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| What exactly you mean by Hindutva with respect to ] Hindutva is nothing but study of Hindu Sociology (community-sense or jathi or caste), study of Hindu Spirituality, study of Hindu history for betterment of mankind. Communist was gifted by one individual called Karl Marx, Capitalism was gifted by one individual called Adam Smith, Islam was gifted by one individual called Mohammed, Christianity was gifted by one individual called jesus, Judaism was gifted by one individual called Abraham, Hindutva was gifted to humanity by the collective civilization called Hindu Civilization. | |||
| {{Hindu politics}} | |||
| {{Merge|Hindu nationalism|date=November 2008}} | |||
| :''For Veer Savarkar's book, see ].'' | |||
| '''Hindutva''' (Devanagari: हिन्दुत्व, "Hinduness", a word coined by ] in his 1923 pamphlet entitled '']'' ) is the term used to describe movements advocating ]. | |||
| What exactly you mean by Hindutva with respect to ]. Hindu is our nationality. | |||
| In India, an umbrella organization called the ] champions the concept of Hindutva. The sangh comprises organizations such as the ], ], ], and the ]. | |||
| State is a political aspect Nation is a cultural aspect. | |||
| This ] has existed since the early 20th century, forged by ], but came to prominence in ] in the late 1980s, when two events attracted a large number of mainstream Hindus to the movement. The first of these events was the ] government's use of its large Parliamentary Majority to overturn a ] verdict granting alimony to an old woman that had angered many ]s (see the ]). The second was the dispute over the 16th century ] ] in ] — built by ] after his first major victory in India. The Supreme Court of India refused to take up the case in the early 1990s, leading to a huge outcry. Tempers soon flared, and a huge number of nationalist ] from all parts of India razed the mosque in late 1992, causing nationwide communal riots. The razing of the mosque and subsequent conflict arguably lifted the BJP and Hindutva to international prominence. | |||
| ==Definition== | |||
| ] | |||
| According to Savarkar, Hindutva is meant to denote the Hindu characteristic, or Hinduness. <ref name=Savarkar> Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar: Hindutva, Bharati Sahitya Sadan, Delhi 1989 (1923)</ref> | |||
| Nationality Jathi or Community-sense | |||
| In a judgment the ] ruled that "no precise meaning can be ascribed to the terms ']', 'Hindutva' and ']'; and no meaning in the abstract can confine it to the narrow limits of religion alone, excluding the content of ]." The Court also ruled that "Ordinarily, Hindutva is understood as a way of life or a state of mind and is not to be equated with or understood as religious Hindu fundamentalism. A Hindu may embrace a non-Hindu religion without ceasing to be a Hindu and since the Hindu is disposed to think synthetically and to regard other forms of worship, strange gods and divergent doctrines as inadequate rather than wrong or objectionable, he tends to believe that the highest divine powers complement each other for the well-being of the world and mankind."<ref> Supreme Court on Hindu Hindutva and Hinduism http://www.newsanalysisindia.com/supremcourt.htm] </ref> | |||
| _________________________________________________________________ | |||
| ==Central concepts== | |||
| ===Integral Humanism=== | |||
| {{main|Integral Humanism}} | |||
| It believes in an "integral" and "holistic" approach to create a harmonious society. It does not accept the Western political philosophies as a blueprint for the Indian society, because of their "preoccupation" with materialism , and their overall over-looking of the social well-being of the individual. Both capitalism and socialism are seen as inadequate – stimulating as they do from greed, class antagonisms, exploitation and social anarchy.<ref> Upadhaya Deendayal, Integral Humanism </ref> | |||
| Hindu Brahmin | |||
| ===]=== | |||
| Hindu Kayasth | |||
| According to this, the natives of India share a common culture, history and ancestry. | |||
| Hindu shatriya | |||
| Hindu Marwari | |||
| Hindu Vaishya | |||
| Hindu Rajput | |||
| Hindu Jats | |||
