A new extremist Hindu movement made up mostly of young men is emerging in India. They call themselves “trads” – short for traditionalists - and they mimic the tricks and techniques used by the American alt-right.
This fringe movement came to prominence after some of its proponents created Bulli Bai, an app that pretended to auction off prominent Muslim women - making them the targets of abuse and harassment.
Trads love memes and loathe mainstream Hindu nationalist parties, even the ruling BJP. They see the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as not nearly as aggressive enough in advancing Hindu interests.
So who are the trads and what do they want? Reha Kansara investigates, speaking to experts and women who’ve been targeted by trads. And she talks to a 16-year-old trad who’s obsessed with fascist ideas and calls for Indian democracy to be replaced by a Hindu monarchy.
Presenter: Reha Kansara
Producers: Shruti Menon and Shubham Koul