Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar ignited a fresh political controversy on Sunday with his sharp critique of Hindutva, describing it as "Hinduism in paranoia" during a public debate. His remarks prompted an immediate and strong rebuttal from leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reigniting the ongoing ideological clash between the two parties.
The Core of the Controversy: Aiyar's Charges
Speaking at a debate titled "Hinduism Needs Protection From Hindutva", organized by the Calcutta Debating Circle, Aiyar drew a stark distinction between Hinduism as a faith and Hindutva as a political ideology. He accused Hindutva of fostering fear and division, claiming it instructs "80 per cent of Hindus to quiver in front of 14 per cent of Muslims."
Aiyar employed vivid, controversial analogies to criticize Hindutva's manifestations. He equated it with "a BJP leader slapping a blind, hungry tribal girl because she attends a Christmas lunch in a Church" and with groups that "raid shopping malls to tear down Christmas decorations." He asserted that Hinduism, a great spiritual religion, has thrived for millennia without needing the protection of Hindutva, which he labeled a "political tract" that originated only in 1923.
Further delving into ideological roots, Aiyar quoted Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar, stating that Savarkar viewed Buddhism as an existential threat. "He described it as the ultimate negation of Hindutva, bearing the opiate of universalism and nonviolence. He said it was disastrous to national virility and even the existence of the Hindu race," Aiyar recounted.
BJP's Forceful Counter-Argument
Participating in the same event, BJP Rajya Sabha member Sudhanshu Trivedi presented a diametrically opposite view. He argued that Hindutva represents the core essence or 'Hindu tattva' of Hinduism itself. Trivedi emphasized the inclusive and debating nature of Hindu culture, which grants followers the authority to question even sacred texts.
He questioned the use of the term 'Hinduism' with the suffix 'ism', suggesting it was used to demean, unlike the terms for other Indian-origin religions. "...when you cherish Hinduism, it is called Hindutva," Trivedi concluded, framing Hindutva as the natural expression of reverence for Hindu philosophy and culture.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The debate quickly spilled over into direct political confrontation. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari lashed out at Aiyar's comments, framing them as a deliberate attempt by the Congress party to sow discord within the Hindu community. "Yet again Congress attempts to create a divide between Hindus. They want 1 Hindu to Stand up against the other Hindu. This benefits Congress whose only focus is - 'Consolidate Vote Bank: Unite Minority, Divide Hindu Majority'," Bhandari stated.
This exchange underscores the deep and persistent fault line in Indian politics regarding the interpretation of Hindu identity. The Congress party, through voices like Aiyar, seeks to separate a pluralistic, spiritual Hinduism from the majoritarian political project of Hindutva. The BJP, conversely, champions Hindutva as the authentic and unifying cultural nationalism that forms the bedrock of the nation's identity.
The incident ensures that the Hinduism versus Hindutva debate will remain a central and heated theme in India's political discourse, especially as the country navigates complex social and religious dynamics.