| Hindu Bunts | |||
| Hindu Advaitas | |||
| Hindu dvaitas | |||
| Hindu vishistaadvaitas | |||
| Hindu Adivasis | |||
| Hindu Harijan | |||
| Hindu buddhist | |||
| Hindu Jains | |||
| Hindu Christian | |||
| Hindu Sikhs | |||
| Hindu Gowdas | |||
| Hindu Lingayats | |||
| Hindu Muslim | |||
| etc | |||
| There are few Parsis, Jews, Arabs, Mongols and Turks in Bharat (Indian Sub-continent or SAARC). I have never called them Hindu Parsis , Hindu Jews , Hindu Arabs , Hindu Mongols , Hindu Turks as there forefathers were never Hindus , there nationality is not Hindu ( Indian ) though Bharat is there adopted land and they are its citizen but not its nationality. | |||
| When temples of Jews were destroyed many Jewish nationality came to Bharat and adopted it. They were never Hindu nationals they were citizens of Bharat. When Israel was created many of these Jews left Bharat for Israel. By this I am not saying that state should discriminate the citizens based on there nationality or faith or race or creed everyone should be treated equally and should be given equal opportunity to grow. | |||
| M S Golwalkar, one of the main proponents of Hindutva believed that India's diversity in terms | |||
| ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | |||
| of customs, traditions and ways of worship was its uniqueness and that this diversity was not without the strong underlying cultural basis which was essentially native. He believed that the Hindu natives with all their diversity, shared among other things "the same philosophy of life", "the same values" and "the same aspirations" which formed a strong cultural and a civilizational basis for a nation.<ref name=bunch> M S Golwalkar (1966), Bunch of thoughts, | |||
| Swamiji treated all children of this land, irrespective of their religion | |||
| Publishers: Sahitya Sindhu Prakashana </ref> | |||
| as Hindus which is a cultural concept, he reminded: "The word Hindu, therefore, | |||
| Savarkar similarly believed that the ] (which includes the area south of the ] and the ] or ] (''undivided India'', अखण्ड भारत) is the ] of the ]s. He considered "]s" as those who consider ] (''Bharat'', भारत) to be their motherland (''matrubhumi''), fatherland (''pitrubhumi'', पितृभूमि) as well as their holy land (''punyabhumi'', पुण्यभूमि), hence describing it purely in cultural terms.<ref name=Savarkar/>. | |||
| covers not only Hindus proper, but Mohammedans, Christians, Jains and other | |||
| RSS, one of the main votaries of Hindutva has stated that it believes in a cultural connotation of the term Hindu. "The term Hindu in the conviction as well as in the constitution of the RSS is a cultural and civilizational concept and not a political or religious dogma. The term as a cultural concept will include and did always include all including Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Muslims, Christians and Parsis. The cultural nationality of India, in the conviction of the RSS, is Hindu and it was inclusive of all who are born and who have adopted Bharat as their Motherland, including Muslims, Christians and Parsis. The answering association submit that it is not just a matter of RSS conviction, but a fact borne out by history that the Muslims, Christians and Parsis too are Hindus by culture although as religions they are not so."<ref> Quoting RSS General Secretary's reply to the Tribunal constituted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 to hear the case on the RSS, Organiser, June 6, 1993 </ref> | |||
| people who live in India." (III:118).à This I found from google search. Here Swamiji means Swami Vivekananda | |||
| ===]=== | |||
| Emphasizing historical oppression of ]s by Colonial invaders like the ] (see ]) and the Christians (see ]) and the call to "reverse" the cultural influence resulting from these intrusions <ref name=bunch/>. | |||
| ===]=== | |||
| The acceptance that Hindu social structure "is ridden with castes and communities", and that this has led to "barriers and segregation" and condemnation of "obnoxious vice of social inequality" and "untouchability".<ref> M. G. Chitkara 2004, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Published by APH Publishing, ISBN 8176484652, 9788176484657 (Quoting Late RSS leader Balasaheb Deoras "If untouchability is not a sin, nothing is a sin"). | |||
