FROM IDENTITY TO DOMINANCE: UNPICKING THE INTERSECTION OF HINDUTVA AND MUSLIM IDENTITY IN INDIA

Abstract

This qualitative research traces the evolution and impact of Hindutva from the 17th-century legacy of Shivaji to its modern conceptualization by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (V.D. Savarkar) and its propagation by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). It explores the development of Hindu identity, particularly in response to perceived threats from Muslim rulers, British colonialism, Christian missionaries, and Marxist ideologies. The central research question examines how Hindutva, as a political ideology distinct from Hinduism as a religion, emerged and evolved to shape Hindu-Muslim relations in India. The study analyzes key phases of Hindu nationalism, from the Marathas under Shivaji, through 19th-century reform movements like Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj, to the formation of the Hindu Mahasabha by Madan Malaviya and its organization under Savarkar's leadership. It critically examines Savarkar's definition of Hindutva, its emphasis on Hindu identity as a religious and cultural force, and its implications for excluding Muslims from this national identity. The paper also explores the RSS's role in promoting Hindu dominance and its use of violence to assert this ideology. The findings suggest that Hindutva has significantly polarized Hindu-Muslim relations, fostering antagonism and conflict. The study concludes by highlighting Hindutva's ongoing relevance in contemporary Indian nationalism and its implications for the future of Hindu-Muslim relations.