The History of Hindu Nationalism in India

Abstract

This chapter presents the history of Hindu nationalism, starting in the early twentieth century. It goes into the Hindutva ideology of Savarkar, Golwalkar, and other ideologues, and gives a history of key organizations such as the Hindu Mahasabha, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and the political party associated with them, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The chapter gives a broad background to some of the most difficult debates about Hindu identity today—that is, debates about ethno-religious chauvinism, and about the prospects for peaceful coexistence of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and other groups in India.