In this post, notes of “Unit 6: Swaraj: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi” from “DSC 14: Modern Indian Political Thought” are given which is helpful for the students doing graduation this year.

1. Introduction to Hindutva and Hinduism

Definitions and Key Concepts

• Hindutva: This term was created by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his 1923 book Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?. It is a political and cultural idea that sees India as a Hindu nation based on shared ancestry, culture, and history, not just religion.
• Hinduism: A wide-ranging religion and philosophy with many beliefs, texts, and practices followed by Hindus worldwide. Unlike Hindutva, Hinduism is mainly about spirituality and religion.
• Key Differences: Hinduism is a religion, while Hindutva is a social and political identity that includes Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists as part of a broader Hindu community.

Historical Evolution

• Ancient Roots: Hindu civilization has existed for thousands of years, with key texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, and Ramayana shaping Hindu beliefs.
• British Colonial Era: 19th and early 20th-century movements like Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj aimed to reform Hinduism.
• Savarkar’s Contribution (1923): He introduced Hindutva as a national identity beyond religion, linking it with race, culture, and shared history.
• Post-Independence: Hindutva gained political significance, especially with the rise of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Importance in Indian Political Thought

• Cultural Nationalism: Hindutva sees India as a Hindu civilization where non-Hindus are considered outsiders unless they accept Hindu culture.
• Political Mobilization: Hindutva has shaped modern Indian politics, influencing secularism, minority rights, and national identity debates.
• Impact on Policies: Issues like the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Uniform Civil Code, and Citizenship debates are strongly shaped by Hindutva ideology.

2. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

Early Life and Influences

• Born: May 28, 1883, in Bhagur, Maharashtra.
• Education: Studied at Fergusson College in Pune and later pursued law in England.
• Influences:
  • Freedom Fighter: Inspired by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and various independence movements.
  • 1857 Revolt: Saw the 1857 uprising as India’s first war of independence against British rule.
  • Western Ideas: Learned about nationalism and revolution while in England.
• Abhinav Bharat Society: Founded a secret group to fight British rule through armed resistance.

Role in the Indian Independence Movement

• Revolutionary Activities:
  • Smuggled weapons and spread revolutionary ideas.
  • Wrote The First War of Indian Independence – 1857, arguing the 1857 revolt was a nationalist struggle.
• Arrest and Cellular Jail:
  • Arrested in 1909 for anti-British activities.
  • Imprisoned for nearly 11 years in the Cellular Jail (Andaman Islands), where he wrote about Hindu nationalism.
• Later Years & Hindutva:
  • Distanced himself from Gandhi’s non-violent methods and the Congress party.
  • Became a leading advocate of Hindu nationalism and a key thinker of Hindutva.

Key Writings and Ideas

1. Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? (1923)
   • Defines Hindutva as a shared identity based on common roots, land, and traditions.
   • Claims that true Indians must see India as both their “Fatherland” and “Holy land”, indirectly excluding Muslims and Christians.
2. The First War of Indian Independence – 1857
   • Challenges the British narrative of the 1857 revolt as a “mutiny”, calling it a nationalist struggle.
3. Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History
   • Highlights key moments of Hindu resistance against foreign invaders.
4. Philosophy of Militarism
   • Advocates for a strong, militarized Hindu society to defend Indian culture.

Savarkar’s ideas were foundational for Hindutva politics, later influencing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

3. Hindutva: The Idea

What is Hindutva?

• The word Hindutva was popularized by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his 1923 book Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?
• Hindutva is more than just a religion; it includes culture, politics, and national identity, portraying India as a Hindu nation.
• Savarkar defined a Hindu as someone who sees India as:
  1. Pitrubhumi (Fatherland) – The land of their ancestors.
  2. Punyabhumi (Holy Land) – The land of their sacred traditions.
• This definition excludes Muslims and Christians since their holy places are outside India (like Mecca and Jerusalem) but includes Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains.

