Hindu Fascism
| โ | One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives. | โ |
—Subhas Chandra Bose, The Alternative Leadership: Speeches, Articles, Statements and Letters June 1939โ1941, page 197. | ||
Hindu Fascism is the most common variant of Fascism diffused in India and, to a much lesser extent, neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, mostly within the local Indian communities. It is characterized by strong Religiosity, anti-Islamism, support for traditional values and, at times, support for the Caste System. Erroneously, it has been defined the ideology of the RSS[1] and/or of the Bharatiya Janata Party[2][3]. It's important to mention that "true" Fascism i.e., a complete economical, philosophical Weltanschauung, is almost completely inexistent in India, hence why Hindu Fascism isn't often included in the wider category of political Fascism.
Prominent Fascist groups & individuals
| โ | Nationalism is inspired by the highest ideals of the human race, satyam [the true], shivam [the god], sundaram [the beautiful]. Nationalism in India has ... roused the creative faculties which for centuries had been lying dormant in our people. | โ |
—Subhas Chandra Bose | ||
The "father" of Hindu Fascism is Subhas Chandra Bose.
History
| โ | Soldiers who always remain faithful to their nation, who are always prepared to sacrifice their lives, are invincible. | โ |
—Subhas Chandra Bose | ||
Hindutva has transformed Indian domestic politics and foreign policy since the early 1980s, but Hindutva as an ideology and movement has almost a century of history behind it. The term โHindutvaโ comes from V.D. Sarvarkar, a Maharastrian Brahmin who would later become president of the ethnofascist Hindu Mahasabha (1937โ1942). Sarvarkarโs 1923 book, Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? argued that ancient Aryans who settled in India formed a nation now known as Hindus. Sarvarkar argued that Hindutva, or fascist โHinduness,โ stems from:
- geographical unity,
- racial features, and
- a common culture,
all of which combine to unite Hindus. Sarvarkarโs book was a strong influence on the founders and leaders of todayโs Hindufascistorganizations.
Cooperation with the Axis in WW2
| โ | It is only on the basis of undiluted Nationalism and of perfect justice and impartiality that the Indian Army of Liberation can be built up. | โ |
—Subhas Chandra Bose, Important speeches and writings of Subhas Bose: being a collection of most significant speeches and writings of Subhas Bose | ||
Many Indian Fascists fought with the Axis, usually strictly out of opposition for the British rule of India. The most prominent examples of this are the Provisional Government of Free India, also known as Azad Hind, which worked with their Japanese comrades, and the Free India Legion, which worked with their German comrades. The main supporter and organizer for both, the aforementioned Bose, also met with Hitler and Himmler to organize such groupings.
Post-War events
Following the end of the war, Bose tried to escape on a Japanese plane, which however fell and led to his death.
Strategies
Hindutvaโs leaders and followers use the same strategies and tactics as the fascists of the 1930s and 1940s, and the fascists of the United States and Europe today. Hindu fascists want to make India a Hindu rashtra (Hindu nation) and refer to Indiaโs territory as โBharatโ (a Sanskrit name with references in the Puranas), which is their original land, and โholy land,โ or a spiritual homeland for Hindus. they are the landโs original inhabitants, and they simply want to be left alone.
Caste System
Hindutvaโs proponents uphold the and practice the ancient caste system. Hindutva promotes a common culture of Sanskriti rooted in Brahminical traditions that present a hierarchy of castes and uphold caste arrangement as natural for them. The emphasis on Hindu dharma as the moral code asserts caste duties and roles as governing Indiaโs society and economy, very similar to thefascistsociety outlined in Plato's Republic. Tradition is at the root of Hindu fascism.
Mahatma Gandhi controversy
Some Indian Fascists and Fascists consider Mahatma Gandhi a Fascist - this label is incorrect. For a complete explanation, see Mahatma Gandhi.