| </ref>.The supporters of Hindutva have a positive outlook towards the ] community, which they aim to bring to leadership positions in their organizations.<ref></ref> | |||
| ===Uniform Civil Code=== | |||
| Leaders subscribing to Hindutva have been known for their demands for a ] for all the citizens of India. They believe that differential laws based on religion are violative of Article 44 of Indian Constitution and have sowed the seeds of divisiveness between different religious communities<ref>BJP leader, Rajnath Singh demanding Uniform Civil Code </ref>. | |||
| The advocates of Hindutva often use the term ] to refer to policies which they believe are unduly favorable towards the Muslims and Christians. They oppose what they see as a ']' system; some supporters of Hindutva see it as the ] party's effort to woo the sizable minority ] at the expense of true equality<ref> ], which would remove special religion-based provisions for different religions (Hindus, Muslims, Christians, etc) from the ], is thus one of the main agendas of Hindutva organizations<ref> Uniform Civil Code, Article 370 back on BJP Agenda http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Uniform-civil-code-Article-370-back-on-BJP-agenda/317218/ </ref>. The Uniform Civil Code is opposed by Muslims<ref> http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=23591 </ref> and political parties like the ] and The ]<ref> </ref> | |||
| Followers of Hindutva have questioned differential religious laws in India which allows polygamy and triple talaq among Muslims and thereby compromises on the status of Muslim women and "marginalizes" them<ref> http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=239&page=36 </ref>. | |||
| The passing of the ] by Rajiv Gandhi government to dilute the secular judgment of Supreme Court under pressure from the conservative Muslims was opposed by Hindutva organisations. The new act, in tune with the ], denied even utterly destitute Muslim divorcees the right to alimony from their former husbands.<ref></ref> | |||
| ===Protection of Hindu interests=== | |||
| The followers of Hindutva are known for their criticism of the ] as too passive with regard to the ] of Kashmiri Hindus<ref>]</ref><ref>]</ref> by Kashmiri Muslim separatists and advocates of Hindutva wish a harder stance in ].<ref> by Robert Jenkins</ref> | |||
| They have called for the protection of native Hindu traditions<ref> </ref> holy structures, rivers<ref> 'Save Ganga' Campaign by RSS, BJP </ref> and the cow (which is considered holy by Hindus) | |||
| Hindu nationalists have the stated aim of uniting the Hindu society which is plagued by ]ism, ], and passive religion. | |||
| ==Views on other faiths== | |||
| The votaries of Hindutva believe that the way Muslims and Hindus have treated each other in the past is a ''one-way compromise'' and they intend on making society more balanced and fair towards the majority Hindu population.<ref> See philosophy</ref> The BJP has also invited Muslims to be a part of this new society and work with the Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs for a better India.<ref> ''Hindutva: The Great Nationalistic Ideology'' </ref> Even more militant parties such as the ] have invited Muslims to join and the party leader declared after the Babri Mosque incident, <blockquote>"We must look after the Muslims and treat them as part of us.<ref name="1998 interview">,''Rediff.com''</ref>"</blockquote> | |||
| Hindutva groups are supportive of the ] State of ], including ] himself, who supported Israel during its formation.<ref></ref>. The RSS is politically pro-Israel and actively praised the efforts of ] when he visited India.<ref></ref><ref></ref> R.S.S spokesperson Ram Madhav recently expressed support for Israel.<ref>,''BBC''</ref> | |||
| ==Views on Indian history== | |||
