Social Hindutva: A Necessary Evolution
Right now, the Hindutva movement is gaining momentum across the country. Political parties that identify as Hindutvavadi (Hindutva-oriented) are coming to power, and even in the opposition, they are securing significant positions.
Leaders who were once deeply rooted in progressive movements are now compromising their ideologies and aligning themselves with Hindutva to gain power. Even members of so-called secular parties are now seen visiting temples during elections. Observing these events, it is clear that the common Indian voter is increasingly drawn to Hindutva.
Wherever there is power, people tend to align themselves with it. The thoughts of those in power become trends in movies, songs, and social media. As a result, everyone now wants to showcase and flaunt their Hindu identity. Many aspire to become Hindutva activists. In such times, it is essential to understand the core ideology of Hindutva and reframe it according to today’s context. For that, let’s first properly understand some old concepts.
Did Savarkar Create Hindutva?
No. Savarkar did not create the concept of Hindutva—he discovered it. Just as Newton did not create gravity but formulated it as a theory, the same applies here. Before Newton wrote his formula, objects still fell to the ground.
However, due to Newton’s mathematical framework, we could measure how gravity works in the entire universe, send satellites into space, and use those calculations for engineering inventions. Similarly, Savarkar’s political Hindutva framework has been adopted by many organizations and leaders, and today we are witnessing its successful political results.
The land we call India today, and even a slightly larger area than that, has a distinct cultural uniqueness that sets it apart from the rest of the world. This includes cultural values, history, habits, and an inherent sense of freedom. Savarkar brought all these elements into a framework and initiated the Hindutva movement.
This movement was primarily aimed at gaining political power and providing a protective shield to Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain communities. In simple terms, Savarkar elaborated on the idea that people who care about Hindu interests should have political power.
Today, this ideology is spreading across the country, and a party that does not work against Hindus is in power. This is certainly something to be happy about.
Why Was This Political Power Necessary?
What difference does it make who governs the country?
Hindutva is a protective shield for the Indian identity that preserves intellectual freedom. When Hindutva is in power, people from different sects and communities can express their views, debate freely, and even argue if needed—but they cannot impose their opinions on others.
The greatest threat to this free Hindutva comes from authoritarian ideologies. Abrahamic religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism often have rigid and aggressive beliefs such as:
- "My God is the only true God."
- "My Prophet is the only true Prophet."
When living in India, they must recognize that this belief is their opinion. If anyone tries to establish it as absolute truth, they will face opposition. They can criticize other religions intellectually, but they must also be ready to tolerate criticism of their own religious beliefs. Ensuring that this applies to all sects equally is a fundamental goal of political Hindutva.
Savarkar envisioned such a society, but he was not the first to do so. This principle has been nurtured from Maharshi Valmiki to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, from Adi Shankaracharya to Swami Vivekananda, and from Veer Savarkar to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
However, in recent times, certain laws have been added to the Constitution that go against these principles. For example:
- Religious discrimination in education under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
- Unlimited land-grabbing rights given to Waqf Boards
- Separate laws for the Muslim community, such as:
- Permission for four marriages
- No mandatory alimony
- No right for women to initiate divorce
- Practice of halala
- Legal marriage of girls below 18 years of age
- Continuous insults to Hindu deities and traditions, forced conversions, and temple taxes being used to fund other religious sites
Savarkar had predicted that Indian secular parties would never have the courage to oppose these injustices, and this prediction has come true. Due to this rising sense of injustice, resentment, and corruption, the Hindutva ideology has gained political power. Now, a growing force of Hindutva activists is emerging.
Beyond Political Hindutva: The Need for Social Hindutva
However, sooner or later, these activists will have to ask themselves—why are we doing this work?
- Are we just here to bring the BJP to power?
- To establish a Hindu Rashtra?
- To protect Hindu society?
- Or for something else?
Savarkar repeatedly stated that Hindutva is a political concept. But this was a point he made in the context of his time. Savarkar himself advocated for updating one’s thoughts according to changing times. Therefore, even Savarkar’s ideas must be extended today, after 100 years.
Just like a mobile app needs updates, today's political Hindutva also needs a social update.
This is what I call Social Hindutva.
What Exactly Is Social Hindutva?
Creating harmony in society, where the majority Hindus take the initiative, and standing firmly for truth and justice in any caste or religious conflict is what Social Hindutva is about.
- The goal of Political Hindutva is to gain complete political power through struggle.
- The goal of Social Hindutva is to create a compassionate Hindu society.
Political and Social Hindutva complement each other, but sometimes they may seem contradictory.
For example:
- Political Hindutva has taught us to remember our ancestors' valor.
- But have we forgotten Shivaji Maharaj’s compassionate guarantee that his warriors’ families would never have to worry about their future?
When the Congress government in Maharashtra launched the Adarsh Scheme to provide flats for the widows of martyred soldiers, it turned into a scam. Ashok Chavan had to resign as Chief Minister over corruption allegations, but today he has joined the Hindutva-oriented BJP and immediately been given a Rajya Sabha seat.
However, the Adarsh Scam case has been stuck in court for 14 years.
Social Hindutva would strongly oppose such political hypocrisy.
In Maharashtra, Shirish More, a descendant of Saint Tukaram Maharaj, recently committed suicide due to financial distress.
Couldn’t the government have launched a meaningful development scheme in his name after this tragic event?
But such questions remain unanswered.
Conclusion: Why Social Hindutva Matters
When Hindutva activists are attacked or killed, their entire families suffer. If their wounds are not healed economically, their descendants may convert for survival in the future.
It is our duty as a society to ensure that those who sacrifice for Dharma at least have food on their plates.
Thus, Social Hindutva is not just about criticizing politicians. It is about creating a self-sufficient, resilient Hindu society that protects its own.
✍️ Pratham Uvaach
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