This essay addresses the question whether Hindu nationalism is a threat to democracy or not and if so in what sense it has threatened democracy.
The question is why this topic is so relevant. Every now and then we hear about violent riots in India, read it in the papers or watch it in the TV news. Many times these riots are caused by different religious groups: on the one hand Hindus, on the other hand minorities, mostly Muslims, Sikhs or Christians. A reason for this is the rise of a Hindu right. The phenomenon of Hindu nationalism has already been discussed in research for some time, but only in the past few years, a discussion outside India has begun whether or not it might be a threat to the biggest democracy in the world. The public in the Western hemisphere is probably completely ignorant about this topic, especially as Islamism has threatened the Europeans and Americans a lot more. Another aspect is that a lot can be learnt about how religious nationalism can threaten democracy.
So, why is Hindu nationalism such an interesting subject now? It is due to the fact that Hindu religion is such an important aspect, mainly the base, of this nationalism since common religion is admittedly many times part of a nation’s roots according to scholars but usually not defined as the boundary for what is inside. Additionally, the idea of a Hindu community is a perfect example of the European idea of nationalism brought to a (former) colony.
This essay is structured in the following way: First of all, the theoretical fundamentals are laid by explaining what “nationalism” and a “nation” is. It then proceeds by describing the Indian democracy based on its Constitution and the Congress System, both playing an important role in the rise of Hindu nationalism. The essay then refers to Hindu nationalism itself, portraying its historical development in the 20th century, illustrating the ideological basis with the concepts of Savarkar and Golwalkar on which it is based and the actors of Hindu nationalism on the level of the state. This is followed by an analysis of the influence of Hindu nationalism on the Indian democracy. The paper finishes with a conclusion.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Fundamentals
2.1 Nationalism
2.2 Nation
3 Indian Democracy
3.1 Constitution
3.2 Congress System
4 Hindu Nationalism
4.1 Historical Development
4.2 The Ideological Fundamentals of the Hindu Right
4.2.1 Hindutva
4.2.2 Further Development
4.3 The Actors
4.3.1 Sangh Parivar
4.3.1.1 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
4.3.1.2 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
5 The Influence of Hindu Nationalism on the Indian Democracy
6 Conclusion
Research Objectives & Core Themes
This essay explores whether Hindu nationalism poses a genuine threat to Indian democracy. It analyzes the historical development, ideological foundations, and the primary actors of the Hindu right, while examining how political conditions and socio-economic shifts have facilitated the rise of these movements within the democratic framework of India.
- The relationship between the European concept of nationalism and its application in the Indian context.
- The role of the Indian Constitution and the "Congress System" in shaping political fragmentation.
- Ideological roots of the Hindu Right, specifically the concepts of "Hindutva" and the influence of early thinkers.
- The structure and political influence of the "Sangh Parivar," particularly the RSS and the BJP.
- The impact of communal politics on the stability and pluralistic nature of Indian democracy.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2.1 Hindutva
When explaining the Hindutva concept, it is vital to note that this book is a European product as Savarkar, having had a European education, was very much influenced by the European idea of a nation described above.
The term “Hindutva” means “Hinduness” or the “essence of being a Hindu”. The essentialism expressed in this term is linked to the European idea of national identity and was completely new for India. Savarkar took the European nationalism, especially the one in Germany, as a role model for unification despite initial diversity. He thought that India’s lack of unity was the cause of its weakness. Therefore, Savarkar’s concept of Hindutva aims at how an Indian nation can be build up which can compete with other countries and stay independent (Swaraj).
He analysed the reasons why India has not yet become such a state. In his opinion, these are the following: it is the heterogeneity intrinsic in the cultural and religious system of Hinduism. The misunderstood tolerance of Hinduism leads to the absence of socialising elements. As a result, a homogenous Hindu community (Hindu Sangathan) must be built up to overcome this weakness. In the end, this idea would be realised through the establishment of a Hindu state, the Hindu-Rashtra. And although he was not religious, he believed that the Hindu religion provided central cultural traditions. He called this Sanskriti, referring to a common civilisation meaning the acceptance and internalisation of the “Hindu culture”. Besides, a geographic connection to the motherland equalling the holy land of the Hindus – which he called Rashtra – and a “sense of oneself as part of a race determined by a common origin, possessing a common blood” – Rati – were the key characteristics of Hindutva and the criteria by which “true” Hindus were defined.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This chapter defines the research question regarding the threat Hindu nationalism poses to Indian democracy and outlines the methodology and thematic structure of the essay.
2 Theoretical Fundamentals: This chapter establishes the academic definitions of "nation" and "nationalism," drawing on scholars like Ernest Renan, Max Weber, and Benedict Anderson.
3 Indian Democracy: This chapter analyzes the post-independence Indian state, focusing on how the Constitution and the dominance of the Congress System unintentionally created fertile ground for the rise of Hindu nationalist politics.
4 Hindu Nationalism: This chapter examines the historical evolution of the Hindu right, the ideological underpinnings of "Hindutva" as developed by Savarkar and Golwalkar, and the organizational structure of the Sangh Parivar, specifically the RSS and BJP.
5 The Influence of Hindu Nationalism on the Indian Democracy: This chapter evaluates the real-world impact of Hindu nationalism, arguing that while it introduced a dual-party dynamic, its influence remains mitigated by the persistent religious and social diversity of India.
6 Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes that Hindu nationalism is not a recent phenomenon but concludes that it does not represent a severe threat to democracy, as Indian citizens remain largely committed to personal progress and pluralism.
Keywords
Hindu Nationalism, Hindutva, India, Democracy, Congress System, BJP, RSS, Secularism, Communalism, Nationalism, Nation-state, Savarkar, Political Science, Identity, Pluralism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines whether the rise of Hindu nationalism acts as a destabilizing force or a threat to the democratic institutions of India.
What are the central themes discussed?
Key themes include the theoretical definition of a nation, the historical role of the Indian Constitution, the decline of the Congress System, and the ideological roots of the Hindu Right.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine if Hindu nationalism is a threat to democracy and, if so, in what specific ways it has impacted the political landscape.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author uses a qualitative, analytical approach, reviewing existing political science literature and historical events to evaluate the impact of ideological movements on state governance.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body details the evolution of nationalism, provides a critical analysis of the Indian democratic framework, and investigates specific actors like the RSS and BJP.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Important keywords include Hindu Nationalism, Hindutva, Democracy, Congress System, BJP, RSS, Secularism, and Communalism.
How does the author define the relationship between RSS and BJP?
The paper describes them as intertwined parts of the "Sangh Parivar," noting that while they share roots, the BJP has historically attempted to maintain a looser connection to appear more moderate to the electorate.
What is the significance of the "religious personal law" discussed in the paper?
The author argues that these laws unintentionally codified religious divisions and "trapped" citizens in specific religious identities, which in turn hindered the development of a secular national consciousness.
What is the author's final verdict on the threat to democracy?
The author concludes that while Hindu nationalism is an influential ideology, it is not a severe threat because the majority of Indians prioritize economic progress and peace over ideological purity.
- Quote paper
- Christine Löser (Author), 2011, Hindu Nationalism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/171917
