IDEOLOGY
The Hindutva ideology, also called as Hindu nationalism — distinct from that of Hinduism which stresses ideals of brotherhood and Vasudeva Kutumbakam (Meaning: though nations might be mired in conflict, civilizations co-exist) — was popularised by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, once president of the Hindu Mahasabha, forerunner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that presently governs India. For Savarkar, Christians and Muslims could never be true Indians, despite the presence of both religions in India for centuries.The ideology was the driving force behind formation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925. RSS is a Hindu nationalist paramilitary organisation, which drives its inspiration from Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s fascists in Italy.
To really get to the heart of India’s recent majoritarian turn, a look into the ideology that drives such hatred is necessary.