Difference between Hinduism and Hindutva

Hinduism	Hindutva
A religion with diverse beliefs and practices.	A political and cultural identity focused on nationalism.
Based on sacred texts like the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita.	Defined by shared history and culture.
Includes various sects and even atheism.	Emphasizes Hindu unity and identity.
Centers on personal spirituality and religious freedom.	Seeks to protect Hindu culture through political action.
Accepts all religions.	Views Muslims and Christians as outsiders unless they embrace Hindu culture.

Main Ideas of Hindutva

1. Cultural Nationalism
   • India is fundamentally a Hindu nation.
   • Indian identity is rooted in Hindu traditions.
2. Shared Heritage
   • All Hindus share a common ancestry and culture.
   • Promotes Hindu unity to safeguard the nation.
3. Strength and Defense
   • Supports a strong Hindu community to counter threats.
   • Rejects non-violence and promotes self-defense.
4. Rejection of Outside Influences
   • Views Islam and Christianity as foreign religions that disrupted India’s unity.
   • Conversion to these religions is seen as a loss of national identity.
5. Political Involvement
   • Encourages Hindus to engage in politics to maintain India’s Hindu identity.
   • Influences RSS, BJP, and VHP.

Effects of Hindutva

• Rise of Hindu Nationalism in Indian politics.
• Debates over secularism and religious tolerance in India.
• Impact on policies like the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

4. Savarkar’s Hindutva

Background

• Early 1900s Nationalism:
  • During British rule, Indian nationalism was rising. Gandhi promoted peace, while Savarkar advocated aggressive nationalism.
  • Influenced by the 1857 Revolt, European nationalism, and Hindu resistance, Savarkar developed Hindutva as a political and cultural ideology.
• Savarkar’s Activism:
  • Member of the Abhinav Bharat Society; jailed for over 10 years for revolutionary activities.
  • In prison, he developed his ideas on Hindu identity, leading to his book Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? (1923).

Main Work: Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?

• Published in 1923 under the pen name “A Mahratta”.
• Key Points:
  • Hindutva ≠ Hinduism: Hinduism is a religion, while Hindutva is a nationalist identity based on race, culture, and history.
  • Who is a Hindu?
    • A person who sees India as:
      • Pitrubhumi (Fatherland) – Land of their ancestors.
      • Punyabhumi (Holy Land) – Land of their sacred traditions.
    • This definition excludes Muslims and Christians since their sacred lands are outside India.
  • Cultural Nationalism: India should be a Hindu Nation, where Hindu culture dominates.
  • Strengthening Hindus: Hindus must be united and strong to protect India.

Political and Social Effects

1. Political Influence:
   • Inspired Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
   • Shaped debates on secularism and religious identity in India.
2. Hindu-Muslim Relations:
   • Viewed Islam and Christianity as foreign influences that divided India.
   • Supported ghar wapsi (reconversion) to bring converted Hindus back to their faith.
3. Opposition to Gandhi’s Views:
   • Disagreed with Gandhi’s Hindu-Muslim unity and non-violence approach.
   • Criticized the Congress party for being too favorable to minorities.
4. Impact on Modern Indian Politics:
   • Hindutva became central to Hindu nationalist movements, including the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
   • Today, parties like the BJP continue to use Savarkar’s Hindutva as an ideological foundation.

5. Critique and Debate

Current Criticism of Hindutva

Hindutva, created by Savarkar, has been widely debated and criticized in politics, education, and society. The main criticisms include:

1. Excludes Minorities
   • Critics say Hindutva excludes non-Hindus (Muslims and Christians) from Indian identity.
   • The idea of “Pitrubhumi and Punyabhumi” implies that non-Hindus are not fully accepted, raising concerns about religious bias.
2. Changes Hinduism
   • Experts argue that Hindutva politicizes Hinduism, which is traditionally diverse and spiritual.
   • While Hinduism is inclusive, Hindutva focuses on political power and national pride.
3. Challenges Secularism
   • India’s laws support secularism, but Hindutva promotes a Hindu Nation, which conflicts with religious freedom and minority rights.
   • Critics say this creates social tension and communal conflicts.
4. Violence and Intolerance
   • Hindutva has been linked to riots, mob violence, and hate crimes against minorities.
   • Groups like RSS, Bajrang Dal, and VHP are often accused of promoting violence in Hindutva’s name.

