The Path of the Parivar

Key themes

Hindutva and its Ideological Roots

This theme explores the foundational principles of Hindutva, tracing its intellectual lineage from key figures like V.D. Savarkar and M.S. Golwalkar. Dube dissects concepts of 'Hindu Rashtra' (Hindu Nation), cultural nationalism, and the redefinition of Indian identity, arguing that these are inherently exclusionary and draw parallels with early 20th-century European fascism.

Nationalism vs. Communalism

Dube meticulously distinguishes between inclusive Indian nationalism, which embraces its diverse heritage, and the communal nationalism propagated by the Parivar. He argues that the latter uses religion and cultural identity to create divisions, fostering animosity between communities and undermining the secular fabric of the nation. The theme explores how communal narratives are constructed and deployed to achieve political ends.

The Threat to Democracy and Secularism

This theme examines how the Parivar's ideology and operational methods pose a fundamental challenge to India's constitutional values of democracy, secularism, and pluralism. Dube argues that the RSS's hierarchical structure, anti-democratic internal functioning, and goal of establishing a 'Hindu Rashtra' are inherently antithetical to liberal democratic principles and threaten the rights of minorities and dissenters.

Worth discussing

How does Dube connect Hindutva ideology to historical fascist movements, and what are the implications of these comparisons?