Dr. J. Kuruvachira Introduction One of he rea!on! for he "heno#ena$ !"rea% of he i%eo$o&' of Hin%uva in a !hor !"an of i#e( can )e a!cri)e% o he a)i$i' of i! i%eo$o&ue! o in%ocrinae he #a!!e! *ih #'h! + of Hin%uva. T'"ica$$'( #'h! %ea$ *ih variou! %i#en!ion! of hu#an $ife ha are con!i%ere% o )e e!!enia$ for he !ocia$( cu$ura$ an% re$i&iou! $ife of "eo"$e. M'h! have !"ecia$ e#oive a""ea$ o he #a!!e!( he' i&nie heir i#a&inaion an% "ro,ec i%ea$! for he# o "ur!ue. M'h! are a$!o a#)iva$en in heir naure in he !en!e ha( he' have he "o*er o #i!&ui%e he i$$ierae( he i&noran an% he naive. Therefore( if #'h! are no !u),ec o ri&orou! her#eneuic!( here i! %an&er of "eo"$e #i!a-in& #'h! for rea$i'( ficion for hi!orica$ fac!( a #ean! o "ro"a&ae fa$!ehoo% an% a #eho% o ,u!if' #an' !u"er!iiou! )e$ief! an% "racice! ha are %eri#ena$ o he "ro&re!! of civi$i!aion an% %i&ni' of hu#an )ein&!. .e$o* *e e/a#ine !o#e of he nooriou! #'h! of Hin%uva ha have a !*a' over he Hin%u #a!!e!( an% offer a crii0ue of he !a#e. 1.The myth of a Vedic Golden Age The en%or!e#en of a 12o$%en A&e3 i! a "re4re0ui!ie for c$ai#! o civi$i!aion. Civi$i!aion! are !ai% o have a 2o$%en A&e *hen virua$$' ever' #anife!aion of $ife reache! a "ea- of e/ce$$ence 5 . In ancien hi!orio&ra"h'( he 12o$%en A&e3 *a! &enera$$' in he %i!an "a!( in he )e&innin& of i#e( !o %i!an an% !o #'ho$o&ica$ ha none cou$% 0ue!ion he hi!orici' of he a&e an% i *a! i#)ue% *ih *haever va$ue! he hi!orian *i!he% o "ro"a&ae 6 . The "ro,ecion of a Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e i! one of he corner !one! of he Hin%uva i%eo$o&' an% he "erio% fro# +577 8 977 ..C. i! "o"u$ar$' con!i%ere% a! he 2o$%en A&e of he Ve%ic "erio% : . The "ro"onen! of Hin%uva "ro,ec he Ve%ic A&e a! an un)$e#i!he% 12o$%en A&e3 of &reae! #aeria$ "ro!"eri'( %eve$o"#en in a$$ )ranche! of !cience( "uri' of re$i&ion( hi&he! !"iriua$i'( "erfec -no*$e%&e of he ruh an% una#)i&uou! "racice of #ora$!( !ocia$ e0ua$i' an% har#on'. Hi!or' e$$! u! ha i *a! S*a#i Da'anan%a Sara!*ai( *ho( !ee-in& o refor# Hin%u re$i&ion an% Hin%u !ocie' fir! "ro"oun%e% he i%ea of a Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e an% a!-e% Hin%u! o 1reurn o he Ve%a!3. Thu!( he !"o-e of a 2o$%en A&e in *hich he Ar'an! of he Ve%ic era are "re!ene% a! he cho!en "eo"$e o *ho# 2o% revea$e% he + Here )' 1#'h!3 *e #ean 1fa$!e noion!3( 1fa)ricae% !orie!3( 1fana!ie!3( 1uo"ia!3 an% 1"iou! )e$ief!3 *ihou "ro"er hi!orica$ foun%aion. 5 See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( 5=7. 6 See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >?. : See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( +66. +57 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA "erfec -no*$e%&e of he Ve%a! @ . He furher ar&ue% ha( he Ve%a! are he !ource! of a$$ -no*$e%&e an% ha i i! con!i!en *ih #o%ern !cience 9 . Auro)in%o en%or!e% he vie* of S*a#i Da'anan%a an% !ae% ha he Ve%a! conain ruh! of !cience a! *e$$ a! re$i&ion ? ( an% he cone#"orar' "ro"onen! of Hin%uva coninue o &ive o hi! #'h *i%e "u)$ici' an% %iffu!ion = . Ho*ever( Koenraa% E$! o"ine! ha( he he#e of he 2o$%en A&e i! 0uie co##on in Hin%u *riin&! an% i! )' no #ean! a #o%ern %evice of he Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! )u an ancien Hin%u ra%iion. The characeri!ic! *hich each auhor ari)ue! o hi! 2o$%en A&e i! %e"en%en on hi! o*n i%eo$o&ica$ "o!iion > . For e/a#"$e( #an' Hin%u! con!i%er he rei&n of ;a# Aif he e/i!e% a a$$B a! a 2o$%en A&e. In cerain "ar! of In%ia( he rei&n of he $e&en%ar' Maha .a$i i! %e!cri)e% a! a 2o$%en A&e +7 . The !i/h cenur' ..C *hich *ine!!e% he a%ven of 2aua#a .u%%ha he foun%er of .u%%hi!#( Var%ha#ana Mahavira( he 5:h Tirthankara or "ro"he *ho occu"ie! a uni0ue "$ace in Jaini!#( an% he &rea U"ani!ha%ic hin-er!( can a$!o )e con!i%ere% a! 2o$%en A&e! of In%ian "hi$o!o"h' an% !"iriua$i'. Savar-ar( *ih a rare #i/ of i&norance of hi!orica$ fac! an% !rech of i#a&inaion( %e!cri)e! he rei&n of Chan%ra&u"a Maur'a an% A!ho-a a! 2o$%en E"och! of Hindu history ++ . Man' hi!orian! #ainain ha he a&e of he i#"eria$ 2u"a! *a! a 2o$%en A&e +5 . If one i! o),ecive a)ou he achieve#en! of he Mu&ha$ e#"eror A-)ar( hi! rei&n can )e rae% a! he 2o$%en A&e of he Mu!$i# ru$e in In%ia. Fro# he a)ove %i!cu!!ion( i i! evi%en ha he conce"ion of a 2o$%en A&e i! no an'hin& uni0ue o he Ve%ic A&e. .u ho* 1&o$%en3 *a! he !o4ca$$e% Ve%ic 2o$%en A&eC A c$o!e e/a#inaion revea$! ha he Ve%ic A&e har%$' %e!erve! he a""e$$aion of a 12o$%en A&e3. The Ve%ic cu$ure *a! an a#a$&a#aion of #an' inf$uence!( e!"ecia$$' he In%u! Va$$e' civi$i!aion an% he In%o4Euro"ean i##i&ran! ca$$e% Ar'an! *ho ca#e fro# Cenra$ A!ia o norhern In%ia( "ro)a)$' in a nu#)er of *ave! +6 an% evenua$$' !u),u&ae% he in%i&enou! "eo"$e. ;o#i$a Tha"ar #ainain! ha &rou"! of In%o4Ar'an !"ea-er! &ra%ua$$' @ See D.SA;ASDATI( Satyartha Prakash( 5=+45==(6=@(6=?46>+. The er# 1Ve%a!3 in he "$ura$ #ean! he four Samhitas: Rig Veda( Sama Ve%a( Yajur Veda an% Atharva Veda. 1Ve%a3 in he !in&u$ar or 1ve%ic $ieraure3 in%icae! he Samhitas( rahmanas( Aranyakas an% !"anisads# See M.DHAVAMANY( $%Induismo( = noe +. 9 See D.SA;ASDATI( Satyartha Prakash( 5>5(6=@(6>+. ? See AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( ++94++=. = See for e/a#"$e( ;.SDA;U<( 'n Hinduism( 6+465E D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I e)ame a Hindu( +9>4 +??E ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( ==4>+. > See K( EFST( +e)olonising the Hindu ,ind( 6??. +7 In he Sae of Kera$a( Souh In%ia( he ce$e)raion of he 'nam fe!iva$ i! #ean o re#in% he "eo"$e of he 12o$%en A&e3 of he rei&n of Maha .a$i. ++ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Histori) Statements- 57@4579. I #a' )e noe% ha( Savar-ar3! u!e of he e/"re!!ion 1Hin%u hi!or'3 o refer o he Maur'an a&e i! #i!$ea%in&. Fro# he .rah#anica$ "oin of vie*( he Maur'a! *ere "aron! of hereica$ !ec! !uch a! he Jain!( A,iva-a! an% .u%%hi!!. Chan%ra&u"a Maur'a *a! c$o!e$' a!!ociae% *ih he Jaina ra%iion( .in%u!ara( he faher of A!ho-a( *ih he A,iva-a!( an% A!ho-a *ih he .u%%hi!!. See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( :554:56. +5 See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( 5=7. +6 See N.SMA;T Ae%.B( Atlas of the *orld%s Religions( 6?. +5+ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA #i&rae% in !#a$$ nu#)er! hrou&h he "a!!e! in he norh4*e!ern #ounain! fro# he In%o4Iranian )or%er$an%! an% Af&hani!an o norhern In%ia. The i#"eu! o #i&rae *a! a !earch for )eer "a!ure!( ara)$e $an% an% !o#e a%vana&e fro# an e/chan&e of &oo%! +: . Hi!orian! e$$ u! ha he Ar'an! *ere no#a%ic "a!ora$ "eo"$e( an% heir re$i&iou! ra%iion! *ere "ora)$e. The ear$ie! of he Ve%ic e/!( he Rig Veda ref$ec! a "a!ora$( ca$e4-ee"in& "eo"$e unfa#i$iar *ih ur)an $ife +@ . A! a co##uni' he' *ere concerne% *ih he #un%ane hin&! of ever'%a' $ife +9 . Their re$i&iou! "racice! *ere cenre% aroun% fire !acrifice an% a hierarchica$ !ocia$ !rucure. The' a$!o *or!hi""e% a "anheon of %eiie!( #an' of he# re"re!enin& force! of naure. In he NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo- for C$a!! VI *e rea%: G;i&Ve%ic "eo"$e *or!hi""e% #an' &o%! re"re!enin& force! of naure !uch a! fire( !un( *in%( !-' an% ree!H +? . Hence i ha! )een re#ar-e% ha( he hi&he! re$i&ion of he Ar'an! *a! e"io#i!e% in "ri#iive ani#i!#( fire *or!hi"( "ro"iiaion of a&ricu$ura$ %eiie! an% a)ove a$$ !acrifice AyajnaB += ( an% heir $ieraure con!i!e% of a $iur&ica$ cor"u! %eve$o"e% aroun% he Ve%ic !acrifice! +> . K.M.<ani--ar ho$%! a !i#i$ar vie*. He !ae!: GThe re$i&iou! i%ea! Iof he Ve%a!J *ere #ain$' )a!e% on !acrifice! o naive &o%! $i-e fire( !un( he For% of he hun%er)o$H 57 . .a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- a$!o affir#! ha he h'#n! of he Rig Veda !ho* ha !acrificia$ cere#onie! #u! hen have )een con!i%era)$' %eve$o"e% in he Ve%ic i#e! 5+ . A&ain( i ha! )een o)!erve% ha he ori&ina$ Ve%ic re$i&ion *a! no cenre% aroun% he Vedas a! )oo-!( )u in!ea% aroun% he in!iuion of !acrifice 55 . The Rig Veda "orra'! a *or$% of #an' &o%! *hich *ere "ro"iiae% *ih e$a)orae "u)$ic !acrifice!. The !acrifice!( *hich evo$ve% ino increa!in&$' e$a)orae riua$!( ofen invo$ve% he i##o$aion of an ani#a$ Aor even hu#anB vici# a! a foo% offerin& o he &o%!. The "a!ora$ roo! of he !acrifice *ere evi%en in he cenra$i' of he co*( *hich *a! he "referre% !acrificia$ foo% for )oh &o%! an% hu#an! 56 . .e!i%e!( a! a !cri"ure he Ve%ic h'#n! are fra&#enar' an% incon!i!en. .en,a#in Da$-er !a'!: GThe corru"e% 0uaernar' of he Ve%a!( fra&#enar' an% incon!i!en a! he' are no*( i! referre% )ac- o a! a 2o$%en A&e *hen he Ve%a *a! one an% i##acu$aeH 5: . T.J.S.2eor&e o)!erve! ha he Ve%a! *ere no re$i&iou! e/! o )e&in *ih( ,u! a! Hin%ui!# *a! no a re$i&ion o )e&in *ih. The #ain &o%! %eifie% in he samhitas *ere naura$ force! !uch a! A&ni AfireB( Varuna A*in%B an% Sur'a A!unB )e!i%e! In%ra an% So#a 5@ . Orho%o/ Hin%u ra%iion )e$ieve! ha he Ve%a! are eerna$ AnityaB( )e&innin& $e!! AanadiB an% auhor$e!! Aa."aurusheyaB. .u a! far a! criica$ rea!onin& i! concerne% !uch +: See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India- +7@4+7?. +@ See ;.THA<A;( GI%eo$o&' an% he Iner"reaionH( +7. +9 See ;.THA<A;( Communalism and the *riting of Indian History( +:. +? ..S..<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( >7. += See ;.THA<A;( A History of India( vo$. +( :64::E ID.( The Penguin History of Early India- +5?4+5>. +> See M.DHAVAMANY( $%Induismo( +7. 57 K.M. <ANIKKA;( G A <ri#er of In%iaH( 9. 5+ See ..2. TIFAK( The 'rion( >. 55 See N.SMA;T Ae%.B( Atlas of the *orld%s Religions( 6@. 56 See N.SMA;T Ae%.B( Atlas of the *orld%s Religions( 6?(6>. 5: ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 6:?. 5@ See T.J.S.2EO;2E( The En/uire +i)tionary( :?=4:?>. +55 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA c$ai#! !an% *ihou foun%aion. The #'h4#a-er! of he i#e$e!!ne!! of he Ve%a! convenien$' for&e ha *haever )e$on&! o our finie *or$% i! $i#ie% in naure an% ha he' have a )e&innin& an% an en%( even if he' conain reve$aion! of 1i#e$e!!3 ruh!. I ha! )een e!a)$i!he% ha he ear$ie! re$i&iou! co#"o!iion! in In%ia *ere he San!-ri e/! ca$$e% he Vedas *hich )e$on&e% o he In%o4Euro"ean i##i&ran!( "ro)a)$' co#"o!e% )e*een +@77 an% 977 ..C 59 . .a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- %ae! he o$%e! Ve%a! o aroun% :@77 ..C 5? . Here i #u! a$!o )e !ae% ha( $i-e an' oher !acre% !cri"ure( he Ve%a! oo ha% human authors 5= . Therefore( he c$ai# ha he Ve%a! are eerna$( )e&innin&$e!! an% auhor$e!! i! o )e a-en on$' a! a "iou! )e$ief. A&ain( i i! a fac ha ver' fe* Hin%u! -no* he conen! of he Ve%a!( an% for heir "racica$ $ife he' are 0uie irre$evan. Davi% Fra*$e' !a'!: GEven Hin%u! *ho !"ea- of he &$or' of he Ve%a! &enera$$' can3 e/"$ain Ve%ic eachin&! in %eai$. .' he Ve%a! he' u!ua$$' #ean he U"ani!ha%! or he hagavadgita- no he o$%er Ve%ic e/!H 5> . In a%%iion( he Ve%a! have har%$' an'hin& o %o *ih "o"u$ar Hin%ui!#. Koenraa% E$! noe! ha( he Ve%ic &o%! $i-e Varuna an% In%ra have "racica$$' %i!a""eare% fro# he Hin%u co$$ecive con!ciou!ne!! in favour of re!'$e% #inor Ve%ic &o%! $i-e Shiva an% Vi!hnu an% non4Ve%ic &o%! $i-e 2ane!ha an% Ka$i. The #a,or fe!iva$! of he Hin%u ca$en%ar are )a!e% on he e"ic fea! of ;a#a an% Kri!hna an% on he <uranic $ore "erainin& o Shiva an% he 2o%%e!! 67 . Thu!( o )e$ieve in a Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e i! o a-e refu&e in a #'h ha ha! no hi!orica$ foun%aion. A! i! evi%en fro# *ha ha! )een !ai% a)ove( here i! nohin& rea$$' 1&o$%en3 a)ou he !o4ca$$e% Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e. In fac( here %oe! no !ee# o have )een an'hin& a-in o a golden a&e in he Ve%ic i#e!. .u he "ro,ecion of he #'h ha! #uch o %o *ih he "o$iica$ an% he i%eo$o&ica$ %i#en!ion! of Hin%uva. ;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha( here i! a$*a'! an inevia)$e !earch for a 2o$%en A&e ofen i%enifie% a! he "erio% o *hich he curren$' %o#inan &rou" race! i! roo!( an% i i! "aine% in he &$o*in& in! of cu$ura$ re!ur&ence. The "roa&oni!! of hi! a&e )eca#e he heroe! of hi!or' an% ac a! e"on'#ou! ance!or! o ho!e in "o*er 6+ . Yvon A#)roi!e o)!erve! ha( in or%er o )ui$% he Hin%u cu$ura$ naiona$i!# i *a! he Ar'a Sa#a,i!! *ho fir! #ooe% he #'h of a Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e( an% Savar-ar "ur!ue% i an% 2o$*a$-ar &ave i fini!hin& ouche! 65 . One #a' a$!o #ainain ha he no!a$&ia for he Ve%ic 2o$%en A&e i! 59 See C.SHATTUCK( Hinduism( 57. 5? See ..2.TIFAK( The Ar)ti) Home of the Vedas A( 6::46:@. 5= M.Dhava#an' o)!erve!E GSa""ia#o che( a$ %i $K %e$$3affer#aLione %e$$a $oro ori&ine !o"rannaura$e( i !acri e!i in%M hanno avuo auori u#ani( anche !e 1anoni#i3( i 0ua$i ne curarono $a !e!ura ne$ $in&ua&&io correne %e$$3a#)iene cu$ura$e %e$ e#"oH. M.DHAVAMANY( $%Induismo( >. 5> D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( +6. 67 See K.EFST( *ho is a Hindu0( >. .u A.D.Maa# re#in%! u! ha Shiva an% Vi!hnu are non4Ar'an &o%!. See A.D.MATTAM( Religions( >@. 6+ See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >94>?. 65 See Y.AM.;OISE( GHin%uva3! ;ea$ A&en%aH( 5:. V.D.Savar-ar envi!a&e% a f$ouri!hin& Hin%u naion *hich *a! racia$$' an% cu$ura$$' ho#o&eneou!( an% one ha *en a! far )ac- a! !o#e @777 'ear! o he Ve%ic a&e. See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( :=. 2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GOur! i! an ancien an% &rea naion *ih a &$oriou! "a!H. M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( 56=E GHin%u!an $ive% a $ife of uncha$$en&e% &$or' an% "o*er for hou!an%! of 'ear! an% !"rea% i! !"iriua$ an% cu$ura$ effu$&ence +56 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA re#ini!cen of A%o$f Hi$er3! conce" of he Thir% ;eich A+as +ritte Rei)hB( *hich !cho$ar! !"ea- of a! a 1#'hica$ noion3 Amythis)her egriffB ha *a! a$rea%' "reva$en a#on& he 2er#an! fro# he Mi%%$e A&e! on*ar%! 66 . 2.The myth of Aryans as the original inhabitants of India In he ne* naiona$i!ic vie* of hi!or' a%vocae% )' he Hin%uva( In%ian cu$ure cou$% no have co#e fro# ou!i%e( e!"ecia$$' no he Ar'an!( !o ha he Ar'an! are "re!ene% a! he original inha&itants of In%ia. A! *e have !een( 2o$*a$-ar *a! he fir! "ro#inen Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue *ho "ro"o!e% hi! heor'. He !a'!: Ghe Hin%u ha! )een he re!i%en of hi! counr' fro# i#e! i##e#oria$H 6: . So#e of he Theo!o"hi!! $i-e Co$one$ O$co a$!o he$% ha he Ar'an! *ere in%i&enou! o In%ia 6@ . Thi! vie* i! o%a' *i%e$' acce"e% )' "racica$$' a$$ he cone#"orar' "ro"onen! of Hin%uva( a! i i! of &rea a%vana&e o heir i%eo$o&'. Hence ;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha he a#en%e% heor' of Ar'an! a! he in%i&enou! "eo"$e of In%ia ha! )eco#e a/io#aic o he )e$ief of Hin%uva 69 . If hi! heor' i! no "ro"a&ae%( i *ou$% #ean ha he Ar'an Hin%ui!# i! a! #uch a forei&n i#"or a! Chri!iani' or I!$a# or Ju%ai!# or Noroa!riani!#( a! he Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! c$ai#. Furher( i !hou$% )e e#"ha!i!e% ha he c$ai# i!e$f i! a ne* a%%iion o he $i! of he #'h! of Hin%uva. In fac( Savar-ar( *ho &ave !'!e#ai!aion o he Hin%uva i%eo$o&' hi#!e$f did not maintain ha he Ar'an! *ere he in%i&enou! "eo"$e of In%ia 6? . Ye for Savar-ar( a rea$ Hin%u i! a "er!on *ho!e re$i&iou! faih must have an indigenous origin. Hence E%*in .r'an #a-e! an in!i&hfu$ re#ar-: GI i! "uLL$in& ha Savar-ar( *ho #u! have )een a*are ha !o#e of hi! cone#"orarie! an% "re%ece!!or! ha% cha$$en&e% he Ar'an inva!ion heor'( %i% no a&&re!!ive$' o""o!e i. Ta-en o i! $o&ica$ conc$u!ion( hi! acce"ance of he Ar'an inva!ion heor' !ee#! inco#"ai)$e *ih IOJ he conce" of Hin%uvaH 6= . .a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- a$!o !hare% he !a#e vie* a! Savar-ar. He c$ai#! ha he ancien Ar'an! $ive% near he Norh <o$e Ai.e. in he Arcic re&ion!B an% $aer in he cour!e of hi!or' he' ca#e an% !e$e% in In%ia 6> . He a$!o ar&ue! ha( "rior o he co#in& of he Ar'an! o In%ia( aroun% @777 or 9777 ..C he' ha% !e$e% on he "$ain! of Cenra$ A!ia :7 . Even S*a#i Vive-anan%a *a! inc$ine% o )e$ieve ha Ar'an! *ere over va! area! of he &$o)e P ri&h fro# Me/ico o Ja"anH. I&id.( +9+. 66 See M. DOMA;US( Hitler Reden ( vo$.+( : foonoe 6. 6: M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( +@5. See a$!o ID.( *e( =. For !i#i$ar i%ea! !ee AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth- >9(>=E D.F;ADFEY( Arise Arjuna( +@54+@?E ;.SDA;U<( 'n Hinduism( +7=E K.EFST( !"date on the Aryan Invasion +e&ate A+>>>B. 6@ See ;.THA<A;( Penguin History of Early India( +@. 69 See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( +:. 6? See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( =4>. 6= E..;YANT( The 1uest( 5?5. 6> See ..2.TIFAK( The 'rion( +>457(55. :7 See ..2.TIFAK( The Ar)ti) Home of the Vedas( 6:@. +5: CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA no in%i&enou! o In%ia :+ . J'oi)a <hu$e( an auhori' on he Da$i! in he $ae nineeenh cenur' ar&ue% ha he $o*er ca!e! *ere he in%i&enou! "eo"$e of In%ia an% no he .rah#in! *ho %e!cen%e% fro# he Ar'an! *ho *ere a$ien o In%ia :5 . I i! o )e reierae% ha %urin& he "a! fe* 'ear!( ae#"! o "ro%uce $ieraure %en'in& he Ar'an inva!ion heor' ha! )eco#e an o)!e!!ion *ih he Hin%uva auhor!. Their ar&u#en i! ha if he Ar'an! are in%i&enou! o In%ia( here *a! no Ar'an inva!ion eiher. The nefariou! a&en%a of re4*riin& In%ian hi!or' a$!o !erve! o "ro"a&ae he #'h ha Ar'an! are in%i&enou! o In%ia. The Ar'an inva!ion heor' i! herefore "ro,ece% a! a concocion of Euro"ean !cho$ar!( #i!!ionarie! an% Mar/i! hi!orian!. Even he ne* !choo$ e/)oo-! "re"are% in 5775 un%er he au!"ice! of he Hin%uva hi!orian! an% or&ani!aion! #a-e !renuou! effor o "ro"a&ae hi! #'h. In he NCE;T !"on!ore% e/)oo- on Socia$ Science! for C$a!! IQ *e rea%: GMa/ Mu$$er %i% hi! #a/i#u# o "o"u$ari!e he i%ea of an Ar'an race an% he Ar'an inva!ion of In%ia. IOJ Thi! Ar'an inva!ion heor' *a! u!e% a! an ine$$ecua$ in!ru#en o furher he *e$$4-no*n .rii!h "o$ic' of %ivi%e an% ru$eH :6 . The NCE;T %irecor J.S.;a,"u !a'!: GA &rou" of hi!orian! ha! e#er&e% o "rove ha Ar'an! %i% no co#e fro# ou!i%e. Tha ar&u#en !hou$% a$!o )e &iven %ue *ei&h for he chi$%ren o ,u%&e or infer he ri&h hi!or'H :: . So#e Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! a$!o !"ea- of he %i!incion )e*een Ar'an an% Dravi%ian race! an% cu$ure! a! non4e/i!en :@ . .u hi!orian! e$$ u! ha he %i!incion )e*een he *o cu$ure! *a! &rea. For e/a#"$e( A.D.Maa# !a'!: GMan' "eo"$e in Norh In%ia are no a*are of he ancien cu$ure an% civi$iLaion of he Dravi%ian!( IO.J The curricu$u# in Norh In%ian !choo$! !hou$% inc$u%e he !u%' of Ta#i$ or anoher Dravi%ian $an&ua&e( an% he hi!or' an% civi$iLaion of he Dravi%ian!( in or%er ha he chi$%ren #a' &e a correc vi!ion of he rich varie' of cu$ure! an% $an&ua&e! of In%iaH :9 . So#e oher Hin%uva *rier! ar&ue ha he In%u! Va$$e' civi$i!aion i! he !a#e a! he Ve%ic Civi$i!aion( an% ha i )e$on&e% o he Ar'an!. In fac( !o#e have )e&un o ca$$ i he 1In%u!4Sara!*ai Civi$i!aion3 :? . E%*in .r'an !a'! i i! he cenra$i' of he river Sara!*ai( )oh archaeo$o&ica$$' an% cu$ura$$'( ha ha! $e% !o#e In%ian archaeo$o&i!! o "ro"o!e( an% o )e&in o a%o"( he er# In%u!4Sara!*ai Civi$i!aion in $ieu of he $a)e$! Hara""an or In%u! Va$$e' Civi$i!aion := . In he NCE;T e/)oo- for C$a!! VI *e rea%: GYou have a$rea%' rea% ha !o#e !cho$ar! )e$ieve ha Hara""an an% Ve%ic civi$iLaion! are he !a#eH :> . .u .r'an %oe! no he!iae o !a': GSara!*ai3! re%i!cover'( a$hou&h ar&ua)$' !u&&e!ive of con!i%era)$e Ve%ic ani0ui' :+ See The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.IQ( 5@745@+. :5 See ;.THA<A;( Penguin History of Early India( +:. :6 ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( Contem"orary India( 9. :: <.SEN2U<TA( GE%ucaion in Moher Ton&ueH( +?. :@ See D.F;ADFEY( Arise Arjuna( +@=4+9>. For !i#i$ar i%ea! !ee a$!o AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( >=(+7=. :9 A.D.MATTAM( Religions( 96. :? See AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( +7+ foonoeE ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld- =7. := See E..;YANT( The 1uest(+9?. :> ..S. <A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( +66. +5@ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA IOJ canno )e u!e% o "rove a)!o$ue !'non'#i' of he In%u! Va$$e' re!i%en! an% he Ve%ic Ar'an!H @7 . Ho*ever( i #a' )e #ainaine% ha he #'h ha Ar'an! are he in%i&enou! "eo"$e of In%ia an% he oher heorie! ha are coro$$ar' o i( for# "ar of he conce" of he 1.i& Fie3 of Hin%uva P a noion 1)orro*e%3 fro# A%o$f Hi$er an% hi! Naiona$ Socia$i!