Hinduism and Hindutva

Note: Dear readers do bear in mind that I have used Hinduism as an all encompassing term for the Indian Dharmic traditions and not in a specific religious context. I do know that there are differences amongst the traditions themselves but isn't that the beauty of it.

Hinduism and the Indian Dharmic traditions in general have faced threat time and again, from the times of Islamic invasions to the British colonisation. The modern Hindutva of today has its origins in the response to the sheer physical violence unleashed by the Turkish and Central Asian conquests or the sophisticated intellectual challenge posed by the imperialists. Be it Shivaji's proclamation of "Hindavi Swaraj" and challenging the Mughal might to the modern Indian reformers using Upanishads and Vedas to resist the evangelism promoted by the imperialists. Hindutva evolved as a political force to ensure the Hindu (Dharmic) and the Hindu (Dharmic) way of life survives. Savarkar defined Hindutva as this overarching set that subsumes Hinduism. Thus, Hindutva should be a unifying force and not a homogenising tool. But lately the same Hindutva is being used to justify vigilantism. If it were left to the vigilantes, the Khajurao temples would be ransacked and Vatsyayan (author of the Kamasutra) mobbed. Art has always been central to Hinduism be it the magnificent temple carvings or using music as a means of devotion. It is funny and tragic at the same time that today art be it in the form of cinema, fashion or food gets threatened to be cancelled in the name of protecting Hindu culture and morals. From moral policing in public spaces to demanding KFC closure during Shraavan, the vigilantism reflects a very Abrahamic narrow lens of viewing the world, the very same thing Hindutva was birthed to resist.

Hinduism is like a painting brought to life with different contrasting shades fused together. From celebrating the same festivals differently to celebrating festivals on different days altogether it is an entire spectrum, things customised based on local customs, geography and personal preferences. In the northern part of the country during Navaratri people tend to fast and refrain from eating meat, whereas in Bengal meat is an essential part of the festivities. An Indian scientist is quite comfortable in balancing the contradiction of going to a temple and at the same time working out equations that describe and explain the reality of the universe itself. The idea of Ishta Devta (personal deity) and Advaita (Non-Duality) coexist alongside each other. It is like the factual and counter-factual both being true at the same time. The beauty of Hinduism lies in the fact that it is able to balance contradictions and at the same time make coherent sense.

The idea of India has always been the idea of pluralism. It is characterised by osmosis of ideas, intellectual pursuits and debate not destruction. It is this idea that manifests itself as the colourful diverse Indian way of life be it our food, art or philosophy. This is why you see Indians adding their own little twist to things and making their own version of it. While the world debates a pineapple on pizza, we Indians are busy enjoying Paneer-Tikka pizza and Indian Chinese. Any form of vigilantism is born out of insecurity which comes from a lack of self reflection. The Indian Dharmic traditions have enough intellectual depth that when time comes it is able to not just act as a sword but also as an intellectual shield to guard its soul. To paraphrase Marcus Aurelius, Hindutva's biggest success will be to not become the very same non-pluralist world view it opposes.

Image Credits: The image used is AI generated.