Sunday, March 9, 2014

Difference between Hinduism and Hindutva

1).Hinduism is religion whereas Hindutva is political ideology.

2).Hinduism aim at spiritual improvement and Moksha, whereas Hindutva is concerned with capturing political power..!!

3).Hinduism is based on love; Hindutva has strong presence of suspicion towards other religion especially those religions which originated outside India…!!

4).Hinduism is ancient whereas, Hindutva ideology originated in 20th century with V.D Sawarkar writing book called “Hindutva” in 1923.

5).Hinduism is pluralistic and it recognizes diversity (e.g. “Ekam sad vipra bahuda vadanti” i.e. Truth is one knowledgeable people call it by different names), whereas Hindutva believes in Cultural Monism and tries to impose its reductionist version of Hinduism on not only others but on Hindus themselves without recognizing internal diversity of Hinduism..!!

6). Hinduism believe in Universalism( e.g. Vasudhayva Kutumbakam or Avaghe vishva chi maze ghar); Hindutva is reductionist ideology and tries to equate Hindutva with India under the euphemism of cultural nationalism.

7). Hinduism is followed by 80.5% of Indian population; whereas Hindutva forms microscopic minority within it and may extend to members of other religion, though sparingly.
(Had all Hindus followed Hindutva, Communal forces would have formed governments at centre and in all the states all the time, and we know that is not reality.
Conclusion :: All Hindus don’t follow Hindutva.)

8). Hinduism has many sects (e.g. Brahmo, Swaminaryan, Vaishnav, Shaiv, Warkari, Mahanubhav, Smarta, Shakt etc etc)
Different Gods are worshipped in different areas. (e.g. Vithhal/Vithoba in MH, Ayyapan in Kerala, Murugan in Tamil Nadu, Krishna In North India, Ram in North and west India, Jagannath in east India, others include Khandoba, masoba, Biroba etc etc) ; whereas Hindutva projects Ram as the sole God of Hindus and rejects internal diversity of Hinduism.

9). One can be Hindu without being communal; Not so with Hindutva.

10).Hinduism is consistent with idea of India as enshrined in constitution whereas Hindutva is not…!!

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