#. <ara%o/ica$$'( he 1.i& Fie!3 are "ro"a&ae% in a counr' ha ha! acce"e% 1Styameva 2ayate% A1ruh a$one riu#"h!3B a! i! #ooR Michae$ DiLe$ ar&ue! ha a$$ he !u)coninen! of A!ia have )een con!an$' enere% an% cri!!4cro!!e% )' ne* *ave! of "eo"$e!. I ha! a$!o )een e!a)$i!he% ha he !"ea-er! of he o$% In%o4Ar'an $an&ua&e oo #u! have co#e fro# !o#e*here in Cenra$ A!ia( a! heir $an&ua&e ref$ec! coo$ c$i#ae "$an! an% ani#a$!. The !a#e Cenra$ A!ian $oan *or%! for vi$$a&e $ife an% re$i&iou! ie#! a! in Rig Veda are a$!o foun% *ih he Mianni" In%o4Ar'an! in Norhern Ira0 an% Norhern S'ria A+:@74+6@7 ..CB( *ho!e $an&ua&e an% re$i&ion are ver' c$o!e o )u !$i&h$' o$%er han ;i&ve%ic. There are a$!o *e$$4-no*n re#ini!cence! of Af&hani!an an% Cenra$ A!ia in he Rig Veda @+ . In a%%iion( he %eiie! #enione% in he Rig Veda inc$u%e !o#e ha &o )ac- o In%o4Iranian ori&in!( !uch a!( Mira an% Varuna @5 . T.J.S.2eor&e affir#! ha i#"oran archaeo$o&ica$ %i!coverie! in +>554+>56 an% !u)!e0uen e/cavaion! e$!e*here in In%ia have e!a)$i!he% ha he In%u! Va$$e' Civi$i!aion %ain& )ac- o a)ou 6777 ..C. *a! ra%ica$$' %ifferen fro# he Ar'an cu$ure in he In%o42an&eic "$ain!. Thi! conc$u!ion f$e* in he face of he ear$ier )e$ief( !"rea% $ar&e$' )' Ar'an e/! ha he !arin& "oin of In%ian civi$i!aion *a! Ar'an or Ve%ic cu$ure. Scho$ar! ho$% ha he Ar'an!( afer ca"urin& he 2an&eic "$ain!( rena#e% he re&ion Aryavrata o %i!in&ui!h i fro# he !ouh of In%ia *hich ha% )' hi! i#e )eco#e he ho#e of he Dravi%ian! @6 . The noe% hi!orian of ancien In%ia( ;o#i$a Tha"ar ha! a$!o re"eae%$' ar&ue% for he fac of he co#in& of he Ar'an! o Norhern In%ia @: . Anoher e#inen hi!orian( K.M.<ani--ar a$!o #ainaine! a !i#i$ar "o!iion @@ . Thu!( hi!orica$ fac! &o a&ain! he c$ai# of Hin%uva ha Ar'an! *ere he ori&ina$ inha)ian! of In%ia @9 . Once a&ain( he "ro"a&aion of hi! #'h i! #oivae% )' i%eo$o&ica$ an% "o$iica$ inere!!( an% a #echani!# o e/c$u%e !o#e !ecion! of In%ian !ocie'( e!"ecia$$' he Mu!$i#! an% Chri!ian! )' ar&uin& ha he' are a$ien!. .u he heor' ha Ar'an! are in%i&enou! o In%ia ha! inheren "ro)$e#!. Fir!( if )' Ar'an! i! #ean on$' he ca!e Hin%u!( hen a$$ he $o*er ca!e! an% Da$i! *ou$% have o )e e/c$u%e% fro# Hin%ui!#( an% i *ou$% re%uce he nu#erica$ coun of Hin%ui!# an% con!e0uen$' a$!o Hin%uva3! voe )an-. Thi! *ou$% furher i#"$' ha Hin%u! %o no con!iue he #a,ori' of In%ia( an% if Hin%u! are no he #a,ori' in In%ia he' @7 E..;YANT( The 1uest( +9> AE#"ha!i! in he ori&ina$B. @+ See M.DITNEF( G<ara%i&# Shif3 in Hi!or'CH( +7. @5 See ;.THA<A;( Penguin History of Early India( +5?E ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I( ?7. @6 See T.J.S.2EO;2E( The En/uire +i)tionary( 6746+. @: See ;.THA<A;( Penguin History of Early India( +64+@(+++(++64++@E ID.( Cultural Pasts( 66?4 6:5(++574++5+. @@ See K.M.<ANIKKA;( GThe I%ea of Soverei&n'H( +:( >+E ID.( GA <ri#er of In%iaH( @. @9 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I( 9>4?5E J.KU;UVACHI;A( GFac! Nai$ Hin%ui!#3! C$ai#!H( 6546?. +59 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA canno a$!o c$ai# ha In%ia !hou$% )e a Hin%u naion. Secon%$'( if he $o*er ca!e! an% Da$i! are inc$u%e% a#on& Hin%u!( i *ou$% u"!e #an' ca!e Hin%u!. 3.The myth of racial purity and superiority of the Aryans Hin%uva "ro"a&ae! he #'h of In%ia a! con!i!in& of one race( one re$i&ion an% one cu$ure( na#e$'( he Hin%u( an% eu$o&i!e! i a! he 1)e! naion of he Ar'an!3 @? . In ancien *riin&! he $an% inha)ie% )' he Ar'an! *a! ca$$e% Aryavarta an% he re! *ere ,le))ha.desa. ;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha aryavarta e!!enia$$' #ean he 2an&eic <$ain an% i! frin&e!( a$hou&h !o#ei#e! e/"an%e% o inc$u%e #ore of norhern In%ia @= . D.Ha$)fa!! noe! ha he er# mle))ha #ean he )ar)arian( he forei&ner( 1he oher3( ho!e *ho *ere ou!i%e he Ar'an co##uni'( ho!e *ho %i% no -no* San!-ri( ho!e *ho *ere ou!i%e he ca!e !'!e#( ec @> . Accor%in& o ;o#i$a Tha"ar( he e'#o$o&' of mle))ha *a! re$ae% o he in%i&enou! inha)ian! of norhern In%ia a he i#e of he arriva$ of Ar'an4!"ea-in& "eo"$e!. Kno*$e%&e of he efficac' of he riua$ h'#n! an% he u!e of correc San!-ri *a! crucia$ o he noion of )ein& an arya# If mle))ha e"io#i!e% he )ar)arian( hen arya #ean a$$ ha i! no)$e an% civi$i!e%. ,le))ha area! *ere con!i%ere% i#"ure $an%! an% he "ure $an% *a! aryavarta. The Ar'a! vi!iin& he $an%! of he mle))ha are riua$$' i#"ure an% !o he' ha% o "erfor# e/"iaor' rie! 97 . Savar-ar u!e! he er#! Sindhusthan an% ,le))ahstan o %enoe he $an% of he ar'a! an% he $an% of forei&ner!( re!"ecive$' 9+ . For 2o$*a$-ar he er# mle))ha #ean a$$ ho!e *ho %o no !u)!cri)e o he !ocia$ $a*! %icae% )' he Hin%u re$i&ion an% cu$ure 95 . Savar-ar #ainaine% ha )on% of co##on race or co##on )$oo% i! an i#"oran a!"ec of a Hin%u. He !a'!: G;acia$$' an% Cu$ura$$' he' Iance!or! of he Hin%u!J *ere ca$$e% ar'an!H 96 . He a%%!: GDe feel *e are a JATI I!icJ( a race )oun% o&eher )' he %eare! ie! of )$oo%H 9: E Gno "eo"$e in he *or$% can #ore ,u!$' c$ai# o &e @? See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( ?>. Ma/i#iani <ora! a$ia! Saviri Devi *ho i! ca$$e% he 1"ro"hee!! of Ar'an reviva$3 *a! a &rea a%#irer of A%o$f Hi$er an% a !aunch "ro"onen of he NaLi i%eo$o&'. She ca#e o In%ia in he +>67! in !earch of he "ure Ar'an race. See N. 2OOD;ICK4 CFA;KE( Hitler%s Priestess A5777B. @= See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( 6=. @> See D.HAF.FASS( GFa Sco"era In%iana %e$$3Euro"aH( 57. 97 See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts- 569(56=(@6=4@6>. 9+ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( 65466. 95 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( @6. 96 V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( :=. He ca$$! he Ar'an! 1he Ar'an "ariarch! of our Hin%u ;ace3. See I&id.(:7. 9: V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( =>4>7 AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. He affir#! furher: GThe Hin%u! are no #ere$' he ciiLen! of he In%ian Sae )ecau!e he' are unie% no on$' )' he )on%! of he $ove he' )ear o a co##on #oher$an% )u a$!o )' he )on%! of a )ommon &lood. The' are no on$' a naion )u a$!o a ra)e4,ai. The *or% ,ai %erive% fro# he roo Jan o "ro%uce( #ean! a )roherhoo%( a ra)e %eer#ine% )' a co##on ori&in 8 "o!!e!!in& a )ommon &lood# A$$ Hin%u! c$ai# o have in heir vein! he )$oo% of he #i&h' ra)e incor"orae% *ih an% %e!cen%e% fro# he Ve%ic faher!H. I&id.( =: AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. +5? CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA reco&ni!e% a! a ra)ial uni han he Hin%u! an% "erha"! he Je*!H 9@ . For hi# mle))hastan #ean ho!e *ho are forei&ner! naiona$$' an% ra)ially 99 . He furher !"ea-! of he Hin%u race a! he &rea race ha inha)i! an% o*n! he $an% of In%ia 9? ( an% San!-ri a! he #oher on&ue of he Hin%u race. Savar-ar !a'!: GDe Hin%u! are no on$' a ;a!hra( a Jai( )u a! a con!e0uence of )ein& )oh( o*n a co##on San!-rii e/"re!!e%( "re!erve% chief$' an% ori&ina$$' hrou&h San!-ri( he rea$ #oher on&ue of our raceH 9= . For 2o$*a$-ar( race #ean! a here%iar' !ocie' 9> an% he con!i%er! i a! he )o%' of he naion !o ha if i fa$$! he naion cea!e! o e/i ?7 . ;ace AjatiB for hi# #ean! "eo"$e *ho have a co##on ori&in an% co##on fe$$o* fee$in& ?+ . He ca$$! he Hin%u race he 1ancien race3 ?5 . He ho$%! ha he ancien rishis A!a&e!B "rou%$' ca$$e% he#!e$ve! Ar'a! an% ha% re!o$ve% o Ar'nai!e he *ho$e of hu#ani' ?6 . The Ar'an! a$!o "o!!e!!e% a &rea civi$i!aion !o ha i cou$% c$ai# !u"eriori' over oher cu$ure!. He !a'!: GDe )ui$ a &rea civi$i!aion( a &rea cu$ure an% an uni0ue !ocia$ or%er. De ha% )rou&h ino acua$ $ife a$#o! ever'hin& ha *a! )eneficia$ o #an-in%. IOJ in r'in& o %i!in&ui!h our "eo"$e fro# oher!( *e are ca$$e% 1he en$i&hene%3 P he Aryas P an% he re! ,le))hasH ?: . I ha! )een o)!erve% ha( #ore han an'one e$!e( i *a! 2o$*a$-ar *ho "ro"a&ae% he #'h of Hin%u! )ein& a "ure race( an% in hi! he *a! in!"ire% )' A%o$f Hi$er ?@ . In he *riin&! of Savar-ar an% 2o$*a$-ar he er# 1Ar'a3 ofen !an%! for 1race3 ?9 ( an% e/"re!!ion! $i-e 1Ar'an )$oo%3 ?? ( 1ancien )$oo%3 ?= ( 1co##on ance!r'3 ?> ( 1co##on )$oo%3 =7 ( 1our )$oo%3 =+ ( 1Hin%u )$oo%3 =5 ( 1"ure Hin%u )$oo%3 =6 ( 1)$oo% of he 9@ V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( >7 AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. 99 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( 66. 9? See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( >?. 9= V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( >>. 9> See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( 5+. For 2o$*a$-ar he Je*! are he e/a#"$e of "ure! !oc-. See I&id.( +>(67. ?7 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( 5+. ?+ See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( @6. ?5 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( :7. ?6 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( :@5. ?: M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( @@. ?@ See C.JAFF;EFOT( The Hindu 3ationalist ,ovement( @@. ?9 Ho*ever( ;o#i$a Tha"ar re#in%! u! ha he er# arya %oe! no !an% for he noion of )io$o&ica$ race( hou&h !o#e in%o$o&i!! have iner"ree% i o )e !o. She u!e! he e/"re!!ion 1Ar'an !"ea-er!3 in!ea% of 1Ar'an race3. See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( +@. ?? See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +5( >7(+55. ?= See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( =>. ?> See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( +@. =7 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( 66(6>(=:(=>(>+(>5( +57(+:+. =+ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( =:. =5 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( >+(+5+(+6>. =6 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +77. +5= CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA forefaher!3 =: ( 1here%iar' !ocie'3 =@ ( 1our racia$ )ein&3 =9 ( 1#oher race3 =? ( 1inheriance of he )$oo% of he &rea race3 == ( 1race4!"iri3 => ( 1)on%! of race3 >7 ( 1our race3 >+ ( 1naiona$ race3 >5 ( 1Hin%u race3 >6 ( 1one race3 >: ( 1&rea race3 >@ ( 1co##on race3 >9 ( 1race !"iri3 >? (1our! )' )$oo% an% )' race3 >= are fre0uen. In he cour!e of hi!or'( ofen a""ea$ o ca!e !'!e# ha! )een #a%e in or%er o #ainain he racia$ "uri' of he Ar'an !oc-. The convenion of racin& a "er!on3! %e!cen a! "re!ervin& &enea$o&ica$ ree!( !ho*in& hi! "ure $inea&e fro# Ve%ic "erio% an% E"ic heroe!( i! a #e%ieva$ e/"e%ien. .u hi!or' e$$! u! ha he ance!or! of he &rea Hin%u %'na!ie! %o no !hine a! e/a#"$e! of racia$ "uri' or re$i&iou! orho%o/'( a$hou&h here are $ar&e nu#)er! of e%ucae% Hin%u! *ho are carrie% a*a' )' !eni#ena$ aach#en o he heroic na#e! of he $e&en%ar' "a!( an% $i-e o hin- of he# a! "ure .rah#in or "ure K!hari'a. The fac i! ha a$#o! a$$ he &rea fa#i$ie! of ancien In%ia *ere of #i/e% ori&in( .rah#in a! *e$$ a! K!hari'a. Hence conce"! $i-e 1"ure race3( 1"ure fa#i$ie!3( 1"ure ca!e3( ec. are #ere ficion >> .en,a#in Da$-er #ainain! ha here have )een ie! of )$oo% )e*een Ar'an! an% non4Ar'an! hrou&h a !ea%' "roce!! of iner#arria&e. Thi! "roce!! i! ref$ece% in heir "anheon( for he Ar'an %eiie! a$!o )e&an o conrac #ari#onia$ a$$iance! *ih he &o%%e!!e! of he naive "eo"$e !oon afer heir arriva$ in he In%ian "$ain!. In fac( he Rig Veda $a#en! he "reva$ence of #arria&e! )e*een 1)$ac-3 an% 1*hie3. One "ra'er &oe! a! fo$$o*!: 1O In%ra( fin% ou *ho i! an Ar'an an% *ho i! a Da!a an% !e"arae he#3. A&ain( anoher h'#n in he Atharva Veda ha! )een iner"ree% a! referrin& o he !e%ucion of In%ra hi#!e$f )' an asura *o#an +77 . Socia$ #o)i$i' *a! "o!!i)$e in he ear$' "erio% of In%ian hi!or'. Even Savar-ar !"o-e of he iner#in&$in& of race!. He affir#! ha he Ar'an! an% he in%i&enou! =: See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +77. =@ See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( +=. =9 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( =:. =? See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( 5+. == See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +77. => See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( +7(+5(+6. >7 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e- +?. >+ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( 6:(6=(:7(?>(>?(+6+(+6>(+:7. >5 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( 5+(5>(67(66(:@(:9. >6 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( :(>?(>>(+57E ID.( Hindu Sanghatan( :7. M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( +5(:7(:6(::(:@(@5. >: See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( >+. >@ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( >?E M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( >. >9 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( ++9. >? 2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GTha ra)e s"irit( *hich ha! !urvive% a$$ he !hoc-! of cenurie! of a&&re!!ion an% ha! i#e an% a&ain hro*n u" &rea !"iriua$ an% naiona$ heroe!( i! )oun% o rea!!er i!e$fH. M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( ??4?= AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. See a$!o ID.( *e( 5:. >= See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( 6>( >> See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld- vo$.II( ?@4?9. +77 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld- vo$. II( ?:4?@. +5> CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA "o"u$aion! iner#in&$e% *hen he for#er enere% In%ia +7+ . He !a'!: GFor fir! of a$$ he racia$ !oc- of he Ar'an! u!e% o iner4#arr' a#on&! he#!e$ve!. Even a ca!ua$ ac0uainance *ih he Ve%ic $ieraure can convince P ha! convince%( ever'one( of he facH +75 . He a$!o e/hore% he forei&ner! *ho a!"ire o )eco#e Hin%u! o #arr' Hin%u! an% have Hin%u chi$%ren. He #ainaine% ha an' non4Hin%u convere% o Hin%uva can )e a Hin%u( if &ona fide he or !he a%o"! In%ia a! hi! or her counr' an% #arrie! a Hin%u( hu! co#in& o $ove In%ia a! a rea$ Faher$an%( an% a%o"! In%ian cu$ure an% con!i%er! In%ia a! he Punya&hu A1Ho$' Fan%3B. The chi$%ren of !uch a union *ou$%( oher hin&! )ein& e0ua$( a$!o )e Hin%u +76 . He a$!o a%vocae% ha forei&n conver! o an' !ec of Hin%ui!# )e con!i%ere% a! Hin%u!( an% he he$% in hi&h e!ee# *e$$ -no*n conver! o Hin%ui!# $i-e( Si!er Nive%ia AMar&are No)$eB an% Annie .e!an +7: . Fro# hi! i i! c$ear ha Savar-ar %i% not insist on he #ainenance of "ure race( hou&h he conce" of Ar'an race *a! i#"oran o hi#. The #'h of racia$ "uri' an% !u"eriori' of he Ar'an race i! a$!o evi%en fro# conc$u!ion! of !cho$ar! $i-e ;o#i$a Tha"ar. She ar&ue! ha he Ar'an! *ere no a %i!inc racia$ &rou" *ih a reco&ni!a)$e a!!e#)$a&e of #aeria$ cu$ure. In fac( he' *ere no a race )u Ar'an !"ea-er! +7@ . A&ain( he roo! of In%ia3! $e&en%ar' "a! &o )ac- o he i#e )efore he Ar'an! o he Dravi%ian!( o he "re4Dravi%ian!( o he "ri#iive <roo4Au!ra$oi%! an% Ne&rio!. I i! a$!o racea)$e o race! ou!i%e In%ia( !uch a!( he E&'"ian!( .a)'$onian!( Je*! an% <hoenician!. Su)!ania$ conri)uion! have a$!o )een #a%e o he 1racia$ rea!ur'3 of In%ia )' "eo"$e! of he "o!4Ar'an "erio%: he <er!ian!( 2ree-!( Sc'hian!( Chine!e an% Cenra$ A!ian! +79 . Thu!( a)!or"ion of a$ien! *a! a "er#anen feaure of In%ian !ocie'. Furher( hi!or' ae!! o he fac ha here *ere 2ree-4In%ian iner#arria&e! afer A$e/an%er3! inva!ion. Man' Mace%onian !o$%ier! #arrie% $oca$ *o#en. Chan%ra&u"a Maur'a #arrie% a 2ree- "rince!! )e$on&in& o he fa#i$' of Se$eucu!. Man' 2ree-! !e$e% %o*n in In%ia an% #u! have ha% In%ian *ive!. 2ree- *o#en *ere )rou&h o norh an% *e! In%ia for cenurie!. Man' In%ian! *ho cou$% affor% )ou&h an% #ainaine% *o#en of he 2ree- race. I i! !ai% ha here *ere even f$ouri!hin& #ar-e! in In%ia for Euro"ean *o#en in he !econ% cenur' ..C +7? . The #'h of a "ure Ar'an race i! furher e/"$o%e% )' he fin%in&! of K.M. <ani--ar *ho ar&ue! ha he racia$ co#"o!iion of In%ia3! "o"u$aion i! hi&h$' #i/e%. Ever' racia$ &rou"( Cauca!ian AAr'anB( Me%ierranean ADravi%ianB( Au!ric( Se#eic( Mon&o$oi% an% Ne&rio !ee# o have &one u" o #a-e he In%ian "eo"$e( an% re"re!enaive! of a$$ he!e cou$% )e foun% in In%ia. In he <un,a) an% De!ern 2an&eic va$$e' he Ar'an e$e#en #a' )e "re%o#inan hou&h here a$!o a con!i%era)$e %i$uion no on$' hrou&h #i/ure *ih in%i&enou! ri)e! )u *ih inva%in& !oc-! i! +7+ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( :>. +75 V.D.SAVA;KA;( GThen Dho i! Dho( <ra'CH(+9>. +76 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva +67. +7: See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +6+. +7@ See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( 6::. ID.( The Penguin History of Early India( +@. +79 See .. DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( +7:. +7? See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( ??. +67 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA noicea)$e +7= . <ani--ar furher noe! ha in he $aer $ieraure of he Ar'an! oo here i! c$ear evi%ence of he Ar'an! iner#in&$in& *ih oher race! an% cu$ure! +7> . Fro# he !evenh cenur' on*ar%! Ara) an% <er!ian ra%er! *ho ha% !e$e% in $ar&e nu#)er! in Ma$a)ar an% he *e! coa! oo- a! heir $e&a$ *ive! In%ian *o#en an% foun%e% i#"oran %'na!ie! an% fa#i$ie!. Un%er he Mu&ha$! forei&n e$e#en! "re%o#inae% he ro'a$ cour!. The <ahan Khi$,i!( he Tur-i Tu&h$u0!( he Ara) Sa''i%!( he Af&han Fo%i!( he 2eor&ian .i,a"uri!( a$$ #a%e %'na!ic a$$iance! *ih convere% Hin%u ro'a$ hou!e!. The Mu&ha$!( e!"ecia$$' A-)ar( *a! noe% for heir "o$ic' of "ro#oion of iner#arria&e. The fina$ "ha!e of #i!ce&enaion ca#e *ih he a%ven of .rii!h( French( Duch( an% Dani!h co$oni!er! !o#e of *ho# #arrie% In%ian *o#en ++7 . Hence .en,a#in Da$-er a!-! a "erinen 0ue!ion: GHo* #an' 2ree-( <er!ian( <arhian( Chine!e( Sa-a( Ku!han an% oher forei&n na#e! $ie concea$e% in he "on%erou! !'$$a)ar' of San!-ri( *ho can e$$CH +++ . The inf$uence of he Mon&o$ian! in In%ia ha! a$!o )een e/en!ive an% !u)!ania$ a$hou&h i! !i&nificance ha! )een con!i!en$' un%er!ae%. The' oo "$a'e% a #a,or ro$e in he evo$uion of In%ian hi!or' an% have conri)ue% #uch o he %eve$o"#en of In%ian hou&h an% re$i&ion ++5 . Mon&o$ian characeri!ic! are foun% in !o#e of he !-u$$! an% erracoa fi&urine! unearhe% a Mohan,o%aro. The Ve%a!( he e"ic! an% he <urana! "re!erve he na#e! an% cu!o#! of !evera$ ri)e! *hich ehno$o&i!! have i%enifie% a! )e$on&in& o he Mon&o$ian race ++6 . A$$ he!e fac! &o o !ho* ha he c$ai#! o racia$ "uri' an% !u"eriori' of he Ar'an! of In%ia i! 'e anoher #'h of Hin%uva. ..;.A#)e%-ar !a'!: Ghe o),ec of ca!e *a! o "re!erve "uri' of race an% "uri' of )oo%. No* ehno$o&i!! are of he o"inion ha #en of "ure race e/i! no*here an% ha here ha! )een #i/ure of a$$ race! in a$$ "ar! of he *or$%H ++: . 4. The myth of Aryan India as the mother of all civilisations Anoher *i%e$' circu$ae% #'h of Hin%uva i! ha Ar'an In%ia i! he #oher of a$$ cu$ure! an% civi$i!aion! of he *or$%. Da'anan%a Sara!*ai !ee#! o have )een he fir! "er!on in #o%ern i#e! o "ro"a&ae !uch a vie*. He a%vocae% ha a$$ -no*$e%&e inc$u%in& a$$ !cience! ori&inae% in In%ia an% hen !"rea% o oher counrie!( fir! o E&'"( hen o 2reece fro# here o Euro"e an% fina$$' o A#erica an% oher counrie! ++@ . 2o$*a$-ar a$!o #ainaine% ha he Ar'an! *ere he on$' en$i&hene% an% civi$i!e% "eo"$e on earh an% he re! *ere mle))has ++9 . He c$ai#! ha auhenic ancien recor%! conc$u!ive$' !ho* ha In%ian! *ere #an' cenurie! ahea% of he i#e! in ever' +7= See K.M.<ANIKKA;( GA <ri#er of In%iaH( 64:. +7> See K.M.<ANIKKA;( GA <ri#er of In%iaH( 9. ++7 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( =7. +++ ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( ?