Critical of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comment that >“Hindutva is the identity of India, ” the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday described it as part of a series of statements designed to impose a “majoritarian Hindu” concept on the nation.
In a statement, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said Mr. Bhagwat’s statement militated against the secular concept of Indian citizenship. “Hindutva is a majoritarian concept which is part of the narrow and divisive agenda of the RSS.”
Referring to similar statements made by Mr. Bhagwat and others from the Sangh Parivar in recent weeks, the Polit Bureau said: “The RSS and its various outfits are making a plethora of such objectionable statements ever since the BJP formed the government.” It urged people to reject such statements and uphold “their unity based on their common citizenship irrespective of caste and creed.”
The previous weekend, Mr. Bhagwat had wondered why all “Hindustanis should not be referred to as Hindus.” A similar statement was made by BJP member Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha last Wednesday while intervening in the discussion on communal violence. “Hindutva is a symbol of Indian nationalism,” he had said.
