Dismantling Global Hindutva: Anti-Hindu meet masquerading as academic conference
by Naagesh Padmanaban on 23 Sep 2021 24 Comments

The recently concluded conference on “Dismantling Global Hindutva” (Sept 10 to 12, 2021) has garnered attention for all the wrong reasons. The event, organized by an “ad-hoc organizing committee” consisting of 19 individuals connected or affiliated to universities and one organization, went largely unnoticed in the US.

 

Its stated purpose was to provide a “multi-disciplinary perspective” on dismantling global Hindutva. However, they seemed to be attacking everything core to Hinduism – from Hindu greeting (“Jai Shree Ram”) to Brahminism. For them Hindutva is the alter ego of Brahminism in “its most militant and fascist form”.

 

Whichever way you slice it, the messaging behind the conference was wonky and confusing to even a neutral observer. While on one hand the organizers claimed it was not anti-Hindu, it lined up speakers with a public record of consistently speaking against Hindus and Hinduism. This naturally irked Hindu organizations in North America.

 

Secondly, although the organizers claimed it to be an academic conference, it appeared to be a political convention to target India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

It must be acknowledged that the organizers have every right to speak against Mr. Modi, the BJP, or the “ills in Hinduism”, as they enjoy freedom of speech under the first amendment. However, the Hindus perceive this conference has been organized to hurt their religious beliefs. While this may be a recipe for conflict, it is for legal minds to determine how far the former may be violating the religious freedom of the latter (something outside the scope of this piece).

 

If the conference was truly a gathering of intellectuals and academicians as it claimed, some leading voices from the other side who hold a contrary point of view should have been invited. Further, videos and transcripts of presentations made by various speakers should have been made available publicly so that the conference can be analysed and critiqued. This has obviously not happened. So the claim of an academic conference is not tenable.

 

In contrast to the media coverage in India, the conference itself went unnoticed outside the Hindu communities in the US and Canada. Mainstream media in the US did not care to cover the conference at all. Even the official video listed on the conference website showed only 1400 views at the time of writing this piece. In other words, the conference was not exactly viral, as claimed by many left-leaning Indian newspapers and websites.

 

The organizers had claimed that many leading universities were sponsors of the event. However, a review of the conference website does not show any of the official logos of the universities that were supposedly sponsoring the event. Many universities even confirmed to Hindu organizations that they are not official sponsors of the event, though their faculties may be participating in it in their personal capacities.

 

Nevertheless, the conference had several unintended consequences that open up a whole new vista of how impacted communities will view and respond to such conferences. Organizations that represent Hindu interests in the US and Canada have taken cognizance of these repeat offenders who organize hate campaigns to belittle Hindus and Hindu practices under the garb of “academic events”.

 

Unlike the past, when these types of events were tolerated or ignored, this time around, Hindu organizations, such as the Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA) and Hindu American Foundation (HAF), led the battle from the front. They presented their point of view to their constituents in North America via WhatsApp groups and several media / video presentations etc.

 

These groups succeeded in getting over 150 Hindu community organizations, temples, and other groups to sign a letter expressing their anger at the universities that supported the “Dismantling of Global Hindutva” conference. The response was swift. Many of the Universities unequivocally stated that they were not sponsoring any event that preached hatred against Hindus. Consequently, their official logos could not be posted on the conference website.

 

As awareness spreads amongst Hindus in the US and Canada, Hindu organizations are expected to firm up their responses, including legal action, and requests to potential Indian American donors to stop donating large cheques to universities that sponsor overtly anti-Hindu events. However, there is much work ahead of them and may require enhanced support from the community.

 

More pertinently, there are important lessons to be learnt here. This conference may have flopped – as seen by the lack of response and denial/ withdrawal of official sponsorship by major US universities – but there are most certainly more such events to come in the future.

 

The key is to understand the deeper undercurrents and networks that sustain Hinduphobia across the globe. Liberal dispensations in the US and other Western countries have always turned a deaf ear and provided tacit support to these forces in the name of freedom of speech.

 

Hindus cannot expect other religious or non-religious groups to support them. It is for them to stand up for themselves and defend their religion and religious practices. This undoubtedly is a long and lonely battle. Luckily, in the US, they can expect generous financial support to frontline organizations that can be a game changer in favour of the Hindus. The necessary infrastructure and resources can be quickly made available to the frontliners who show leadership and a zeal to stand up for Hindus.

 

If the conference masterminds thought it would be a cakewalk in the US, they were rudely shaken by the response (or lack of response/ support). Next time around their spit-and-scoot-and-hide-behind-freedom-of-speech model will be more widely and vigorously challenged. 