=. ++5 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( =+. ++6 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( =+. ++: The Essential *ritings of #R#Am&edkar( 59:. ++@ See D.SA;ASDATI( Satyartha Prakash( 5=:(6>+. See a$!o ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I( 5?7. ++9 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( @@. +6+ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA )ranch of !cience an% ar. He !a'!: GNo race i! en%o*e% *ih a no)$er an% #ore fruifu$ cu$ure !ure$'. No race i! #ore forunae in )ein& &iven a ;e$i&ion( *hich cou$% "ro%uce !uch a cu$ureH ++? . Accor%in& o hi# )rain !ur&er'( #o%ern "$a!ic !ur&er'( he conce" of 1Lero3( he i%ea of 2o% a! 1one3( he %eci#a$ !'!e#( ec. are "ro%uc! of he in&enui' of Hin%u! ++= . The )eni&n inf$uence of Hin%u! e/en%e% over va! re&ion! of he earh an% "i$&ri#! ca#e fro# %i!an $an%! o have a &$i#"!e of In%ia3! &$or' an% !u%en! f$oc-e% fro# far an% near o %rin- fro# he !"rin&! of hu#an -no*$e%&e ++> . Thu! he inf$uence of Hin%ui!# reache% a! far a! A#erica $on& )efore Co$u#)u! 1%i!covere%3 ha coninen. Then i *en o China( Ja"an( Ca#)o%ia( Ma$a'a( Sia#( In%one!ia an% a$$ he Souh4Ea! A!ian counrie! an% ri&h u" o Mon&o$ia an% Si)eria in he Norh +57 . Auro)in%o ca$$! In%ia he a"e/ of hu#an civi$i!aion( he "erfecion of &oo% &overn#en an% !e$e% !ocie'( an% he #oher of a$$ re$i&ion! +5+ . ;a# S*aru" ar&ue! ha Hin%ui!# once re"re!ene% a &rea civi$i!aion an% ha Hin%u %har#a *en a)roa% fro# i#e o i#e an% via$$' inf$uence% he cu$ure! an% re$i&ion! of #an' $an%! an% re&ion! of he &$o)e +55 . Davi% Fra*$e' c$ai#! ha In%ia a$one a! a counr' ha! he "oenia$ o a-e he ro$e of !"iriua$$' &ui%in& he *or$% +56 . The NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo- on 1Ancien In%ia3 !ae! ha a$$ !u)!anive !cienific %i!coverie!( he Lero( he %eci#a$ !'!e#( he %i!cover' ha he earh #ove! on i! o*n a/i! an% aroun% he !un *ere a$rea%' #a%e in he Ve%ic civi$i!aion +5: . .u criic! an% !cho$ar! e$$ u! ha( in he .rah#i !cri"( uni$ he !i/h cenur' A.D here *a! no !'#)o$ for Lero. Ar'a)haa *ho fir! "re!ene% he h'"ohe!i! ha he earh #ove! aroun% he !un $ive% in he $ae fifh an% ear$' !i/h cenur' A.D +5@ . In a%%iion i #a' )e re#e#)ere% ha he!e %a'! #an' !cho$ar! !"ea- of Africa an% no A!ia a! he ori&ina$ ho#e of he hu#an! +59 . Shereen ;ana&ar( <rofe!!or of Archaeo$o&' a Ja*ahar$a$ Nehru Univer!i'( Ne* De$hi( an% auhor of #an' )oo-! on he Hara""an civi$i!aion ar&ue! ha he o$%e! -no*n civi$i!aion i! he Su#erian an% no In%ian +5? . Since va! !ecion! of he In%ian "o"u$aion are i$$ierae an% i&noran( #'h!( fa$!ehoo%! an% !u"er!iiou! )e$ief! *i$$ have &rea acce"ance a#on& he#. Ho*ever( ++? M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( :5. ++= See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( 57?457=. ++> See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( 57=. +57 See M.S.2OFDAFKA; ( un)h of Thoughts( ?. +5+ See AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( 67. Dhen Auro)in%o !"ea-! of 1&oo% &overn#en3 *e are re#in%e% of K.M.<ani--ar3! o)!ervaion ha Hin%u "o$iica$ heor' a""ro/i#ae% he !choo$ of Machiave$$i of Euro"e *ho!e couner"ar in In%ia *a! Kaua$'a AChana-'aB an% hi! !ucce!!or! *ho care% $i$e for ehic! an% #ora$! in "o$iica$ $ife. See K.M.<ANIKKA;( GThe I%ea of Soverei&n'H( ?:4?@. +55 See ;.SDA;U<( 'n Hinduism( 5:. ;a# S*aru"3! 'n Hinduism ha! a !e"arae cha"er eni$e% 1In%ia an% 2reece3 *here he c$ai#! ha In%ian hou&h e/ere% a &rea inf$uence on ancien 2ree- hou&h. See I&id.( +>94579. +56 See D.F;ADFEY( Arise Arjuna# +5. +5: See ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( >+. +5@ See GNCE;T ;e4inven! Hi!or'H( @. Ar'a)haa i! !ai% o have $ive% fro# :?94@57 A.D. See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II(::. +59 See N.2.;AJ( G1Un%er he S-in De are African3H( +5. +5? See F..AVADAM( GSue!iona)$e C$ai#!H( ?+. +65 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA K.N.<ani--ar re#in%! u! ha( #i!re"re!enaion! an% fa$!ificaion! "ro"a&ae% )' he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva are no %ue o i&norance a$one )u are a! #uch a "ro%uc of heir i%eo$o&ica$ "reference. Thu!( i race! he $inea&e of he naion o he ancien Hin%u "a!( c$ai#! he Hin%u !cri"ure! a! he !ource of a$$ -no*$e%&e( he In%ian civi$i!aion a! !u"erior o ever' oher civi$i!aion( an% ancien In%ia3! achieve#en! in !cience( #ahe#aic! an% oher )ranche! of -no*$e%&e a! un!ur"a!!e% )' oher civi$i!aion! +5= . Davi% J. Ka$u"ahana ar&ue! ha he Ar'an cu$ure *a! #un%ane in i! ou$oo- a! i! evi%en fro# !o#e of he h'#n! e/o$$in& he soma4%rin-in&( fun4$ovin& &o%! +5> . Savar-ar a%#i! ha he Ar'an! *ho *ere re!"on!i)$e for he %eve$o"#en of Ve%ic civi$i!aion *ere e!!enia$$' cu$ivaor!. He !"ea-! of he# a! en&a&e% in rec$ai#in& va! *a!e an% hin$' "o"u$ae% $an%!( fe$$in& of fore!! an% "racice of a&ricu$ure +67 . ;o#i$a Tha"ar o"ine! ha he In%o4Euro"ean !"ea-er! *ere "erha"! "a!ora$i!! or far#er! or iineran ra%er! +6+ . Ho*ever( he In%u! Va$$e' civi$i!aion *hich *a! "re4 Ar'an( i! *i%e$' ac-no*$e%&e% a! far !u"erior o ha of he Ar'an i##i&ran!. .e!i%e!( he conri)uion of forei&ner! o In%ian cu$ure ha! )een con!i%era)$e *hich no co#"een !cho$ar can %en'. Furher( he Hin%u a!ro$o&'( a! in fac a$$ a!ro$o&'( *a! %ee"$' inf$uence% )' he Cha$%ean!( he &reae! #ahe#aician! an% a!ro$o&er! of ani0ui'. The Atharva Veda conain! #an' curiou! er#! an% noion! ha are ari)ue% o "re4Ar'an an% Me!o"oa#ian inf$uence!. A nu#)er of h'#n! in he Ve%a! )ri!$e *ih forei&n *or%!( an% !cho$ar! $i-e .a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- )e$ieve% ha he' *ere of Cha$%ean ori&in. I i! "ro)a)$e ha he fa#ou! creaion h'#n ha *a! $aer a%%e% o he enh )oo- of he Rig Veda( )ear! race! of Su#erian ori&in. The cu!o# of urn4)uria$ foun% in In%ia i! a$!o( in a$$ "ro)a)i$i' a-en fro# he .a)'$onian! +65 . ,aha&harata( A,aha&harata.yuddha 1The 2rea .a$e of he .haraa!3B one of he *o e"ic "oe#! of he Hin%u! i! a va! anho$o&ica$ #i!ce$$an' of "re4Ar'an an% Ar'an #aeria$. I i! )e$ieve% o have )een !are% a! a !hor )a$$a% in "ro!e an% ver!e( fir! co#"o!e% in <ra-ri( *ih !o#e ear$' a%%iiona$ #aeria$ a$!o in <ra-ri. The $an&ua&e in *hich i i! no* "re!erve% i! !o#ehin& )e*een Ve%ic an% c$a!!ica$ San!-ri. The chief "roa&oni!! of he e"ic( $on& %ee#e% o )e of 1"ure Ar'an %ecen3( are no* )e$ieve% o have )een 1#i/e% Ar'an!3 if no oa$$' non4Ar'an +66 . ,antra i! a *or% of <er!ian ori&in an% in he Ve%ic $ieraure i #ean! ho!e "orion! ha con!i! of he #aeria$ "!a$#! of "rai!e a! %i!inc fro# he $iur&ica$ "ro!e +6: . ,udra A!ea$B i! a *or% of Iranian ori&in #eanin& 1&e!ure3 +6@ . The $a(s of ,anu A,anusmritiB ha! reference! in he enh cha"er o he Yavana! A2ree-!B( Sa-a! ASc'hian!B an% <ah$ava! A<er!ian!B +69 . Marahi i! a #o%ern In%o4Ar'an $an&ua&e *hich +5= See K.N.<ANIKKA;( GInro%ucionH( /ii. +5> See D.J.KAFU<AHANA( uddhist Philoso"hy( 6. +67 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( @(+7. +6+ See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts- >=5. +65 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 9:49@. +66 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( =. +6: See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 5@. +6@ See .. DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( =@. +69 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 5?45=. +66 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA )ear! #an' race! of Au!ric an% "re4Dravi%ian )orro*in&! #an' Chine!e *or%!( an% even !o#e He)re* er#! +6? . The Maur'a a&e( $i-e #o! In%ian civi$i!aion! %urin& i! fine! "erio%( *e$co#e% ne* i%ea! fro# a)roa%. Chan%ra&u"a Maur'a A65745>? ..CB( ha% conac *ih 2reece. He receive% a 2ree- e#)a!!' hea%e% )' Me&a!hene! a hi! cour( an% #arrie% one of he %au&her! of Se$eucu! +6= . <aa$i"ura *a! a co!#o"o$ian o*n *ih cro*%! fro# variou! "ar! of A!ia( 2reece( E&'" an% he Mi%%$e Ea!. In hi! a%vance De!*ar%( Chan%ra&u"a occu"ie% erriorie! *hich ha% )een un%er <er!ian ru$e an% *hich *ere ri"e for he ran!#i!!ion of <er!ian i%ea! o In%ia +6> . Hence ..Da$-er affir#!: GIn%ia )orro*e% e/en!ive$' fro# he 2ree-!( IOJ. The 1)ar)arian3 %e) i! over*he$#in&( 'e nohin& in San!-ri *riin& )era'! hi! fac. IOJ San!-ri an% vernacu$ar hi!orie! of he Mu!$i# an% Euro"ean "erio%! *here he' e/i! a a$$ are con!"icuou! for he "auci' of heir infor#aion an% for heir #ar-e% /eno"ho)iaH +:7 . The !ocia$ #o)i$i' of he ancien In%ian! ha! a$!o )een con!i%era)$e. There are recor%! of In%ian #erchan!( rave$$er!( !ea#en( !cho$ar!( #on-! an% #ercenarie! havin& )een o <er!ia( 2reece( A!ia Minor( ;o#e( E&'" an% Norh Africa( a! *e$$ a! o Cenra$ A!ia( China( an% Ja"an( )u a$$ evi%ence of !uch #ove#en i! o)aine% fro# ou!i%e an% no fro# In%ian !ource! +:+ . For e/a#"$e( he ,aha&harata u!e! cerain 2ree- *or%! an% in he fir! an% he $a! )oo-! here i! #enion of he ;o#an %enariu! +:5 . Thu!( u"on c$o!e e/a#inaion( he #'h of Ar'an In%ia a! he #oher of a$$ civi$i!aion! an% cu$ure! of he *or$% canno )u )e a ho$$o* c$ai# *ihou an' hi!orica$ foun%aion. . The myth of !induism as "eternal religion# $sanatana dharma% Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! "ro,ec Hin%ui!# a! eerna$ re$i&ion ASanatana +harmaB +:6 an% #a-e a$$ c$ai#! $i-e he *or$%3! o$%e! an% #o! co#"$e/ re$i&ion3 +:: ( he #oher of #an' re$i&ion! +:@ ( he #oher of a$$ re$i&ion! +:9 ( he ori&ina$ re$i&ion of he In%ian! an% he o$%e! of a$$ $ivin& re$i&ion! of he *or$% +:? ( ec. To%a' even or%inar' Hin%u! free$' u!e he e/"re!!ion Sanatana +harma *ihou -no*in& *ha i ru$' !i&nifie!. The NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo-! each ha Hin%ui!# i! Sanatana +harma or he eerna$ +6? See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 66. +6= See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( +??. +6> See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld- vo$.II( @5. +:7 ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 6:?. +:+ See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 6:?. +:5 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( >. +:6 ;a# S*aru" !a'!: GIn%ia *a! he "$ace *here Sanaana %har#a f$ouri!he%. I! "eo"$e *ere ca$$e% Hin%u! an% heir re$i&ion ca#e o )e -no*n a! Hin%u %har#aH. ;.SDA;U<( 'n Hinduism( 5:. +:: See D.F;ADFEY( Arise Arjuna( :=. +:@ See ;.SDA;U<( 'n Hinduism( +. +:9 See AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( 67. +:? See D.N.SIN2H( A Study of Hinduism( ++. +6: CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA !"iriua$ ra%iion of In%ia. I !a'!: GHin%ui!# i! a very o$% re$i&ion. I i! a$!o -no*n a! Sanaana Dhar#a i.e. he Eerna$ S"iriua$ Tra%iion of In%iaH +:= . ;a# S*aru" !ae! ha Hin%ui!# i! a co#"araive$' recen *or% )u i i! he "o"u$ar na#e for he ancien Sanatana +harma +:> # Accor%in& o he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva( 1!anava3 i! a 0ua$i' ha )e$on&! o In%ia a)ove a$$ oher naion! +@7 . 1Sanava3 #ean! 1ancienne!!3( a er# !i&nif'in& he !acre% an% uni0ue 0ua$i' of !o#ehin& ha ha! co#e %o*n fro# i##e#oria$ ani0ui' an% !o#ehin& ha ha! in fac a$*a'! )een +@+ . Dhen Hin%u! refer o heir re$i&ion a! Sanatana +harma *ha i! i#"$ie% i! ha i i! he #oher of a$$ re$i&ion! an% he founainhea% of a$$ faih!. K.Kri!hna#achar'a !a'!: GThere *a! no re$i&ion in hi! $an% IIn%ia of o%a'J( nor *a! an' re$i&ion nece!!ar' for he In%ian!. The ancien In%ian! ha% a co%e of $a* for #an o fo$$o*. Thi! *a! fra#e% in accor%ance *ih variou! ruh! *or-in& in naure. IOJ. Thi! *a! ca$$e% Dhar#a IOJ. An' ae#" for re$i&ion i! naura$$' $i#ie% an% narro*e% *hen co#"are% *ih hi!H +@5 . Davi% Fra*$e' !a'! ha Sanatana +harma !an%! for he univer!a$ for# of !"iriua$i' *hich Hin%ui!# !an%! for *ih i! "erennia$ *i!%o# an% univer!a$ $i&h +@6 . He ar&ue! ha Hin%u Dhar#a !ee! i!e$f no a! #an4#a%e )u a! "ar of co!#ic creaion +@: . N.S.;a,ara#( an ;SS i%eo$o&ue( #ainain! ha Hin%ui!# a! Sanatana +harma ha! neiher a hi!orica$ )e&innin& nor a hi!orica$ foun%er. I! &reae! fi&ure! are !a&e! an% &ui%e! *ho %i!covere% )a!ic ruh! a)ou #an3! "$ace in he co!#o! +@@ . I i! o )e reierae% ha( he %e!i&naion of Hin%ui!# a! 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 i! a "iou! noion i#"oran o he Hin%u!. In%ia ha! no in%i&enou! one *or% o %e!i&nae *ha i! #ean )' he *e!ern conce" 1re$i&ion3. The er# ha co#e! c$o!e! o i i! dharma *hich #ean! %u'( $a*( virue( ,u!ice( ec.( an% i refer! o )oh re$i&iou! an% !ocia$ o)$i&aion! an% )ehaviour. In fac( Hin%ui!#3! !e$f4%e!i&naion ha! )een Sanatana +harma P 1eerna$ re$i&ion3T 1eerna$ $a*3. Ho*ever( fro# a raiona$ "oin of vie* he noion 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 Asanatana dharmaB i! a !e#anic #i!no#er( an% he )e$ief ha Hin%ui!# i! 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 i! a #'h( *hich canno !an% he e! of rea!on. ;ea!on e$$! u! ha *haever i! an a!"ec of he hu#an rea$i' ha! a )e&innin&. A$$ re$i&ion! are e#"irica$ in naure in a! #uch a! he' are reve$aion! of !o#e &rea ruh! ha occur in i#e an% !"ace hrou&h he #e%iaion of e#"irica$ rea$iie!. Hin%ui!#( hou&h i i! ca$$e% 1eerna$ re$i&ion3 i! no e/ce"ion o i. Therefore( Hin%ui!# canno c$ai# an' e/ce"ion o oher re$i&ion! ,u! )ecau!e i ha! he a& of sanatana or 1eerna$3 aache% +:= ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( +66 AE#"ha!i! in he ori&ina$B. +:> See ;.SDA;U<( 'n Hinduism( := foonoe 9. +@7 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 6:9. +@+ See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 6:@. +@5 K.K;ISHNAMACHA;YA( 'ur Heritage( +9( a! cie% in K.EFST( *ho is a Hindu0- 6>. +@6 See D.F;ADFEY( Hinduism the Eternal Tradition( >4+@(+945@. +@: See D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( +@. +@@ ;a,ara# ar&ue! ha he ruh! of Hin%ui!# are no %ifferen fro# !cience. Co!#ic $a*! $i-e &raviaion an% #a!!4ener&' e0uiva$ence Are$aivi' heor'B e/i!e%( )u i oo- !a&e! $i-e Ne*on an% Ein!ein o 1!ee3 he#. Dha he' %i!covere% *ere univer!a$ ruh! ha !an% on heir o*n. The' %o no re! on he auhori' of heir %i!coverer!E he' can )e verifie% )' an'one *i$$in& o !u%'. The !a#e i! rue of &rea Hin%u eachin&! See N.S.;AJA;AM( GS"iriua$ Free%o#H( 5. +6@ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA o i. Here( he 0ue!ion of Ku#-u# ;o' !ee#! "erinen: GHin%ui!# i! %efine% a! eerna$. One *on%er! *ha i! he "$ace of a i#e$e!! "heno#enon in he #un%ane fra#e*or- of a !choo$ hi!or' )oo-H +@9 P a reference o he ne* NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo-!. The !a#e criici!# i! a""$ica)$e a$!o o he Ve%a!( *hich are "ro"oun%e% a! 1eerna$3( 1)e&innin&$e!!3 an% 1auhor$e!!3. Fi-e a$$ oher !acre% e/!( he Ve%a! a$!o ha% hu#an auhor! P ofen anon'#ou! P *ho *roe in a $an&ua&e *hich *a! "reva$en in he cu$ure of he i#e. Fac- of hi!orica$ !en!e a#on& #an' In%ian! i! a %irec con!e0uence of he conce" of sanatana( an% a$$ Hin%u recor%! *ere #a%e o confor# o he noion of i! !e$f4 !ufficienc'. For e/a#"$e( in he ne* NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo-! on he Ve%ic Civi$i!aion here i! no reference o %ae!. The !u%en! are e/"ece% o )e$ieve ha he Ve%ic e/! are i#e$e!! +@? . The "oor hi!orica$ !en!e i! a&ain #anife!e% in he effor of Hin%uva hi!orian! o inven hi!or' an% race he ori&in of Hin%ui!# o "re4In%u! Va$$e' an% In%u! Va$$e' civi$i!aion( he c$ai# ha he Ar'an! are he ori&ina$ inha)ian! of In%ia( ec. .e$ief in he uni0uene!! of Hin%ui!# a! Sanatana +harma i! a$!o !ai% o )e re!"on!i)$e for he e/re#e re$ucance of Hin%u! in ac-no*$e%&in& he cu$ura$ %e) he' o*e o oher!( he rea!on )ein& ha( !uch a confe!!ion *ou$% un%er#ine heir +harma an% viiae heir c$ai# o "riori' an% "re4e#inence +@= . A! A.D.Maa# ha! !u&&e!e%( in %i!cu!!in& he re$i&ion! of In%ia *e !hou$% )e&in *ih he re$i&ion! of he ear$ie! inha)ian! or A%i#va!i! *hich !urvive in !o#e *a' a#on& he "re!en %a' ri)a$! or a%iva!i!( fo$$o*e% )' he re$i&ion of he Da$i! ASche%u$e% ca!e! an% Ouca!e!B( of he Hara""an "eo"$e( re$i&ion of he Ta#i$! an% fina$$' he Ar'a Dhar#a or Ve%ic re$i&ion +@> . &. The myth that !induism is a continuation of the Vedic religion The "ro"onen! of Hin%uva !aunch$' ar&ue ha Hin%ui!# of o%a' i! a coninuaion of he Ve%ic re$i&ion. In fac( !renuou! effor! are )ein& #a%e o #a-e a nea an% un4 inerru"e% $in- )e*een he Ve%ic re$i&ion an% he Hin%ui!# of o%a' +97 . In he NCE;T Socia$ Science! e/)oo- for C$a!! VI *e rea%: GThe' Ihe Ve%a!J are a$!o ca$$e% he Hindu religious literature an% are revere%H +9+ . Dha i! ar&ue% here i! ha he Ar'an! creae% he Hin%u re$i&ion an% civi$i!aion !o ha he Hin%u! of o%a' are he $inea$ ance!or! of he Ar'an!. .u i i! a *e$$4-no*n fac ha the Vedi) "eo"le not only did not )all themselves Hindus &ut also did not "ossess the essential )hara)teristi)s of the Hinduism of today. Ho*ever( in or%er o $e&ii#i!e he ani0ui' of Hin%ui!#( Savar-ar ar&ue% ha he +@9 K.;OY( GDha ha""ene% o Confuciani!#H( ?7. +@? See K.;OY( GDha ha""ene% o Confuciani!#C( ?7. See a$!o ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( +66. +@= See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 6:?. See a$!o J.KU;UVACHI;A( GFac! Nai$ Hin%ui!#3! C$ai#!H( 6546?. +@> See A.D.MATTAM( Religions( =@4>5. +97 See D.N.SIN2H( A Study of Hinduism( ++(+5. +9+ ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( == AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. +69 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA *or% 1Hin%u3 i! %erive% fro# he Ve%ic a""e$$aion of Sa"tasindhus +95 . S*a#i Vive-anan%a c$ai#e% ha Hin%ui!# i! he re$i&ion of he Ve%a! +96 . Auro)in%o )e$ieve% ha he Ve%a! are he foun%aion of he Sanatana +harma +9: . Davi% Fra*$e' ar&ue! ha Hin%ui!# i! he o$%e! re$i&ion in he *or$% *ih a ra%iion &oin& )ac- o he ver' )e&innin& of *ha *e -no* of a! hi!or' over five hou!an% 'ear! a&o +9@ . Fra*$e' a$!o e0uae! he Ve%ic re$i&ion *ih Hin%u %har#a +99 . Thi! vie* of Hin%ui!# i! a$!o !'!e#aica$$' au&h in !choo$!. In he NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo- for C$a!! VI he !u%en! are o$%: GHin%ui!# i! a very o$% re$i&ion. I i! a$!o -no*n a! Sanaana Dhar#a i.e. he Eerna$ S"iriua$ Tra%iion of In%ia. On he )a!i! of #aeria$ re#ain! foun% in he Hara""an Civi$iLaion i can )e !ai% ha #an' of he re$i&iou! a!"ec! of Hin%ui!# )e&an henH +9? . .u he a)ove e/"$anaion i! oo !i#"$i!ic an% i ne&$ec! #an' %ocrina$ an% "racica$ %ifference! )e*een he Ve%ic re$i&ion an% #o%ern Hin%ui!#. Mo%ern Hin%ui!# ha! %rife% #i$e! a*a' fro# he Ve%ic faih !o ha he *o !ee# o )e *o %i!inc faih!. Dhen *e carefu$$' e/a#ine he *o faih!( i i! no %ifficu$ o %i!cover ha here i! no noicea)$e coninui' of Hin%ui!# fro# he re$i&ion of he Ve%a!. In oher *or%!( he %i!incive characeri!ic! of Hin%ui!# of o%a' )annot &e tra)ed in he Ve%ic $ieraure. .e!i%e!( a$hou&h he Ve%a! are revere% a! !acre% e/!( here are #an' in In%ia *ho %o no -no* *ha 1)e$ief in he Ve%a!3 #ean!. In #o! ca!e!( he ac0uainance of he Hin%u! *ih he Ve%a! i! $i#ie% o he fe* h'#n! ha are recie% in e#"$e! an% hou!eho$% $iur&ie! +9= . The Ve%a! a! a )o%' of !cri"ure conain #an' conra%icion! an% he' are fra&#enar' in naure. For #o! Hin%u! of o%a'( !cri"ure! $i-e he hagavadgita( Ramayana- ,aha&harata an% Puranas are #ore aracive an% a""ea$in& han he Ve%a!. In a%%iion( he &o%! an% &o%%e!!e! he' *or!hi" %iffer con!i%era)$' fro# he Ve%ic one!. The co$$ecion of h'#n! ca$$e% Ve%a! *rien in "rai!e of cerain %eiie! )' "oe! over !evera$ cenurie! %oe! no !ee# o have #uch !i&nificance for he Hin%u! of o%a'( e/ce" for !cho$ar!( hou&h curren$' franic effor! are )ein& #a%e )' he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva o revive he !u%' of he Ve%a! $i-e( he Ve%ic riua$!( Ve%ic #ahe#aic!( Ve%ic a!ro$o&'( Ve%ic San!-ri( Ve%ic a!rono#'( ec. There are a$!o oher rea!on! o 0ue!ion he heor' ha he Ve%a! are he foun%aion! of #o%ern Hin%ui!#. Da'anan%a Sara!*ai *a! he fir! #o%ern Hin%u hin-er o e#"ha!i!e he i#"orance of 1&oin& )ac- o he Ve%a!3 in or%er o )rin& a)ou !ocia$ refor#! in Hin%u !ocie' an% o "urif' Hin%ui!# of i! #an' a)erraion!. Much of he #o%ern Hin%ui!# i! 1"uranic Hin%ui!#3. Ve%ic &o%! $i-e In%ra( Varuna( A&ni( So#a an% he $i-e( *ho# he Ve%ic "eo"$e *or!hi""e%( har%$' have an' !i&nificance in "re!en %a' Hin%ui!#. The &o%! an% &o%%e!!e! i#"oran o he Hin%u! of o%a' are +95 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( >. +96 See The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.+( 5+. +9: See AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth- >:. +9@ See D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( +7. +99 He !a'!: GIn #' ca!e I ca#e o Hin%u Dhar#a hrou&h the Vedas- the oldest tradition of HinduismH. D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( +5 AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. +9? ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( +66 AE#"ha!i! in he ori&ina$B. +9= See C.SHATTUCK( Hinduism( 5+. +6? CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA ;a#( Kri!hna( Ka$i( 2ane!h( Hanu#an( .rah#a( Vi!hnu( Shiva an% he re!"ecive con!or! of he $a! hree( na#e$'( Sara!*ai( Fa-!h#i an% Sha-i. None of he!e %eiie! fi&ure% "ro#inen$' in he Ve%ic "anheon an% !o#e of he# are c$ear$' non4Ve%ic. The #a,or &o%! of Hin%ui!# $i-e Vi!hnu an% Shiva are non4Ar'an in ori&in +9> . Thou&h he' #a' have )e$on&e% o he Ve%ic ra%iion he' "$a'e% no #a,or ro$e in he Ve%a!. K.M.<ani--ar( !a'! ha i i! "rove% )e'on% %ou) ha he #ore i#"oran re$i&iou! !ec! a#on& he Hin%u!( $i-e Vai!hnavi!#( Saivi!# an% !o on( %i% no have a Ve%ic ori&in( )u ha% co#e ino e/i!ence in co#"araive$' recen i#e! +?7 . A&ain( here are evi%ence! ha ori&ina$$' Shiva an% he cu$ of he Moher 2o%%e!! )e$on&e% o he re$i&ion of he In%u! Va$$e' "eo"$e +?+ . Heinrich von Sieencron i! of he o"inion ha he !u)!ance of he Vi!hnu an% Shiva cu$ i! a #e$in& of a $ea! *o cu$ure!( if no hree( na#e$'( he Ar'an cu$ure( he "re4Ar'an cu$ure of he 2an&e! Va$$e' A"ro)a)$' in%irec$'B( an% he In%u! Va$$e' cu$ure. The!e hree cu$ure! *ere c$o!e$' -ni )' he fir! cenur' of Chri!iani' an% in he $aer "erio% un%er*en furher %eve$o"#en!( an% "ro)a)$' a$!o a fourh ra%iion of he in%i&enou! ri)e! ha !oo% ou!i%e he four c$a!!e! of he ca!e !'!e# a! ouca!e! +?5 . .e!i%e!( he Ve%ic *or!hi""er %i% no u!e e#"$e! an% i%o$! a! Hin%u! of o%a' %o. For he#( he !acrificia$ riua$! *ere #ore i#"oran han e#"$e or i%o$ *or!hi". In a%%iion( a! Koenraa% E$! o)!erve!( he #a,or Hin%u fea!! of o%a' are )a!e% on he e"ic fea! of ;a#a an% Kri!hna an% he <uranic $ore "erainin& o Shiva an% he 2o%%e!! +?6 . .e$ief in reincarnaion *hich i! cenra$ o Hin%ui!# i! no rea$$' ae!e% o in he Ve%a!( hou&h he' hin a $ife afer %eah. ..Da$-er !a'!: GThe %ocrine of ran!#i&raion a! e$a)orae% in Hin%ui!# ha! no "$ace in he Ve%ic h'#n!H +?: . C.K.;a,a a$!o affir#! ha in he ear$' Ve%ic $ieraure( here i! no e/"re!! #enion of he %ocrine of ran!#i&raion. I i! in he U"ani!a%! ha i a""ear! for he fir! i#e. The Rig Veda !"ea-! of *o "ah! for he !ou$! of he %ecea!e%( na#e$'( he "ah of he &o%! AdevayanaB an% he "ah of he faher! A"itriyanaB. Tho!e *ho &o )' he for#er en,o' i##ora$i' an% here i! no reurn o "h'!ica$ $ife afer ha. In fac( he Ve%ic #an $on&e% for hi! !ae of $ife. Dherea! ho!e *ho &o )' he $aer "ah( unie *ih he faher! an% hen reurn o earh( afer havin& en,o'e% he frui! of hi! %ee%!. ;a,a furher !ae! ha in he enire Rig Veda P con!i!in& of a)ou +7(@77 ver!e! P here i! on$' one occa!ion *here here i! #enion of a reurn o hi! *or$% afer %eah. Dha i! i#"$ie% here i! ha i canno )e a-en a! an i#"oran eachin& of he Rig Veda +?@ . ..2.Ti$a- a$!o noe! ha he Ve%a! !"ea- of he 1"ah of he &o%!3AdevayanaB an% 1"ah of he faher!3 A"itriyanaB for he !ou$! of he %ecea!e% +?9 . The heor' of avatara A1%e!cen%3B of &o%! *hich i! i#"oran o #o%ern Hin%ui!# i! non4Ve%ic. ..Da$-er o)!erve!: GSi&nifican$'( he er# avatara IOJ i! no foun% in he +9> See A.D.MATTAM( Religions( >@. +?7 See K.M. <ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( 9. +?+ See J.KU;UVACHI;A( GFac! Nai$ Hin%ui!#3! C$ai#!H( 6:46@. +?5 See H.von STIETENC;ON( GHin%ui!i!che <er!"e-ivenH( :9. +?6 See K.EFST( *ho is a Hindu0- >. +?: ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I(?:. +?@ See C.K.;AJA( GVe%ic Cu$ureH( 579457?. +?9 See ..2.TIFAK( The 'rion( +?. +6= CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA ear$ier Ve%ic e/!( an% i! a)!en fro# he o$%er San!-ri &$o!!arie!H +?? . The ca!e !'!e# *hich i! !o ine&ra$ o Hin%ui!#( *a! a$!o no "racice% in he Ve%ic i#e!. There i! har%$' an' evi%ence of ri&i% ca!e !'!e# in he Ve%a!. I i! ar&ue% ha he "urushasukta h'#n of he Rig Veda AQ.>7B *hich i! ofen referre% o in or%er o &ive a re$i&iou! !ancion o ca!e !'!e#( *a! a $aer iner"o$aion. The Ve%a!( ho*ever( !"ea- of variou! c$a!!e! of "eo"$e( *hich a""ear o have )een na#e! of "rofe!!ion!( an% he' *ere no here%iar' +?= . O.<.2u"a !a'!: GThe ver' conce" of ca!e! )' )irh( u""erT$o*er ca!e!( !u"eriorTinferior ca!e!( ouca!e!( unoucha)$e!( %a$i!( ec. are c$ear$' "rohi)ie% )' RigvedaH +?> . The a)oo on co* !$au&her an% )eef eain& *hich have )eco#e !en!iive i!!ue! for he Hin%u! of o%a' %i% no e/i! in Ve%ic i#e!. Here he o)!ervaion of Koenraa% E$! i! a". He !a'!: Gcrieria $i-e a)oo on )eef4eain& or )e$ief in reincarnaion #i&h !a#" he Ve%ic !eer! a! non4Hin%u!H +=7 . The 0ue!ion *heher he Ve%ic "eo"$e "racice% co* !$au&her i! %e)ae% a#on& Hin%u reviva$i!! an% ra%iiona$i!!. E$! o"ine! ha i *a! "reci!e$' )ecau!e he co* *a! a !acre% ani#a$ ha he auhor! of he Ve%a! !acrifice% co*! an% ae )eef on !"ecia$ occa!ion! +=+ . Thi! ar&u#en on$' !u)!aniae! he vie* ha co* *a! not an invio$a)$e ani#a$ an% ha )eef eain& *a! not a a)oo in Ve%ic i#e! +=5 . A! i! c$ear fro# he a)ove( !evera$ a!"ec! ha are inrin!ic o he Hin%ui!# of o%a'( !uch a!( he %ocrine of re4incarnaion( avatara A1%e!cen3B of &o%!( ca!e !'!e#( a)oo on co* !$au&her an% )eef eain& *ere a)!en in he Ve%ic re$i&ion. K.M.<ani--ar ho$%! a !i#i$ar vie*. He !a'!: GI *a! !ho*n )' a criica$ !u%' of he Ve%a! ha he Ar'an! ha% no %eve$o"e% i%ea of ca!e !'!e#( I.OJ The a)oo on he u!e of )eef *a! !ho*n o )e of $aer ori&in( ha he co* *a! free$' -i$$e% for cere#onia$ an% oher "ur"o!e! in ancien In%iaH +=6 . On c$o!e e/a#inaion *e a$!o %i!cover ha he re$i&ion of he Ve%a! *a! not he re$i&ion of he Hin%u!( nor *ere he Ve%ic "eo"$e Hin%u!( nor *i$$ he Hin%u! of o%a' a""rove he re"$ace#en of he er# 1Hin%ui!#3 *ih 1Ve%ic ;e$i&ion3. None can !a' e/ac$' *hen he Ar'an! )eca#e Hin%u! )ecau!e neiher he na#e Hin%u nor i! #a,or )e$ief! an% "racice! e/i!e% in he Ve%ic i#e!. To hi! one #u! a%% he #ar&ina$ "$ace he Ve%ic &o%! occu"' in o%a'3! Hin%u "anheon. In a%%iion( a! *e have !een( he Ve%a! he#!e$ve! are no aracive o #o! of o%a'3! Hin%u! a! !acre% e/!. The Ramayana( ,aha&harata( hagavadgita( Puranas an% ,anusmriti( #a' have #ore o %o *ih he Hin%ui!# of o%a' han he Ve%a!. Thu!( i i! c$ear ha here i! no dire)t an)estry of modern Hinduism tra)ea&le in the Vedas( hou&h i %oe! have !o#e inf$uence on i. ;o#i$a Tha"ar !a'!: GThe Ve%ic cor"u! ref$ec! he arche'"a$ re$i&ion of ho!e *ho ca$$e% he#!e$ve! aryas( an% *hich( a$hou&h i conri)ue% o face! of $aer %a' Hin%ui!#( *a! neverhe$e!! distin)tH +=: . +?? ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I(?5. +?= See A.S.AFTEKA;( GVe%ic Socie'H( 55@. See a$!o ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I( 575. +?> O.<.2U<TA( GE0ua$i' )' .irh U 2en%erH( +?. +=7 K.EFST( *ho is a Hindu0- 6+. +=+ See K.EFST( *ho is a Hindu0- 5>. +=5 See J.KU;UVACHI;A( GOn Co* S$au&herH( =. +=6 K.M. <ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( 9. +=: ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( +5? AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. +6> CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA Hence( i fo$$o*! ha he Ve%ic re$i&ion %e!erve! o )e reae% on i! o*n a! a %i!inc re$i&ion *ih i! o*n !acre% e/!( rie!( ru$e! of !ocia$ $ife( )e$ief! an% "racice! *ihou iner4$in-in& i *ih #o%ern Hin%ui!#. <erha"! i i! ri&h o #ainain ha he Mi#a#!a !choo$ *hich i! concerne% *ih he inve!i&aion of he Ve%ic e/!( heir correc iner"reaion an% he #eicu$ou! "erfor#ance of he Ve%ic riua$! an% cere#onie! +=@ ha! "re!erve% an% %efen%e% a "art of he heria&e of he Ve%ic ra%iion. The Ve%ana !choo$ a$!o #a' have receive% a "art of he in!"iraion fro# he Ve%a!. For he re! of he Hin%u "hi$o!o"hica$ !choo$! an% re$i&iou! !ec!( he inf$uence of he Ve%a! i! no#ina$. Ho*ever( in a! #uch a! e$e#en! fro# he Ve%a! have inf$uence% !o#e a!"ec! of Hin%ui!#( i #a' )e con!i%ere% a! one of the many fa)tors inf$uencin& #o%ern Hin%ui!#. .u )' no #ean! can i )e #ainaine% ha Hin%ui!# of o%a' ha! i! %irec ance!r' in he Ve%ic re$i&ion. Therefore( Hin%ui!# of Ve%ic i#e! i! an imagined religion. Hin%ui!# of o%a' i! of a #uch $aer ori&in( an% a hi!orica$ vie* of In%ian re$i&ion! *ou$% en%or!e a %ichoo#' )e*een Ve%ic re$i&ion an% cone#"orar' Hin%ui!#. Hin%ui!# %oe! no have a $on& ance!r' a! i! ofen "re!u#e% or "ro"a&ae% )' he Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue!. In fac( hi!orica$$'( re$i&ion! $i-e .u%%hi!# an% Jaini!# can c$ai# &reaer ani0ui' han he Hin%ui!# of o%a' +=9 . ;o#i$a Tha"ar !ae! ha he er# 1Hin%u3 i! ori&ina$$' a &eo&ra"hica$ no#enc$aure. In!cri"ion! of he Achae#eni% e#"ire refer o he fronier re&ion of he In%u! or Sin%hu a! HiAnB%u!h. I! #ore co##on occurrence #an' cenurie! $aer i! in Ara)ic e/! *here he er# i! iniia$$' u!e%( refer! o he inha)ian! of he In%ian !u)coninen( he $an% acro!! he Sin%hu or In%u! river. A$4Hin% *a!( herefore( a geogra"hi)al identity( an% he Hin%u! *ere a$$ he "eo"$e *ho $ive% on hi! $an%. Thu!( he er# 1Hin%u3 e!!enia$$' ca#e o #ean 1he oher3 in he e'e! of he ne* arriva$!. I *a! on$' &ra%ua$$' ha he er# *a! u!e% o %e!cri)e ho!e *ho "rofe!!e% a re$i&ion oher han I!$a# an% Chri!iani'. I i! a$!o noe*orh' ha he u!e of he *or% 1Hin%u3 in non4I!$a#ic !ource! i! -no*n "ro)a)$' on$' fro# he fifeenh cenur' A.D +=? . 2era$% Ja#e! Far!on ar&ue! ha he er# 1Hin%u3 )eca#e a er# of a%#ini!raive convenience *hen he ru$er! of Ara)( Tur-i!h( Af&han an% Mu&ha$ ori&in 8 a$$ Mu!$i#! 8 ha% o %iffereniae )e*een 1he )e$iever!3 an% he re! +== . Hin%ui!# )e&an o a-e a !'!e#aic for# fro# he i#e of A%i San-ara A= h cenur' A.DB. In hi! !en!e( he #a' )e con!i%ere% a! he 1foun%er3 of Hin%ui!#. Ninian S#ar affir#! ha Hin%ui!# a! *e -no* o%a' i! of recen ori&in. He !ae!: GHin%ui!# %i% no rea$$' achieve i! !au! a! a coheren( hou&h !i$$ )aff$in&( re$i&iou! co#"$e/ uni$ afer he e!a)$i!h#en of he I.rii!hJ ;a,H +=> . In %i!cu!!in& he Ve%ic re$i&ion i i! a$!o o )e re#e#)ere% ha in he cour!e of hi!or'( #an' non4Ar'an e$e#en! enere% ino he Ve%ic re$i&ion. The Ve%ic Ar'an! free$' )orro*e% e$e#en! fro# he cu$ure an% he !ocie' aroun% he#. .u *e canno !a' *ih "reci!ion( *hich are he non4Ar'an e$e#en! in he Ve%ic re$i&ion. Therefore( +=@ See DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( ?7. +=9 See J.KU;UVACHI;A( GHi!orica$ <riori'H( 6:46?. +=? See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >?=4>?>. +== See 2.J.FA;SON( GDi!cour!e a)ou 1;e$i&ion3H( +=6. +=> N.SMA;T( G;e$i&ion an% Naiona$i!#H( 5. +:7 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA he he!i! of he %irec ance!r' of Hin%ui!# of o%a' fro# Ve%ic re$i&ion i! o )e con!i%ere% a! a #'h "ur"ore% )' Hin%uva. '. The myth of !induism as a single religion To%a'( in #an' circ$e!( "eo"$e !"ea- an% *rie a)ou Hin%ui!# a! if i i! a !in&$e re$i&ion an% $en% i he !au! of a *or$% re$i&ion. Con!e0uen$'( "eo"$e have )e&an o )e$ieve ha !uch a re$i&ion rea$$' e/i!!. Thu! here are #an' Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! *ho in!i! ha Hin%ui!# i! a !in&$e re$i&ion( an% heir va! $ieraure %e$i)erae$' "re!en Hin%ui!# a! he one an% he on$' re$i&ion of he #a,ori' "o"u$aion of In%ia. For e/a#"$e( ;a# S*aru" c$ai#!: Ghere i! one ;e$i&ion( one <erennia$ <hi$o!o"h'( one Sanaana Dhar#a( he o$% na#e for Hin%ui!#( IOJ. Differen re$i&ion! an% !ec! ha co#e an% &o in hi!or' are face! of he !a#e ;e$i&ionH +>7 . Ho*ever( here are Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! *ho vi!ua$i!e Hin%ui!# a! a fa#i$' of #an' re$i&ion!( a$hou&h he' coninue o reain a !in&$e na#e 8 Hin%ui!# 8 o %e!i&nae a$$. For e/a#"$e( Auro)in%o %e!cri)e! Hin%ui!# a! a re$i&ion *hich i! a$$4inc$u!ive )ecau!e i a%#i! a$$ )e$ief!( a$$o*in& even ahei!# an% a&no!ici!# an% a$$ "o!!i)$e !"iriua$ e/"erience! +>+ . Davi% Fra*$e' i! *i$$in& o a%#i ha here are #ore re$i&ion! in!i%e of Hin%ui!# han ou!i%e of i +>5 . Then he &oe! on o c$ai# ha Hin%ui!# i! he *or$%3! $ar&e! "$ura$i!ic ra%iion an% i )e$ieve! in #an' "ah! an% reco&ni!e! #an' na#e! an% for#! for 2o%( )oh #a!cu$ine an% fe#inine an% conain! #an' !a&e!( #an' !cri"ure! an% #an' *a'! o -no* 2o% +>6 . Here( he er# 1Hin%ui!#3( hou&h i funcion! #ore c$ear$' a! an u#)re$$a er# for #an' )e$ief! an% "racice!( coninue! o "ro,ec he i%ea ha Hin%ui!# i! a !in&$e re$i&ion. Unforunae$'( he conce" 1Hin%ui!#3 ha! a$rea%' ac0uire% cerain connoaion! an% i i! no ea!' for u! o &e ri% of he#. In rea$i'( Hin%ui!# i! no a !in&$e re$i&ion )u a co$$ecion of #an' re$i&ion! +>: . A! Heinrich von Sieencron re#ar-!( Hin%ui!# i! $i-e a !'nheic "$an ha %oe! no e/i! in naure +>@ . 2.J.Far!on ar&ue! ha er#! $i-e 1Hin%u #a,ori'3( 1Hin%u re$i&ion3 an% 1Hin%ui!#3 are $ar&e$' an 1arificia$ cae&ori!aion3 +>9 . Di$fre% Can*e$$ S#ih o)!erve! ha he er# 1Hin%ui!#3 i! a fa$!e conce"ua$i!aion( one ha i! con!"icuou!$' inco#"ai)$e *ih an' a%e0uae un%er!an%in& of he re$i&iou! ou$oo- of Hin%u!( an% he er# refer! no o an eni' )u o a "ro%i&iou!$' varie&ae% !erie! of fac! +>? . The i%ea of con!i%erin& Hin%ui!# a! one re$i&ion i! he creaion of he Euro"ean!. Hence i i! a #i!a-e o con!i%er Hin%ui!# a! a !in&$e re$i&ion. Hin%ui!# i! a co$$ecion of #an' re$i&ion!( *hich are in re$aion *ih each oher( an% a$$ of he# are +>7 ;.SDA;U<( 'n Hinduism( =>. +>+ See AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( +:9. +>5 See D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( +:. +>6 See D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( ++. +>: See H.von STIETENC;ON( GHin%ui!i!che <er!"e-ivenH( 67. +>@ See H.von STIETENC;ON( GHin%ui!i!che <er!"e-ivenH( 59. +>9 See 2.J.FA;SON( GDi!cour!e a)ou 1;e$i&ion3H( +=:. +>? See D.C.SMITH( GThe Conce" 1Hin%ui!#3H( +>>4577. +:+ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA foun% in he !a#e &eo&ra"hica$ !"ace. The' have a$!o #an' e$e#en! in co##on *hich in he cour!e of hi!or' have inf$uence% each oher. Furher( Hin%ui!# %oe! no !"ea- of one officia$ "o!iion )u many "ositions P *hich are !o#ei#e! #uua$$' conra%icor'. Thi! i! an a%%e% rea!on o #ainain ha Hin%ui!# i! no one "hi$o!o"h' aroun% *hich are )ui$ u" variou! "hi$o!o"hica$ o"inion!( )u #an' !e"arae an% in%e"en%en "hi$o!o"hie!( each *ih heir foun%er!( auhoriaive e/!( %ocrine! an% co##enarie!( !choo$! an% fo$$o*er!( "ro"a&aor! an% %efen%er!. For e/a#"$e( Hin%ui!# i! co#"$e/ an% "$ura$i!ic in i! conce"ion of he naure of he a)!o$ue( "ah! o $i)eraion( naure of he $i)erae% !ae( ec. The !i/ "hi$o!o"hica$ !'!e#! AdarsanasB are he c$eare! e/a#"$e of i. A$$ he !i/ !'!e#! acce" he auhori' of he Ve%a! an% are con!i%ere% a! !choo$! of Hin%ui!# P *heher he' )e ahei!ic or hei!ic( #oni!ic or %ua$i!ic( "anhei!ic or "anenhei!ic. Their #ea"h'!ica$ !"ecu$aion! an% e"i!e#o$o&ica$ "o!iion! a$!o %iffer con!i%era)$'. Thu! heir %i!incivene!! an% %ifference!( he %e)ae! an% he 0uarre$! a#on& he# a$$ hrou&h hi!or'( !ho* ha here are #an' "hi$o!o"hica$ !'!e#! *ihin Hin%ui!#. ;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha( i i! no $on& a&o !ince Vai!nava!( Saiva!( Fin&a'a! an% oher! )e&an o refer he#!e$ve! a! Hin%u! an% uni$ hen he!e ha% #ainaine% heir #u$i"$e i%eniie!. .u he ae#" o force he# ino unchan&in&( !aic eniie! *ou$% !ee# o conra%ic he hi!orica$ evi%ence +>= . Hi!or' of re$i&ion! in In%ia !ho*! ha here have )een !eriou! conf$ic!( heo$o&ica$ co#"eiion! an% %e)ae! o a!!er he !u"eriori' of one re$i&ion over he oher!. Severa$ re$i&ion! have a$!o #a%e e/c$u!ive c$ai#! o he e/en of %ec$arin& he oher! a! fa$!e an% hereica$. Man' re$i&ion! have a$!o "ro%uce% !cho$ar$' reai!e! in or%er o affir# heir !e"arae i%eni' an% o %i!in&ui!h he#!e$ve! fro# oher!. Each of he!e re$i&ion! ha! a$!o heir o*n !e"arae ra%iion!( %ocrina$ a!"ec!( !acre% !cri"ure!( rie!( fe!iva$!( #'h!( heo$o&ian!( ho$' "$ace! an% fo$$o*er!. A&ain( *ihin Hin%ui!#( *e can #a-e %i!incion! $i-e 1vi$$a&e Hin%ui!#3( 1e#"$e Hin%ui!#3( 1%evoiona$ Hin%ui!#3( 1"o"u$ar Hin%ui!#3( 1"hi$o!o"hica$ Hin%ui!#3( 1#i$ian Hin%ui!#3( an% !o forh. The!e rea!on! are !ufficien o #ainain ha here are #an' in%e"en%en re$i&ion! un%er he na#e 1Hin%ui!#3. If one can con!i%er Ju%ai!#( Chri!iani' an% I!$a# a! %i!inc re$i&ion!( havin& heir o*n foun%er!( ho$' )oo-!( rie!( na#e! for he A)!o$ue( ec.( here i! rea!on o con!i%er he variou! !ec! *ihin Hin%ui!# a$!o a! %i!inc re$i&ion!. For e/a#"$e( Saivi!#( Vai!hnavi!# an% Sa-i!# can ea!i$' )e con!i%ere% a! %i!inc re$i&ion!. Furher( if *e u!e he !even %i#en!iona$ ana$'!i! of re$i&ion "ro"oun%e% )' Ninian S#ar( na#e$'( he riua$( #'hica$( %ocrina$( e/"erienia$( ehica$( !ocia$ an% #aeria$ +>> ( *e *i$$ %i!cover ha a$$ he!e %i#en!ion! are "re!en in ea)h of he a)ove 1!ec!3 of Hin%ui!#. The %i!cover' of he!e %i#en!ion! of re$i&ion i! an a%%iiona$ rea!on o con!i%er he# a! !e"arae re$i&ion!. Hence *e #a' ar&ue ha he "ro,ecion of Hin%ui!# a! a !in&$e re$i&ion i! #i!$ea%in&( "heno#eno$o&ica$$'( hi!orica$$'( "hi$o!o"hica$$'( heo$o&ica$$' an% re$i&iou!$'. Hin%ui!#( a! *e have !een( i! a #i/ of "$ura$iie! an% conra%icion! an% i! a co##on %e!i&naion for #an' re$i&ion!. Con!e0uen$' i i! one of he #o! %ifficu$ +>= See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >>+. +>> See N.SMA;T( +imensions of the Sa)red( +74+5. +:5 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA re$i&ion! o %efine. Thou&h Hin%ui!# i! &enera$$' con!i%ere% a! a re$i&ion i %oe! no have c$ear$' %efine% %ocrine!( %o&#a!( )e$ief!( "racice! an% a cenra$ auhori' *hich Hin%u! in &enera$ are e/"ece% o acce". In fac( hi! ha! $e% !o#e o !"ea- of Hin%ui!# no a! a re$i&ion )u a! a *a' of $ife 577 E )u hi! i%ea i! a raher ne* "heno#enon( an% i i! i%eo$o&ica$$' an% "o$iica$$' #oivae% P ,u! a! Hin%uva i! %e!cri)e% a! 1a *a' of $ife3. (. The myth of India as a !indu nation from time immemorial Hin%u naiona$i!# u$i#ae$' ai#! a $i0ui%ain& an' cu$ure ha %oe! no fa$$ *ihin he "urve' of Hin%ui!#. Savar-ar *roe Hindutva *ih he "re#i!e ha In%ia i! a Hin%u naion fro# i#e i##e#oria$ 57+ an% con!an$' "ro"a&ae% hi! vie* in #an' of hi! *riin&! an% "u)$ic %i!cour!e!. He !a'!: GDo*n o hi! %a' he *ho$e *or$% -no*! u! a! 1Hin%u!3 an% our $an% a! 1Hin%u!an3( a! if in fu$fi$#en of he *i!he! of our Ve%ic faher! *ho *ere he fir! o #a-e ha choiceH 575 . Accor%in& o hi#( no oher naion in he *or$% can c$ai# !uch an un)ro-en coninui'( e/ce" "erha"! he Chine!e 576 . He ar&ue! ha in ancien i#e! he Hin%u naion *a! ca$$e% Sa"tasindhu or Sindhu. Savar-ar !a'!: GThe #o! ancien of he na#e! of our counr' of *hich *e have a recor% i! Sa"a!in%hu or Sin%uH 57: . Thi! Sin%hu!an *a! no #ere$' a "iece of $an% )u a naion an% he )e! naion of he Ar'a!( a! %i!in&ui!he% fro# he mle))hastan or he $an% of he forei&ner! 57@ . 2o$*a$-ar a$!o "ro"a&ae% he i%ea ha Hin%u! *ere one naion fro# ancien i#e! 579 an% ha he conce" of a Hin%u naion i! a! o$% a! he Ve%a! 57? . I #u! )e reierae% ha vie*! !uch a! he a)ove are "ro%uc! of imagination *ihou an' foun%aion in rea$i'. The hi!orica$ fac i! ha here *a! no c$ear "an4Hin%u cu$ura$ uni' a an' "erio% )efore he In%ian renai!!ance in he +=h an% ear$' +>h cenurie!. K.M.<ani--ar ri&h$' o)!erve! ha In%ian Naiona$i!# i! an i%ea *hich i! he ouco#e of he i#"ac of Euro"e. He !a'!: GIIn%ianJ Naiona$i!# i! anoher i%ea *hich i! he ouco#e of he i#"ac of he De!. IO.J I i! MaLLini *ho "rovi%e% he heor'E i i! he Iri!h naiona$i!! ha "rovi%e% he echni0ue an% i i! French an% .rii!h 577 See D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( ++. Thi! iner"reaion &ive! a ne* *i! o he 0ue!ion of 1*ha i! Hin%ui!#C3 57+ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +7. Savar-ar !a'! e$!e*here: GI i! a $ea! !o#e @777 'ear! a&o( o he Vai%ic IVe%icJ a&e ha he )e&innin& of our Hin%u Naion cou$% )e hi!orica$$' an% un%enia)$' race%. Our naiona$ ance!or! $ive% an% f$ouri!he% hen on he )an-! of he !even Sin%hu! an% *ere $a'in& he foun%aion! of a naion ha *a! %e!ine% o &ro* $aer on ino a #i&h' Hin%u NaionH. ID.