The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to be in the throes of desperation as India’s general elections – the largest democratic exercise in world history – enters its final, decisive phase.

With more than 815mn eligible voters, including about 100mn who have just reached the legal age to cast their vote, India is in the global spotlight not just because of the sheer magnitude of the exercise but also due to the changes in matters of governance, foreign policy, terrorism and other pressing issues that are expected under a possible rightist dispensation.

For scores of millions of right-leaning nationalists, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is at once an icon of development and a warrior-like figure who can help India earn back its self-respect that was severely compromised by the corrupt and inefficient Congress-led UPA government in the past 10 years it was in power.

But tragically, Modi is also a divisive figure – the slaughter of nearly 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, during the 2002 Gujarat riots happening under his watch. For the minorities and the truly secular-minded, he is an incarnate of all things evil who is a clear danger to India’s largely secular social fabric.

The BJP, unfortunately, has not done much to dispel this notion. Despite the fact that it has the support of many of India’s large business houses and is the favourite to win most seats in parliament, some of its leaders have openly railed against the Muslims, even telling them to go to Pakistan if they don’t support Modi. It is a reflection of its lack of confidence that it may not win the 272 seats required to form a government on its own at the Centre.

The right-wing theory that most Indian Muslims are not loyal to the country has no basis and appeals only to those with a crass and misdirected sense of patriotism that has no relevance or justification in the times we live in.

Although Modi hit out yesterday against his party-men targeting Muslims and promised to work with Pakistan in the settlement of contentious issues – this was even welcomed by Islamabad – the BJP and its mentors in the RSS and the VHP, the two organisations that claim to be the champions of Hindu causes, have a long way to go when it comes to current national and international political dynamics where inclusiveness is the key.

For starters, they should abandon their obsession with Pakistan and stop beating Indian Muslims with the stick of Partition. It has been close to seven decades since both India and Pakistan became sovereign independent nations and although complete peace between the two neighbours may seem impossible given their history of wars and tensions, it is imperative that bridges are not burned before they are built.

Modi, if he becomes the prime minister, will have to bear this in mind.