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BOOK ANALYSIS ON THE BOOK

“RISING HINDUTVA & ITS IMPACT ON THE REGION”

1. About the Book

a. Name of Book : “Rising Hindutva & its impact on the Region”

b. Author : Group Captain (Retd) Sultan Mahmood Hali

c. Title Page : Title page is relevant and convey the tone of

book and whisper hints. Also excites readers

into actually opening up the book and

reading.

d. No of Pages : 342

e. Price (if written) : Rs. 1500/-

f. Year of Publication : 2018

g. Publisher : Rumi Academy, Islamabad

h. Dedicated to : Indian minorities and its neighbours

2. About the Author. Sultan Mahmood Hali (S.M. Hali), author of the book is a

former PAF Officer who took up journalism as a career after retirement and obtained

Masters and [Link] degrees. He has written books on current affairs and mostly, his books

and columns revolve around Defence and Diplomacy. He has balanced approach and

remains unbiased in his writings. Always produces well researched and thought out work

and presents very logical as well as inspiring material to read. Has very simple, common

and interesting way of writing with high sounding phrases/ words. For his meritorious

service, Government of Pakistan has conferred upon him Sitara-e-Imtiaz (M).

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3. Introduction to the Book. The book “Rising Hindutva & Its Impact on the

Region” presents an informed narrative on specific issues and developments regarding

India-Pakistan relations. It also recognizes the existence of more realistic and balanced

narratives in both countries and provides basis for hope in a sustainable working

relationship even if core issues may take longer to resolve to mutual satisfaction. The book

reminds tragically that the Hindutva advocates in India; do have their counterparts in

Pakistan. It is a unique addition, useful for all stakeholders, specifically for the

policymakers. The book provides and consolidates the evidences on the intolerance

inherent in Hinduism and its exploitation into extremism.

4. Book Summary. It is an excellent effort to provide in-depth balanced study

regarding nefarious designs of Hindu Extremists and threat poses to the existence of

followers of other than Hindu religion. The book gives an insight how India’s foreign policy

not just towards Pakistan but with other neighbours has been influenced by “Hindutva”

who aspires to reign all the territories included in the entire South Asian Subcontinent and

beyond. The ideology of Hindutva has exposed the Hindu extremism which is threatening

the peace and progress of billions of inhabitants in a nuclear age with its global

ramifications. The author has divided the book into 15x chapters and its chapter wise brief/

gist is as under:-

a. Chapter No. 1 & 2. These two chapters deals with the genesis,

introduction and origination of concept of “Hindutva”. The history says that

term of “Hindutva” was coined by a Hindu activist, lawyer, writer, poet and

politician namely Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 1923 with the aim to create

collective Hindu identity. Hindutva ideology is supported by Hindu extremist

organizations Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishva Hindu Parishad

(VHP) and Hindu [Link] as an ideology aims to establish the

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hegemony of Hindus and the Hindu way of life that sought to define Indian

culture in terms of Hindu values. The three essentials of “Hindutva” are

common nation (rashtra), common race, and common culture or civilization

(sanskriti).

b. Chapter No. 3 & 4. The author explains main concepts of Hindutva and

describes as cultural nationalism, decolonization, uniform civil code and

protection of Hindu interests. As per Savarkar, Hindu is not only nation but a

Jati (a born brotherhood) and Hinduism is the tie of common culture or

civilization. They believe that Indian culture is identical with the Hindu culture

which include animals, language, holy structures, rivers and medicine. Under

the umbrella of Hindutva, the extremist Hindus created Ram as a nationalist

symbol. The writer says that one of the ideal personalities amongst Hindu

community is Chanakya who is described as a ruthless administrator, a

devoted nationalist, a selfless ascetic and a person devoid of all morals.

Ironically the ideal personality has created controversies by saying, “the ends

justify the means”. It is, therefore the ruler should use any means to attain

his goals and his actions required no moral sanctions. The proponents of

Hindutva find pearls of wisdom in Chanakya’s lessons to unleash their terror

on hapless minorities of India and their neighbours.

c. Chapter No. 5 & 6. In these two chapters, the author makes an effort to

highlights the myths of Hindutva and roles of Hindutva in Indian constitution.

The writer says that Hindutva ideology has introduced many myths and

diligence with the aim to indoctrinate false notions and utopias to the Indian

people. In fact, Hindutva ideology has been designed to exploit the emotions

of common Hindu against communities and followers of other religions.

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The writeron the basis of his research claims that the originator of Hindutva

Savarkar has basically drawn the idea of his ideology from Hitler’s Nazism.

Savarkar’s Hindutva claims that both the Muslims and Christians are

foreigners (aliens) in India and consequent upon have no room in this

[Link] chapter exposes that despite guarantees in constitution, rabid

Hindus continue to target the minorities including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs,

Parsis and low caste Hindus Dalits etc.

d. Chapter No. 7 & 8. The writer has tried to dig out the actual period of

“revivalism of Hindutva” and refers to “SanghParivar” as social/ political cum

militant movement. Although the term “Hindutva” was coined in 1923 yet as

per Indian renowned historian and erudite scholar A.G Noorani, its roots can

be traced back in 1875 when the Arya Samaj was founded by Sawami

Dayanand in Bombay who infused an element of militancy in Hinduism.