( Hindu Sanghatan( :=. 575 V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +@. 576 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( @6. 57: V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( 67. 57@ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( 65466. 579 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( =5( >?(+@7. 57? See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( *e( @+. +:6 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA $i)era$i!# in he +> h cenur' ha !u!aine% he !"iri of naiona$i!# in In%iaH 57= . Then he &oe! on o a%% ha hree facor! have inf$uence% he conce"ion of In%ia a! a naion: aB he co#)inaion of he ne*$' creae% !e$f4i#a&e hrou&h recon!ruce% hi!or'E )B he conce" of naiona$i!# a! a mysti/ue uniin& he "eo"$e of a !in&$e errior' ino !o#ehin& %ifferen fro# he re! of he *or$%E an% cB he %ocrine of he !ae a! he e#)o%i#en of he "eo"$e. A$$ he!e hree ori&inae% %ue o In%ia3! conac *ih Euro"e 57> . In a )i% o acco##o%ae he non4Hin%u cu$ure! an% re$i&ion! of In%ia !o#e ne* an% $i)era$ iner"reaion! of Hin%uva have a$!o e#er&e%. To%a' here i! an ae#" o iner"re Hin%uva !i#"$' a! 1In%ian cu$ure3 or 1a! a *a' of $ife3. .u he!e &o )e'on% he conce" of Hin%uva "ro"oun%e% )' Savar-ar an% 2o$*a$-ar. For e/a#"$e( !o#e Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! $i-e F.K.A%vani !"ea- of he fo$$o*er! of I!$a# a! 1Moha##a%i Hin%u!3( Chri!ian! $ivin& in In%ia a! 1Chri!ian Hin%u!3 an% he Si-h! a! 1Si-h Hin%u!3 5+7 . A%vani *a! on$' re"eain& *ha he Hin%u Maha!a)ha ha% a$rea%' %e#an%e% in +>@+. N...Khare of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha %ec$are% in hi! "re!i%enia$ a%%re!!: The Hin%u Maha!a)ha )e$ieve! in #i$iari!in& Hin%ui!# an% Hin%ui!in& "o$iic!. I !a'( 14o a ste" further- and Hinduise all foreign faiths# IO.J I can herefore a$!o inc$u%e in i! fo$% he four forei&n8 )orn re$i&ion! *hich are "racice% in In%ia( viL. I!$a#( Chri!iani'( Noroa!riani!# an% Je*i!#. IO.J They must )all themselves Hindus# The' #u! a$i&n he#!e$ve! *ih he Hin%u &rou" for )eer or for *or!e( IO.J The' #u! a)!ain fro# co*4-i$$in& an% )eef4 eain&. An% he' #u! re&ar% he 1Ancien Hi!or' of In%ia3 a! heir o*nE an% re!"ec he heroe! of In%ian hi!or' IO.J In !hor( he!e faih! #u! no $oo- for heir cu$ure o Ara)ia( Euro"e( <er!ia or <a$e!ine( )u #u! a%o" .harai'a cu$ure( *hich( in e!!ence( i! no %ifferen fro# Hin%u cu$ure 5++ . Ofen Hin%uva "erceive! Mu!$i#!( Chri!ian! an% oher non4Hin%u! of In%ia a! 1"ro%i&a$ !on! of Hin%ui!#3 *ho !hou$% reurn o heir ori&ina$ ho#e *hich i! Hin%ui!#. Hence one of he ai#! of he re4conver!ion AshuddhiB #ove#en or he cere#on' of 1ho#e co#in&3 Aghar va"asiB i! o c$ai# he non4Hin%u! of In%ian ori&in o Hin%ui!#. Fa$!e noion! !uch a! he!e are *i%e$' e#"$o'e% )' Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! an% or&ani!aion! a$$ over In%ia in or%er o in%ocrinae an% confu!e he !i#"$e an% he i$$ierae "eo"$e. The "o$iica$ a&en%a of Hin%uva i! o #a-e In%ia a Hin%u naion !o ha i funcion! $i-e a heocraic Sae *ih he acco#"an'in& %enia$ of re$i&iou! free%o#( fun%a#ena$ ri&h! an% cu$ura$ "$ura$i!#. .u !uch an ae#" o)viou!$' "au!e! a !eriou! hrea o he cu$ura$ "$ura$i' of In%ia &uaranee% in he In%ian Con!iuion( )ecau!e Hin%uva in e!!ence a%vocae! a -in% of cu$ura$ naiona$i!# *here he conce" of Hin%u race( i.e. Hin%u! a! %e!cen%en! of Ar'an!( occu"ie! he cenra$ "$ace an% a$$ oher! are reae% a! !u)or%inae o he#. .u he fac a)ou In%ia i! ha P a! <rafu$ .i%*ai ha! ri&h$' o)!erve% P In%ia *a! never a Hin%u Naion in an' rea$ !en!e. For a)ou 5(777 'ear!( non4Hin%u! have )een ine&ra$ o *ha i! ca$$e% In%ia P .u%%hi!!( ani#i!!( Jain!( ahei!!( Chri!ian!( 57= See K.M.<ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( +7. 57> See K.M.<ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( ++ 5+7 GA%vani *an! Mu!$i#! o i%enif' *ih 1Hin%uva3H( Times of India( 67 Januar' +>>@ a! cie% in K.EFST( +e)olonising the Hindu ,ind( :=7. 5++ N...KHA;E( Presidential Address A+>@+B( =4> AE#"ha!i! in he ori&ina$B. +:: CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA a&no!ic!( Mu!$i#!( ance!or or naure *or!hi""er! 5+5 . Kaherine K. Youn& re#in%! u! ha he e#"eror A!ho-a a$#o! !uccee%e% in #a-in& .u%%hi!# a Sae re$i&ion in he hir% cenur' ..C 5+6 . Ninian S#ar #ainain! a !i#i$ar vie*. He criici!e! in !ron& er#! he en%enc' o con!i%er he !or' of In%ia a! he !or' of Hin%ui!#. He affir#!: GFor one of our #o%ern o"ica$ i$$u!ion! i! o !ee he !or' of In%ia a! )ein& he !or' of Hin%u!( for&ein& he !o "o*erfu$ effec! of .u%%hi!#( Jaini!# an% oher #ove#en! %urin& he "erio%! of In%ia3! hi!or'H 5+: . There *a! never a "o$iica$ uni' in he In%ian !u)coninen un%er he )anner of Hinduism P for ha #aer here *a! never a "o$iica$ uni' in he rue !en!e of he er# a an' i#e in he "a!E In%ia of o%a' *a! a con&$o#eraion of nu#erou! "e' -in&%o#! 5+@ . I i! !ai% ha here are hree #a,or e"och! in hi!or' *hen In%ia aaine% !o#e %e&ree of onene!! or a $ea! #ove% o*ar%! a "an4In%ia e#"ire: he i#e of A!ho-a Ac.5?64569 ..CB 5+9 ( A-)ar A+@@94+97@B 5+? an% he .rii!h( an% none of he!e *a! Hin%u. There never *a! he #uch4eu$o&i!e% one Hin%u naion fro# i#e i##e#oria$. In!ea% here *ere nu#erou! in%e"en%en -in&%o#! *ho!e vi!ion of he 1naion3 %i% no &o )e'on% he )or%er! of heir in%ivi%ua$ -in&%o#!. .e!i%e!( he Hin%u ru$er! ha% no i#e o "ur!ue he vi!ion of one Hin%u naion for he' *ere oo )u!' *ih *ar! an% "e' 0uarre$! a#on& he#!e$ve! or )era'in& one anoher o he ene#ie! an% inva%er!. Hence he heor' ha In%ia *a! a Hin%u naion fro# i#e i##e#oria$ i! a #'h. ). The myth that animists* +uddhists* ,ains and -i.hs are !indus Koenraa% E$! in hi! )oo- *ho is a Hindu0 Revivalist Vie(s of Animism- uddhism- Sikhism and 'ther 'ffshoots of Hinduism A5775B( ar&ue! ha he fo$$o*er of Ani#i!#( .u%%hi!# an% Si-hi!# are Hin%u! 5+= . There are !cho$ar! *ho in!i! ha he Jain! oo are Hin%u!. .u he!e c$ai#! can )e cone!e%. 5+5 See <..IDDAI( GA Fon& Hau$ for Secu$ari!!H( +7=4+7>. Suoin& Fa$oo <ra!a% Ya%av( a "ro#inen "o$iica$ $ea%er of cone#"orar' In%ia( Arun%hai ;o' *rie!: G5aun mai ka lal kehta hai ki yeh Hindu rashtra hai0 !sko yahan &hej do- )hhati "had doongaRH ADhich #oher3! !on !a'! hi! i! a Hin%u naionC Sen% hi# here( I3$$ ear hi! che! o"enBH. A. ;OY( GDe#ocrac'H( +65. 5+6 See K.K.YOUN2( GThe In%ian Secu$ar SaeH( 57:. 5+: N.SMA;T( GAn Ana$'!i! of Hin%ui!#H( +7=. 5+@ K.M.<ani--ar !ae!: GThe "enin!u$a of In%ia ha% never )een un%er a !in&$e !overei&n' a an' i#e )eforeH. K.M.<ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( ++ 5+9 De are o$%: GA!ho-a( he 2rea Kin& an% Mi!!ionar'( unifie% a &reaer "ar of In%ian erriorie!H. GA!ho-aH( 5+6. ;o#i$a Tha"ar o"ine! ha( i#"eria$ i%ea foun% e/"re!!ion in In%ia for he fir! i#e un%er A!ho-a( an% hi! cenra$i!e% i#"eria$ !rucure e#)race% a$#o! he enire !u)coninen. See ;.THA<A;( GA!ho-an In%ia an% he 2u"a A&eH( 6=. 5+? De rea% a)ou A-)ar: GA-)ar *a! one he &rea I!ic( 1he one &rea3CJ Mu&ha$ ru$er *ho unifie% In%ia ino a !in&$e "o$iica$ "o*erH. GA-)arH( >:. The NCE;T hi!or' e/)oo- for c$a!! VIII !a'!: GThe Mu&ha$ e#"ire( IOJ ha% !uccee%e% in uniin& a$#o! he enire counr'H. A.DEV PI.A.DEV( ,odern India(+@. 5+= Noice he !u)i$e of E$!3! )oo-. I a$rea%' i#"$ie! ha ani#i!!( .u%%hi!!( an% Si-h! are Hin%u!. +:@ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA In he fir! "$ace( he ar&u#en i! ne* an% i ca#e ino "ro#inence on$' !ince he e#er&ence of he Hin%uva i%eo$o&'. Uni$ hen( neiher he .u%%hi!! nor he Jain! nor he Si-h! nor he ani#i!! *ere a*are ha he' co#e un%er Hin%ui!#. No even he Hin%u! he#!e$ve! -ne* ha !uch a "o!!i)i$i' e/i!e%( a! he' ha% a$*a'! reae% he# a! in%e"en%en faih! havin& heir i%eniie! !e"arae fro# Hin%ui!#. For e/a#"$e Auro)in%o !a'!: 1There *ere a$!o re$i&iou! co##uniie! $i-e he .u%%hi!!( he Jain!( ec. Each fo$$o*e% i! o*n $a* 8 svadharmaH 5+> . .u he c$ai# ha ani#i!!( .u%%hi!!( Jain! an% Si-h! are Hin%u! i! i%eo$o&ica$$' an% "o$iica$$' #oivae%( an% i ha! #uch o %o *ih Hin%uva3! concern *ih nu#)er! an% voe )an-. I *a! Savar-ar *ho #ainaine% ha one can )e a rue Hin%u even if he %oe! no acce" he Ve%a!( a! i! he ca!e *ih he Jain!( Si-h!( .u%%hi!! an% oher! 557 inc$u%in& he !o4ca$$e% a)ori&ina$ or hi$$ ri)e! 55+ . 2o$*a$-ar a$!o he$% a !i#i$ar vie* an% con!i%ere% he!e re$i&ion! a! he variou! sam"radays *ihin he Hin%u fo$%. ;eferrin& o a Vi!hva Hin%u conference he$% a U%u"i in +>9> 2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GA$$ he variou! sam"radayas I!ec!J in he Hin%u fo$% 8 he Shaiva( Veera!haiva( Ma%h*a( Vai!hnava( Jaina( .u%%ha an% Si-h 8 *ere re"re!ene% in he conferenceH 555 . Oher Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! !oon oo- u" hi! heor' an% &ave i *i%e %iffu!ion. For e/a#"$e( ;a# S*aru" con!i%er! .u%%hi!# a! Hin%u in i! ori&in an% %eve$o"#en 556 . He !a'!: G.u%%hi!# for#! an ini#ae "ar of Hin%u con!ciou!ne!!. .u%%ha *a! a Hin%u( .u%%hi!# i! Hin%u in i! ori&in an% %eve$o"#en( in i! ar( an% archiecure( icono&ra"h'( $an&ua&e( )e$ief!( "!'cho$o&'( na#e!( no#enc$aure( re$i&iou! vo*! an% !"iriua$ %i!ci"$ineH 55: . Sia ;a# 2oe$ affir#!: GThe er# 1Hin%ui!#3 i! u!e% IOJ o cover a$$ !choo$! of Sanaana Dhar#a 8 .u%%hi!#( Jaini!#( Shaivi!#( Sha-i!# an% Vai!hnavi!# *hich inc$u%e! he Sana4mata an% Si-hi!#H 55@ . D.N.Sin&h !a'!: GFor% .u%%ha *a! )orn a Hin%u an% made some )hanges in he Hin%u re$i&ion. He foun%e% *ha i! no* -no*n a! .u%%hi!#. For% Mahavira a$!o made some amendments in Hin%u re$i&ion( an% Jaini!# in i! "re!en for# *a! )ornH 559 . Davi% Fra*$e' i! anoher Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue *ho rea! .u%%hi!#( Jaini!# an% oher re$i&ion! of In%ian ori&in a! "ar of Hin%ui!# 55? . Theoreica$$'( %efiniion of a Hin%u in Savar-ar3! Hindutva A+>56B an% M.S. 2o$*a$-ar3! *e or 'ur nationhood +efined A+>6>B *a! for#u$ae% o !ui he c$ai# ha he a)ove re$i&ion! are "ar of Hin%ui!# !ince he' have heir Faher$an% A"itru&huB an% Ho$' $an% A"unya&huB in In%ia. Savar-ar !a'!: GHin%ui!# i! a *or% ha "ro"er$' !"ea-in& !hou$% )e a""$ie% o a$$ he re$i&iou! )e$ief! ha he %ifferen co##uniie! of 5+> AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( +?@. 557 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( =+. See a$!o ID.( Hindu Sanghatan( =4>(+67(+:+. 55+ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( +67. 555 M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( 6@6. 556 See ;.SDA;U<( 'n Hinduism( 97. 55: ;.SDA;U<( uddhism Vis.6.vis Hinduism( +. 55@ S.;.2OEF( History of Hindu.Christian En)ounters( vii foonoe +. 559 D.N.SIN2H( A Study of Hinduism( ++ AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. 55? Fra*$e' !ae!: GSince Hin%ui!# a! Sin%hu Dhar#a refer! o a$$ he re$i&ion! an% "hi$o!o"hie! of In%ia( i naura$$' inc$u%e! .u%%hi!( Jain an% oher In%ic ra%iion!H. D. F;ADFEY( Ho( I e)ame a Hindu( +=>. For !i#i$ar i%ea! !ee a$!o ID( Hinduism( =+4=6(=>4>+. +:9 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA he Hin%u "eo"$e ho$%H 55= . Sh'a#a <ra!a% Mu-her,ee a$!o #ainaine% a !i#i$ar vie*. Mu-her,ee !a'!: GThe *or% 1Hin%u3 i! u!e% in he *i%e! !en!e "o!!i)$e( an% inc$u%e! ever' !on an% ever' %au&her of In%ia *ho re&ar%! hi! $an% a! heir faher$an% an% "rofe!! a re$i&ion of In%ian ori&in. Fro# hi! "oin of vie* a .u%%hi!( a Jain( a Si-h are *e$co#e o !an% unie% for he co##on &oo% of he counr'H 55> . Ho*ever( he fac i! ha( a$$ he a)ove re$i&ion! are distin)t faiths an% #o! of he# ca#e ino )ein& a! revo$! a&ain! .rah#ani!# an% i! !"iriua$ an% "hi$o!o"hica$ ra%iion!. Kaherine K. Youn& !a'! ha .u%%hi!# an% Jaini!#( for in!ance( )e&an a! e/re#e$' criica$ aac-! on Ve%ic re$i&ion an% ca#"ai&ne% a&ain! i an% i! !u)!e0uen for# a! Hin%ui!# for cenurie! 567 . A.D.Maa# !a'!: GJaini!# *a! he re!u$ of he reacion a&ain! he riua$i!ic re$i&ion of he .rah#ana! an% he !u"re#ac' of he .rah#in c$a!!H 56+ E GFi-e Mahavira he Ihe .u%%haJ oo re,ece% he Ve%a!( Ve%ic !acrifice! an% riua$!H 565 . Orho%o/ Hin%u! $i-e A%i San-ara( Da'anan%a Sara!*ai( Vive-anan%a an% !o on con!i%ere% .u%%hi!# an% Jaini!# a! arch riva$! of Hin%ui!# an% %enounce% he# ouri&h in heir *riin&! an% %i!cour!e!. For e/a#"$e( A%i San-ara3! Vedanta Sutra hasya conain! nu#erou! "a!!a&e! *hich revea$ ha he *a! ini#ica$ o*ar%! .u%%hi!# an% Jaini!#. A)ou San-ara3! invo$ve#en in he %i!a""earance of .u%%hi!# fro# In%ia Vive-anan%a !a'!: G.u%%hi!# %e&enerae%( an% Shan-ara $o""e% i offRH 566 . Cha"er +5 of Da'ana%a Sara!*ai3! Satyartha Prakash( i! eni$e% 1Ahei!ic Cu$! of In%ia Carvaca!( .u%%hi!# an% Jaini!#3( an% Da'anan%a en&a&e! in !'!e#aic criici!# an% refuaion of he!e !choo$! of hou&h 56: . Vive-anan%a !a'!: G*herever he *en( .u%%ha rie% o "u$$ %o*n ever' o$% hin& !acre% o he Hin%u! o he %u!( IOJ So %i% he Jain!( *ho $au&he% a he i%ea of 2o%H 56@ E GEver' "a&e of .u%%hi!# i! a fi&h *ih he Ve%a!HIOJ. .u he ha% no auhori' o %o !oH 569 E G.u%%hi!# *a! e/re#e$' iconoc$a!icE an% #uch of i! force )ein& !"en in #ere$' ne&aive ae#"!( i ha% o %ie ou in he $an% of i! )irh( an% *ha re#aine% of i )eca#e fu$$ of !u"er!iion! an% cere#onia$!( a hun%re% i#e! cru%er han ho!e i *a! inen%e% o !u""re!!H 56? . 55= V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +7@. He !ai%: GHin%ui!# #u! nece!!ari$' #ean he re$i&ion or he re$i&ion! ha are "ecu$iar an% naive o hi! $an% an% he!e "eo"$e: I&id.( +7:E G#i$$ion! of our Si-h!( Jain!( Fin&a'a!( !evera$ Sa#a,ii! an% oher! *ou$% %ee"$' re!en o )e o$% ha he' P *ho!e faher!3I!icJ faher! u" o he enh &eneraion ha% he )$oo% of Hin%u! in heir vein! P ha% !u%%en$' cea!e% o )e Hin%uRH I&id.( +79. I i! o )e noe% ha in Savar-ar3! *riin&! he !ae#en ha .u%%hi!! an% hi$$ ri)e! are Hin%u! i! no ver' fre0uen( e!"ecia$$' if *e co#"are i *ih hi! reference! o he Si-h! an% he Jain!. 55> S.<.MUKHE;JEE( A(ake Hindustan( 5. Noe ha here( he !o4ca$$e% 1ani#i!!3 are no inc$u%e% in he noion of 1Hin%u3. 567 See K.K.YOUN2( GThe In%ian Secu$ar SaeH( 57:. 56+ A.D. MATTAM( Religions( +75. 565 A.D. MATTAM( Religions( +7:. 566 The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.VI( +57. 56: See D.SA;ASDATI( Satyartha Prakash( @=+49=+. 56@ The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.+. 6:=. 569 The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.VI(+57. 56? The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.IV( 659. +:? CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA Savar-ar a$!o %i% "a!! !o#e har!h ,u%&e#en on he .u%%hi!! !ain& ha !o#e of he .u%%hi! Vihara! !he$ere% $oo!e( $aL' an% "ro#i!cuou! cro*% of #en an% *o#en *ho $ive% on oher! an% !"en *ha *a! no heir! on %i!re"ua)$e "ur!ui! of $ife 56= . 2o$*a$-ar( in !o#e of hi! *riin&!( %oe! no he!iae o ca$$ he .u%%hi!! fanaic! an% raior! of In%ian cu$ure. He !a'!: GAfer .u%%ha( hi! fo$$o*er! here %e&enerae%. The' )e&an o u"roo he a&e4o$% naiona$ ra%iion! of hi! $an%. The &rea cu$ura$ virue! fo!ere% in our !ocie' *ere !ou&h o )e %e#o$i!he%. IOJ he .u%%hi! fanati)s invie% an% he$"e% he forei&n a&&re!!or! *ho *ore he #a!- of .u%%hi!#. The .u%%hi! !ec ha% urne% a traitor o he #oher !ocie' an% he #oher re$i&ionH 56> E Arun Shourie o"en$' %enounce! ..;.A#)e%-ar( one of he ou!an%in& $ea%er! of he 1unoucha)$e!3 an% a conver o .u%%hi!# 5:7 . .u o%a'( he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva !e$%o# #enion he!e fac!( a! i can )e e#)arra!!in& o heir i%eo$o&' an% u"!e heir 1nu#)er &a#e3. The rea!on for Hin%uva c$ai#in& ha 1ani#i!!3 are Hin%u! i! no %ifficu$ o un%er!an%. So far( he .J<3! e$ecora$ !u""or ha! )een #ain$' fro# i! #i%%$e c$a!! an% u""er ca!e )a!e( *hich( a! he &enera$ e$ecion! in he counr' have !ho*n 5:+ ( i! no a%e0uae o &ain a #a,ori' in he <ar$ia#en. 2iven ha he #inoriie! an% he $o*er ca!e! are a$#o! ou of reach( he ri)a$ co##uniie! are a "o!!i)$e !ocia$ &rou" o fi$$ he &a". Dih hi! ai# he San&h <arivar ha! iniiae% !ocia$ an% re$i&iou! *or-! in ri)a$ area! hrou&h a ne*or- of or&ani!aion! -no*n a! Vanva!i Ka$'an Sa#ii! 5:5 . Savar-ar3! far4reachin& an% inf$uenia$ %efiniion of 1Hin%u3 a! ho!e *ho con!i%er In%ia a! heir Faher$an% an% Ho$' $an% i! effecive$' u!e% for *innin& over he ri)a$ "o"u$aion!. To%a' in #an' ca!e! he Hin%uva &rou"! are "aroni!in& he Vanava!i! an% he Da$i! an% "ro#i!in& #an' conce!!ion! o he#( "ri#ari$' for "o$iica$ en%!. For e/a#"$e( in or%er o #o)i$i!e !u""or of ri)a$! an% Da$i! *ho for# a #a,or voe )an- in Chai!&arh an% Ma%h'a <ra%e!h *here a!!e#)$' e$ecion! *ere he$% in 5776( .J< he$% a *o4%a' Da$i Morcha fro# A"ri$ in Mho* AMa%h'a <ra%e!hB( he )irh"$ace of ..;.A#)e%-ar 5:6 . Thu!( he ri)a$! are *e$co#e% o he Hin%uva fo$% )ecau!e of he concern *ih nu#)er! an% he "o$iica$ )enefi! accruin& fro# i an% no )ecau!e he' are -een o en!ure u"*ar% !ocia$ #o)i$i' for he#. 2o$*a$-ar !ai%: GThe Hin%u! !hou$% no re#ain i&noran of he "oenc' of nu#)er!. IOJ a$$ Hin%u!( o *haever !ec( ca!e( c$an( or ri)e he' #a' )e$on&( #u! "u %o*n heir co##uni' a! 1Hin%u3 on$'H 5:: .u hi!or' e$$! u! ha( in he ear$' "erio%( here *ere *o #a,or re$i&iou! &rou"!( na#e$'( .rah#ani!# an% Sra#ani!# *ih fun%a#ena$ %i!incion! )e*een he *o a! re&ar%! %ocrine!( )e$ief!( riua$!( !ocia$ nor#! an% !acre% e/!. To he for#er )e$on&e% he *ice )orn u""er ca!e! an% he' acce"e% he Ve%a!E he $aer con!i!e% of .u%%hi!!( Jain!( A,iva-! an% oher !ec!( *hich %enie% he auhori' of he Ve%a!. Fro# 56= See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +=. 56> M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( ?7 AE#"ha!i! a%%e%B. 5:7 See A.SHOU;IE( *orshi"ing 7alse 4ods A+>>?B. 5:+ .J< &enera$ e$ecion re!u$! !o far: +>=:: 5 !ea!E +>=>: =9 !ea!E +>>+:+57 !ea!E +>>9:+95 !ea!E +>>=: +=+!ea!E +>>>:+=6 !ea!. 5:5 See K.N.<ANIKKA;( GInro%ucionH( /viii4/i/. 5:6 See G.J< o ho$% Da$i MorchaH( 6. 5:: M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( 695. +:= CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA a "heno#eno$o&ica$ "oin of vie*( *e o)!erve ha( he a%heren! of .u%%hi!#( Jaini!#( Si-hi!# an% 1ani#i!#3 #ainain heir i%eni' a! !e"arae re$i&ion!( an% are convince% ha he' do not )e$on& o Hin%ui!#. In a%%iion( i i! a$!o no %ifficu$ o %i!cover ha each of he!e re$i&ion! ha! i! o*n '"ica$ re$i&iou! e/"erience!( foun%er! Ae/ce" "erha"! he ani#i!!B( %ocrine!( "racice!( riua$! an% he $i-e( *hich are %i!inc fro# Hin%ui!#. Ninian S#ar ar&ue! ha( a! a re$i&ion( .u%%hi!# i! "rior o Hin%ui!#. Accor%in& o hi#( *ha *e no* -no* a! Hin%ui!# ha% no 'e co#e ino e/i!ence a he i#e of he .u%%ha in he !i/h cenur' ..C. Hence( i i! #i!$ea%in& o !ee he .u%%hi!! a! a -in% of )rea-a*a' &rou" fro# Hin%ui!#. .e!i%e!( for a $on& "erio% of In%ian hi!or'( he force! of .u%%hi!# an% oher #ove#en! !uch a! Jaini!#( $ive% !i%e )' !i%e *ih he %eve$o"in& re$i&io!i' of he Hin%u ra%iion 5:@ . K.M.<ani--ar re#in%! u! ha he recover' of he .u%%hi! e/!( #ain$' a! a re!u$ of he *or-! of Euro"ean !cho$ar! !ho*e% ha he In%ian ra%iion *a! not e8)lusively Hindu( an% ha a riva$ re$i&ion( na#e$'( .u%%hi!#( ha% f$ouri!he% in In%ia for over a hou!an% 'ear! an% ha% conri)ue% &rea$' o Hin%u cu$ure 5:9 . ;eferrin& o he !e"arae i%eni' of he Si-h re$i&ion fro# Hin%ui!#( Nonica Daa ar&ue! ha( hi!orica$$' he Si-h! a$*a'! #ainaine% c$ear %ifference! )e*een heir re$i&ion an% Hin%ui!#( an% ha he Si-h con!ciou!ne!! invaria)$' fo$$o*e% an in%e"en%en cour!e of i! o*n 5:? . The !a#e ar&u#en can )e e/en%e% in favour of Jaini!# 5:= an% 1ani#i!#3 an% )oh of he# canno )e con!i%ere% a! !u)4!ec! of Hin%ui!#. Hence o rea .u%%hi!#( Jaini!#( Si-hi!# an% 1ani#i!#3 a! "ar of Hin%ui!# i! o %en' he# heir ina$iena)$e ri&h o #ainain heir o*n re$i&iou! an% cu$ura$ i%eni'. Ja*ahar$a$ Nehru !a'!: G.u%%hi!# an% Jaini!# *ere cerain$' no Hin%ui!# or even he Ve%ic %har#a. IOJ A .u%%hi! or Jain in In%ia i! a hun%re% "er cen "ro%uc of In%ian hou&h an% cu$ure( 'e neiher i! a Hin%u )' faihH 5:> . Tri)a$! of In%ia canno a$!o )e con!i%ere% a! Hin%u! )ecau!e he' have heir o*n %i!inc re$i&iou! i%eni' *ih )e$ief!( "racice!( rie!( !acre% ra%iion!( *hich %i!in&ui!h he# fro# Hin%ui!#( an% he' have a$$ he characeri!ic! foun% in he #a,or re$i&ion! of he *or$% P a $ea! in a nu!he$$ 5@7 . In #o%ern i#e! in!ea% of he er# 1ani#i!!3 he' are &enera$$' %e!i&nae% a! 1ra%iiona$ re$i&ion!3. .u i can ha""en ha un%er he "roce!! of San!