IDS 254: Some terms and abbreviations for reading about Hindu "fundamentalism"

R.S.S.

This is an organization going back to the early part of the 20th Century devoted to revitalizing human culture on the Indian subcontinent by making it strongly Hindu in character.  Their main focus is on Hinduizing India. We will talk about what this means and how it has worked out.

V.H.P.

An organization similar to the R.S.S. in its aims. It presents a somewhat softer face to the world than the R.S.S. does.

B.J.P.

This is an Indian political party that was formed for the purpose of promoting the vision of Hinduizing India and promoting Indian nationalism and development as a powerful nation.

Hindutva

Literally, this word means "Hinduness".  It is used to refer to the whole package of ideas that those who desire to Hinduize India stand for.  For example, the R.S.S. is promoting Hindutva.

Bharat

If you think from the perspective of those who favor Hindutva, you are likely to refer to the Indian subcontinent, especially India itself, as "Bharat".  This way of referring to the subcontinent says that this region is the motherland, which gave birth to Hinduism.

Communalism, communal activity

Any political activity or theory that pitches one group of Indians against another group in a way that causes serious disunity in the country. The R.S.S., for example, is often accused of communalism because they end up pitching the Hindus against non-Hindu Indians. They deny the accuracy of this charge.

Babri

This is shorthand for "Babri Mosque", built in the 16th Century by Babur, who was the first Moghul Islamic emperor in India. It was built in Ayodya, the legendary birthplace of Lord Ram, a Hindu hero whom some say is the incarnation of Vishnu.

Jammu and Kashmir

This is a political subdivision in the northern part of India, adjacent to Pakistan. It is mountainous and beautiful, with many Muslim and Hindu religious sites. Its populace is predominantly Muslim, and Pakistan tried to grab it shortly after the British pulled out. Pakistan controls about half of the territory. Islamic terrorists are sometimes active in the Indian-controlled areas.

Raj

The period during which the Indian subcontinent was under British colonial rule, 1858-1947. Literally, "raj" means "reign".