Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics


Book Description

Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics provides a detailed historical account of the VHP, one of the leading organisations in the Hindutva movement, focusing on its transformation from a loosely-knit body of Hindus aimed at preserving and promoting Hindu dharma, into a mass organisation actively involved in mobilising the urban middle classes, service professionals and religious leaders for the creation and promotion of a strong Hindu nation. Rich in empirical data, the book contains extensive quotations from fifty interviews carried out for this study, including those with central figures in the VHP such as Praveen Togadia and Ashok Singhal and members of related organisations.




Vishwa Hindu Parishad : An Introduction


Book Description

Embark on a journey of understanding and exploration with "Vishwa Hindu Parishad: An Introduction" by Anil Kumar Mishra, a comprehensive guide to one of the world's largest Hindu organizations. Join Anil Kumar Mishra as he delves into the history, mission, and activities of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), offering readers a nuanced understanding of its origins, principles, and significance in the global Hindu community. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Mishra sheds light on the VHP's role in promoting Hindu unity, culture, and values both within India and around the world. With its rich history and diverse membership, the VHP has played a significant role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of India, advocating for the rights and interests of Hindus while also championing social justice and humanitarian causes. Mishra explores the organization's key initiatives and campaigns, from educational programs and social welfare projects to advocacy efforts and cultural preservation. But "Vishwa Hindu Parishad: An Introduction" is more than just a historical overview—it's a thoughtful reflection on the complex interplay of religion, politics, and identity in contemporary India and beyond. Mishra navigates the complexities of Hindu nationalism, secularism, and communalism, offering readers a balanced perspective on the VHP's place in the broader socio-political context. With its accessible writing style and comprehensive coverage, "Vishwa Hindu Parishad: An Introduction" is an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Hinduism and its diverse expressions in the modern world. Whether you're a newcomer to the subject or a seasoned observer, this book offers valuable insights and perspectives that will enrich your understanding of this influential organization. Experience the richness and diversity of Hinduism with "Vishwa Hindu Parishad: An Introduction" by Anil Kumar Mishra. Order your copy today and embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment.




Hinduising Democracy


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Explaining Hindu Dharma


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Khaki Shorts and Saffron Flags


Book Description

This Important Tract Is Essential Reading For Anyone Who Is Concerned With The Real Nature Of The Politics Of Hindutva, And With The Increasing Communalization Of Indian Society.




Hindu Nationalism, History and Identity in India


Book Description

When the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in India in 1998 as the largest party of the National Democratic Alliance, it soon became evident that it prioritized educational reforms. Under BJP rule, a reorganization of the National Council of Educational Research and Training occurred, and in 2002 four new history textbooks were published. This book examines the new textbooks which were introduced, considering them to be integral to the BJP’s political agenda. It analyses the ways in which their narrative and explanatory frameworks defined and invoked Hindu identity. Employing the concept of decontextualization, the author argues that notions of Hindu cultural similarity were conveyed, particularly as the textbooks paid scarce attention to social, geographical and temporal contexts in their approaches to Indian history. The book shows that intrinsic to the textbooks’ emphasis on similarity is a systematic backgrounding of any references to internal lines of division within the Hindu community. Through a comparison with earlier textbooks, it sheds light on the contested nature of history writing in India, especially in terms of nation building and identity construction. This issue is also highly relevant in India today due to the electoral success of the BJP in 2014, and the efforts of the Hindu nationalist organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad to construct a coherent Hinduism. Arguing that the textbooks operate according to the BJP’s ideology of Hindu cultural nationalism, this book will be of interest to academics in the field of South Asian studies, contemporary history, the uses of history, identity politics and Hindu nationalism.




The Saffron Wave


Book Description

The rise of strong nationalist and religious movements in postcolonial and newly democratic countries alarms many Western observers. In The Saffron Wave, Thomas Hansen turns our attention to recent events in the world's largest democracy, India. Here he analyzes Indian receptivity to the right-wing Hindu nationalist party and its political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which claims to create a polity based on "ancient" Hindu culture. Rather than interpreting Hindu nationalism as a mainly religious phenomenon, or a strictly political movement, Hansen places the BJP within the context of the larger transformations of democratic governance in India. Hansen demonstrates that democratic transformation has enabled such developments as political mobilization among the lower castes and civil protections for religious minorities. Against this backdrop, the Hindu nationalist movement has successfully articulated the anxieties and desires of the large and amorphous Indian middle class. A form of conservative populism, the movement has attracted not only privileged groups fearing encroachment on their dominant positions but also "plebeian" and impoverished groups seeking recognition around a majoritarian rhetoric of cultural pride, order, and national strength. Combining political theory, ethnographic material, and sensitivity to colonial and postcolonial history, The Saffron Wave offers fresh insights into Indian politics and, by focusing on the links between democracy and ethnic majoritarianism, advances our understanding of democracy in the postcolonial world.




The Secret Life of Another Indian Nationalism


Book Description

Nationalism is among the most influential ideas that has shaped the 'Metamorphoses of the Political' in the long twentieth century. This book focuses on exclusivist Indian nationalism and identifies its distinction from inclusivist nationalism. It highlights shifts in 'another Indian nationalism' over the last two centuries as the geopolitical context has transitioned from the Pax Britannica to the Pax Americana and its war on terror. The books braids the following three strands together: first, a majoritarian nationalist ideology called Hindutva; second, the making of popular history as a precolonial epic is highlighted, depicting the defeat of the last Hindu Emperor by a conquering Muslim Sultan purportedly leading to eight centuries of Hindu enslavement and third, the 'reconversion' of a community by the Visva Hindu Parishad with consequences for Lived Hinduism and Indic civilisation with its complex identities.




Encyclopedia of Hinduism


Book Description

The Encyclopedia of Hinduism contains over 900 entries reflecting recent advances in scholarship which have raised new theoretical and methodological issues as well as identifying new areas of study which have not been addressed previously. The debate over the term 'Hinduism' in the light of post-Orientalist critiques is just one example of how once standard academic frameworks have been called into question. Entries range from 150-word definitions of terms and concepts to 5,000-word in-depth investigations of major topics. The Encyclopedia covers all aspects of Hinduism but departs from other works in including more ethnographic and contemporary material in contrast to an exclusively textual and historical approach. It includes a broad range of subject matter such as: historical developments (among them nineteenth and twentieth century reform and revival); geographical distribution (especially the diaspora); major and minor movements; philosophies and theologies; scriptures; deities; temples and sacred sites; pilgrimages; festivals; rites of passage; worship; religious arts (sculpture, architecture, music, dance, etc.); religious sciences (e.g. astrology); biographies of leading figures; local and regional traditions; caste and untouchability; feminism and women's religion; nationalism and the Hindu radical right; and new religious movements. The history of study and the role of important scholars past and present are also discussed. Accessibility to all levels of reader has been a priority and no previous knowledge is assumed. However, the in-depth larger entries and the design of the work in line with the latest scholarly advances means that the volume will be of considerable interest to specialists. The whole is cross-referenced and bibliographies attach to the larger entries. There is a full index.




The RSS


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