Political Dimension of Hindutva, Part 10
Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar, a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement and a proponent of Hindutva, offered a unique and controversial vision of democracy and governance for post-colonial India. His ideas, as encapsulated in his first draft constitution, reflect his belief in an India dominated by a unified Hindu nation. Savarkar’s democratic framework was defined by his understanding of loyalty to the Indian state, a deeply ingrained sense of nationalism, and a clear distinction between who he considered worthy of political participation and who he did not.
Equality, Loyalty, and Citizenship
According to Savarkar, citizenship in the Indian state should be granted only to those individuals who pledge undivided loyalty to the nation. He believed that this loyalty should transcend divisions of caste, creed, and religion, with the sole criterion for citizenship being a shared commitment to the nation-state. This loyalty, in his view, was a prerequisite for equal rights and obligations among citizens, regardless of their background. Representation in government, he proposed, should be determined either through the principle of “one man, one vote” or, in the case of separate electorates, proportionally to population.
However, Savarkar made a stark distinction between those who were loyal to the Indian state and those who were not. In particular, he singled out Indian Muslims who sought to form separate states, like Pakistan or other regions such as “Pathanisthan” or “Moplasthan.” He argued that these individuals, by pursuing separate identities, had effectively disqualified themselves from full participation in the democratic processes of India. For Savarkar, such disloyalty to the nation-state meant that these groups could not be considered equal citizens, and he viewed them as a threat to national unity.
Democracy and Majority Rule
Savarkar’s approach to democracy was shaped by the idea of a homogeneous national identity. For him, the majority—defined as Hindus in this context—was the foundation of the Indian state. The role of minorities, while recognized, was not to challenge the core identity of the nation. He argued that minority groups could not form “states within a state” and that their rights should be safeguarded, but only as long as they did not undermine the integrity of the Indian nation.
This vision of democracy, which prioritized the unity of the Hindu community, sharply contrasted with the more inclusive frameworks of liberal democracy. According to Savarkar, serving the interests of Hindus was synonymous with serving the interests of the nation as a whole, as he believed that Hindu culture and values were the very foundation of Indian identity.
Savarkar’s Draft Constitution
In line with his vision of a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation), Savarkar proposed a draft constitution that encapsulated his democratic ideals. This constitution, while progressive in some aspects, also revealed a deep tension between equality and the homogeneity of the Indian populace. Key elements of Savarkar’s proposed constitution included:
- Hindustan as a unified, centralized nation from the Indus to the seas, with all powers vested in the central government.
- Equality for all citizens, provided they pledge undivided allegiance to the state, with equal rights regardless of caste, creed, or religion.
- Representation based on population, and the principle of “one man, one vote.”
- The requirement for merit-based appointments to public office.
- Provisions for minorities, ensuring safeguards for their culture, religion, and language, but with clear restrictions on forming a “state within a state.”
Savarkar’s constitution was not entirely rooted in democratic ideals as understood in the Western sense. He emphasized the importance of national unity, and while he recognized the need for public participation, he also asserted that the interests of the Hindu majority should always prevail. His model of governance rejected the idea of a pluralistic democracy where different religious or cultural identities could coexist as equals. Instead, it envisioned a state built on Hindu unity, where minority groups were tolerated but not empowered to challenge the dominant culture.
Tensions Within Savarkar’s Vision
One of the most striking contradictions in Savarkar’s thinking was his simultaneous commitment to democracy and his rejection of pluralism. While advocating for a universal franchise and equal rights for all citizens who swore loyalty to the Indian state, he also created an exclusionary framework that excluded those who did not fit his vision of Hindu unity. His constitution’s insistence on a “substantial homogeneity” of the electorate reveals a deeper ideological conflict: a belief in democracy that was inherently limited by the concept of a Hindu-majority state.
This tension is further evident in Savarkar’s criticism of reservations and separate electorates for minorities. He viewed these as divisive measures that would undermine national unity. Instead, he proposed a system where the majority would always dominate, with minority rights being limited to cultural and religious protections, but never at the cost of national unity.
Final Thoughts: The Hindu Rashtra Ideal
Savarkar’s draft constitution and his broader political philosophy embody the vision of a Hindu Rashtra – a state where the Hindu majority decides on the political, cultural, and social fabric of the nation. While he acknowledged the need for democratic structures, his conception of democracy was deeply tied to the idea of a homogeneous, Hindu-majority India. In his view, this was the only way to secure the nation’s future, ensuring that foreign influences, both internal and external, would not destabilize the state.
Savarkar’s ideas, particularly his exclusion of Muslim communities from full political participation, remain controversial to this day. His vision for India continues to be a subject of debate, especially in light of the modern democratic principles of pluralism and inclusivity. Nonetheless, Savarkar’s influence on the political discourse of India, especially in terms of the relationship between Hindu identity and nationalism, cannot be understated. His draft constitution is a window into the complexities and contradictions of his vision for India’s future—a vision that continues to shape political discussions in the country even today.
Sources:
SAVARKAR, Vinayak Damodar. 1945. Hindu Rashtravad. Being an Exposition of the Ideology & Immediate Programme of Hindu Rashtra as outlined by Swatantrayaveer V.D. Savarkar. Rohtas Printing Press: Rohtak. (Collected & Edited by Satya Parkash).
WOLF, Siegfried O. 2009. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar und sein Hindutva-Konzept. Die Konstruktion einer kollektiven Identität in Indien [“Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his concept of Hindutva: The construction of a collective identity in India.”]. Online Dissertation: Heidelberg University: Heidelberg.
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