IDS 254: Videos on violent reactions in India that seem connected to the Hindutva ideology
Be sure to read the R.S.S. materials assigned earlier before viewing these videos, to get background on what the R.S.S. sees as its aims and how it connects with Hinduism. Keep in mind that it is a matter of some controversy how to describe the exact relationship between the R.S.S. agenda and Hinduism. Also, keep in mind that R.S.S. members and members of similar Hindutva-advocating organizations may act on their own in ways that do not exactly fit what the leadership of the organization desires. Nevertheless, what you will see in these videos is in line with a popular interpretation of the Hindutva ideology embraced by the R.S.S.
1. You have heard about the Babri Mosque, supposedly built on the site of a Hindu temple honoring the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. This Mosque was originally erected by order of the first Moghul emperor of the northern part of India. Whether a Hindu temple can be built again on the site, if the mosque is removed, is a matter of long-standing bitter legal dispute. Hindutva activists insist that a Hindu temple be built there. This video drawn from Australian TV shows the destruction of the mosque by a Hindutva-inspired mob.
If you are interested in seeing a collection of stills from this same event, here is one.
Something to think about: if the R.S.S. is interested in promoting unity in India, why promote an ideology that leads to this? What does this have to do with the view of Hinduism that is part of the ideology?
2. Here is an attempt at a somewhat factual news report regarding the anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat in 2002. The reporter is clearly sympathetic to the Muslims, but nevertheless repeats the claim that the riots occurred as a Hindu response to the Muslim attack on the train at Godhra. He is apparently unaware that the initial reports regarding the train attack were never substantiated, and that there is grave doubt about whether the train burned because it was attacked by Muslims. The train did burn, people were arrested for attacking the train, but later investigations suggest that there was a rush to judgment against the Muslims, and that there was no solid evidence that anyone attacked the train. He is also very charitable in characterizing the reaction of the national Indian government to the rioting. There are two videos to be viewed in sequence.
Think: what religious justification can be offered for this event? Why is there so much religiously-based antagonism to Muslims in India? Or is all this not really related to religion at all?
3. If you are having trouble answering the questions above, the next video might help. This is a speech by a V.H.P. activist -- a rather extreme activist. I urge you to pay very close attention to the captions, perhaps pausing the video to make out what they say. There is a considerable amount of content packed into this speech, and if you ignore its inflammatory character and pay attention to its logic, you will come to see how the Hindutva ideology can be used to justify violent attacks on Muslims and even Christians in India. One thing you need to know to understand one thing said by the speaker -- Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan. Another thing you need to know -- this speech was made some time after the violent anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat in 2002; so when the speaker says "Gujarat was provoked" he means to justify the riots because they were provoked by the supposed Muslim attack on the train in Godhra. Finally, you need to know that when he criticizes "Congress" he is criticizing the Congress Party, the secular political party that ruled India for many years before the Hindutva-oriented BJP party won control in elections. VHP supports BJP.
The video opens with the speaker asking the audience to chant in unison. The chant is a praise chant for Lord Ram.
So, after watching this video, try answering: how does a Hindu theory that says all religions are paths to God, and therefore Hindu, turn into vehement rejection of Muslims and Christians? This will be the topic for class discussion. Give it some serious thought.