IGNOUMATIC

M.S. Golwalkar, one of the prominent ideologues of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), played a pivotal role in shaping the ideology of Hindu nationalism in India. Golwalkar succeeded K.B. Hedgewar as the chief of the RSS and continued to develop and promote the concept of Hindutva, or Hindu nationalism, which was initially articulated by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. His views on Hindu nationalism, however, added a unique dimension, emphasizing cultural unity, the need for a Hindu state, and the exclusion of non-Hindus from the Indian national identity. Golwalkar’s ideology has been both influential and controversial, and his views continue to spark debates in contemporary India.

1. Golwalkar’s Interpretation of Hindutva

Golwalkar’s views on Hindu nationalism are most famously encapsulated in his book “Bunch of Thoughts”, written in 1966, which is considered one of the most important texts for understanding the ideology of the RSS and its vision for India. In this book, Golwalkar outlines his vision for a Hindu nation, grounded in cultural and religious unity. He advocates for the idea that India should be a nation not based on territorial or secular principles, but on the common cultural and religious heritage of the Hindu people.

Golwalkar’s interpretation of Hindutva was distinct from other forms of nationalism. While it embraced a notion of India as a Hindu nation, it rejected the idea of secularism or the inclusion of non-Hindus as equal participants in the national project. For Golwalkar, the identity of the nation was inherently tied to the Hindu religion, and he believed that the preservation and promotion of Hindu culture and values were essential for the nation’s survival and prosperity.

2. Cultural Nationalism and the ‘Hindu Rashtra’

Golwalkar’s concept of Hindu nationalism is based on the idea of a “Hindu Rashtra” or Hindu nation, where the nation-state is not defined by modern democratic and pluralistic ideals but by the cultural and religious unity of Hindus. He rejected the idea of India as a secular state, arguing that India’s true identity was as a Hindu nation. He viewed Hinduism as not just a religion, but as a way of life, encompassing the cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions of life in India. Golwalkar believed that Hinduism was the unifying force for the Indian people, and any deviation from this cultural and religious unity would weaken the nation.

• The Cultural Unity of Hindus: According to Golwalkar, Hindus were bound by their shared cultural heritage, which transcended linguistic, regional, and social differences. In his view, the diverse practices and beliefs within Hinduism were merely regional variations of the same core cultural unity. For Golwalkar, the existence of a cohesive Hindu identity was paramount for the survival of India as a nation. He contended that the idea of a pluralistic society, where different religions and cultures coexisted equally, was incompatible with India’s traditional identity as a Hindu civilization.
• The ‘Other’ – Exclusion of Non-Hindus: One of the most controversial aspects of Golwalkar’s ideology is his stance on non-Hindus in India, particularly Muslims and Christians. Golwalkar believed that non-Hindus, who did not share the cultural and religious heritage of Hindus, could not fully belong to the Indian nation. He famously stated that the Jews in Germany were treated as outsiders by the Nazis because they did not fit into the national culture, and similarly, Muslims and Christians in India could never fully integrate into the Indian nation because they did not belong to the Hindu cultural framework.

In this regard, Golwalkar’s views were heavily criticized for promoting exclusivist nationalism and undermining the pluralistic and diverse nature of Indian society. His rejection of the idea of India as a multi-religious, multi-ethnic state remains a point of contention, especially in the context of India’s secular constitution.

3. Views on Minority Rights and Social Harmony

Golwalkar’s views on minorities in India were unequivocally linked to his concept of Hindu nationalism. He was strongly opposed to the idea of minority rights being separate from the majority. In his writings, he emphasized that India’s primary allegiance should be to Hindu culture, and any attempt to promote the rights of minorities outside the framework of Hinduism was considered detrimental to the nation’s unity.

Golwalkar’s vision of social harmony was also problematic from a modern liberal perspective. He believed that all aspects of Indian society, from its culture to its politics, should reflect the values and norms of Hinduism. While he did not advocate for direct violence or persecution of non-Hindus, his insistence on the supremacy of Hindu culture implied a hierarchy where non-Hindu identities were marginalized.

4. Criticism of Secularism and Western Democracy

Golwalkar was highly critical of both secularism and Western democratic ideals. He saw secularism as a foreign concept that was incompatible with Indian society and culture. To him, secularism in India was a product of colonial rule and the influence of the British, and it was an unnatural system that sought to detach religion from governance. Golwalkar argued that the Western model of democracy, with its focus on individual rights and freedoms, did not align with the spiritual and cultural ethos of India.

In contrast, Golwalkar advocated for a society where the Hindu way of life permeated all aspects of governance, law, and social structure. He envisioned a state where religious identity and culture were central to national identity and public life, thereby making the Western model of secularism redundant.

5. Legacy and Influence of Golwalkar’s Views

Golwalkar’s views on Hindu nationalism have had a lasting impact on the RSS and other organizations within the Hindu right-wing movement in India. His ideas have influenced subsequent generations of leaders in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other right-wing groups, who continue to espouse a vision of India as a Hindu nation. Golwalkar’s ideological framework has played a significant role in shaping the political discourse surrounding issues such as religious identity, minority rights, and the relationship between religion and the state in India.

However, Golwalkar’s ideas have also been met with substantial opposition. His rejection of secularism, democracy, and pluralism has led to his views being accused of fostering exclusivist and intolerant ideologies. Critics argue that his vision of Hindu nationalism undermines the principles of unity, diversity, and democratic participation enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The tensions between the idea of a Hindu nation and the secular, pluralistic framework of the Indian state continue to be a significant point of debate in contemporary Indian politics.

Conclusion

M.S. Golwalkar’s views on Hindu nationalism were central to the development of the RSS’s ideology and have had a profound influence on the trajectory of the Hindu right-wing movement in India. His emphasis on the cultural and religious unity of Hindus, his rejection of secularism, and his exclusionary views on non-Hindus have made his ideas both influential and controversial. While his vision of a Hindu nation resonates with some sections of Indian society, it also raises important questions about the compatibility of religious identity with democratic values and the pluralistic fabric of Indian society. Golwalkar’s legacy continues to be a source of intense debate, reflecting the ongoing tension between nationalism, secularism, and the diverse identities that make up the Indian nation.