| The Hindu organisations like the RSS believe that the history of India was written by the the British with a condescending attitude towards the native people and their culture. M S Golwalkar writes that the history of ancient India was summed up as "]". Similar concerns were raised by ] Rabindranath Tagore in his essay, "The History of Bharatvarsha", way back in 1903. He calls the history books "nightmarish account of India". He writes "while the lands of the aliens existed, there also existed the indigenous country" meaning the latter was grossly being neglected. He adds that the British accounts of Indian history "throw a beam of artificial light on such a spot that in our own eyes the very profile of our country is made dark". <ref> Rabindranath Tagore, The History of Bharatavarsha, Bhadra 1309 Bengal Era (August 1903) </ref> | |||
| M S Golwalkar argues that it was a delibrate Imperialist strategy to teach Indians a wrong version of history.<ref name=bunch> M S Golwalkar, Bunch of thoughts </ref> In this context, writings of ],"the brain behind the system of English education", are referred to as an indication of this.<ref name=bunch/> | |||
| Lord Macaulay had stated "We must at present do our best to form a class who may be interpreters between us and millions whom we govern-a class of persons Indian in blood and colour, but English in tastes, in opinions, in morals and in intellect." | |||
| <ref> George Anderson, Manilal Bhagwandes Sudebar, The Last Days of the Company: A Source Book of Indian History, 1818-1858, Published by G. Bell, 1921 </ref> | |||
| He had also written "No Hindu who has received an English education ever remains sincerely attached to his religion. It is my firm belief that if our plans of education are followed up, there will not be a single idolater among the respected classes 30 years hence.” | |||
| <ref> Benedict Richard O'Gorman Anderson, Imagined Communities:Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, Edition: 2, revised Published by Verso, 1991, ISBN 0860915468, 9780860915461</ref> | |||
| Senior RSS leader H V Sheshadri refers to this attitude of "]" which he believes shaped the English education system in India and British version of Indian history. <ref> Sheshadri H V, Tragic story of Partition, Publisher: Sahitya Sindhu Prakashana </ref> | |||
| The RSS is opposed to the theory of ] to India, a number believing in the alternative ] theory. While largely uncontroversial in academia, the "Aryan Invasion theory" debate in India, involving e.g. ], ], ] and ], is also a matter of politics.{{Fact|date=February 2009}} | |||
| {{see|Indigenous Aryans|Aryan Invasion Theory (history and controversies)}} | |||
| ==Organizations== | |||
| {{main|Sangh Parivar}} | |||
| Hindutva is commonly identified as the guiding ideology of the ], a family of ] organizations, and of the ] in particular. | |||
| In general, ''Hindutvavaadis'' (followers of Hindutva) believe that they represent the well-being of ], ], ], ], ] and all other ] prominent in India. | |||
| Most nationalists are organized into political, cultural and social organizations. The first Hindutva organisation formed was the ], founded in 1925. A prominent ]n political party, the ] (BJP) is closely associated with a group of organisations that advocate Hindutva. They collectively refer to themselves as the "Sangh Parivar" or family of associations, and include the ] (RSS), ] and the ]. Other organisations include: | |||
| * ] - Overseas branch of the RSS | |||
| * ] - Worker's Union | |||
| * ] - A Student's Union | |||
| * ] - A Farmers' organisation | |||
| The major political wing is the ] which was in power in India's Central Government for six years from 1998 to 2004 and is now the main opposition party. It is also in power in the states of ], ],], ], and ]. It is an alliance partner in the states of ], ], and ]. | |||
| Political parties pertaining to the Hindutva ideology are not limited to the ]. | |||
| Examples of political parties independent from the Sangh's influence include Praful Goradia's ]<ref></ref> and ] Bharatiya Janshakti Party.<ref></ref> The influence of these groups is relatively limited. | |||
| The controversial Maharashtrian political party, the ], converted its ideology to the Hindutva one in recent times. It has been very influential in the Indian state of ]. The party is not part of the Sangh Parivar but is associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Similar is the ], which is a ] religious party but maintains ties with Hindutva organizations, as they also represent Sikhism.<ref> Indian Express</ref> | |||