Precisely, the manifestation of militancy can be noticed in the form of

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindu Sangathan (Saviour of the

dying race).

e. Chapter No. 9 & 10. While carrying out comparison, it revealed that

originators of Hindutva ideolog were much inspired by Nazi Germany as

especially Golwalker’s vision to keep up the hegemony of Hinduism over

other communities living in India. The common factor between fascism and

Hindu Nationalism is to militarize Hindu society and create militant Hindus.

The writer has explicitly explained the impact of Hindutva on Indian Military.

President of Abhinav Bharat (follower of Savarkar’s ideology) is the niece of

Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin NathuramGodse. Indian Military’s links with

Hindutva and its militant organizations are open secret as it has a long

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history for having such [Link] Gen Hoon and Lt Col Jayant

remained involved in forming a Hindu suicide squad to be used against

minorities under the garb of fighting terrorism.

f. Chapter No. 11 & [Link] Hindutva ideology has its very deep militant

odious effects on the region and also forcing minorities to subjugate before

its despotic desire. The writer’s research work provides information that on

behalf of Hindutva, former RAW Chief AjitDoval, National Security Advisor to

PM has established special liaison with the militant world lords of Syria and

Iraq based Daesh (ISIS). Under the ideology of Hindutva, he re-arranged the

network of TTP with Daesh to further destabilize Pakistan. Apprehension and

revelations of Kulbhoshan Sudhiradhav exposed the nefarious agenda of

Hindutva against Pakistan. Followers of Hindutva school of thought are one

of the worst butchers of humanity who did planned massacre during

partition 1947, killings of the Muslims in Kashmir, Gujrat and Mumbai. Under

“operation Blue Star” the Hindus had one of the bloodiest carnages of Sikhs

at Golden temple.

g. Chapter No. 13 & 14. In these two chapters the writer unfolds the

annexes between “Indian Secret Agencies and Hindutva” as well as Modern

Face of Hindutva. RAW in collaboration with the followers of Hindutva has

been destabilizing neighbouring countries, disintegrated independent states

and backed the guerrilla organizations to achieve its aims. The chapter also

illustrates regarding close coordination between RAW and followers of

Hindutva as the state agency hires their elements, keeps them as

informants, sources, agents and also consider them the most reliable being

the radicalized and ideological believers. Despite being controversial

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domestically and internationally, Narendra Modi succeeded in general

election 2014 with the support of RSS and extremist Hindu parties.

h. Chapter No. 15. Hindutva is like a genie, which has come out of the

bottle during the current regime of BJP led by Narendra Modi. The RSS

claims that their followers are here to provide shelter from tyrants of society.

Hindutva’s duplicity poses to the region and the world and persuading

Hindus themselves to come forward to tide the descent into the void of

intolerance, hate and revulsion. Contrary to the facts, Indians as whole are in

state of denial and refute the existence of Hindu terror networks and Hindu

extremism.

5. The Review. The author with scholastically precision, differentiates Hindutva

from Hinduism and traces their roots and genesis for better comprehension in historical as

well as contemporary context. The book has been presented with balanced approach as it

is based on the research work and books written by Hindu scholars. Salient details have

been covered in the succeeding paragraphs: -

a. Observations on the Book

(1) “Rising Hindutva & Its Impact on the Region” explains the Hindutva

concepts in evolutionary details and enables the reader to

comprehend the contradictions in theory and practice with logics and

historical examples.

(2) The book has been written in convincing and substance style and the

author has accomplished his purpose to unmask the hidden agenda

of Hindutva against the minorities living in India as well as

neighbouring countries.

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(3) The author provides adequate evidences and his arguments are well

supported in each and every section of book.

(4) It has not been written in repetitive, obscure and confusing way but

the author has used all available data equally well.

(5) In short, this book is well organized, professionally developed and

reasonably printed with attractive cover page. However, paper quality

is not compatible to the standard of this high sounding book.

b. Comments

(1) The book consolidates the evidences on the intolerance inherent in

Hinduism and its accentuation into extremist interpretation.

(2) It helps to unmask the draconian terror agenda of Hindutva and

consequently presents real face of India to the world.

(3) The book is a very balanced and unbiased masterpiece as it

appreciates the acts of brave Hindu Indians who challenged the

authenticity of Hindutva.

(4) Though the book has considerably described the details of each

subject yet while analysing it is felt that Hindutva’s impact on Pakistan

has not been discussed at length as required in the contemporary

environment.

c. Recommendations

(1) The book gives insight to “Hindutva Hindu” as well as

“non-Hindutva Hindus” and is a recommended to be read for those

living in India, neighbouring countries especially for Pakistanis as

incumbent Indian govt believes in Hindutva philosophy.

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(2) It is very useful particularly for the officials serving in intelligence setup

as the book contains comprehensive details regarding the close

annexes between Hindutva followers and Indian secret agencies.

(3) Since the book is based on both contemporary and historical events;

focusing Indian relations with neighbours in the backdrop of Hindutva,

therefore it may also be read/ introduced amongst our diplomatic

fraternity especially dealing with India.

(4) Substantive evidences provided in the book regarding Hindutva

philosophy and its practices against the minorities may be carefully

propagated/ exploited through media both at regional and

international level.

6. Conclusion. “Rising Hindutva & Its Impact on the Region” is a significant

well researched historical and contemporary political records/ analysis of Hindutva

ideology and its abhorrent ambitions to keep hegemony over other minorities inside India

as well as with neighbouring countries around its frontiers. The book with tangible

evidences exposes the real face of Indian’s claim of secularism and proves that Hindutva;

a creed, is not about the Hindus but about extremist Hindus. A very useful and unique

collection particularly for decision/ policy making bodies.

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