DEFINING HINDUTVA: To Restore Vedic Equality of all Hindus

DEFINING HINDUTVA is the first book to present Hindutva in capsule form, and, its print edition was released in February 2014 by Shri Mohan Rao Bhagwatji, Sarsanghchalak of the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Print edition was commended by Shri Ashok Singhal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and, earned good wishes of Shri Narendra Modi, now the Honourable Prime Minister of India. Hindutva is a hotly contested concept in contemporary Indian politics.

Defining Hindutva relying upon the Holy Vedas convincingly shows that age old beliefs that Hindu scriptures stipulated birth based division of Hindus among various water tight compartments of castes, some higher in social pyramid and some lower, and, some downgraded as untouchables are misplaced ones. Author, a former Indian Ambassador, shows that as per Holy Vedas all Hindus including women are equal by birth.

Defining Hindutva backed by data shows that Hindus have been reduced to second class status in India, and, lists various Hindu grievances which could constitute the Hindu agenda.

There is a lot of confusion compounded by deliberate distortions about terms ‘Hindu’ and ‘Hindutva’. Author has presented these in capsule form so as to put at rest various confusions & distortions. This book contains interesting exchange of letters on Hindutva with an Indian Muslim intellectual who was also an Indian Ambassador. Author asserts that Hindutva is not anti-minority..

Quoting Vedic richas author shows that the principles of Hindutva are, in fact, the sacred Vedic commands for equality by birth of all Hindus, social harmony, gender equality and non-cowardice. Deviations from Hindutva led to fall and over thousand years of slavery of Hindus.

Hindutva places all Hindus on same footings and treats non-Hindus on par with Hindus but unlike Marxist, Socialist and Secular ideologues it does not push down Hindus to second class status in India vis-à-vis non-Hindus especially in fields of promotions, education, employment and economic opportunities [PE-3]. A Hindu who does not follow Hindutva finally ends up harming PE-3 interests of his own as well as those of his own children & grandchildren.

It is sad to see that in India many ‘Rightist’ Hindu politicians have been inviting their electoral defeats by their own ignorance of the true principles of Hindutva. Author asserts that Hindutva principles if rightly propagated shall help Hindu politicians overcome caste and regional barriers in elections.

In May 2014 parliamentary election Narendra Modi led Bhartiya Janata Party which is perceived by many Hindus to be a pro- Hindu party won an historic single party majority in the Lok Sabha but could manage to win support of only 21 voters out of every 100 registered voters, and, votes of only about 31 voters out of every 100 voters who took trouble to go to polling booths to cast their votes exposing soft belly of BJP in electoral arena. Author believes that given right mix of socio-economic policies pinned on Hindutva plank it is always possible to win support of absolute majority of Hindu voters in any election in India.

But what is Hindutva and how to project it in a multi-religion country like India for electoral successes is the central theme of this book.