| ==Criticism and support== | |||
| The opponents of Hinduvta philosophy consider Hindutva ideology as a euphemistic effort to conceal communal beliefs and practices. | |||
| Many Indian Marxist sociologues have described the Hindutva movement as fascist in classical sense, in its ideology and class support specially targeting the concept of homogenised majority and cultural hegemony.<ref>Fascism of our times </ref> | |||
| The Hindutva movement on the other hand terms such description as coming from the ].<ref>eg. </ref><ref>- Rajesh Tembarai Krishnamachari, ]</ref> More moderate critics of Hindutva do not base their criticism on allegations of "fascism", but raise issues with regards to their sometimes-vacillating attitudes towards non-Hindus and secularism. The epithet of "fascism" is also used to evoke double standards against Hindus in political and academic discourse. The academia and polity have been accused of engaging in a form of ] ] against Hindu political expression by leveling the accusation of "fascism" against anyone who expresses sympathy for Hindus.<ref>, ''Yvette Rosser''</ref> | |||
| Marxist critics,<ref>eg. , ], ], ]</ref> have used the political epithets of "Indian fascism" and "Hindu fascism" to describe the ideology of the ]. For example, Marxist social scientist ] has written that the Hindutva movement as it has emerged is "classically ] in class support, methods and programme"<ref>"The Fascism of Our Times" ''Social Scientist'' VOl 21 No.3-4, 1993, p.69</ref></blockquote> | |||
| Patniak bases this argument on the following "ingredients" of classical fascism present in Hindutva: the attempt to create a unified homogenous majority under the concept of 'the Hindus'; a sense of grievance against past injustice; a sense of cultural superiority; an interpretation of history according to this grievance and superiority; a rejection of rational arguments against this interpretation; and an appeal to the majority based on ] and ]. | |||
| Views on Hindutva and fascism include those of the Christian convert to the RSS viewpoint, Anthony Elenjimittan, who based his views on RSS's symbolism of the Bhagva (the banner of lord ]), ] and ] (one must note that these symbols are normative in ] and bear no relation to Hindutva and the latter is the national motto of a ] ] ]). | |||
| The description of Hindutva as fascist has been condemned by pro-Hindutva authors such as ] who claim that the ideology of Hindutva meets none of the characteristics of fascist ideologies. Claims that Hindutva social service organisations such as the ] are "fascist" have been disputed by academics such as Vincent Kundukulam.<ref>,</ref> | |||
| Academics Chetan Bhatt and Parita Mukta reject the identification of Hindutva with fascism, because of Hindutva's embrace of cultural rather than racial nationalism, because of its "distinctively Indian" character, and because of "the RSS’s disavowal | |||
| of the seizure of state power in preference for long-term cultural labour in ]". They instead describe Hindutva as a form of "revolutionary conservatism" or "ethnic absolutism".<ref>''Ethnic and Racial Studies'' Volume 23 Number 3 May 2000 pp. 407–441 ISSN 0141–9870 print/ISSN 1466–4356 online</ref>. | |||
| ] ] also rejects these allegations and views the rise of Hindutva as a welcome, broader civilizational resurgence of India.<ref>Naipaul V.S. India, a million Mutinies now, Penguin 1992</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| == Further reading == | |||
| * Andersen, Walter K., ‘Bharatiya Janata Party: Searching for the Hindu Nationalist Face’, In The New Politics of the Right: Neo–Populist Parties and Movements in Established Democracies, ed. Hans–Georg Betz and Stefan Immerfall (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1998), pp. 219–232. (ISBN 0-312-21134-1 or ISBN 0-312-21338-7) | |||
| *Banerjee, Partha, In the Belly of the Beast: The Hindu Supremacist RSS and BJP of India (Delhi: Ajanta, 1998). (ISBN 81-202-0504-2) (ISBN not available) | |||
| *Bhatt Chetan, ''Hindu Nationalism: Origins, Ideologies and Modern Myths'', Berg Publishers (2001), ISBN 1859733484. | |||
