Is it fair to call ‘Hindutva’ to be the cultural identity of India?
Is it fair to call ‘Hindutva’ to be the cultural identity of India?
Introduction
The recent comment by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on the cultural identity of India has raised many questions on our secular India. Such comments on the religion and remarking the country with the same opens up the debate for each one of us regarding the status of equality with respect to religion in the country. Such remarks denoting the Hindus and their supremacy definitely come up with lot many views and opinions and displays a wide band of spectrum in front of the Indians. The recent comment on the binding force of India to be Hindutva has confronted many queries. Now, is it fair to say ‘Hindutva’ to be the cultural identity of India?
Yes
- Majority of the inhabitants in India being Hindus, we can call the Hindutva to be the cultural identity of India.
- India also has a name ‘Hindustan’ which in itself emphasizes upon it being the Hindu inhabitant state.
- We also call our country ‘Bharat’, a name which again arises from the Hindu mythology. We don’t have any other nomenclature for India from the epics of other religion.
No
- India is a secular state and we give equality to all the religions in all aspects. Hindu religion is one among the various other religions in the country.
- Indian democratic set up and its constitution has nothing to categories Hindutva as a superior one to all others.
- The binding factor in India is the feeling of oneness and the essence of patriotism comes from the term Indians. Hindutva has nothing to do with the binding force.
- The religions have no role to play in providing the cultural identity. We have a diversified culture and so we are unique in the world.
Conclusion
The religion and culture and two different entities that doesn’t get collated on a single platform. People of Germany are Germans and USA are Americans, so we are Indians. Our country has been named other than our ancient name Hindustan, so as to integrate the nation without giving any special consideration to a single religion. It would be definitely unfair to call the Hindutva as the only cultural identity, barring all the other religions and communities, and to say Hindutva as the binding force.
Discussion
- RE: Is it fair to call ‘Hindutva’ to be the cultural identity of India? -Belli P K (08/13/14)
- What was in the past should be left in the past for a better present.
Before getting into the topic, let us understand how India got its name Hindusthan ?
The Indus valley civilization is the backbone of the name Hindusthan.. actually the name of river in which the civilization flourished was SINDHU but it was difficult for the invaders to pronounce it as SINDHU, so they called INDHU, later on it became INDUS when King ALexander conquered it.
it is well known fact that the religion or the way of life at that time was HINDUISM. so the inhabitants were called hindoos. ALso since the majority of the population was Hindoos, the land came to be known as HINDUSTHAN.
But now the time has changed. India has become a secular country. And it is important that a name which gives equal importance to all must be given. The term INDIA and INDIANS equally suits all citizens.
So in my opinion it is unfair to call HINDUTVA to be the cultural identity of INDIA
Let us focus on present for creating a better future. Let the past remain in memories. Let new ideas and ideologies come. - RE: Is it fair to call ‘Hindutva’ to be the cultural identity of India? -Teena Bhatia (08/12/14)
- Let us start the topic of discussion with the facts mentioned in the constitution. The constitution of India states that India shall be a Union of States. The key word in focus is Hindutva whereas in the constitution it is Bharat and not Hindustan.
Now after understanding what our constitution says, let us understand the statement of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat who mentioned that if inhabitants of Germany are Germans, of England are English, they why of Hindustan not called as Hindus. Perhaps, the underlying message of RSS chief was to highlight the one word Hindustan. However, he went wrong in using his word as India is not about Hindutva but is about being Indian, irrespective of the caste, religion or state. He himself contradicted his statement by adding the statement that Hindus can come from any religion and worshipping any God.
So, taking the information from both the statements it is essential to understand that Hindutva cannot be called as the cultural identity of India. Unlike Pakistan, India gave equal importance to all the religions in its constitution. And it is the reason why Bhimrao Ambedkar used the word Bharat and not Hindustan in the constitution. The answer is clear. The cultural identity of India has remained varied and colorful, and if it can be termed under any one title, it should be simply Indians.