-rii!aion( he enire ri)e or "ar of i can &e ine&rae% i!e$f ino Hin%u re$i&ion or u!e cerain a!"ec! of Hin%u re$i&ion *ihou #uch ref$ecion( !uch a! rie!( fe!iva$!( #'h!( ru$e! of "uri'( !ocia$ nor#!( ec. The!e facor! 5:@ See N.SMA;T( *orld Philoso"hies( +64+:. 5:9 See K.M.<ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( 9. 5:? See N.DATTA( GAre he Si-h! Hin%u!C( +7. Se a$!o GSi-h! are no Hin%u!: TohraH( 9E K.S.NA.HA( G1De are no Hin%u!3H( :@94:@=. 5:= See GJain! 2e Minori' Sau! in ;a,a!hanH( @. For a %i!cu!!ion on he !e"arae i%eni' of he Jain! fro# Hin%ui!# !ee GThe Jain I%eni'H( +?4+>E GFor% Mahavir an% Jain ;e$i&ionH( 5745+E GTene! of Jaini!#H( 55. 5:> J.NEH;U( The +is)overy of India( ?@. 5@7 See 2.MA2NANI( Religione e Religioni( :?7. +:> CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA #a-e i ea!' o con!i%er he# a! "ar of Hin%ui!# P *hich in rea$i' can har%$' )e ,u!ifie%. .u *h' i! here !uch an in!i!ence on he "ar of Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! ha .u%%hi!!( Jain!( Si-h! an% ani#i!! are Hin%u!C The an!*er i! o )e !ou&h in he "o$iica$ a&en%a of Hin%uva *hich ai#! a e!a)$i!hin& a Hindu rashtra AHin%u naionB ou of !ecu$ar In%ia for *hich 1he nu#)er3 i! a crucia$ facor. De "re!en )e$o* a !ai!ica$ !u%' carrie% ou )' 2.J.Far!on. He !a'! ha a)ou 56 "er cen of In%ia3! "o"u$aion co#e un%er he cae&or' of Sche%u$e% Tri)e! ASTB an% Sche%u$e% Ca!e! ASCB. If one co#)ine! he SC! an% ST! *ih oher 1#inori'3 re$i&iou! co##uniie!( na#e$'( Mu!$i#! A++.@ "er cenB( Chri!ian! A5.@ "er cenB( Si-h! A5 "er cenB( .u%%hi!!( A7.?@ "er cenB( Jain! A7.@7 "er cenB( an% Oher! A7.@7 "ercenB( one co#e! ver' near a oa$ of :7 "er cen of In%ia3! "o"u$aion. Thi! !i$$ $eave! !o#e 97 "ercen for he cae&or' of 1Hin%u3 )u of he!e 97 "ercen( only 9: "er )ent con!iue he !o4ca$$e% 1for*ar% ca!e!3 A.rah#in!( .hu#ihar!. ;a,"u!( Maraha!( Ja!( Vai!h'a .ania!( Ka'a!ha! an% !o onB( $eavin& :7 "er cen for he un%eer#ine% cae&or' -no*n a! 1Oher .ac-*ar% C$a!!e!3 5@+ . Far!on3! !u%' revea$!( o !o#e e/en( *h' Hin%uva i! concerne% a)ou )rin&in& a! #an' re$i&iou! &rou"! a! "o!!i)$e un%er he u#)re$$a of Hin%ui!# P i i! re$ae% o he !rae&' of i! nu#)er &a#e 5@5 . A.D.Maa#( ha! cha$$en&e% he c$ai# of he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva ha he #a,ori' of he "eo"$e in In%ia are Hin%u!. He ar&ue! ha he cen!u! of In%ia inf$ae he fi&ure! of Hin%u!. The acua$ "ercena&e of Hin%u! #u! )e $e!! han :7 "er cen or !o of he "o"u$aion of In%ia if !ric crieria are fo$$o*e% 5@6 . Maa# a$!o refer! o V.T.;a,a!he-ar *ho #a-e! a $i! of ho!e *ho are no Hin%u! or *ere never Hin%u!( na#e$'( Sche%u$e% ca!e! A57VBE Tri)a$! A+7VB( .ac-*ar% ca!e! A:7VB *hich #a-e! a oa$ of ?7V of In%ia3! "o"u$aion. Then here are Mu!$i#! A+@VB( Chri!ian! A5.@VB( Si-h! A5VB *hich a%%! u" o a oa$ of +>.@V. Hence a oa$ of >7V are no 1Hin%u3 5@: . Hin%uva i! e!!enia$$' an i%eo$o&' of he Hin%u u""er ca!e!( an% )ein& a #inori' )' he#!e$ve! he' *i$$ never )e a)$e o o)ain a c$ear #a,ori' in he <ar$ia#en in or%er o e!a)$i!h a Hin%u naion( an% #uch $e!! o ca$$ Hin%ui!# he re$i&ion of he #a,ori' "o"u$aion of In%ia. ;ea$i!in& hi!( he a%vocae! of Hin%uva have evo$ve% a !rae&' *ih a vie* o *in over he Jain!( .u%%hi!!( Si-h!( Sche%u$e% Cae!( Sche%u$e% Tri)e! an% oher!( un%er he "ree/ ha he' a$$ for# "ar of Hin%ui!#. In a%%iion( he' a$!o ae#" o re4conver "eo"$e *ho have acce"e% I!$a#( Chri!iani'( .u%%hi!# an% oher non4Hin%u re$i&ion! )' ar&uin& ha( ori&ina$$' he' *ere a$$ Hin%u! an% ha re4conver!ion o Hin%ui!# i! noin& e$!e )u a 1ho#e4co#in&3. Hence he enire !rae&' i! i%eo$o&ica$$' an% "o$iica$$' #oivae%( an% i! )a!e% on he 1&a#e of nu#)er!3. I ha! nohin& o %o *ih heir inenion o a)o$i!h ca!e !'!e# or a$$o* for &reaer u"*ar% !ocia$ #o)i$i'. I i! in he inere! of he u""er ca!e Hin%u! o have he!e re$i&iou! &rou"! rec-one% a! Hin%u!. 5@+ See 2.J.FA;SON( GDi!cour!e a)ou 1;e$i&ion3H( +=9. 5@5 See J. KU;UVACHI;A( GThe Nu#)er! 2a#eH( 66469. 5@6 See A.D.MATTAM( Religions( +6@. 5@: See V.T.;AJASHEKA;( Aggression on Indian Culture( .an&a$ore( +>>?( 6 a! cie% in A.D.MATTAM( Religions( +69. +@7 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA 1/. The myth of !induism as the most tolerant religion There i! a *i%e$' "o"u$ari!e% )e$ief ha Hin%ui!# never in%u$&e% in re$i&iou! "er!ecuion( an% ha i i! he #o! o$eran of a$$ he *or$% re$i&ion!. For e/a#"$e( Davi% Fra*$e' c$ai#! ha Hin%ui!# i! he !u"er o$eran re$i&ion 5@@ . Savar-ar ca$$! In%ia he 1$an% of o$eraion3 5@9 . 2o$*a$-ar c$ai#!: GThere ha! never )een IOJ a conf$ic or ino$erance in our counr' eiher in he "a! or in he "re!enH 5@? . D.N.Sin&h ar&ue! ha he !ecre of he !urviva$ of he Hin%u re$i&ion( in !"ie of he #an' inva!ion! i encounere%( $ie! in i! o$erance of ou!i%er! an% heir )e$ief! 5@= . I #u! )e e#"ha!i!e% ha Hin%ui!#3! c$ai# ha i i! 1he #o! o$eran re$i&ion3( 1a re$i&ion *hich never in%u$&e% in "er!ecuion of oher!3 an% !o on are fa$!e. In Ju$' 5776 he inernaiona$ #ini!eria$ conference on 1Dia$o&ue a#on& Civi$i!aion!3 conc$u%e% *ih he a%o"ion of a re!o$uion *hich acce"e% 1o$erance a! a fun%a#ena$ va$ue co##on o a$$ civi$i!aion!3 5@> . If a re$i&ion conceive! non4vio$ence or $ove a! a fun%a#ena$ virue( o$erance ha! o )e one of he ha$$#ar-! of ha re$i&ion. The virue of 1o$erance3 i! i#"$ie% in he eachin&! of "racica$$' a$$ he &rea re$i&ion! of he *or$%. In In%ia *e have e/a#"$e! of e#"eror! an% naiona$ fi&ure! *ho have )een &rea #o%e$! of re$i&iou! o$erance: A!ho-a3! o$erance *a! foun%e% on .u%%hi!#( A-)ar3! on I!$a#( Maha#a 2an%hi3! on Hin%ui!# an% Moher Tere!a3! on Chri!iani'. Ho*ever( if *e &o )' evi%ence! fro# hi!or'( Hin%ui!# does not %e!erve he honour of )ein& he #o! o$eran re$i&ion. An%rW .Wei$$e noe! ha in Hin%ui!# he "rinci"$e of hierarch' c$a!he! *ih ha of o$eraion 597 . Hi!or' e$$! u! ha Hin%ui!# ha! )een ino$eran o*ar%! ho!e re$i&ion!( cu$ure! an% i%eo$o&ie! ha %i% no a$$o* he#!e$ve! o )e %o#inae% )' Hin%ui!#. Ofen( for Hin%ui!#( o$erance #ean! conce%in& o he non4Hin%u! a !u)or%inae ro$e *ihou ri&h! an% "rivi$e&e!. A&ain( o$erance for Hin%ui!# i#"$ie! a!!i#i$aion( ine&raion an% %o#inaion of he Oher. Thi! a!"ec of Hin%ui!# i! c$ear$' !ae% )' Auro)in%o. He !a'!: G.u !he IIn%ia( Hin%ui!#J a!!i#i$ae! on$' *hen her cenra$ ruh i! reco&ni!e% )' he oher "ar'( an% even *hi$e a!!i#i$ain& !he %oe! i in !uch a *a' ha he e$e#en! a)!or)e% are no $on&er reco&ni!a)$e a! forei&n )u )eco#e "ar of her!e$fH 59+ . In +>@5( N.C.Chaer,ee( he "re!i%en of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha a$!o e#"ha!i!e% hi! a!"ec of Hin%ui!#: The Hun!( he Sc'hian!( he 2ree-! *ere a$$ a)!or)e% ino he &rea Hin%u fo$%. The &rea Dravi%ian "eo"$e *ere a$!o )rou&h un%er he inf$uence of Hin%u civi$i!aion. So $on& a! Hin%ui!# *a! a $ivin& or&ani!#( i cou$% )oh a)!or) an% re!i!E i cou$% )oh )e a&&re!!ive an% a he !a#e i#e i cou$% a!!i#i$ae an% e$evae o hi&her $eve$ he un4 Ar'an or non4Ar'an ri)e! or "eo"$e! *ho# i !he$ere% 595 . 5@@ See D.F;ADFEY( Arise Arjuna( :5. 5@9 See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( 59 5@? M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts- +95. 5@= See D.N.SIN2H( A Study of Hinduism(++. 5@> See G1To$erance Co##on o A$$ Civi$i!aion!3H( +5. 597 See A. .XTEIFFE G;e$i&ion an% Socie'H( =. 59+ AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( +??. 595 N.C.CHATTE;JEE( Presidential Address A+>@5B( 6. +@+ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA Dhen he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva ar&ue ha .u%%hi!#( Jaini!#( Si-hi!# an% ani#i!# are "ar of Hin%ui!#( i i! an ae#" o a!!i#i$ae an% %o#inae he!e re$i&ion!. <erha"! in he hi!or' of In%ia( he re$i&ion! ha have re!o$ue$' re!i!e% hi! "roce!! are Chri!iani' an% I!$a#( an% hi! e/"$ain! o !o#e e/en( he ino$eran aiu%e of he Hin%u reviva$i!! an% Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! o*ar%! he!e re$i&ion!( an% he rea!on for )ran%in& he# a! 1forei&n faih!3 an% 1inerna$ hrea!3 o In%ia. I i! o )e reierae% ha( ahimsa or non4vio$ence )eca#e a nor#aive va$ue of Hin%ui!# on$' in recen i#e!. I *a! he .u%%hi!! an% he Jain! *ho #a%e hi! virue foun%aiona$ an% a)!o$ue o heir faih. In fac( he hagavadgita *hich i! acc$ai#e% a! he 1&o!"e$3 of Hin%ui!# "re!en! a %ifferen eachin& on he #aer. I c$ear$' en%or!e! he u!e of vio$ence. In #o%ern i#e!( i *a! .a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- *ho effecive$' ui$i!e% he eachin&! of he hagavadgita o !u""or hi! e/re#i! vie*!( an% hi! 4ita Rahasya A1he !ecre of he 4ita%B i! a *ine!! o i. In fac( *e are o$% ha con!i%erin& he 1%'na#ie ha he 4ita conaine%3 8 a! K.M.<ani--ar "u! i P he .rii!h &overn#en for a i#e !eriou!$' eneraine% he i%ea of "ro!cri)in& he 4ita 596 . The hi!or' of .raha#anic ino$erance o*ar%! oher faih! i! $on&. For e/a#"$e( he Ar'an e#i&ran! *ere ino$eran o*ar%! he in%i&enou! "o"u$aion an% re%uce% he# o he !au! of he !ervin& c$a!!. Severa$ Hin%u -in&! in he "a! have )een ino$eran. In fac( u" o he i#e of he 2u"a %'na!'( .u%%hi!# *a! one of he $ea%in& re$i&ion! of In%ia( *hich a$#o! over!ha%o*e% he Ve%ic re$i&ion an% "uranic Hin%ui!#( an% !o#e !cho$ar! even c$ai# ha a one i#e .u%%hi!# *a! he #o! "ro#inen re$i&ion of In%ia 59: . ;o#i$a Tha"ar re#in%! u! ha( in he !econ% cenur' ..C <u!h'a#ira Sun&a( he .rah#in ru$er( %i!a""rove% he heero%o/ !ec! an% "er!ecue% he .u%%hi!! 59@ . In fac he .u%%hi! ra%iion %e!cri)e! <u!h'a#ira a! a crue$ "er!ecuor of .u%%hi!#. He i! !ai% o have %e!ro'e% #ona!erie! an% -i$$e% he #on-! in he cour!e of hi! #arch o Sa-a$a ASia$-o in <un,a)B *here he %ec$are% a "rice of one hun%re% &o$% coin! on he hea% of each #on- 599 . Driin&! in he !evenh cenur' A.D( Hiuan4T!an& ae!! o he Saivie "er!ecuion of Sra#anic !ec! in Ka!h#ir 59? . The hi!orian Ka$hana *riin& in he *e$fh cenur' refer! o he ear$ier %e!rucion of .u%%hi! #ona!erie! an% -i$$in& of .u%%hi! #on-! )' he Huna -in& Mihira-u$a *ho "aroni!e% Saivi!# 59= . Fro# he !evenh cenur' A.D on*ar%! in Ta#i$ Na%u( he Saiva !ec! aac-e% Jain e!a)$i!h#en! an% even !uccee%e% in %rivin& ou he sramanas 59> . In Karnaa-a( he Vira!aiva! or Fin&a'aa! "er!ecue% he Jaina #on-! an% %e!ro'e% Jaina i#a&e! 5?7 . The .u%%hi!! an% he Jain! of ancien Kera$a oo e/"erience% "er!ecuion fro# .raha#inic Hin%u! e!"ecia$$' !ince 596 See K.M.<ANIKKA;( GHin%u ;eviva$H( +@. 59: See A.D.MATTAM( Religions( +7@4+79. 59@ See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( 5+7. 599 See ;.D.MOOKE;JI( GThe Fa$$ of he Ma&a%han E#"ireH( >?. 59? See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >?@. 59= See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >?@. See a$!o ;.C.MAJUMDA;( GThe I#"eria$ Cri!i!H( 6?E ;.2ANDHI( Revenge and Re)on)iliation( 9?. 59> See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >?@. See a$!o GDha ha""ene% o Jain!H( 5@. 5?7 See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >?@. See a$!o GDha ha""ene% o Jain!H( 5@459. +@5 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA he e#er&ence of A%i Sana-ra 5?+ . A.D.Maa# !a'!: GThe %ec$ine of .u%%hi!# an% Jaini!# in Ta#iLha-a# )e&an )' = h cenur' A.D. a! a re!u$ of he vi&orou! "ro"a&an%a $e% )' #i!!ionarie! $i-e Sri San-arachar'a.The .u%%hi!! an% Jain! i a""ear! *ere !o#ei#e! !u),ece% o vio$en "er!ecuion a he han%! of he fo$$o*er! of Hin%ui!#H 5?5 . I i! !ai% ha( on he *ho$e( Saivi!i# *a! #ore "rone o "er!ecuin& co#"eior! han Vai!navi!# 5?6 . A%i San-ara *ho "reache% he e8)lusive religion of he A%vaia Ve%ana( *a! "ri#ari$' re!"on!i)$e for he %i!a""earance of .u%%hi!# fro# he $an% of i! )irh. In fac( .a$ 2an&a%har Ti$a- #a-e! no !ecre of he fac ha .u%%hi!# an% Jaini!# *ere overhro*n )' Ku#ari$a .haa an% A%i San-ara 5?: . The ino$eran -in& Sa!an-a )urn an% %e!ro'e% he .o%hi4ree a 2a'a a! Hiuan4T!an& he .u%%hi! "i$&ri# fro# China narrae! 5?@ . In Mani"ur( Norhea! In%ia( *hen he Meihei -in& <a#hei)a A2hari) Na*aL(+?7>4+?:=B *a! convere% o Hin%ui!#( he #a%e Hin%ui!# he Sae re$i&ion. An' re$i&iou! %i!!en *a! reae% *ih he !a#e ruh$e!! !everi' a! *a! #ee% ou o "o$iica$ o""onen!( an% *ho$e!a$e )ani!h#en or e/ecuion force% he "eo"$e ino acce"in& he ene! of Hin%ui!# 5?9 . Ca!e !'!e# an% unoucha)i$i' are a$!o e/"re!!ion! of he re$i&iou! ino$erance of u""er ca!e Hin%u! o*ar%! he $o*er ca!e! an% ouca!e!. In +>6:( *hen he .rii!h 2overn#en *ane% o inro%uce he unoucha)i$i' a)o$iion )i$$( !evera$ Hin%u or&ani!aion! an% &rou"! o),ece% o i. For e/a#"$e( he Sanaana Dhar#a Sa)ha of Nainia$ *roe o he 2overnor 2enera$ hu!: Tha he unoucha)i$i' )i$$ i! a&ain! he "rinci"$e! of he Sanaana Dhar#a an% ani4re$i&iou! an% he Sa)ha re0ue!! he 2overnor42enera$4in4Counci$ no o a$$o* i o "a!! ino $a* a! i inerfere! *ih Hin%u re$i&ion. IO.J Sanaana Dhar#a i! Eerna$ Fa* herefore hi! Sa)ha re0ue!! he 2overn#en ha i! re$i&ion( cu!o#!( *a'! of $ife en,oine% )' i! fo$$o*er! fro# i#e i##e#oria$ #a' )e "re!erve% 5?? . The #an' %i!cri#inaor' $a*!( e!"ecia$$' ho!e i#"o!e% )' The $a(s of ,anu a&ain! *o#en are a$!o #ar-! of Hin%u ino$erance. A)ou he $a*! of Manu i ha! )een !ai%: Ghe ,anu.smrti i! o%a' e/ecrae% )' he $o*er ca!e!( *ho re&ar% i virua$$' a! a )$ue"rin of )rah#in %o#inaion( a f$a&ran "iece of )rah#anica$ i#"o!ureH 5?= . In oher *or%!( he $on& ra%iion of o$erance of #an' 1cri#e! a&ain! hu#ani'3 an% vio$aion of hu#an ri&h! *ihin Hin%ui!# i! i!e$f a !"ecie! of ino$erance. In !"ie of a$$ hi!( "ara%o/ica$$'( S*a#i Vive-anan%a !ae!: Gin In%ia here never *a! an' re$i&iou! 5?+ See a$!o GDha ha""ene% o Jain!H( 56459. See a$!o ;.2ANDHI( Revenge and Re)on)iliation( 9@4 9?. 5?5 A.D.MATTAM( Religions( >74>+. 5?6 See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( >?9. 5?: See ..2.TIFAK( The 'rion- +. See a$!o GDha ha""ene% o Jain!H( 5645:. 5?@ See ;. DE SMET(. GSaivi!#H( 6+:. 5?9 See T.C.HODSON( The ,eitheis( >@. 5?? G;e!"on!e of Sanaana Dhar#a Sa)haH( :6+4:65. 5?= ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 5>. +@6 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA "er!ecuion )' he Hin%u!H 5?> . He !a'! furher: G.efore he Moha##e%an *ave ca#e ino In%ia( i *a! never -no*n *ha re$i&iou! "er!ecuion *a!H 5=7 . Auro)in%o c$ai#! ha Hin%ui!# i! he #o! o$eran an% rece"ive of a$$ re$i&iou! !'!e#! 5=+ . Da'anan%a Sara!*ai in hi! conrover!ia$ *or- Satyartha Prakash c$ear$' %e#on!rae% hi! ino$erance o*ar%! a$$ non4Hin%u re$i&ion! an% "hi$o!o"hie! in he criici!# he $eve$$e% a&ain! he Carvaca!( .u%%hi!!( Jain! 5=5 ( Mu!$i#! 5=6 an% Chri!ian! 5=: . Thi! *or-( even o%a'( re#ain! a! a nooriou! 1#a!er"iece3 an% e!a#en of Hin%u ino$erance. Savar-ar( )e!i%e! "ro,ecin& Chri!iani'( Ju%ai!#( Noroa!riani!# a! forei&n re$i&ion!( "re!ene% he Mu!$i#! a! he &reae! ene#ie! of Hin%ui!# an% of he Hin%u naion. He ofen u!e% !uch e"ihe! a! 1Mu!$i# &oon%a!3 an% 1Mu!$i# hoo$i&an! 5=@ in hi! *riin&! an% !"eeche!. In +>:@ ..S.Moon,e *roe o Maha#a 2an%hi ha he ha% no choice )u o re,ec he $aer3! non4vio$ence )ecau!e he Hin%u Maha!a)ha *a! for 1vio$ence or&ani!e% an% %i!ci"$ine% on #o%ern !cienific $ine!3 a! o""o!e% o he )harka A!"innin& *hee$B )ecau!e 1i e#a!cu$ae! #an$ine!!3 5=9 . In +>@5( %urin& he "re!i%enia$ a%%re!! of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha N.C.Chaer,ee !ae%: GDe #u! #a-e Hin%ui!# a&&re!!ive an% #i$ianH 5=? . He *en on o a%%: GS*a#i Vive-anan%a "reache% a&&re!!ive Hin%ui!#. He *ane% u! o #a-e our faih a&&re!!ive( no on$' inernaiona$$'( )' !en%in& ou #i!!ionarie!E )u a$!o !ocia$$'( )' !e$f4i#"rove#enH 5== . For 2o$*a$-ar( Mu!$i#!( Chri!ian! an% Co##uni!! are inerna$ hrea! o In%ia 5=> an% .u%%hi!! are ene#ie! of Hin%u cu$ure 5>7 . Arun Shourie i! anoher Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue *ho ha! #anife!e% hi! ino$erance o*ar%! he #inori' re$i&ion! an% !ecu$ar i%eo$o&ie! of In%ia in hi! nu#erou! *riin&!. Hi! #ain ar&e! are he Chri!ian!( Mu!$i#!( Co##uni!!( Da$i!( an% he !ecu$ari!! in &enera$ 5>+ . Hin%uva *rier! $i-e ;a# S*aru"( Sia ;a# 2oe$( $ea%er! of Hin%uva or&ani!aion! $i-e 2irira, Ki!hore( K.S.Su%ar!han( <ravin To&a%ia( A!ho- Sin&ha$( .a$ Thac-era'( "o$iica$ $ea%er! $i-e F.K. A%vani( Mur$i Manohar Jo!hi( A...Va,"a'ee( U#a .harai( Naren%ra Mo%i an% !o on are a$!o !o#e of he ou!an%in& 1ino$eran face!3 of cone#"orar' Hin%ui!#. 5?> The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.+( 6>+. 5=7 The Com"lete *orks of S(ami Vivekananda( vo$.+( 6:=. 5=+ See AU;O.INDO( India%s Re&irth( +:6. 5=5 For Da'anan%a3! criici!# of he Carvaca!( .u%%hi!# an% Jain! !ee D. SA;ASDATI( Satyartha Prakash cha"er QII. 5=6 See D.SA;ASDATI( Satyartha Prakash cha"er QIV. 5=: See D.SA;ASDATI( Satyartha Prakash cha"er QIII. 5=@ See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( +7:(++6E ID. Histori) Statements- 6(>(+6(5+(9@. 5=9 See Moon,e <a"er!( NMMF A#!!.!ecionB( $eer of +7 Se"e#)er +>:@( a! cie% in C.JAFF;EFOT( The Hindu nationalist ,ovement( :9 foonoe +@5. 5=? N.C.CHATTE;JEE( Presidential Address( A+>@5B( :. 5== N.C.CHATTE;JEE( Presidential Address( A+>@5B( :. 5=> See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( +??457+. 5>7 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( ?7. 5>+ See for in!ance hi! The 'nly 7atherland A+>>+B( A Se)ular Agenda A+>>6B( ,issionaries in India A+>>:B( The *orld of 7at(as A+>>@B( *orshi""ing 7alse 4ods A+>>?B( Harvesting our Souls A5777B. +@: CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA Dhen Naren%ra Mo%i he Chief Mini!er of 2u,ara vi!ie% En&$an% in Au&u! 5776 !o#e of he "roe!er! in Fon%on carrie% "o!er! *ih !uch ca"ion! a!: 1Naren%ra Mo%i he )ucher of 2u,ara3( 1Mr.Mo%i 'ou are #ur%erer no frien% of 2u,ara3( 1Arre! an% ,ai$ Mo%i3( ec 5>5 . The 4uardian "$ace% Mo%i in he ra%iion of Hi$er an% Mi$o!evic an% carrie% a i$e 1He i! )$a#e% for he %eah of 5(777 Mu!$i#! in In%ia. So *h' i! hi! #an in De#)$e'C3 5>6 . In A"ri$ 577: in a Su"re#e Cour ver%ic he ,u%&e! %e!cri)e% Mo%i one of he #o%ern4%a' Nero! 5>: . So#e have even !u&&e!e% ha Mo%i !hou$% !ee a "!'chiari! for he !ee#! o )e #ena$$' i$$ 5>@ . In !"ie of hi!( !o#e of he .J< $ea%er! "ro,ece% Naren%ra Mo%i a! a "o!!i)$e can%i%ae o !uccee% he for#er <ri#e Mini!er A...Va,"a'ee an% *i%e$' u!e% hi# for he "ar'3! e$ecion ca#"ai&n!. To hi! $i! one can a%% he nu#erou! Hin%uva or&ani!aion! ha "rofe!! ino$erance o*ar%! non4 Hin%u! an% !ecu$ar i%eo$o&ie! $i-e he ;SS( VH<( .J<( Shiv Sena( .a,ran Da$ an% he San&h <arivar a! a *ho$e. Hi!or' ha! recor%e% #an' in!ance! of .u%%hi!#( Jaini!#( Chri!iani'( I!$a# an% ri)a$ re$i&ion! re!i!in& Hin%u %o#inaion. Ye( .u%%hi!#( *hich *a! once a "o*erfu$ re$i&ion in In%ia( !uccu#)e% o he co#)ine% aac-! of Hin%u re$i&iou! $ea%er! an% Hin%u ru$er!. Thi! e/"$ain! o a &rea e/en he rea!on for he 1%i!a""earance3 of .u%%hi!# fro# In%ia. Hin%uva i! no* *a&in& a !i#i$ar )a$e a&ain! Chri!iani'( I!$a# an% !ecu$ar i%eo$o&ie!( an% i %oe! no #a-e !ecre of i! o),ecive of o)$ierain& he# fro# In%ia( !o ha he Hin%uva "$an of e!a)$i!hin& a Hin%u naion )eco#e! a rea$i'. The .rah#anica$ i%eo$o&' of 1!*a$$o*in& u"3 oher re$i&ion! i! a$!o a !i&n of Hin%u ino$erance. A$rea%' in #an' Hin%uva *riin&!( .u%%hi!!( Jain!( Si-h! an% 1ani#i!!3 are %ec$are% a! Hin%u!. Even he $e&a$ !'!e# of In%ia !u""or! i. In fac( $e&a$$' .u%%hi!( Jaina an% Si-h re$i&iou! &rou"! are con!i%ere% Hin%u 5>9 . In cerain Hin%uva circ$e! he ae#"! a a!!i#i$aion of he 1Oher3 con!i!! in na#in& he In%ian Chri!ian! a! 1Hin%u4Chri!ian!3 an% In%ian Mu!$i#! a! 1Moha##a%i'a Hin%u!3. There i! a$!o a a$- of creain& a Chri!ian hierarch' conro$$e% )' he Hin%uva &overn#en afer he #o%e$ of he Chine!e Church. I #a' a$!o )e reca$$e% ha in Souh In%ia( he Chri!ian! *ere "er!ecue% an% S.Tho#a! he A"o!$e *a! -i$$e% )' he .rah#in! in ?5 AD 5>? . A$$ he!e fac! cha$$en&e he c$ai# of Hin%ui!# ca$$in& i!e$f a o$eran re$i&ion. The %e#o$iion of he .a)ri #o!0ue a A'o%h'a )' he Hin%u karsevaks A+>>5B 5>= ( he )urnin& a$ive of 2raha# Saine! an% hi! *o #inor !on! in Ori!!a A+>>>B an% he nu#erou! oher inci%en! of aac-! a&ain! he Chri!ian co##uni' an% he "o! 2o%hra even! of 2u,ara a&ain! he Mu!$i# co##uni' A5775B rai!e !eriou! 