Hindu Nationalism in India – Key Proponents
Hindu nationalism, often referred to as Hindutva, has become a significant force in India’s political and cultural landscape. At its heart, this movement is about cultural pride, where the Hindu heritage of India is emphasized as the core of the nation’s identity. While its roots are ancient, Hindu nationalism as a modern political ideology gained momentum in the 19th century and continues to shape India today.
The Historical Roots of Hindu Nationalism
Hindu nationalism in its modern form emerged during the British colonial period when Indian intellectuals sought to revive the country’s cultural and spiritual heritage. They emphasized the need for India to reconnect with its ancient roots, which they saw as a way to counter the negative effects of colonial rule.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati – Revival of Vedic Culture
Swami Dayananda Saraswati, founder of the Arya Samaj in 1875, was one of the early voices advocating for a return to Vedic teachings. His movement was about reforming Hinduism, making it simpler and purer by removing what he saw as superstitions and idol worship. He believed India’s strength lay in its Vedic heritage, which could help regain its lost pride and independence. Dayananda’s slogan, “Back to the Vedas,” sparked a revival that would influence many nationalists after him.
Swami Vivekananda – The Spiritual Nationalist
Swami Vivekananda is another key figure in Hindu nationalism, though his message was more spiritual than political. He believed that India’s future greatness depended on reclaiming its spiritual roots, and he inspired many through his famous speech at the Parliament of World Religions in 1893. Vivekananda’s call for the youth to “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached” became a mantra for many young Indians, linking national pride with Hindu spirituality.
Sri Aurobindo – The Philosopher of Nationalism
Sri Aurobindo’s influence on Hindu nationalism was both spiritual and political. Early in his career, he was involved in revolutionary activities, but later he turned towards spirituality, seeing India not just as a nation, but as a divine entity. His writings, especially The Life Divine, emphasize that India’s destiny is linked to its spiritual awakening, and that Hindu values are integral to this future vision.
V.D. Savarkar – The Architect of Hindutva
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, often regarded as the father of modern Hindu nationalism, introduced the concept of Hindutva in his 1923 work Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? For Savarkar, Hinduism wasn’t just a religion but a cultural identity that defined India. He argued that true Indian identity was rooted in Hindu culture, and this formed the basis of his political philosophy.
Hindutva as a Political Philosophy
Savarkar’s Hindutva goes beyond religion and delves into cultural and national identity. According to Savarkar, only those who considered India both their motherland and holy land could be seen as true Indians. This excluded Muslims and Christians, whose holy lands are outside of India, making his vision a divisive one. However, this ideology laid the foundation for modern political movements that emphasize Hindu pride in Indian governance.
M.S. Golwalkar – The Visionary of RSS Ideology
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, or Guruji, is one of the most significant leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Under his leadership, the RSS grew into a powerful organization promoting Hindu unity and cultural nationalism.
Golwalkar’s Role in Strengthening the RSS
Golwalkar saw the RSS as more than just a political organization. He envisioned it as a movement for the moral and cultural rejuvenation of India. By fostering discipline, self-reliance, and pride in India’s Hindu heritage, Golwalkar helped lay the groundwork for the political rise of Hindu nationalism in the late 20th century.
Syama Prasad Mukherjee – Political Pioneer of Hindu Nationalism
Syama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), laid the political foundations of Hindu nationalism in India. His vision was to create a political platform that advocated for Hindu values and opposed the secular policies of the Indian National Congress. Mukherjee’s legacy continues in the modern Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which emerged from the BJS.
Mukherjee’s Role in Kashmir Issue
Mukherjee’s firm opposition to the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 led to his arrest and death in 1953. His demand for the full integration of Kashmir into India remains a key issue for Hindu nationalists and continues to influence Indian politics today.
Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay – The Advocate of Integral Humanism
Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay was one of the most influential thinkers of Hindu nationalism, known for his doctrine of Integral Humanism. Born in 1916, Deen Dayal rose to prominence within the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), where he served as a key ideologue. His contributions to Hindu nationalist thought, particularly through Integral Humanism, continue to shape the BJP and RSS ideology today.
What is Integral Humanism?
Integral Humanism is Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s vision of a society based on Indian values and cultural traditions. He rejected both capitalism and socialism, viewing them as materialistic ideologies that neglected the spiritual needs of humans. Instead, Upadhyay advocated for a balanced approach that recognized both the individual and society, emphasizing the importance of the well-being of all people—emotionally, materially, and spiritually.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee – The Moderate Face of Hindu Nationalism
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a founding member of the BJP, became known as the moderate face of Hindu nationalism. He served as India’s Prime Minister from 1998 to 2004 and is remembered for his efforts to balance Hindu nationalist ideals with inclusivity and governance.
Vajpayee’s Contributions as Prime Minister
Vajpayee is credited with pushing India’s economic reforms, infrastructure development, and nuclear policy while promoting national unity. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by stability and growth, even as Hindu nationalism continued to shape the country’s political discourse.
L.K. Advani – The Ram Janmabhoomi Movement Leader
Lal Krishna Advani’s leadership during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement brought Hindu nationalism to the forefront of Indian politics. The movement, which called for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, became a rallying point for Hindu nationalists.
The Ram Rath Yatra
Advani’s 1990 Ram Rath Yatra mobilized mass support for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and significantly boosted the BJP’s political fortunes. The event, which led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, remains a critical moment in the rise of Hindu nationalism in India.
Narendra Modi – A New Era of Hindu Nationalism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents a new era of Hindu nationalism. His rise from an RSS pracharak to the leader of the BJP reflects his deep roots in the Hindu nationalist movement. Modi’s government has been marked by policies that resonate with Hindu cultural pride, including the revocation of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram temple.
Modi’s Role in Redefining Hindu Nationalism
Modi has redefined Hindu nationalism for the 21st century, with a focus on economic development, cultural pride, and national security. While his leadership has drawn criticism for increasing religious tensions, his supporters see him as a leader who has successfully placed India on the global stage, rooted in its cultural and spiritual identity.
Kalyan Chandra
Kalyan chandra is a political strategist, media and communication consultant with the expertise in public relations, marketing, political research, election campaign management, psephology and digital analytics. He focuses on strategic political consulting, offering services that include competitive research, public opinion collection, and digital media management. Kalyan has significantly contributed to successful campaigns across India with his meticulous approach and deep understanding of the political landscape.
