Neo-Hindu Fundamentalism Challenging the Secular and Pluralistic Indian State

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3560552
AutoresGino Battaglia (Oldham Council, autor correspondente)
Ano2017
Volume8
Fascículo10
Páginas216
Data de publicação2017-10-03
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel8100216
OpenAlexW2762663464
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas6
Referências citadas8

Secularism seems to require separation between religion and State. Regarding India, it would be better to speak of 'equidistance' between State and religious denominations. Nonetheless a 'balanced treatment' towards the religions leaves the question open as to what form that equidistance should take. This is the reason of some contradictions in today's Indian social and political life. It is likely that without the Moghul and British domination Hinduism would not have acquired a militant identity. It was the 'epiphany' of well-armed, powerful 'Others' (Muslim, Christian or secular) which generated frustration and fear to such an extent that a religious nationalism (Hindutva) was born. Nehru and the Left of the Congress Party leadership thought that modernity would overcome religion, which is a remnant of the past. They were confident that a political culture based on pluralism and tolerance would become the foundations of the new society. This is exactly what Hindu Nationalism takes issue with: the 'pseudo-seculars' project of building the national identity without Hinduism or against Hinduism. Hindutva asserts that Hinduism is the basis of the Indian civilization. The Hindu ethos is the soul of the nation

Ethos · Fundamentalism · Hindu nationalism · Hinduism · Hindutva · Nationalism · Political science · Politics · Religious identity · Secularism · Social science · Sociology · Gender Studies · Indian History and Philosophy · Law · Philosophy · Religion and Society Interactions · Religious studies