0ue!ion! a&ain! Hin%u o$erance. So#e i#e a&o( he VH< $ea%er <ravin To&a%ia ca$$e% he 5>5 See M.2.KHAN( GUK Mu!$i#! <roe!H( 6. 5>6 See S.SU;I( GNo* De Dai for he Fi&hH( 65. 5>: See G;io ;eria$H( +. 5>@ See GMo%i !hou$% See a <!'chiari!H( ?. 5>9 See <.D.MATHED Constitution of India( aric$e 5@. 5>? See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld- vo$. I( 56=. I i! a$!o !ai%: GThe enviou! .rah#in!( *ho ha% )een %i!cre%ie% )efore he -in& )' he virue of S Tho#a! *en o -i$$ hi#H. A.M.MUNDADAN( History of Christianity( vo$.+( :@. 5>= See A.K.SAHAY Ae%.B( The Re"u&li) esmir)hed ; +e)em&er 9<<= An.%B. +@@ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA Mu!$i# #a%ra!a! ahei! !e#inarie! ha hae 2o% 5>> . The ;SS chief K.S.Su%ar!han "u)$ic$' !ae% in Na&"ur ha he Je!ui! have )een -no*n for heir vio$en( a&&re!!ive an% e/c$u!ivi! re$i&iou! )e$ief!. Hence he ur&e% he "re!en In%ian <re!i%en A.<.J A)%u$ Ka$a# o %e!i! fro# aen%in& he inau&uraion of he !i/h Dor$% Con&re!! of he Je!ui A$u#ni( in Ko$-oa on 5+ Januar' 5776 677 . Su%har!han !ai%: GI i! our con!i%ere% o"inion ha fanaica$ re$i&iou! &rou"! $i-e he Je!ui! !hou$% no )e a$$o*e% o &ain $e&ii#ac' in hi! $an% uni$ he' c$arif' heir "o!iion on "$ura$i!# an% re!"ec for oher re$i&ion!H 67+ . To he a)ove( *e #a' a%% he a&&re!!ive re4conver!ion aciviie! carrie% ou )' he Hin%uva acivi!! an% or&ani!aion! in #an' "ar! of In%ia( he "a!!in& of he !o4ca$$e% 1Free%o# of ;e$i&ion3 .i$$ in !o#e of he Sae! *hich %enie! "eo"$e heir ri&h o free%o# of con!cience( he !e$ecive ine$$ecua$ aac-! on Co##uni!! an% oher !ecu$ari!!( he innu#era)$e *a'! in *hich he #inoriie! in In%ia are #a$i&ne% an% "er!ecue% an% !o on are a$!o e/a#"$e! of Hin%u ino$erance. Here he o)!ervaion of Ku!h*an Sin&h i! "erinen. He !a'!: GThe' )urn )oo-! he' %i% no $i-eE he' )ea u" ,ourna$i!! *ho *roe a&ain! he#E he' aac-e% cine#a hou!e! !ho*in& fi$#! he' %i% no a""rove ofE he' !#a!he% he e0ui"#en of fi$#4#a-er! rea%' o !hoo fi$# !cri"! c$eare% )' he &overn#enE he' van%a$i!e% he !u%io an% "ainin&! of In%ia3! $ea%in& ari! IOJE he' "ervere% e/! fro# hi!or' )oo-! o #a-e he# confor# o heir i%ea!H 675 . On 59 March 577: 7rontline re"ore% !o#e of he *riin&! foun% on he *a$$! in Ori!!a. The' rea%: GHan& ho!e *ho are r'in& o conver "eo"$e fro# Hin%ui!#H GA*a-enin& of Hin%ui!# i! he a*a-enin& of he counr'H G.e*are R Conver!ion *i$$ no )e o$erae% in he $an% of Ja&annahH G.e*areR Tho!e *ho are converin& are ani4naiona$!H GSo" conver!ion. Our !acre% %u' i! o "re!erve Hin%ui!#H 676 . A&ain in Ori!!a on +7 Fe)ruar' 577: !i/ Da$i Chri!ian *o#en an% he "a!or of he vi$$a&e *ere %ra&&e% ou of heir ho#e! )' oher re!i%en! an% "u)$ic$' on!ure%. A! he' !have% heir hea%! he' -e" aunin& he# !a'in&: 1Ca$$ 'our Je!u! no*. He *i$$ co#e an% !ave 'ou3 67: . A Chri!ian 'ouh of he vi$$a&e !a'!: GMo! of u! fee$ !care% o #ove a)ou a$one. An' i#e *e can )e aac-e% for our re$i&ionH 67@ . In he face a$$ he!e an% #an' oher fac!( he ar&u#en ha Hin%ui!# i! he #o! o$eran re$i&ion !an%! *ihou foun%aion. I #a' )e reca$$e% here ha( hou&h he "re!ence of Chri!iani' in In%ia %ae! )ac- o he 'ear @5 A.D( an% I!$a# o he ei&hh cenur' AD( )oh he!e re$i&ion! are !i$$ con!i%ere% a! forei&n faih! )' Hin%uva. In 5>> See <.TO2ADIA( GHin%uva S'#)o$i!e! Har#on'H( >. 677 See GJe!ui! !hou$% no )e a$$o*e%H( :. 67+ GJe!ui! !hou$% no )e A$$o*e%H( :. 675 K. SIN2H( The End of India( +=4+>. 676 GSaffroni!in& he Tri)a$ Hear$an%H( 5:. 67: See GSaffroni!in& he Tri)a$ Hear$an%H( 59. 67@ GSaffroni!in& he Tri)a$ Hear$an%H( 59. +@9 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA #an' Hin%uva *riin&! Ju%ai!# an% Noroa!riani!#( in !"ie of heir "re!ence in In%ia fro# ancien i#e!( are a$!o reae% a! forei&n re$i&ion!. Such an aiu%e a$!o !#ac-! of he ino$erance of Hin%ui!#. ;a,#ohan 2an%hi o)!erve! in hi! )oo- Revenge and Re)on)iliation ha reven&e an% reconci$iaion i! a &ran% !*ee" of In%ian hi!or'. I! fun%a#ena$ "re#i!e i! ha In%ia3! "a!( far fro# )ein& o$eran an% "acific( !u&&e!! a hi!or' an% coninuin& cu$ure of !e$in& !core! 679 . Arvin% Shar#a o)!erve! ha( Hin%ui!# en%! o )e o$eran of %ocrine! an% "racice! *ihin i !o ha i can )e ca$$e% internal toleran)e. .u Hin%ui!# en%! o e/ra"o$ae hi! inerna$ o$erance *hen i co#e! in conac *ih oher re$i&ion! 67? . Thu!( i i! c$ear ha he #uch aine% noion of Hin%u o$erance i! in rea$i' a #'h 67= . 11. The myth of taboo on co0 slaughter in Vedic times The a)oo on co* !$au&her i! one of he "i$$ar! of he Hin%uva i%eo$o&'. In he "a!( !evera$ fui$e ae#"! have )een #a%e )' "ro"onen! of Hin%uva o "a!! a $a* o )an he !$au&her of co*! a he naiona$ $eve$. In Au&u! 5776 an ae#" *a! #a%e o inro%uce in "ar$ia#en a )i$$ eni$e% 1<revenion of Crue$' o Co*! .i$$ 57763. Inere!in&$'( he )i$$ covere% a$!o a )an on )u$$! an% )u$$oc-!. The )i$$ *a! inen%e% o "reven crue$' o co*! an% heir "ro&en'. He ca$$e% for a )an on he e/"or of co*! an% "rohi)iion of !a$e of )eef. I *ane% o #a-e cau!in& in,ur' o or -i$$in& of co* a co&ni!a)$e an% non4)ai$a)$e offence. I a$!o !ae% ha an'one *ho -i$$! or a)e! in he -i$$in& of a co* !ha$$ )e a*ar%e% ri&orou! i#"ri!on#en for a er# ha #a' no )e $e!! han *o 'ear! an% #a' e/en% u" o !even 'ear! an% "a' a fine u" o ;! +7(777 on each co*. For cau!in& in,ur' o a co* a "er!on *ou$% )e $ia)$e o "a' a fine u" o ;! @(777. .u criic! of he )i$$ ar&ue% ha here *a! an o)viou! co##una$ !$an o he )i$$ *hich *a! a rea!!erion of Hin%uva "o$iic! of he .J<. In fac !o#e !ron&$' !u!"ece% ha i *a! a&ain! cerain co##uniie! 67> . To%a' 4au Seva i! con!i%ere% a! one of he &reae! *or-! of chari' an% hu&e fun%! are !e a!i%e )' !o#e Sae! for he *e$fare of co*!( for e/a#"$e Ma%h'a <ra%e!h 6+7 . In he NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo- for C$a!! VI *e rea%: GA#on& he ani#a$! he co* *a! &iven he #o! i#"oran an% !acre% "$ace. In,urin& or -i$$in& of co* *a! "rohi)ie% in he Ve%ic "erio%. The co* *a! ca$$e% A&hn'a Ano o )e -i$$e% or in,ure%B. Ve%a! "re!cri)e "uni!h#en for in,urin& or -i$$in& co* )' e/"u$!ion fro# he -in&%o# or )' %eah "ena$'( a! he ca!e #a' )eH 6++ . Accor%in& o 2o$*a$-ar( co* !$au&her in In%ia )e&an *ih forei&n %o#inaion. The Mu!$i#! !are% i an% he .rii!her! coninue% i 6+5 . 679 See ;.2ANDHI( Revenge and Re)on)iliation A+>>>BE A.MAFIK( GFoo- )ac- in An&erH( ?6. 67? See A. SHA;MA( GOn To$erain& he Ino$eranH( 67. 67= See J.KU;UVACHI;A( GHo* To$eran i! Hin%ui!#CH( 6646>. 67> See T.K.;AJAFAKSHMI( G<o$iic! of Co* S$au&herH( 5?45=. 6+7 GM.<. Enforce! .an on Co* S$au&herH( 6. 6++ ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( =>. 6+5 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( :>9. +@? CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA The heor' ha in Ve%ic i#e! here *a! no co* !$au&her i! hi!orica$$' inaccurae. A$hou&h co* *a! revere% an% reae% a! !acre%( )eef *a! offere% a! foo% o &ue!! an% "er!on! of hi&h !au! 6+6 . .e!i%e!( in ancien i#e! non4vio$ence AahimsaB *a! cenra$ focu! of Jaini!# an% .u%%hi!# an% no of oher re$i&iou! !ec!( an% !acrifice of ani#a$! *a! e!!enia$ o he Ve%ic re$i&ion 6+: . ;o#i$a Tha"ar o)!erve! ha o %en'( for e/a#"$e( ha on cerain occa!ion! he Ar'an! ae )eef an% %ran- a$coho$ i! o %en' he evi%ence of )oh $ierar' an% archaeo$o&ica$ !ource! 6+@ . Accor%in& o Kun-u# ;o'( he c$ai# ha in,urin& or -i$$in& of co* *a! "rohi)ie% an% he Ve%a! "re!cri)e "uni!h#en for in,urin& or -i$$in& co* )' e/"u$!ion #a' no )e accurae. The Ve%ic e/ A*hich )' he %efiniion of he NCE;T e/)oo- inc$u%e! he Ve%a( .rah#ana!( Aran'a-a! an% U"ani!ha%!B are no "re!cri"ive. Hence( he' %o no #enion "uni!h#en for vio$aion! of nor#!. Thi! *a! inro%uce% #uch $aer in he shastri) $ieraure. In a%%iion( here are "$en' of archaeo$o&ica$ evi%ence fro# a nu#)er of !ie!( inc$u%in& Ha!iana"ura( o !u&&e! ha ca$e *ere !$au&here% for #ea in ancien In%ia 6+9 . ..Da$-er !a'!: GThe co* i! !"o-en of in he Rig.Veda a! aghnya( 1no4!$a'a)$e3( )u hi! "rohi)iion *a! chief$' %irece% a&ain! he -i$$in& of he #i$ch4co*( an% %i% no "rec$u%e he !$au&her of )u$$! an% co*! for a varie' of re$i&iou! an% co##una$ rea!on!H 6+? . Con!u#"ion of )eef *a! c$ear$' "reva$en a#on& he Ve%ic Ar'an!. K.N.<ani--ar ar&ue! ha he !cho$ar!hi" on he !u),ec of Ar'an! eain& )eef i! a)un%an P )oh $ierar' an% archaeo$o&ica$ 8 an% i ha! )een conc$u!ive$' !ho*n ha )eef *a! "ar of he foo% of he Ar'an!( "aricu$ar$' on riua$ occa!ion! an% *hen enerainin& i#"oran &ue!! 6+= . .. Da$-er o)!erve!: GSevera$ Ve%ic !acrifice! %e#an%e% he !$au&her of )u$$!( afer *hich a "iece of he f$e!h *a! eaen )' he !acrificer. .eef in ho!e %a'! for#e% "ar of he re&u$ar %ie of he Hin%u( rishis A!a&e!B an% .rah#in! e/c$u%e%H 6+> . Co* #ea ca#e o )e "rohi)ie% )ecau!e ca$e "rovi%e% )oh $a)our an% feri$iLer( )e!i%e! #i$-( in an a&ricu$ura$ !ocie'. ;iua$ reco&niion of he co* a! a ho$' ani#a$ )e&an !"rea%in& %urin& he 9 h cenur' ..C. un%er he inf$uence of Jaini!#. Ho*ever( i *a! on$' in he )rah#anica$ "erio% in he ear$' cenurie! of he "re!en era ha he *or!hi" of he co* oo- on he a!"ec! of a )a!ic )e$ief in Hin%ui!# 657 . So#e !cho$ar! even !a' ha *hen Hin%ui!# !ou&h inerna$ reinforce#en! in he *a-e of he Mu&ha$ inva!ion( he co* )eca#e a !'#)o$ of re$i&iou! an% cu$ura$ !e$f4a!!erion. To%a'( a! an i!!ue( co*4"roecion i! !ron& #ain$' in norhern In%ia( an% hi! i! one of he rea!on! for con!i%erin& ha "ar of In%ia a! he 1co* )e$3 65+ . 6+6 See ;.THA<A;( The Penguin History of Early India( ++@. 6+: See ;.THA<A;( Cultural Pasts( =9=. 6+@ See ;.THA<A;( Communalism and the *riting of An)ient Indian History( +5. 6+9 See K.;OY( GDha Ha""ene% o Confuciani!#CH( 9>. 6+? ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I( 5@@. 6+= See K.N.<ANIKKA;( GInro%ucionH( ///ii noe +:. For !i#i$ar i%ea! !ee a$!o K.M. <ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( 9. 6+> ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I( 5@@. For !i#i$ar i%ea! !ee a$!o V.MAN2AFDADI( ,issionary Cons"ira)y( +57. 657 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I( 5@9. 65+ See T.J.S.2EO;2E( The En/uire +i)tionary( :+>. See a$!o D.N.Jha3! revie* of he )oo- )' Dhar#a"a$ an% T.M.Mu-un%an eni$e% The ritish 'rigin of Co( Slaughter in India. Here( Jha +@= CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA 12. The myth that proselytisation is alien to !induism Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! ofen ar&ue ha Hin%ui!# i! he on$' re$i&ion in he *or$% ha %oe! no en&a&e in "ro!e$'i!aion. 2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GOur re$i&iou! #i!!ionarie! *ho reache% %i!an $an%! in ancien i#e! %i% no force heir re$i&ion on oher "eo"$eH 655 . <.Venu&o"a$ *rie! in he ;SS *ee-$' 'rganiser: GHin%u re$i&ion IOJ %oe! no )e$ieve in conver!ion or &o o oher counrie! o #ar-e heir re$i&ion. Hin%ui!# %oe! no "reach conver!ion. Hin%ui!# i! he on$' re$i&ion in he *or$% ha %oe! no &o for conver!ionH 656 . .u he a)ove c$ai# i! far fro# rue. In +>@5( N.C.Chaer,ee he hen "re!i%en of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha !ae%: GThere i! no &reaer hi!orica$ ruh han ha he Hin%u re$i&ion ha% )een a "ro!e$'i!in& re$i&ionH 65: . In +>9:( N.N..aner,ee "re!i%en of he !a#e or&ani!aion !ai%: GThe Hin%u In%ia in her &$oriou! %a'! u!e% o !en% her co$oni!! an% #i!!ionarie! o <e&u( Sia#( Co#)o%ia( China( Ti)e( Ja"an( .orneo( S'ria( E&'"( 2reece an% ;o#eH 65@ . In he +>9@ revi!e% con!iuion of he Hin%u Maha!a)ha *e rea% he fo$$o*in& a#on& i! ai#!( o),ecive! an% ru$e!: GTo e!a)$i!h cu$ura$ conac!( an% cohe!ion *ih he Hin%u! a)roa% an% o inen!if' Hin%u Mi!!ionar' *or- a$$ over he *or$%H 659 . A&ain( in +>99 N.N. .aner,ee 8 o *ho# *e have a$rea%' #a%e reference P e/hore% he Hin%u! !a'in&: GDe #u! rain in I!icJ hou!an%! of ener&eic an% ine$$i&en 'oun& #en an% *o#en an% !en% he# a$$ over he *or$% a! ra%er!( eacher!( echno$o&i!!( ouri!! ec. *ho !hou$% )e our 1e/"er!3 on forei&n counrie!H 65? E GDe nee% Hin%u #i!!ionarie!( o *or- in he!e area! IA!!a#( NEFA( .ihar( Ma%h'a <ra%e!h( Kera$a an% oher "ar! of In%iaJ. To rain he!e #i!!ionarie!( o #ainain heir fa#i$ie! A)ecau!e #o! of he# #a' no )e !an'a!in!B an% hen in re#oe area!( o o"en an% run "ro"er$' !choo$!( ho!"ia$! ec. in he!e area!( hu&e fun%! are re0uire%H 65= . Hin%ui!# i! un%ou)e%$' en&a&e% in he conver!ion of Chri!ian!( Mu!$i#!( .u%%hi!!( ri)a$! an% oher!. The on$' %ifference i! ha he' ca$$ i )' %ifferen na#e!( !uch a!( shuddhi A1"urificaion3B( ghar va"asi A1ho#e co#in&3B( 1"aravartan A1urnin& )ac-3B( 1rec$a#aion3( ec. For e/a#"$e( on 5> Fe)ruar' 577: in .a&h"ura vi$$a&e of ;a,a!han 9@7 Chri!ian ri)a$ "eo"$e *ere 1re4convere%3 o Hin%ui!# hrou&h he 1ho#e co#in&3 cere#on'. The' *ere !"rin-$e% *ih 2an&e! *aer an% &iven an ', in!cri)e% $oc-e an% ca$en%ar! an% #a%e o a-e a "$e%&e in he na#e of Maharana convincin&$' ar&ue! a&ain! he *o auhor! ha co* -i$$in& *a! a fac in ancien i#e!. See Seminar @55( Fe)ruar' 5776( =?. See a$!o J.KU;UVACHI;A( GOn Co* S$au&herH( =. 655 M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts-+=>. 656 <.VENU2O<AF( GDh' Ani4Conver!ion Fa* nee%e%4 IIH( >. 65: N.C.CHATTE;JEE( Presidential Address A+>@5B( 6. 65@ N.N..ANE;JEE( Presidential Address A+>9:B( =. 659 Hindu ,ahasa&ha Constitution A+>9@B( ar :( !ecion +6. . 65? N.N..ANE;JEE( The 4olden 2u&ilee Session A+>99B( 66. 65= N.N..ANE;JEE( The 4olden 2u&ilee Session A+>99B( 6?46=. +@> CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA <raa" 65> . The "hi$o!o"h' )ehin% a$$ he!e aciviie! i! ha a Hin%u convere% o anoher re$i&ion i! no on$' a frien% $o! )u a$!o an ene#' an% a raior creae% 667 . Su)$e for#! of a!!i#i$aion of oher cu$ure! ino Hin%ui!# i! a$!o a #eho% of "ro!e$'i!aion. Thi! "roce!! i! ofen -no*n a! 1!an!-rii!aion3. To%a'( "racica$$' a$$ over In%ia( Hin%u #i!!ionarie! an% he San&h <arivar vo$uneer! *or- a#on& he i$$ierae an% he i&noran ri)a$! an% he !o4ca$$e% $o*4ca!e!( in or%er o !an!-rii!e he# an% hu! a)!or) he# ino Hin%ui!#. In fac( #an' ;SS4affi$iae% or&ani!aion! are *or-in& in ri)a$ area! *ih he !a#e inenion. The Vanavasi 5alyan Ashram aciviie! i! a '"ica$ e/"re!!ion of i. For in!ance( )e*een A"ri$ +64+@ 5776( in he na#e of "ro#oin& cu$ura$ ra%iion of Norhea!ern Sae! of In%ia( Sanskar harati or&ani!e% a funcion in 2u*ahai( A!!a#( o ce$e)rae he A!!a#e!e ne* 'ear 8 ;an&a$i .ihu 8 un%er he i$e 1Our Cu$ure 8 Our i%eni'3 66+ . Fro# +64+@ Dece#)er 5775( a conference for "re!ervaion of he cu$ure an% ra%iion! of he ri)e! in he Norhea! *a! he$% in 2u*ahai( A!!a#( in *hich 5:@ re"re!enaive! fro# :? ri)e! coverin& a$$ he !even Norhea!ern Sae! an% Si--i# *ere "re!en 665 . In Januar' 5776 a Vanavasi Sangamam *a! or&ani!e% in Manana*a%i( Kera$a 666 . The Vanavasi 5alyan Ashram an% he Hem"hu ,ukrang Amei ,oin$' or&ani!e% a Hindu Aikya Sammelen in Kar)i An&$on& %i!ric( A!!a#( for he Kra)i! an% Vanava!i! in *hich over :@(777 "eo"$e are !ai% o have "arici"ae% 66: . A&ain( in!"ire% )' he "ro"onen! of Hin%uva( a hu&e &aherin& of Kha!i4Jainia 'ouh *ho fo$$o* heir ra%iiona$ re$i&ion *a! he$% a Ma*!'nra# vi$$a&e in Me&ha$a'a )e*een +=457 A"ri$ 5776 66@ . Ho*ever( i #u! )e reierae% ha he %ifference in he $a)e$! u!e% )' Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! %oe! no chan&e he !u),ec #aer. In fac( he !o4ca$$e% 1"urificaion3( 1rec$a#aion3( 1ho#e co#in&3 1!an!-rii!aion3( 1"re!ervaion of ri)a$ cu$ure3 an% !o on are !u)!iue a&! for *ha i! &enera$$' ca$$e% 1re$i&iou! conver!ion3 )' oher!. Su#i Sar-ar. a $ea%in& hi!orian( ar&ue! ha fro# he $ae nineeenh cenur' on*ar%!( Hin%ui!# %eve$o"e% a *ho$e )aer' of er#! P rec$a#aion( "urificaion( re4conver!ion( ho#eco#in&( urnin& )ac- ec P a! i! e/"an!ion %irece% o*ar%! #ar&ina$ &rou"! an% ri)a$! )eca#e #ore or&ani!e%. Co##on o a$$ he!e $a)e$! i! an in!i!ence ha a$$ ha i! )ein& ae#"e% i! o )rin& "eo"$e )ac- o heir 1naura$3 !ae( *hich for a$$ he ar&ee% &rou"! i! a$*a'! a!!u#e% o )e )ein& Hin%u 669 . Su#i Sar-ar a$!o "o!e! !o#e "erinen 0ue!ion! o he Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! *ho c$ai# ha Hin%ui!# %oe! no "ro!e$'i!e. I i! &enera$$' acce"e% ha one can )eco#e a Hin%u )' )irh a$one( !ince ca!e i! crucia$ o Hin%ui!#( an% accor%in& o he $a*! of Manu one3! ca!e !au! i! here%iar'. Ho*ever( Sar-ar a!-!( for in!ance( *here %i% a$$ 65> GSaffronin& he Tri)a$ Hear$an%H( 55. 667 See V.<..HATIA GA Fi$# Focu! on I!$a#ic Conver!ion!H( +6. 66+ See GOur Cu$ure 8 Our i%eni'H( 57.1 665 See GEar$' So$uionH( @. 666 See GEar$' So$uionH( @. 66: See GCo#)ain& <ro!e$'i!er!H( +>. 66@ See G2ro*in& Unie%H( 57. 669 See S.SA;KA;( GHin%uva an% he Sue!ion of Conver!ion!H( =+. +97 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA he .u%%hi!! of ancien In%ia &oC Ho* %i% Hin%u icon! an% #'h! !"i$$ over ino $ar&e "ar! of Souh Ea! A!iaC 66? . En&a&e#en in %irec conver!ion aciviie! i! a$!o "ar of he a&en%a of Hin%ui!#. In fac hi!or' i! re"$ee *ih #an' !uch in!ance!. In ancien i#e!( here *a! #uch #o)i$i' of he In%ian! a! ra%er!( #erchan! an% co$onia$i!!( an% ofen he' *ere acco#"anie% )' #i!!ionarie! of .rah#anic re$i&ion. Thu!( he .rah#anica$ re$i&ion *en fro# In%ia o Ma$a' <enin!u$a( Ca#)o%ia( Anna#( Su#ara( Java( .a$i an% .orneo an% !o on an% f$ouri!he% in he!e re&ion!. There i! a$!o #uch hi!orica$ %aa a)ou he !"rea% of !"ecific varieie! of Hin%u ra%iion!( $i-e for in!ance( Chaian'a &hakti fro# cenra$ an% *e!ern .en&a$ ino Ori!!a an% he u"$an%! of Jhar-han%. 66= . The Aho#! of A!!a# *ere convere% o Hin%ui!# %urin& he rei&n of ;u%ra Sin&ha A+9>94+?+:B hrou&h he "ro!e$'i!in& en&a&e#en! of .rah#in! fro# De! .en&a$. I i! !ae%: GThe re$i&iou! $ea%er! re!"on!i)$e for he i#"or of he Hin%u rie! an% riua$! Io Ka#aru"aJ *ere he .rah#in!H 66> . Man' of ;u%ra Sin&ha3! "re%ece!!or! ha% a-en Hin%u a! *e$$ a! Aho# na#e!( an% ha% !ho*n &rea re!"ec for he .rah#in!. .u ;u%ra Sin&h *a! he fir! o announce "u)$ic$' hi! inenion o )eco#e a %i!ci"$e of a Hin%u .rah#in 6:7 . .u *e are a$!o o$%: GThe chan&e *a! %i!a!rou!: i invo$ve% he $o!! of he o$% #aria$ !"iri an% "ri%e of race *ih *hich Aho#! ha% i$$ hen )een ani#ae%E heir "arioic fee$in&! henceforh )eca#e #ore an% #ore !u)or%inae% o !ecarian ani#o!iie! an% inerna$ %i!!en!ion! an% inri&ue!( an% heir "o*er !oon )e&an o %eca'H 6:+ . The Meihei! of Mani"ur )eca#e Hin%u! %ue o he $ar&e !ca$e "reachin& aciviie! of Hin%u #i!!ionarie!. A)ou he 'ear +?+? -in& <a#hei)a A2hari) Na*aLB acce"e% Vai!hnavi!# fro# 2uru 2o"a$ Da!. He a$!o #a%e Hin%ui!# he Sae re$i&ion. Since hen $ar&e !ca$e "reachin& of he ne* faih *a! carrie% ou )' a!ceic!( "i$&ri#! an% .rah#in! *ho arrive% here in $ar&e nu#)er!. A cerain Shana Da! fro# S'$he re#aine% a he cour a! a ro'a$ &ue! an% %irece% he "ro!e$'i!aion aciviie! 6:5 . The Tri"uri! a$!o ha% heir ri)a$ re$i&ion #o%ifie% )' Hin%ui!#. In Tri"ura *e fin% #an' ri)e! inf$uence% )' Hin%ui!#. An over*he$#in& #a,ori' a#on& he i#"oran ri)e! !uch a!( he Tri"uri!( ;ean&!( Ja#aia!( Noaia!( Ha$a#! an% !o on are o a$$ inen! an% "ur"o!e! Hin%u 6:6 . Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! c$ear$' each ha i i! nece!!ar' o "ro!e$'i!e( an% i i! "ar of heir effor o #a-e Hin%ui!# a univer!a$ re$i&ion. Savar-ar !a'!: GThe Hin%u! a$!o #u! coninue o reconver he Chri!ian! an% carr' on he Shu%%hi #ove#enH 6:: . 2o$*a$-ar !"o-e of he Hin%u! a! a 1&rea "eo"$e char&e% *ih a Dor$% Mi!!ion *hich ha! he %u' of )rin&in& ho#e o he enire hu#ani' he !u)$i#e ruh! e#)e%%e% in 66? See S.SA;KA;( GHin%uva an% he Sue!ion of Conver!ion!H( =+. 66= See S.SA;KA;( GHin%uva an% he Sue!ion of Conver!ion!H( ==4=>. 66> H.K .A;<UJA;I Ae%.B( The Com"rehensive History of Assam( vo$. +( 67@4679. 6:7 See Im"erial 4a>etteer of India Provin)ial Series Eastern engal and Assam- 6:. 6:+ Im"erial 4a>etteer of India Provin)ial Series Eastern engal and Assam- 6@. 6:5 See 2.KA.U( History of ,ani"ur( vo$. +( 5@545@6. 6:6 See S.N.2(THAKU;TA( Tri"ura( :64::. 6:: V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindu Sanghatan( >+. +9+ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA Hin%u dharma 6:@ . D.Fra*$e' affir#! ha Hin%u! !hou$% creae e%ucaiona$ #ove#en! a$$ over he *or$% "ro#oin& Yo&a( Ve%ana( A'urve%a( J'oi!h( San!-ri( In%ian #u!ic( an% a$$ a!"ec! of he cu$ure of Hin%ui!