What Is Hindutva? A Civilizational Explanation
The Problem of Misunderstanding Few terms in contemporary Indian discourse are as widely used and yet as deeply misunderstood as Hindutva . In popular debates, Hindutva is often reduced either to religion or to politics. This reduction creates confusion, misrepresentation, and intellectual distortion. To understand Hindutva meaningfully, it must be approached neither as a religious doctrine nor as a political ideology alone, but as a civilizational concept rooted in India’s historical and cultural continuity. This article attempts to explain Hindutva in a calm, academic manner, free from slogans or partisan claims. Hindutva Is Not the Same as Hinduism A common misconception is that Hindutva and Hinduism are identical. While the two are related, they are not the same. Hinduism refers to a wide and diverse set of spiritual traditions, philosophies, rituals, and ways of life. It is primarily concerned with metaphysical questions, ethical living, and spiritual liberation. Hindutva, o...