User Comments Post a Comment
Well what can you say, the credit goes to the fascist leader modi and his cohorts like yogi, amit sha etc etc., this is the direct result of their polices and actions against minorities and eventually the world has started to take notice of the atrocities carried out by RSS 's goons and the ministers alike.
The so called Hinduphobia is in fact the reaction of those thousands of rapes of the low caste hindu girls committed by the so called "higher" caste hindu men when the cries of the victims went unheard by the police and authorities.
The fascist tola has ruined india and its image as of a soft humane country into the Nazi Hitler's Germany and we all know what happened to it towards the end, is that where India is heading too?

I say "chickens are coming home to roost " !!
observer
September 23, 2021
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Congrats to sri Naagesh Padmanabhan for discussing an important event organised by forces inimical to the philosophy of Hindu Dharma , that has survived the onslaught of time and atrocities against Hindus by Islam and Christianity. It is very clear that the aim of organisers of" dismantling hindutva conference" was to completely erase Hindu culture and not just hindutva ideology only.
Panikkath Krishnanunni
September 23, 2021
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Some of the strategies adopted by anti Hindu intellectuals for attacking hindutva, consists in trying to show theoretical difference between hinduism and hindutva, between patriotism and nationalism and highlighting imaginary similarities between fascism and hindutva. It is important to note that the proper term for bharateeya culture and philosophy is Sanatana Dharma and not hinduism.

Sanatana Dharma is multi dimensional. Patriotism , nationalism , hindutva,ahimsa,kula Dharma, Raj dharma,samaj dharma and vyakti Dharma are all various dimensions of sanatana Dharma. Sanatana Dharma is so vast and deep in its philosophy that even the Supreme Court admitted that it could not define Dharma within precision.

Just as thorns are part of the rose plant and protects the rose from easy attack by humans and animals,so too, hindutva protects hinduism from powers inimical to Dharma. Hindutva and hinduism are parts of the same whole,so closely inter woven in such a way that it is difficult to distinguish between the two.
Panikkath Krishnanunni
September 23, 2021
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This article is a timely account of this so called anti Hindutva conference. Clearly, it is a concealed attack against Hinduism.

Shri Krishnan Unni has provided a short but useful account of Sanatana Dharma.

The analogy with the rose bush and its thorns is an accurate one. The Modi government understands this.
Dr.Vijaya Rajiva
September 23, 2021
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@ Dr Vijaya Rajiva.
Thanks for your whole hearted support . Hindus getting united under PM Modi has irked the" break India forces" , so they try to demoralise Hindus with such" intellectual rhetorics" and disinformation campaigns.
As usual our so called"" Observer" has begun his rantings linking fascism with Modiji who explicitly said" sabka sath sabka vikas and sabka wishwas" .Does this appeal of Modiji have any resemblance to fascism is a question his opponents have to answer.
Panikkath Krishnanunni
September 23, 2021
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Finally Hindus has awaken and is behind Sri Modiji..to protect our sanathana and Bharath Matha...Jai Maa Bharathi ?
unnikrishnan
September 23, 2021
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Looks like we have a direct descendant (product) of one of those poor victims (low caste hindu girls committed by the so called "higher" caste hindu men) as described & attributed in one of the comments by a typical 'hater' of Modi, BJP & Hindus in general who goes by the name 'observer'. I challenge him to reveal his real name as well as his wicked intentions over here. Come on, expose yourself...!
Arjun
September 23, 2021
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@ Arjun& Shri Unnikrishnan,

There is a hilarious response from Shri Govind Nair to our fake observer's comments. He begins with a mention TH ( a highly respected newspaper which he jokingly calls Hindumisia, meaning hatred of Hindus) and then goes on to list the alleged crimes of Modi.
It is on the thread on this site titled From The Middle East. . . .

As for our observer, I am of the opinion that there are two fake observers, and you can distinguish them from their style of writing.

One is abusive in tone, probably a radicalised Muslim and the other is more sophisticated in his/her language, probably a leftist who has jumped on the Muslim bandwagon.

