"Hindu Nationalist Party Gains Muslim Support in India"
Despite the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP's historically hostile stance towards Muslims, some Shiite Muslims in India, who have long seen the country as a refuge from persecution by Sunni Muslims, are supporting the party. They credit the BJP with lifting a ban on a ritual important to their faith and identity. While this support is not universal and many Muslims still feel the party is against them, the BJP courts Shiite votes for propaganda value and to signal that they are not against the Muslim community, even though they do not necessarily need Muslim votes to win seats due to strong support among Hindus.