Category: Dimensions of Hindutva
-
When we think of the modern Ganesh Chaturthi festival (Ganeshotsava), one name inevitably comes to mind: Bal Gangadhar (Lokmanya) Tilak, who in the 1890s transformed it from a private household ritual into a public celebration of unity and resistance against colonial rule. But what about Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar? Despite organizing a Pan-Hindu Ganesh Utsav…
-
Political Dimension of Hindutva, Part 9 In Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar’s view, the challenge of preventing particularistic interests has been one of the most significant hurdles both in the struggle for independence and in shaping the post-colonial Indian state. Movements like the Andhra Movement or the alignment of Bengal’s independence struggle with regional interests highlight…
-
Economic Dimension of Hindutva, Part 7; Savarkar’s Economic Principles (3/13) India’s economic foundation has long been rooted in agriculture, with rural communities playing a pivotal role in the nation’s progress. Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar, a visionary thinker and nationalist, recognized the indispensable contribution of the peasantry and the working class. He believed that empowering these…
-
Political Dimension of Hindutva, Part 8 The political ideas of Vinayak (Veer) Damodar Savarkar cannot be clearly assigned to a specific model of governance. However, with the transformation of British India into the independent Indian Union, democratic concepts increasingly became the focus of his thinking. In his final work, Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History,…
-
Political Dimension of Hindutva, Part 7 Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar’s political-religious vision is deeply rooted in an archaic worldview. A key element in his concept of an ideal governance structure for Hindus is the idea of “Hindu leadership through a strong hand.” This theme is recurrent throughout his writings, particularly through his admiration of the…
-
Economic Dimension of Hindutva, Part 6; Savarkar’s Economic Principles (2/13) Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar was not just a political thinker and revolutionary; he was also a strong advocate for technological progress. At a time when Indian society was grappling with the impact of modernization, Savarkar made a passionate appeal to his compatriots to welcome the…
-
Social-Reformist Dimension of Hindutva, Part 8 The caste system has long been a subject of intense debate. While some have seen it as a stabilizing force in Indian society, others have condemned it as an oppressive and regressive institution. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a prominent Indian nationalist, falls squarely into the latter camp. His critique of…
-
Political Dimension of Hindutva, Part 6 The Concept of “Responsive Resistance” Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was deeply influenced by the idea of “Responsive Resistance,” a term coined by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. This concept proposed that Indian cooperation with British colonial rule should be directly proportional to the level of political reforms granted by the British. More…
-
Economic Dimension of Hindutva, Part 5; Savarkar’s Economic Principles (1/13) The economic dimension of the Hindutva ideology is often overlooked in discussions dominated by its political and cultural aspects. However, the economic program articulated by Savarkar, particularly through his “12 Principles,” is crucial to understanding his vision for India’s future. These principles were presented during…
-
Economic Dimension of Hindutva, Part 4 Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is often remembered for his strong ideological stance on nationalism, Hindutva, and socio-political issues. However, when it comes to the realm of economic policy, his contributions and ideas have remained largely under-explored. This is perhaps surprising, given that Savarkar, in his vision for the Hindu Rashtra…