Dr. Vijaya Rajiva
September 23, 2021
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Modiji who explicitly said" sabka sath sabka vikas and sabka wishwas" ........... if i have to give my opinion then , it is all nothing but BUKWAAS!!
observer
September 23, 2021
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Thank you Panikkath Krishnanunni & Dr Vijaya Rajiva.
The point is that anti-Hindu forces will continue to misuse freedom of speech to spew hatred. It is for the Hindus to be vigilant, for eternal vigilance is the price of liberty....
Naagesh Padmanaban
September 24, 2021
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Those who are courageous and magnanimous enough to take pain to express the shortcoming in Hinduism under the disguise of "Hindutva", I humbly suggest to organize and host a seminar on other religions as well. These kind of agenda oriented bullying with an intention to disgrace Hinduism could take place only for a few more years... Because Hinduism which is the mother of all Religion is being awakened again. www.sudeshdjvindia.blogspot.com
Sudesh djv
September 24, 2021
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It is seen that anti Hindu peoples doesn't have face to show. Intelligent people around the world have started learning the the Hindu scriptures to have first hand knowledge about Hinduism. More they learn, more they become attracted to the great Hindu culture which see all creatures in this world and outside world as integral part of same Atman. Those who criticize Hinduism don't have an iota of knowledge about its scriptures. They criticizing it for their living it seems. Thanks to sri Nagesh Padmanabhan to expose the nefarious intention of this anti Hindu conference conducted by people who are really anti humanity. I request these antogonists to first learn about the subject before criticizing any thing. Jai Shree Ram.
Manoharan
September 24, 2021
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This comment is for critics of Modi/ RSS whose imagination has gone wild and call RSS as fascists.

Guruji Golwalkar of the RSS ,clarified his stand thus " There are some who imagine that the concept of Hindu Rashtra is a challenge to the existence of minorities and that they will be exterminated. Nothing can be more absurd and detrimental to our national sentiment. It is an insult to our all embrasing cultural heritage" Does this statement reflect fascism? Far from it.

A very important fact suppressed by Left historians is about the close connection between fascism and Christianity. .
Noted anthropologist and historian David Kertzer argued that"" Fascism was inspired by the catholic tradition-- authoritarianism, intolerance of opposition and profound suspicion of the Jews" Theologian Rubenstein wrote" the roots of death camps must be sought in the mystic structure of Christianity" Historian Dagobert Runo blamed the church for the Nazi Holocaust. He wrote" The isolation of jews, burning of jew books-- Hitler learnt it all from the church"

The above mentioned characteristics of fascism can also be found in communism and Islam. Ex Marxist historian Dr E Balakrishnan in his book" History of communist movement in Kerala" said" one of the contributions of Communists ,was the development of fascist behavioural patterns among its cadres-- the other characteristics are ethno centricism,unquestioned submission to leadership and close mindedness" excluding ethno centricism ,all other characteristics are visible in Congress party also.

Hindutva is democratic, fascism is dictatorial. Fascism is expansionist but hindutva does not indulge in expansion,( has no desire to conquer other countries) . Hindutva has no history of genocide. On the contrary, fascist Hitler wiped out nearly six million jews. Hindutva is rooted in ethical principles of sanatana Dharma. Fascism on the other hand is rooted in Christianity , and is an imperialist political ideology devoid of any ethics.
Panikkath Krishnanunni
September 24, 2021
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To tarnish Democracy and Hinduism is the sole agenda of the Leftist movement across the globe.
They play the victim card and abuse on a issue which could be trivial.Long before this conference we have seen how Leftists echo Hamas/Baderhenieof etc.

The Leftist refused to condemn the Hamas whn a keralite nurse was killed by radicalized terrorists.
Kichu
September 25, 2021
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@ Sri Krishnanunni

I agree with most of your comments but I am confused about your description of Sanatana Dharma (SD) . With my limited knowledge, my understanding is that SD is concerned with the spiritual, metaphysical and general philosophical matters concerning Brahman and Atman , in short Brahma vidya, Brahmajnanam, and Atmabodham. The others you mentioned belong to Yuga Dharma and are hence subject to change. I am uncomfortable with equating SD with Hindutva . Even the latter has been misused . Savarkar's inclusion of SD as a part of Hindutva was unfortunate; it gives the H haters an opportunity to broadly tarnish the very essence and uniqueness of SD. I would appreciate your thoughts on this subject since you appear to be far more knowledgeable than me.
Govind Nair
September 25, 2021
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@ Shri Govind Nair,

Sanatana Dharma includes both that which is unchanging and changing. The Veda is eternal, Yuga Dharma is changing.

Hence, Shri Unni is correct.
Dr. Vijaya Rajiva
September 26, 2021
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@ Govind Nair.
Thank you sir, for your compliments and raising some doubts. Like many others, my knowledge on the subject of Dharma is very limited. However, I shall try my best to clear the air.
The subject is so vast, philosophically and politically, that one will have to write a big fat book or at least a long three part essay on it. Yes, I do agree with you that SD is concerned with the spiritual and metaphysical matters with reference to Brahman,Atman . But these issues are not the only ones discussed under the term" Sanatana Dharma" . It encompasses, many other issues pertaining to cultural national and political matters that requires laying down norms or rules in accordance with dharmic principles of living. That is why we have Sruti and Smriti ,the latter dealing with rules and jurisprudence necessary for smooth functioning of the society.