# 6:9 . Hin%uva or&ani!aion! $i-e he ;SS( VH<( San&h <arivar have #an' fu$$i#e #i!!ionarie! *ho are en&a&e% in conver!ion aciviie! e!"ecia$$' a#on& he ri)a$!. There are in!ance! of heir u!in& ever' %evice "o!!i)$e( inc$u%in& force( frau% an% in%uce#en!. Davi% Fra*$e' in hi! "reface o hi! )oo- Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu !ae! ha he "ur"o!e of hi! *riin& he )oo- i! ha oher! #a' a$!o )e in!"ire% o a-e a !i#i$ar "ah 6:? . Ever'one -no*! ha Mar&are No)$e a$ia! Si!er Nive%ia *a! convere% o Hin%ui!# )' S*a#i Vive-anan%a. ;o#ain ;o$$an% *rie! ha Mar&are No)$e *a! *en'4ei&h 'ear! o$% *hen !he #a%e u" her #in% o "$ace her fae in S*a#i3! han%. He #a%e her co#e o In%ia( force% her o )eco#e a Hin%u( o Hin%ui!e her hou&h!( her conce"ion!( her ha)i! an% o for&e even he #e#or' of her o*n "a!. She oo- he vo* of &rahma)harya Ace$i)ac'B 6:= . Man' of he Hin%u or&ani!aion! an% gurus in he De!ern counie! are en&a&e% in "ro!e$'i!aion aciviie! an% he' con!i%er he noion ha Hin%ui!# %oe! no "ro!e$'i!e a! !o#ehin& oa$$' ri%icu$ou! an% a Chri!ian con!"irac' a&ain! he# 6:> . To%a'( "erha"! he Inernaiona$ Socie' for Kri!hna Con!ciou!ne!! AI.S.K.CONB i! he )e! !'#)o$ of Hin%ui!# en&a&e% in "ro!e$'i!aion in he De!. The I.S.K.CON i! an a&&re!!ive$' "ro!e$'i!in& Hin%u or&ani!aion an% i! ver' #uch acive in he USA( Euro"e an% oher coninen!. For e/a#"$e( he I.S.K.CON reache% Ia$' in +>?6 an% i ha! cenre! in !uch ciie! a!( A!i( .ari( .er&a#o( .o$o&na( F$orence( Mi$an( Na"$e!( <a%ova( <a$er#o( ;o#e( Siena( Turin( VicenLa( ec. I e#"$o'! #an' creaive echni0ue! o "ro!e$'i!e( !uch a!( o"en "reachin& e!"ecia$$' hrou&h *ha he' ca$$ 1Cenri %i <re%ica3( !i&nin& an% %ancin& in "u)$ic !0uare!( !a$e an% %i!ri)uion of )oo-! an% )oo-$e! Aofen freeB ha e/"$ici$' %ea$ *ih heir !ocie'( he ce$e)raion of he !o4 ca$$e% $a 1Fe!a %e$$a Do#enica3 Arece"ion of he "u)$ic on Sun%a'! in or%er o inro%uce he "eo"$e o he hou&h an% !'$e of $ife of he Hare Kri!hna Move#enB( 1free3 inviaion o ve&earian #ea$!( ce$e)raion of he 1Maraona %i Naa$e3 Aa "erio% in *hich a$$ he Hare Kri!hna cenre! en&a&e in %i!ri)uion an% !a$e of )oo-! an% )oo-$e! on he #ove#enB( ce$e)raion of 1Fe!iva$ %e$$3In%ia3( or&ani!aion of Rath Yatras( u!e of e$ecronic #e%ia e!"ecia$$' he 1;a%io Kri!hna Cenra$e3( a!!i&nin& o %evoee! area! of )oh counr'!i%e an% ciie! A!ree!( rai$*a' !aion!( in%u!ria$ Lone!( )eache!( ecB an% oher "$ace! *here he' can fin% "ro!"ecive conver! 6@7 . Su)$e for#! of "ro!e$'i!aion &oe! on a$!o hrou&h #an' oher Hin%u4affi$iae% or&ani!aion!. For e/a#"$e( he Ananda ,arga a!!ociaion i! acive in a)ou +57 counrie! of he *or$%( e!"ecia$$' in he counie! of Souh4Ea! A!ia( Euro"e( Norh A#erica( Souh A#erica( ec. In Ia$' he' have cenre! in Verona( Trevi!o( Treno( .o$Lano( .o$o&na( Mi$an( <ar#a( Ca!a$#a&&iore( <i!a( .ari( Neuno( Vi)o Va$enia( 6:@ See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts( 6:=. 6:9 See D.F;ADFEY( Hinduism the Eternal Religion( 56?. 6:? See D.F;ADFEY( Ho( I &e)ame a Hindu( ?. 6:= See ;.;OFFAND( The $ife of Vivekananda and the !niversal 4os"el( >6. 6:> See Hinduism Today Oco)er +>=?( = a! cie% in J.F.MAYE;( GUna rina!cia %e$$3OrieneH( 5?=. 6@7 See C..A;TOFI( GSoria( <rofi$i e Mena$iK %e$$a I.S.K.CONH( +@+(+@64+@=. See a$!o V.MAN2AFDADI( The *orld of 4urus( 9?4=9. +95 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA ec. The' re&u$ar$' ho$% !'#"o!iu#!( !e#inar!( roun% a)$e conference!( ran!$aion! an% "u)$icaion of heir $ieraure( !ocia$ an% hu#aniarian aciviie! an% e%ucaion. In !o#e counrie! he' have ie4u"! *ih he &overn#en or&ani!aion! $i-e he hea$h #ini!r' an% he #ini!r' for "u)$ic in!rucion 6@+ . The Se$f ;ea$i!aion Fe$$o*!hi" AS;FB foun%e% in Ca$ifornia in +>57 i! no* "re!en in := counie! of he *or$%. In Ia$' i!e$f i ha! !o#e +7(777 re&i!ere% #e#)er! an% i run! 5> #e%iaion cenre!. I! fa#ou! cenre! in Ia$' are foun% in 2enova( Mi$an( <a%ova( ;o#e( <a$er#o an% Turin. I %iffu!e! i! #e!!a&e hrou&h he "u)$icaion of )oo-!( !a$e of au%ioca!!ee!( hu#aniarian aciviie!( "ra'er &rou"!( "erio%ic or&ani!aion of conference!( !e#inar!( ec. There i! a$!o a for#a$ iniiaion cere#on' for ho!e *ho *i!h o ,oin he or&ani!aion 6@5 . Sanatana +harma Samgha *a! officia$$' reco&ni!e% in Ia$' a! $%!nione Induista Italiana in +>>9. Curren$' i i! en&a&e% in a varie' of aciviie!( !uch a!( eachin& of Yo&a( A'urve%a( or&ani!aion of conference!( con&re!!e!( !e#inar!( %e)ae!( "u)$icaion!( ec. on Hin%u re$i&ion an% In%ian cu$ure 6@6 . The Sai .a)a #ove#en ha! !o#e 97 cenre! in Ia$' a$one *ih hou!an%! of acive #e#)er! 6@: . Durin& he 2$o)a$ Dhar#a Conference he$% in Ne* Jer!e'( USA( in Ju$' 5776( Mur$i Manohar Jo!hi( he for#er Union Hu#an ;e!ource Deve$o"#en AH;DB Mini!er o$% he In%ian A#erican! o ui$i!e heir heria&e fro# he Ea! an% resour)es from the *est o !ho* a ne* "ah o he *or$% 6@@ Dha Jo!hi acua$$' inen%e% )' hi! !ae#en i! ever')o%'3! &ue!!. Then here are Yo&a an% Tran!cen%ena$ Me%iaion cenre!( he ;a#a-ri!hna Move#en( co##uniie! of .ra#a-u#ari!( Auro)in%o cenre!( ;a,ne!h A!hra#!( an% he $i-e *hich a$!o carr' ou "ro!e$'i!aion in !u)$e *a'!. In !hor( o%a' he Hin%u #i!!ionarie! are "racica$$' a$$ over he *or$%( an% heir "re!ence i! e!"ecia$$' noice% in Norh A#erica an% Euro"e 6@9 Ku!h*an Sin&h re#ar-!: GHin%u !avan! $i-e S*a#i Vive-anan%a( Sri Auro)in%o( Ji%%u Kri!hna#uri( S*a#i <ra)hu"a%a( O!ho I;a,nee!hJ an% he !a%hu! of he ;a#a-i!hna Mi!!ion oo- he #e!!a&e of Hin%ui!# a)roa%( )ui$ e#"$e! an% #a%e #an' conver! o Hin%ui!#H 6@? . Ye( "ara%o/ica$$'( Hin%ui!# c$ai#! ha i %oe! no "ro!e$'i!e. .u( a! *e have !een( fac! "rove oher*i!e. 13. The myth of Indian culture as synonymous 0ith !indu culture 6@+ See 2.MASSEFFA( GAnan%a Mar&aH( +7:4+7@. 6@5 See Si!er NAMITA( GFa Self.Reali>ation 7ello(shi" %i Yo&anan%aH( 5+@(5+?45+=. 6@6 See S.H.2I;I( GUnione In%ui!a Ia$ianaH( 56?456=. 6@: See I.;OSATI 8 S.SO;CE 8 ;.SATO;I( GI$ Movi#eno %i Sai .a)aH( +6?. 6@@ See S.CHA;I( GIn%ian A#erican!H( +74++. 6@9 For a )rief accoun of he aciviie! of !o#e of he Hin%u gurus an% or&ani!aion! in Norh A#erica !ee T.A.TDEED 8 S.<;OTHE;O( Asian Religions in Ameri)a# 5:+4597E for heir en&a&e#en7 in he Euro"ean counrie! !ee M.INT;OVI2NE 8 J.F.MAYE; Ae%!.B( $%Euro"a delle 3uove Religioni( +@4+>7( See a$!o V.MAN2AFDADI( The *orld of 4urus A+>>>B. 6@? See K.SIN2H( The End of India( +@. +96 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA There i! a !ron& en%enc' in Hin%uva o a""ro"riae he enire cu$ura$ "a! of In%ia for i!e$f an% o %ec$are i a! Hin%u. The e$ecronic #e%ia( "a#"h$e!( ,ourna$i!ic *riin&! an% "u)$ic %i!cour!e! are u!e% o %i!!e#inae hi! i%ea. Thu!( c$ai#! are #a%e ha In%u! Va$$e' civi$i!aion *a! Ar'an Aherefore Hin%uB( #e%ieva$ #onu#en! $i-e he Ta, Maha$( Sua) Minar an% ;e% For are Hin%u )ui$%in&! 6@= . Savar-ar( *ih he inenion of "ro"a&ain& hi! conce" of In%ia a! a Hin%u naion ar&ue% ha In%ian cu$ure i! Hin%u cu$ure fro# i#e i##e#oria$ 6@> . 2o$*a$-ar *a! a$!o never ire% of !ain& ha In%ia i! one counr'( one "eo"$e( an% one naion 697 P o)viou!$' Hin%u 69+ . For hi#( an In%ian *ho i! no a Hin%u i! eiher a &ue! or an inva%er. For 2o$*a$-ar he Je*! an% he <ar!i! are &ue!! an% he Mu!$i#! an% he Chri!ian! are inva%er! 695 . The NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo- on Ancien In%ia "ro,ec! he In%ian civi$i!aion a! havin& i! !o$e founainhea% in he 1Ve%ic civi$i!aion3 !o ha he' %i!a$$o* an' arni!hin& of he .rah#anca$ !'!e# 696 . .u i i! oo naYve o hin- ha %i!ci"$inin& he #e#orie! of 'ouh hrou&h !affroni!e% e%ucaion %oe! no affec he e/ure of In%ia in he fuure. In fac( criici!# of he cour ver%ic in favour of inro%ucin& he NCE;T !choo$ e/)oo-! ha! )een "un&en. <rafu$ .i%*ai !a'!: GThe ver%ic ha! #a,or i#"$icaion! for he ;i&h! of he Chi$% o un)ia!e% infor#aion( an% for he i!!ue of o$erance an% re!"ec for %ifference in In%ia3! "$ura$( #u$i4cu$ura$( #u$i4re$i&iou! !ocie'. I rai!e! a fun%a#ena$ 0ue!ion: %o *e *an our chi$%ren o )e au&h a viciou!$' "re,u%ice% ver!ion of hi!or' *hich "rivi$e&e! In%ia3! 1Hin%u "a!3 *hi$e )erain& i! 1non4Hin%u3 "erio%!CH 69:
Accor%in& o Hin%uva *rier!( Rig Veda an% ;i&ve%ic San!-ri are fu$$' in%i&enou! o In%ia an% c$a!!ica$ San!-ri i! a %irec %e!cen%en of ;i&ve%ic or Ve%ic San!-ri. Hence neiher he "roo nor he evo$ve% San!-ri can )e ca$$e% an In%o4Euro"ean $an&ua&e. Furher( San!-ri *en De! o he$" evo$ve De!ern an% In%o4Euro"ean $an&ua&e! of o%a' 69@ . Accor%in& o S.<.Mu-her,ee( *haever i! of a)i%in& va$ue in In%ian cu$ure i! "re!erve% in San!-ri 699 . For Arun Shourie( San!-ri *a! he one a$$4 In%ia $an&ua&e an% .rah#in! *ere he one a$$4In%ia ca!e. The' *ere a$!o he &rou" *hich "re!erve% he cu$ura$ e$e#en! of In%ia 69? . So#e even &o o he e/en of #a-in& he au%aciou! c$ai# ha he *ho$e *or$% fro# he )e&innin& of i#e u" o he ri!e of Chri!iani' !"o-e San!-ri an% fo$$o*e% he Ve%ic *a' of $ife 69= . 6@= See K.N.<ANIKKA;( GInro%ucionH( /ii. 6@> See V.D.SAVA;KA;( Hindutva( +7. 697 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts- 559( 55=# 69+ 2o$*a$-ar !a'!: GThe fac i! ha he hi!or' of .hara i! one $on& Hin%u <erio%( !o#ei#e! in a free an% &$oriou! con%iion an% !o#ei#e! !ru&&$in& *ih he forei&n inva%er! in he cau!e of naiona$ free%o# an% honourH. M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts- +694+6?. 695 See M.S.2OFDAFKA;( un)h of Thoughts- +6=. 696 See ..S.<A;AKH Ae%.B( India and the *orld( ==4>+. See a$!o GNCE;T ;e4inven! Hi!or'( En&$i!hH( @. 69: <..IDDAI( HEvi%ence of Sron& Hin%uva .ia!e!H( 6. 69@ See S.;AJE( GI! San!-ri 1In%o4Euro"eanCH( =. 699 See S.<.MOOKE;JEE( $eaves from a +iary( +9@. 69? See A.SHOU;IE( A Se)ular Agenda( 5?45=. 69= See GDor$% Ve%ic Heria&eH( @. +9: CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA Ho*ever( i #u! )e re#e#)ere% ha *hen e/a&&erae% e#"ha!i! i! &iven o San!-ri( i ne&$ec! in he "roce!! oher c$a!!ica$ $an&ua&e! of In%ia *hich have a$!o #a%e !i&nifican conri)uion o In%ian cu$ure. Ta#i$ for e/a#"$e( i! one of he #o! ancien $an&ua&e! of In%ia an% he #o! cu$ivae% of he Dravi%ian $an&ua&e! *ih rich an% varie% voca)u$ar' an% a refine% #e%iu# of co##unicaion *ih e/raor%inar' !u)$e'( "reci!ion an% !en!e of $o&ic 69> . K.M.<ani--ar o)!erve!: GTa#i$ for e/a#"$e ha% a c$a!!ica$ $ieraure riva$$in& ha of San!-ri an% i! %eve$o"#en covere% over *o hou!an% 'ear!H 6?7 . A&ain( <ra-ri! *ere u!e% )' .u%%hi!! an% Jain! for heir *or-!. In fac <a$i( *hich i! he ear$ie! of he $ierar' <ra-ri! i! he $an&ua&e in *hich he .u%%hi! canon *a! "re!erve%. I i! a$!o re#ar-a)$e ha here *ere a$!o vi&orou! !ecu$ar "oeic ra%iion in <ra-ri! 6?+ . To hi! *e #u! a%% he !o far un%eci"here% Hara""an !cri" A1$an&ua&e3B( an% S'riac *hich *a! he cu$ic $an&ua&e of he S.Tho#a! Chri!ian! of Souh In%ia for !evera$ cenurie! 6?5 . .e!i%e! he!e( here are a$!o oher ancien In%ian $an&ua&e! ha have #a%e &rea conri)uion o In%ian cu$ure 6?6 . Here A.D.Maa# re#in%! u! ha he ance!or! of he Dravi%ian! or A%iva!i! or Mon&o$oi%! %i% no !"ea- San!-ri or <ra-ri 6?: . In hi! cone/ i i! o )e re#e#)ere% ha one canno !"ea- of an' uni0ue ro$e San!-ri e/ere% on In%ian cu$ure *ihou i#"$'in& a hi&h %e&ree of .rah#anica$ he&e#on'. The c$ai# ha In%ian cu$ure i! !'non'#ou! *ih Hin%u cu$ure iron! ou %iver!i' an% in!i!! on confor#i' an% %i!or! hi!orica$ fac!. The heor'( )e!i%e! )ein& c$ear$' co##una$( i#"o!e! he Hin%u cu$ure over he oher!. I a$!o %ec$are! a! nu$$ an% voi% he conri)uion! of .u%%hi!#( Jaini!#( Maeria$i!!( Chri!iani'( Noroa!riani!#( Ju%ai!# an% I!$a# o In%ian cu$ure. The fac re#ain! ha In%ian cu$ure i! "$ura$ an% i i! he co##on "ari#on' of a$$ In%ian!( an% no of one race or one ca!e or one re$i&ion a$one. Ja*ahar$a$ Nehru !a'!: GI i!( herefore( incorrec an% un%e!ira)$e o u!e 1Hin%u3 or 1Hin%ui!#3 for In%ian cu$ure( even *ih reference o he %i!an "a!H 6?@ . 69> See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( :?=4:?>. See a$!o A.F..ASHAM( The *onder that (as India- 6>646>:E K.M.<ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( 9. 6?7 K.M.<ANIKKA;( GI#"ac of Euro"eH( 55. 6?+ See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.II( 5654566. See a$!o A.F..ASHAM( The *onder that (as India- 6>+46>6. 6?5 .ene%ic Va%a--e-ara o)!erve! ha S'riac *a! u!e% )' he S.Tho#a! Chri!ian! in heir $iur&' fro# he ear$' cenurie! of he Chri!ian era. The Ne* Te!a#en *a! "rine% in S'riac an% "rie!! rea% f$uen$' fro# i. So#e of he# cou$% a$!o conver!e in S'riac a! if i *ere heir #oher on&ue. A re"or )e$on&in& o he +9 h cenur' A.D. #enion! a S'riac 1univer!i'3 a An&a#a$' *here he Scri"ure *a! au&h in S'riac. Ti$$ $ae i u!e% o )e he #o%e a#on& he ecc$e!ia!ic! o !i&n heir na#e! in S'riac. Their u!e of S'riac for "ra'er an% *or!hi" )eca#e !o characeri!ic of he S.Tho#a! Chri!ian! ha( hou&h erroneou!$'( he' have co#e o )e *i%e$' -no*n a! S'rian Chri!ian!. See ..VADAKKEKA;A( 'rigin of India%s St Thomas Christians( 5:45?. 6?6 See ..DAFKE;( Hindu *orld( vo$.I( @=:4@=@. 6?: See A.D.MATTAM( Religions( =7. 6?@ J.NEH;U( The +is)overy of India( ?@. +9@ CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA 14. The !indutva myths and the Indian masses M'h! )' heir ver' naure have an innae "o*er o a""ea$ o he e#oion! of "eo"$e. The "ro"onen! of Hin%uva *ho have a !u%ie% -no*$e%&e of he "!'cho$o&' of he In%ian #a!!e! have "ro"oun%e% he #'h! in or%er ha he' #i&h i&nie heir i#a&inaion( !en!e of "ri%e an% i%ea$i!#. Thu!( #'h! are u!e% !'!e#aica$$' in or%er o in%ocrinae he #a!!e! hrou&h heir *i%e %iffu!ion u!in& heir 1"ro"a&an%a #achine!3. Man' Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! have a%o"e% he NaLi conce" of 1"ro"a&an%a3 in or%er o in%ocrinae he #a!!e!. The Hin%uva 1"ro"a&an%a #achine!3 inc$u%e i! va! ne*or- of "rin #e%ia( e$ecronic #e%ia Ara%io( e$evi!ion( inerneB( %e#on!raion! an% "roce!!ion! "aricu$ar$' #anife!e% in he for# of Rath Yatras( #a!! ra$$ie!( !affroni!e% !'$$a)i in he e%ucaiona$ in!iuion!( cour!e! an% !e#inar! for !e$ec &rou"! of "eo"$e( or&ani!aion! for 'ouh( *o#en( *or-in& c$a!!( ine$$ecua$!( ec. In fac( here i! a "ro$iferaion of Hin%uva #'h! in he "rin an% he e$ecronic #e%ia( in he !choo$ e/)oo-! an% he curricu$a for hi&her e%ucaion. In a%%iion( he "u)$ic %i!cour!e! of Hin%uva i%eo$o&ue! re$en$e!!$' re"ea an% convincin&$' narrae he #'h! uni$ he #a!!e! en% o )e$ieve he# a! fac!. Con!e0uen$'( $ar&e !ecion! of he In%ian "o"u$aion P *hich are unforunae$' !ee"e% in i$$ierac' P 1%evour3 he!e #'h! *ih a re$i&iou! fervour( una)$e a! he' are o !u)#i he# o a %i!"a!!ionae !cruin' an% !cienific inve!i&aion. Therefore( he #'h! of Hin%uva are !o %e!i&ne% ha he' have he &reae! a""ea$ *here he #a!!e! are #o! i$$ierae. Inere!in&$'( Hin%uva ha! achieve% &reae! !ucce!! in ho!e re&ion! of In%ia *here he rae of i$$ierac' i! hi&h 8 an% ever'one -no*! ha i$$ierac' #a-e! "eo"$e ea!i$' vu$nera)$e o #ani"u$aion )' oher!. In fac( Hin%uva *ie$%! &reae! !*a' over he "eo"$e of Norh In%ia *here he %e#o&ra"h' of i$$ierac' i! he hi&he! in he counr'. The $ae! !ai!ic! !ho* ha In%ia ha! 675.@ #i$$ion i$$ierae "eo"$e *hich i! ha$f of he *or$%3! i$$ierae! 6?9 . In Sae! !uch a! .ihar( Chai!&arh( 2u,ara( Jhar-han%( Ma%h'a <ra%e!h( Maharah!ra( Ori!!a( ;a,a!han( Uar <ra%e!h( Hin%uva ha! &rea !*a' over he #a!!e!. On he oher han%( ho!e Sae! *here he $ierac' rae i! hi&h $i-e( Kera$a( MiLora# an% Hi#acha$ <ra%e!h( he Hin%uva "ro"a&an%a ha! #a%e har%$' an' hea%*a'. Thi! fac( e!a)$i!he! once a&ain ha( here i! a c$o!e re$aion!hi" )e*een e%ucaiona$ )ac-*ar%ne!! an% he acce"ance of he Hin%uva "ro"a&an%a )' he #a!!e!. The #'h! of Hin%uva have #uch a""ea$ o ho!e In%ian! *ho con!i%er he#!e$ve! o )e he %e!cen%en! of he ancien Ar'an!. In fac( !o#e #'h! are creae% "reci!e$' o reinforce heir racia$ !"iri. Thi! e/"$ain!( o !o#e e/en( he rea!on for he co#"araive $ac- of acce"ance of he #'h! in Souh In%ia *here he "o"u$aion )' an% $ar&e i! of he Dravi%ian !oc-( an% in Norhea! In%ia *here he #a,ori' of he "eo"$e )e$on& o he Mon&o$oi% race. Furher( he #'h! have &rea effecivene!! in ho!e "ar! of In%ia *here he u""er ca!e e$ie! conro$ he !ocia$( econo#ic( "o$iica$ an% re$i&iou! $ife of he "eo"$e. I #a' )e noe% ha in re&ion! *here ca!e !rucure! are *ea-( he inf$uence of he #'h! over he #a!!e! i! a$!o fee)$e. The #'h! of Hin%uva have #a%e inroa%! ino ho!e &rou"! of "eo"$e *ho are 1e/ce!!ive$'3 re$i&iou! o he e/en of )ein& 1!u"er!iiou!3 an% naYve. In oher *or%!( 6?9 See S.AYA;( GIn%ia3! Dor!H( :6. +99 CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA *here he Hin%u re$i&ion funcion! $i-e he 1o"iu#3 of he #a!!e!( he conen! of he #'h! have he !au! of 1revea$e%3 ruh!. On he conrar'( he #'h! have he $ea! acce"ance a#on& ho!e cae&orie! of "eo"$e *ho have a raiona$ an% !cienific ou$oo- o $ife. Thi! a$!o i#"$ie! ha( ri&h rea!on( !cienific !"iri an% Hin%uva can rare$' &o o&eher. Thu! Hin%uva i! %e!ine% o )e a "o*erfu$ "arner in "er"euain& i$$ierac'( i&norance( !u"er!iion( !eni#ena$i!#( irraiona$i' an% un"ro&re!!ive hin-in&. Hence a! $on& a! a &oo% "er cen of he In%ian #a!!e! coninue o )e i$$ierae( i&noran an% une%ucae%( Hin%uva *i$$ a$!o coninue o #ainain i! conro$ over he #a!!e!( an% i! #'h! *i$$ have #an' a-er!. 1onclusion De have !een ho* Hin%uva ha! invene% #an' #'h! an% *ih *ha %i$i&ence he' are "ro"a&ae% in or%er o in%ocrinae he In%ian #a!!e! *ih fa$!e noion! an% uo"ia!. .a!ica$$' he' are %e!i&ne% o #a-e he Hin%uva i%eo$o&' "erco$ae o he #a!!e! )' a""ea$in& o heir e#oion!. The for#! of he #'h! ha are circu$ae%( he #e!!a&e! he' conve'( he i%ea$! he' "ro,ec an% he increa!in& nu#)er of "eo"$e *ho uncriica$$' acce" he# a! ruh( revea$ ha #an' "er!on! in In%ia are a$rea%' 1convere%3 o Hin%uva )oh ine$$ecua$$' an% !"iriua$$'. .u he rea$i!aion ha he #'h! of he Hin%uva are fa)ricaion! inen%e% o )rain*a!h he #a!!e!( e!"ecia$$' he i&noran an% he i$$ierae for he "o$iica$ a%vana&e of he u""er ca!e Hin%u e$ie( *ou$% a!!ure ha *e have *on ha$f he )a$e a&ain! he %u)iou! i%eo$o&' of Hin%uva. M'h! are he foun%aion on *hich Hin%uva re!!. Throu&h nu#erou! #'h! i ha! re!urrece% #an' o)!o$ee !'#)o$! an% )e$ief! of Hin%ui!# in or%er o )ure!! he i%eo$o&'( !uch a!( )e$ief in an i#a&inar' Ve%ic 2o$%en a&e( a "ure Ar'an race( Ar'an cu$ure a! he founainhea% of a$$ civi$i!aion!( Hin%ui!# a! he eerna$ re$i&ion( San!-ri a! he #oher of a$$ on&ue!( In%ia a! a Hin%u naion fro# i#e i##e#oria$( In%ian cu$ure a! #ono$ihic Hin%u cu$ure. an% !o on. Unforunae$'( he &overn#en! *ih !ron& Hin%uva !'#"ahie! &ive o hi! )ac-*ar%4$oo-in& i%eo$o&' "o$iica$ an% financia$ !u""or. .u a! *e have a$rea%' !een( he &ran%io!e c$ai#! of he #'h! have $i$e foun%aion in hi!or'. The #'h! of Hin%uva have he "o*er o !i#u$ae "a!!ion!( %iffu!e hare% an% a*a-en he vi$$ain %or#an a#on& cerain !ecion! of In%ian!. Hin%uva3! u$i#ae ai# i! he creaion of a Hin%u naion )a!e% on a #ono$ihic Hin%u cu$ure( an% he #eho%o$o&' for achievin& hi! en% i! !u##e% u" )' F.K. A%vani *ho 0uoe! *ih a rare -no*$e%&e of A%o$f Hi$er an% hi! NaLi i%eo$o&'( *hen he !ai%: GSucce!! i! he !o$e earh$' ,u%&e of ri&h an% *ron&3H 6?? . Dih he !"rea% of he #'h! of Hin%uva( #an' ruh! concernin& In%ian hi!or' an% cu$ure have a$!o )een %i!ore% or era!e%. .u *ha In%ia nee%! o%a' i! an en$i&hene% "u)$ic ha can %i!in&ui!h )e*een #'h an% rea$i'( fac an% ficion( ruh an% fa$!ehoo%( Hin%u re$i&ion an% Hin%uva. A! $on& a! In%ian! coninue o )e$ieve in he #'h! of Hin%uva he naion *i$$ never ri!e o he hei&h! )ecau!e he )ac-*ar%4 $oo-in& i%eo$o&' of Hin%uva ha! nohin& in i ha can a-e In%ia for*ar%. On he oher 6?? F.K.ADVANI( A Prisoner%s S)ra".ook( 99. +9? CH:IV THE MYTHS OF HINDUTVA han%( if he "eo"$e of In%ia are $i)erae% fro# he narro*4#in%e%( co##una$i!( naiona$i!( #i$ian an% fun%a#ena$i! i%eo$o&' of Hin%uva( In%ia ha! ever' chance of "ro&re!!. Hence( *ha In%ia nee%! o%a' i! "er!on! *ih raiona$ an% criica$ #in% an% !cienific e#"er *ho have he coura&e o e/"$o%e he #'h! of Hin%uva an% e/"o!e he fa$!ehoo% he' "ro"a&ae. Are here "er!on! *ih a vi!ion for a !ecu$ar( "$ura$i!ic In%ia *ho "o!!e!! !uch ca$i)re an% coura&eC Uni$ !uch "eo"$e co#e o he fore( Hin%uva *i$$ coninue o fa)ricae #ore #'h! an% ui$i!e he# o en!$ave an% in%ocrinae he i$$ierae( he cre%u$ou! an% he naYve( uni$ a ne* for# of !$aver' i! fu$$' e!a)$i!he% in In%ia( na#e$' slavery to Hindutva. +9=