Savarkar’s Impact on Postcolonial India

Abstract

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1883-1966), as the founder of Hindutva (Hindu nationalism) ideology left permanent marks on colonial and postcolonial India. This article explores Savarkar’s ideological framework for constructing postcolonial India as a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation-state). This ideological framework revolves around three key points: rejection of a combined or inclusive nationalism of the ruling Indian National Congress, doing away with communal concessions to minorities by implementing the principle of one man one vote, along with unconditional submission of minorities to absolute Hindu majority rule, and finally his comprehensive cultural reconsolidation of Hindus by employing Hindu nationalist symbols and principles in internal and external polices of India such as the national flag, national language, Kashmir issue, Pakistan policy, relations with Israel, and defense policy of India. Through his idea of Hindu Rashtra, Cultural consolidation of the Hindu nation, and building an Akhand Bharat (greater India), Savarkar sought to create an entity capable of sustaining and continuing ancient Hindu civilization.