Debates in Indian Society and Politics

1. Hindutva vs. Secularism
   • Supporters say Hindutva is about cultural pride, not religious hatred.
   • Critics argue it weakens India’s diversity and secular foundations.
2. Hindutva in Politics
   • The BJP uses Hindutva to gain Hindu voter support.
   • Policies like the Ram Mandir, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) are influenced by Hindutva.
3. Hindutva vs. Soft Hindutva
   • Some parties (like Congress) adopt soft Hindutva to attract Hindu voters while maintaining a secular stance.
   • This raises concerns about whether secularism in India is weakening.
4. Caste and Hindutva
   • Hindutva claims to unite Hindus but ignores caste issues and Dalit struggles.
   • B.R. Ambedkar opposed Hindutva, believing it failed to challenge the caste system.

Hindutva’s Role in Modern India

1. Growth of Hindu Nationalism
   • With the BJP’s dominance, Hindutva is now a major political force.
   • Issues like love jihad laws, cow protection, and religious conversions reflect Hindutva’s growing influence.
2. Identity Politics
   • Hindutva has shaped debates on national identity, secularism, and democracy.
   • The idea of a Hindu Nation remains controversial.
3. Global View
   • Internationally, Hindutva is seen as ethnic nationalism, similar to other right-wing movements worldwide.
   • Critics say it damages India’s global image as a diverse and democratic nation.

Conclusion

Hindutva is a powerful yet controversial ideology in modern India. While it has driven political movements and cultural pride, it faces criticism for being exclusive and divisive. The debate over Hindutva’s role in Indian democracy and secularism will likely continue.

6. Conclusion

Summary of Key Points

• Savarkar’s Hindutva defines Indian identity based on shared ancestry, land, and traditions, not just religion.
• Hindutva vs. Hinduism: Hinduism is a religion, while Hindutva is a nationalist ideology aiming to make India a Hindu Nation.
• Savarkar’s Major Contributions: His book Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? (1923) became a key text for Hindu nationalism, influencing groups like RSS and BJP.
• Debates and Criticism:
  • Supporters see Hindutva as cultural pride.
  • Critics argue it excludes minorities and threatens India’s secular democracy.
• Modern Political Relevance: Hindutva continues to shape Indian politics, influencing laws on citizenship, religious freedom, and national identity.

Reflection on the Continuing Relevance of Savarkar’s Ideas

• Rise of Hindu Nationalism: With the BJP in power, Hindutva has become a dominant political force.
• Impact on Policies: Issues like Ram Mandir, CAA, Article 370, and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) reflect Savarkar’s lasting influence on governance.
• Secularism vs. Hindutva: India’s secularism is increasingly debated, leading to deep discussions about national identity.
• Changing Perceptions: Once considered controversial, Savarkar is now being recognized in government policies and official honors.

Legacy of Savarkar in Modern Indian Political Thought

• Father of Hindutva Ideology: Savarkar founded Hindu nationalism, shaping right-wing politics in India today.
• A Polarizing Figure:
  • Supporters see him as a patriot who wanted a strong, united India.
  • Critics view him as divisive, arguing his ideas exclude minorities and oppose Gandhi’s vision of unity.
• Institutional Recognition:
  • His work is studied in academia, political debates, and historical discussions.
  • His ideas continue to influence nationalism and political movements.

Final Thought

Savarkar’s Hindutva remains a powerful and controversial ideology in India. Whether seen as a visionary or a divisive figure, his influence continues to shape Indian politics and national identity.