Tag: Hindutva


  • The Assassination of W.C. Rand: A Turning Point in Revolutionary Nationalism

    On the night of June 22, 1897, two British officials — Walter Charles (W.C.) Rand, Plague Commissioner of Pune, and Lieutenant Charles Egerton Ayerst, his military escort — were assassinated by Indian revolutionaries Damodar and Balkrishna Chapekar.The attack, carried out on Ganeshkhind Road (now Senapati Bapat Road), became one of the earliest and most symbolic…

  • Savarkar on Caste and the Caste System: A Vision for Social Reform

    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…

  • Savarkar’s Plea for a Right to Resistance

    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…

  • Savarkar’s Secular Vision on State and Religion

    Savarkar’s Philosophy & Worldview, Part 6; Savarkar’s Agnosticism, (3/4) In the ongoing exploration of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s ideological framework, his views on the relationship between religion and politics offer a compelling lens through which to understand his agnosticism. While Hinduism undeniably played a central role in Savarkar’s thinking, it was not rooted in spiritual devotion…

  • The Sacred Soil: Codeelement Punyabhumi, the Sanctity of the Territory

    Savarkar’s coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 4; Code Territory (3/6) The concept of Punyabhumi, or “sacred land”, is central to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s definition of the Hindu Rashtra. While he acknowledges the geographical and territorial aspect of the nation (Pitribhu), he further elevates it by embedding a religious dimension, defining it as a “sacred…

  • Savarkar and the Codeelement Pitribhu: Defining Territorial Boundaries

    Savarkar’s Coding of Hindutva, Metacode Rashtra, Part 3; Code Territory (2/6) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s ideological framework for Hindutva is deeply rooted in territorial delineation, a concept that is essential for political realism while seemingly contradictory to his broader worldview. His reflections on the nature of the Indian nation and its territorial boundaries stem from a…

  • Code Territory: The Role of Space in Hindutva and Nation-Building

    Savarkar’s Coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 2 ; Code Territory (1/6) In the complex tapestry of Hindutva, the concept of Rashtra, the shared land, more specifically the Code Territory, plays a pivotal role. It’s more than just a map; it’s the foundation upon which the idea of a unified Hindu identity is built. To…

  • The Metacode Rashtra: Geographical Coding in Hindutva

    Savarkar’s Coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 1 The concept of Hindutva is deeply intertwined with geography, history, and a unique cultural identity. At its core, the idea of Rashtra – the first Metacode – serves as the constitutive element of the “common land.” This Metacode not only defines the territorial framework of Hindutva but…

  • The Economic Aspects of the Hindutva Concept: The 12 Principles

    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…

  • Economics in Savarkar’s Thought

    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…