A simple way to make a complex matter simple,is by practically examining our reactions to a personal situation. For instance , you stated that SD concerns exploration of Brahman, Atman ,etc. You want to construct a temple and worship there, but vandals want to barge inside your temple or house to prevent you from doing your meditation. What would you choose to do? Are the present constitutional laws effective enough in favour of your rights? Can ahimsa and appeasement stop the vandalism? It is here that hindutva steps in when hinduism is disrupted. As long as predatory and imperialist faiths continue to target Hindu society, hindutva has to be made an essential part of a Hindu's armoury. Could the dilemma Arjuna was facing be resolved by taking sanyasa? Could it be resolved by running away from the battlefield? A war is undesirable. But there do come in human history, occasions when war is the only option left. In such a situation, fighting itself becomes Dharma ,a duty.

Dharma is not a mechanical formula with ready made application. Even a wise king like Arjuna was confused. And therefore,a great Avatar like Krishna had to come to the earth to teach Dharma to humanity.

Dharma consists of doing the right thing at the right time at the right place ,towards the appropriate person by the right person entitled to do so according to the emergent situation. Dharma is ethical compulsion binding on an individual to do certain things in the course of his life. Thus we get,Raja dharma ( king's duty) , Praja Dharma,putra Dharma,kula Dharma, Pati/patni Dharma , and so on.
Guruji Golwalkar of the RSS put it thus: "" The non Hindu who lives here has a Rashtra Dharma ( national responsibility) ,a samaj dharma ( duty to society) ,a kula Dharma ( duty to ancestors) and only in his vyakti Dharma ( personal faith) can he choose any path which satisfies his spiritual urge. If even after fulfilling all those various duties in social life , anyone says that he has studied the Koran or Bible and that way of worship strikes a sympathetic chord,we have absolutely no objection"" ( the above stand of Guruji was quoted by Dr Sripati Shastri,an eminent Historian,pune university and a prominent RSS leader, during a lecture on the topic" Relevance of Christianity in India" .)

Hindutva is generally translated as" hinduness" The" Tva" in hindutva is very important. It refers to Tatva ( concept) which includes both spiritual, social, political and metaphysical realms. It involves all aspects of life, and Hindu traditions. All Hindus share many common goals,values, aspirations,manner in greeting each other such as" namaste" . Despite diversity of traditions there are common factors that unite all of us.
In dec 2006 former PM,Tony Blair made a major appeal on" Britishness" . He said that there is a right to our own different faiths,races and needs,but we have a duty to express differences in a way fully consistent with the shared values that bind us together" ( Tony Blair's point , please refer to the article " Multiculturalism disintegrates india " by Dr BS Harishankar dt 14 sept 2918 published at this same website Vijayvaani) . So ,if we can have Britishness ,frenchness or Americanness etc,why not hinduness ?

Demonising hindutva has been frowned upon by the supreme court a few years ago. A three judge bench headed by justice TS Verma in Ramesh yashwant prabhoo case ( 1996) , observed thus"" Considering the terms hinduism and hindutva per se ,as depicting hostility, enmity and intolerance towards others religions or professing communalism proceeds from an improper approach and perception----- misuse of these expressions to promote communalusm, cannot alter the true meaning of the terms"".
Panikkath Krishnanunni
September 27, 2021
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@ Govind Nair.
A minor correction.
At the 2 nd last para , for sept 2918 read as 2018.
Panikkath Krishnanunni
September 27, 2021
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@ V.Rajiva and P.Krishnanunni.
Again I agree with you (PKU) about the the all inclusive term Dharma, I am not convinced that conflating SD with Dharma, and Hindutva is appropriate.
Sanskrit dictionaries define Sanatana as : -
perpetual , constant,eternal,permanent ; jvalanmanivyomasadaam Sanatanam ; esha Dharmah Sanatanah.
Firm, fixed , settled , esha Dharmah Sanatanah.
Eternal- having no beginning or end.
In Sivapurana imperishable (the eternal principle ).
" Sanatana Dharma , being transcendental, refers to universal and axiomatic laws that are beyond our temporary belief systems " .
So I would favour my previous definition and I hope SD will be disconnected from Hindutva as it is being used as political ideology.
All other Dharmas are subject to change depending on contemporary demands of Hindu society. So we have Sadharana Dharma, Raja Dharma, Varnashrama Dharma, etc., which are modified depending on the needs of society. I agree with you that a strong sense of Rashtra Dharma for the Hindus and Raja Dharma for our present leaders are the needs of the hour--" kshudram hrudaya daurbalyam thyktothishta ,----- thasmad uthishta (Bharateeya) yudddhaya krits nischayah .
I hope the sublime concept of SD be disconnected from political Hindutva to retain its original meaning forever.
In a sense SD is equivalent to Sruti and other Dharmas to Smrithies (VR). SD is changeless, all-pervading, immovable and eternal.
I maintain that the word Hindutva is being misused
Govind Nair
September 27, 2021
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@ Govind Nair.
You" Even the latter ( ie hindutva) has been misused"
Which organisation of Hindus has misused hindutva has not been specifically mentioned. What is the nature of the offence committed by the hindutva group? What is the sourse of information that makes you conclude of such misuse?