| *]: '']. The Notion of "Hindu Fascism".'' New Delhi: Voice of India, 2001, 2 Vols., ISBN 81-85990-69-7 , | |||
| *Elst, Koenraad: ''Decolonizing the Hindu Mind. Ideological Development of Hindu Revivalism.'' Rupa, Delhi 2001. | |||
| *Embree, Ainslie T. , ‘The Function of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: To Define the Hindu Nation’, in Accounting for Fundamentalisms, The Fundamentalism Project 4, ed. Martin E. Marty and R. Scott Appleby (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1994), pp. 617–652. (ISBN 0-226-50885-4) | |||
| *Goel, Sita Ram: ''Perversion of India's Political Parlance.'' Voice of India, Delhi 1984. | |||
| *Goel, Sita Ram (editor): ''Time for Stock Taking. Whither Sangh Parivar?'' 1996. | |||
| *Gold, Daniel, 'Organized Hinduisms: From Vedic Truths to Hindu Nation' in: ''Fundamentalisms Observed'' The Fundamentalism Project vol. 4, eds. M. E. Marty, R. S. Appleby, University Of Chicago Press (1994), ISBN 978-0226508788, pp. 531-593. | |||
| *Ruthven, Malise, ''Fundamentalism: A Very Short Introduction'', Oxford University Press, USA (2007), ISBN 978-0199212705. | |||
| *Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar: '']'' Bharati Sahitya Sadan, Delhi 1989 (1923). | |||
| *Sharma, Jyotirmaya, ''Hindutva: Exploring the Idea of Hindu Nationalism'', Penguin Global (2004), ISBN 0670049905. | |||
| *Shourie, Arun: ''A Secular Agenda.'' HarperCollins ISBN 81-7223-258-6 | |||
| *Smith, David James, Hinduism and Modernity, Blackwell Publishing ISBN 0-631-20862-3 | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| *] | |||
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| == External links == | |||
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| {{Hindu reform movements}} | |||
| {{Nationalism in South Asia}} | |||
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Revision as of 11:31, 20 June 2009
What exactly you mean by Hindutva with respect to international Audience Hindutva is nothing but study of Hindu Sociology (community-sense or jathi or caste), study of Hindu Spirituality, study of Hindu history for betterment of mankind. Communist was gifted by one individual called Karl Marx, Capitalism was gifted by one individual called Adam Smith, Islam was gifted by one individual called Mohammed, Christianity was gifted by one individual called jesus, Judaism was gifted by one individual called Abraham, Hindutva was gifted to humanity by the collective civilization called Hindu Civilization.
What exactly you mean by Hindutva with respect to national Audience. Hindu is our nationality.
State is a political aspect Nation is a cultural aspect.
Nationality Jathi or Community-sense
_________________________________________________________________
Hindu Brahmin Hindu Kayasth Hindu shatriya Hindu Marwari Hindu Vaishya Hindu Rajput Hindu Jats Hindu Bunts Hindu Advaitas Hindu dvaitas Hindu vishistaadvaitas Hindu Adivasis Hindu Harijan Hindu buddhist Hindu Jains Hindu Christian Hindu Sikhs Hindu Gowdas Hindu Lingayats Hindu Muslim etc There are few Parsis, Jews, Arabs, Mongols and Turks in Bharat (Indian Sub-continent or SAARC). I have never called them Hindu Parsis , Hindu Jews , Hindu Arabs , Hindu Mongols , Hindu Turks as there forefathers were never Hindus , there nationality is not Hindu ( Indian ) though Bharat is there adopted land and they are its citizen but not its nationality.
When temples of Jews were destroyed many Jewish nationality came to Bharat and adopted it. They were never Hindu nationals they were citizens of Bharat. When Israel was created many of these Jews left Bharat for Israel. By this I am not saying that state should discriminate the citizens based on there nationality or faith or race or creed everyone should be treated equally and should be given equal opportunity to grow. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Swamiji treated all children of this land, irrespective of their religion
as Hindus which is a cultural concept, he reminded: "The word Hindu, therefore,
covers not only Hindus proper, but Mohammedans, Christians, Jains and other
people who live in India." (III:118).à This I found from google search. Here Swamiji means Swami Vivekananda