Toxic Leadership, Secular Identity and Politics of Hindu Rashtra

Abstract

Academic perspectives acknowledge the results of leadership from constructive to destructive.
Destructive leadership entails negative consequences for organizations. Misuse of power in politics,
corporate and religious arena has re-invigorated interest in destructive leadership. It fosters
politics of division and polarization in societies. Among the scholars articulating the concept, the US
academician, Art Padilla’s work has referred to the Toxic Triangle model, focusing on the nexus
between leaders, their susceptible followers and facilitative environment. This model views
destructive leadership in its natural ecology: resulting from the interaction among leaders,
followers, and the context. The Toxic Triangle model thereby tends to study polarity and split
within societies as the natural consequence of destructive leadership. Within this perspective, the
study applies the Toxic Triangle theoretical framework to study leadership roles in India. Relying
on qualitative research methodological tools such as content analysis, the study reviews the impact
of Hindutva ideology upon India’s secular identity. It has argued that leader, followers and
facilitative environment constitute the nexus of leadership, followers and conducive environment
undermining secularism in India.