It may please be noted that 95% of the media is anti Hindu such as NDTV, the Hindu news paper, Frontline etc it is Leftists portals such as these that peddle the narrative of misuse of Hinduism and hindutva. They are part of the" Dismantling hindutva conference" cabal. Have they spoken of misuse of the constitution provisions that favour minorities? No. Never.

What about the misuse of Hindu temple funds? It was reported that the pinarai Vijayan led CPM govt transferred about five crores from Guruvayur devaswam board to the CM Relief fund. The Kerala High court ordered the govt to return the amount stating that it is illegal. A similar instance of swindling temple funds was recorded in Tamilnadu. The madras high court ordered the TN govt to return the same ( ten crores) , stating that it is legally not tenable
The most recent gold smuggling case you might have been aware of as a keralite-- an instance of misuse of political power by the ruling CPM.
Panikkath Krishnanunni
September 27, 2021
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@Shri Govind Nair, Shri Unni,

Shri Unni has provided some details of why Hindutva, which is basically the defence of Dharma, has become necessary. The complete anti Hindu propaganda (and actions also) masquerading as merely anti Hindutva, is evident in some of Shri's Govind's examples on some other threads on this site. One remembers the accounts of the well known paper called TH !

Pinarayan taking away money from the temple is a continuation of the tradition of government control of Hindu temples (whereas none of the other religions in India have been interfered with).

Shri Govind, glad that you noticed the distinction between Sruti and Smriti. One can extend that distinction to the Transcendental and the Immanent. The latter pertains to what is usually called the Manifest world and here smriti is often more operative than the Sruti dimension.

My own opinion is that the great saints and authentic gurus have provided a guide through the complexities of the Immanent world, where our perception of the Transcendental is intermittent and fragmentary.

The belief in karma and rebirth is an example of how and why the karmic cycle has to be completed for each individual jiva before it reaches the Transcendental reality permanently rather than fragmentary/intermittent.
Dr. Vijaya Rajiva
September 27, 2021
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Excellent review. The followers of Hinduism in North America need to learn from the Anti Defamation League of the Bnai Brith. This would amongst other issues, entail holding the liberal Anglo Saxon media such as the New York Times and Foreign Policy to account when they feature the usual gang of anti-India baiters.
Anon
September 28, 2021
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The title reveals more about the participants than the topic. A few puny creatures, highly conceited, puffed up with self importance and visceral hatred for Hinduism and Hindutva think they can dismantle the world's oldest religion, which has flourished for more than at least 10 millennia and withstood the onslaught of the most brutal invaders , by holding a conference !!!?

sri Krishnanunni.
To me Hindutva means only HINDUNESS , and this should not be mixed with political ideology of Hindus. For example; do protesting against minority appeasement, casteism , supporting CAA , demanding abolition of RTE and so on come under Hinduness ? I say NO. With due respects to the great Hindu leaders of the past, Savarkar, Golwalkar and others who used the term so broadly to include everything under the Sun , I feel we should coin a new term for the political aspirations of Hindus and keep Hindutva-Hinduness as a term to define who we are as Hindus. This is my own understanding of the term; it has nothing to do with what the leftist hypocrites say or write about it. I resent it when these self-styled intellectuals attack political or economic policies of the government and blame Hindutva for any deficiencies without understanding what Hindutva means.
Can anyone name any country in the world that discriminates against the majority and panders to the minorities ?
Why didn't the BJP govt make an amendment to article 25 -1 and remove one of the most toxic words in our constitution - propagate ?
Why didn't they abrogate RTE ?
No point in blaming others.
Govind Nair
September 28, 2021
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@GN

Why shouldn't Hinduness include Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita ?
Dr. Vijaya Rajiva
September 28, 2021
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