Why this Kolaveri,* Hindutva? HFHR’s social media campaign ‘Hindutva 101’

* ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’ is the title of a 2011 Tamil song by Danush, which went viral, with over 295 million views! Translated as ‘murderous rage,’ the word was used in a light-hearted manner to describe the feeling of rejection by a lover. But in the current context of Hindutva takeover of India, ‘Kolaveri’ is what we are actually witnessing on the streets and on social media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR12Z8f1Dh8

HfHR recently concluded a social media campaign on the defining characteristics of Hindutva ideology, titled ‘Hindutva 101.’ Suffice it to say that the ideology runs counter to the aspirations of a majority of Indians to live in peace with all faiths and communities.

As progressive Hindus celebrating the Hindu Heritage Month, it was important for us to highlight that what is being represented as Hinduism these days bears little resemblance to the Hinduism that many of us grew up with.

As we speak, Hindu nationalist groups appear to be tying themselves in knots in convincing themselves and others that Hindutva IS Hinduism – which ignores a century of ideological formulations by the founders of the Hindu Mahasabha and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who clearly defined Hindutva as a political ideology distinctly separate from the Hindu faith.

Semantics apart, minority communities most negatively affected by the Hindutva ideology - Muslims, Christians, Dalits, Adivasis, and activists - know only too well what it has already done to their lives and what it has in store for the future of a pluralistic India.

For those who missed our ‘Hindutva 101’ social media messages, here they are again: