It is hard to imagine how Adolf Hitler could be seen in any way as a positive role model. However, Hitler and his book “Mein Kampf” have found fans in surprising places, for example in India. Hitler was featured as an inspirational leader in a children’s book, last year, and “Mein Kampf” has been a bestseller in India for years (1, 2). According to some sources, Indian business students have used the book “as a self-improvement and management strategy guide.” Sohin Lakhani, owner of Mumbai-based Embassy books, said in 2009:
“They see it as a kind of success story where one man can have a vision, work out a plan on how to implement it and then successfully complete it.” (2)
Josh Scheinert wrote in 2014 that Hitler’s legacy in India is very different compared to the legacy in the West:
“More removed from the traumas associated with World War II and the Holocaust, Indians approach Hitler from a distance not possible in societies where war veterans, Holocaust survivors and education about the war and its legacy are part of the national psyche.” (3)
The events regarding World War II are not taught extensively in Indian schools, so the Indians are not necessarily aware of the negative stigma Hitler has in the West. There has also been some willingness to overlook Hitler’s most terrible acts and see him only as a strong leader. (3)
According to the Indian people Scheinert interviewed, Hitler’s book hadn’t caused anti-semitism. However, one member of the Jewish community in Calcutta said that there might be a risk that the Hindu nationalist movement might abuse the book’s message. (3) Some academics have believed that the book has been popular because of political reasons and it has been source of inspiration for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party BJP. (2) Hitler seems to have become part of the political debate in India during recent years. Last August Naramalli Sivaprasad, an Indian MP from southern state of Andhra Pradesh, caused shock by being dressed as Hitler in protest against the federal government’s refusal to grant “special category” to Andhra Pradesh (4). Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader of the Congress Party, caused controversy last November by comparing Prime Minister Narenda Modi to Hitler. The BJP responded to the criticism by claiming that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used the language of the former German Chancellor. (5)
References:
1) “Indian Children’s Book Lists Hitler as Leader ‘Who Will Inspire You’” The New York Times 17.3.2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/17/world/asia/india-hitler-childrens-book.html
2) “Indian business students snap up copies of Mein Kampf ” The Telegraph 20.4.2009
3) “Why is Adolf Hitler popular in India?” The Jerusalem Post 29.9.2014
https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Why-is-Adolf-Hitler-popular-in-India-376622
4) “India MP shocks with Hitler costume protest in parliament” BBC News 10.8.2018
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45140801
5) “Indira Gandhi used Hitler’s language: BJP” The Economic Times 5.11.2018
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