An Introduction to Hindutva and it’s Role in Modern Indian Politics

An Introduction to Hindutva and it’s Role in Modern Indian Politics

Hindutva, or Hindu nationalism, is the ideology of the majority of members of the BJP and its parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Hindutva is an ideology which seeks to establish “Hindu culture” as a dominant culture in India.

Hindutva was first coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 1923. It was popularized by V.D. Savarkar in his 1923 book “Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?”.

It has been used ever since as a major political ideology of India. Hindutva has been one of the major factors in the Hindu-Muslim conflict in India.

The RSS was founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and it has been one of the most powerful right-wing organizations in India since its inception. The RSS has been involved with many Hindu nationalist movements, including Mahasabha and Abhinav Bharat.

This ideology has played a significant role in shaping the BJP’s influence in Indian politics. The BJP has been successful at using Hindutva to create an image of themselves as a Hindu nationalist party.

Hindutva is not a new phenomenon in India. The Indian National Congress, the Hindu Mahasabha, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have all been instrumental in shaping Hindutva. The BJP has also contributed to the ideology of Hindutva through its support for the Ram Janmabhoomi campaign, the destruction of Babri Masjid and its subsequent political use of it.

Hindutva advocates are against all forms of Islam, Christianity, and other religions that do not belong to the Hindu faith. Hindutva has been used as an excuse for violence against minorities in India and it has created a sense of fear among them.

This hinders the cause of freedom in India because it limits who can participate in public life by restricting people who are not Hindus from participating in public life.