya Jana Sangh founded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee in 1951. Its philosophical foundation is Integral Humanism, articulated by Deendayal Upadhyaya, emphasizing a balance between individual, society, and nation. The party espouses “positive secularism” (equal respect for all faiths) and “Antyodaya”—upliftment of the most marginalized.
