How Hindutva Harms Hinduism — And Why It Is Not Hinduism
Introduction
Hinduism is not a religion in the narrow, exclusivist sense. It is a dharma — a civilizational framework encompassing diverse philosophies, rituals, and cultures developed over thousands of years. It has no founder, no central church, no single scripture, and no enforced orthodoxy. Its resilience lies in its pluralism.
Hindutva, by contrast, is a modern political ideology. Coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his 1923 pamphlet Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?, it sought to unify Hindus into a single national identity by emphasizing common blood, culture, and land. It is an ideology of political nationalism, not a spiritual movement.
The attempt to equate Hindutva with Hinduism distorts both history and faith. This essay explores how Hindutva undermines Hinduism’s spiritual depth, and offers case studies illustrating why Hindutva cannot be considered Hinduism.
1. Pluralism vs. Homogenization
Hinduism’s Diversity
Hinduism embraces contradictory traditions: theism, polytheism, pantheism, and even atheism. The Charvaka school denied God. The Advaita Vedantins preached unity of Atman and Brahman. The Bhakti saints sang of devotion to personal deities. Hinduism never demanded conformity.
Hindutva’s Uniformity
Hindutva imposes a singular political Hindu identity that flattens regional variations, sectarian differences, and reformist traditions.
Case Study – Lingayats in Karnataka (2017–18):
Lingayats, followers of 12th-century reformer Basavanna, reject caste hierarchy and Vedic ritualism. When they sought recognition as a separate religion, Hindutva groups mobilized against it. This showed how Hindutva prioritizes political consolidation over respecting Hinduism’s diversity.
2. Ahimsa vs. Violence
Hinduism’s Ahimsa
From Jain-influenced Vedic texts to the Mahabharata’s ethical dilemmas, Hinduism continually emphasizes non-violence and restraint (ahimsa paramo dharmah — non-violence is the highest duty). Gandhi’s freedom struggle, rooted in Hindu and Jain principles, revived this ethic globally.
Hindutva’s Violence
Hindutva groups normalize mob lynching, intimidation, and vigilantism. Instead of inner conquest (atma-vijaya), they valorize external aggression.
Case Study – Cow Vigilantism (2015–present):
Dozens of Muslims, Dalits, and even Hindus have been lynched for alleged cow slaughter or beef possession. Ancient Hindu practices around animal sacrifice and diet were diverse, yet Hindutva weaponized cow protection into a tool of communal terror — a betrayal of ahimsa.
3. Dharma vs. Political Slogans
Hinduism’s Dharma
Dharma is the moral, spiritual, and cosmic order. It is contextual — varying by age, caste, gender, and situation. Its essence is truth (satya), justice (rita), and self-realization (moksha).
Hindutva’s Dharma
Hindutva redefines dharma as loyalty to nation and identity politics, not ethical or spiritual duty.
Case Study – Ram Janmabhoomi Movement (1992):
The demolition of Babri Masjid was justified as a religious duty. But it was not spiritual dharma — it was political mobilization that led to riots, killings, and destruction. Ram, once revered as maryada purushottama (the ideal virtuous being), was reduced to a mobilizing mascot for power.
4. Inclusivity vs. Exclusion
Hinduism’s Inclusivity
Hinduism has historically absorbed influences from Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam (through Sufi traditions), and Christianity. Saints like Kabir and Nanak bridged divides, rejecting communal labels.
Hindutva’s Exclusion
Hindutva defines Indian identity narrowly: Hindu by birth and culture. It casts minorities, dissenters, and interfaith couples as threats.
Case Study – Love Jihad Conspiracy:
Despite no evidence, Hindutva groups spread the idea that Muslim men conspire to seduce Hindu women to convert them. Laws were passed in states like Uttar Pradesh against “forced religious conversion.” This criminalizes interfaith love and revives medieval-style control over women — a direct violation of Hinduism’s spiritual ethos of freedom (swatantrya).
5. Reform vs. Regression
Hinduism’s Reformist Spirit
Hinduism has always reformed itself:
Buddha challenged caste and ritual.
Bhakti saints rejected Brahminical dominance.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy fought against sati.
Ambedkar used Navayana Buddhism as emancipation from caste.
Hindutva’s Regression
Hindutva seeks to freeze caste, patriarchy, and orthodoxy as “tradition,” undermining Hinduism’s dynamic adaptability.
Case Study – Sabarimala Women’s Entry (2018):
The Supreme Court ruled that women could enter the Sabarimala temple. Hindutva groups violently opposed, even attacking women devotees. This was not defense of faith — it was defense of patriarchy. Hinduism’s reformist essence was sacrificed for political populism.
6. Spiritual Quest vs. Political Power
Hinduism’s Purpose
At its heart, Hinduism is about liberation (moksha) — transcending the ego and cycle of suffering. Its saints urged seekers to rise above worldly divisions.
Hindutva’s Purpose
Hindutva is about political dominance and control. It turns sacred symbols into tools of electioneering.
Case Study – Gita vs. Savarkar:
The Bhagavad Gita speaks of detachment, inner discipline, and universal truth. Savarkar’s Hindutva speaks of nation, race, and blood. The two stand worlds apart.
Conclusion: Hindutva ≠ Hinduism
Hinduism survives because it is vast, inclusive, and reformist. Hindutva shrinks it into a rigid, violent, exclusionary ideology.
Hinduism gave the world:
Ahimsa (non-violence)
Yoga (self-discipline)
Advaita (oneness of all beings)
Bhakti (love as devotion)
Hindutva gives the world:
Mob lynching in the name of cows.
Riots in the name of temples.
Exclusion in the name of identity.
The truth is clear:
Hindutva does not save Hinduism — it betrays it.
To protect Hinduism is to resist Hindutva and return to the timeless values of truth, compassion, and pluralism.
Final Note: Hinduism’s future depends on its ability to reclaim its spiritual essence from political distortion. Sanatana Dharma is eternal — Hindutva is not.
