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Hindu nationalism has been collectively referred to as the expression of social and political thought, based on the native spiritual and cultural traditions of the Indian subcontinent. "Hindu nationalism" is a simplistic translation of हिन्दू राष्ट्रवाद (Hindū Rāṣṭravād). It is better described as "Hindu polity".[1]
The native thought streams became highly relevant in Indian history when they helped form a distinctive identity about the Indian polity[2] and provided a basis for questioning colonialism.[3][page needed] These also inspired Indian nationalists during the independence movement based on armed struggle,[4][page needed] coercive politics,[5] and non-violent protests.[6][page needed] They also influenced social reform movements and economic thinking in India.[5][page needed]
Today, Hindutva (meaning "Hinduness") is a dominant form of Hindu nationalist politics in India. As a political ideology, the term Hindutva was articulated by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 1923.[7] The Hindutva movement has been described as a variant of "right-wing extremism"[8] and as "almost fascist in the classical sense", adhering to a concept of homogenised majority and cultural hegemony.[9] Some analysts dispute the "fascist" label, and suggest Hindutva is an extreme form of "conservatism" or "ethnic absolutism".[10] Some have also described Hindutva as a separatist ideology.[11][12] Hindutva is championed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu Nationalist volunteer organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Sanatan Sanstha,[7] the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and other organisations in an ecosystem called the Sangh Parivar.[13]
The agendas of Hindutva though strong on the issues of self - identity and self - definition, have tended to be separatist.
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