Daily Vocab Capsule 23rd September 2017

Daily English Vocab

Not Hindutva But Bhartiyata

Hindutva, the notion of a common national cultural identity promulgated (promote or make widely known (an idea or cause).) by VD Savarkar in the 1920s, was aimed at unifying Indians and building a greater Bharat.Thus far it has failed to do both. Instead, it is deepening divisions, inflaming religious extremism, and removing any hope that the country's different religions can come together to build a great nation.

There is no need to revile (criticize)Savarkar however. Uniting Indians is a worthy cause. And India does need a rallying cry (a word or phrase that is used to make people join together to support an idea, cause, etc.) that brings together the majority Hindus. Where Savarkar goes wrong is in asking Hindus to think parochially (having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.), rather than being broadminded andlofty (of a noble or elevated nature.) in their aims.

He also fails to offer a practical system of government where minorities can share power with the majority and thus become true partners in building our nation. And his plan lacks a visionary blueprint for Bharat to expand in size and global influence.

Hindutva is too intertwined (connect or link (two or more things) closely.) with the majority's religion. This failing was evident from before the country's partition. One could assign blame, but the fact remains that Savarkar's grand strategy that “Hindusthan must ever remain one and indivisible” didn't succeed. Rather than provide the glue to keep a culturally diverse people together, Hindutva pushed Hindus and Muslims apart. It also drove wedges between those wise and amiable (having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.) leaders, Gandhi, Nehru, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, DeendayalUpadhyaya, and of course, Savarkar himself. These differences have kept Hindus divided now for nearly a century.

Savarkar's plan proposed just the opposite. He set out to remove differences among the various Hindu sects and castes, so they would unite against the British and think of themselves as a single nation. He coined the term Hindutva to offer an organising principle different from Hinduism, which he thought was “essentially sectarian”. “Hindutva refers not only to the religious aspect of the Hindu people as the word Hinduism does,” said Savarkar, “but comprehends even their cultural, linguistic, social and political aspects as well.” His Hindutva was an instrument of political mobilization.

But since Savarkar's Hindutva was indistinguishable from Hinduism, and a political movement, it was quickly seen as an attempt at establishing Hindu hegemony (dominance). Under his plan the minorities were to be given equal rights and protection, but no share in power.

So how can Hindutva be revamped (give new and improved form, structure, or appearance to.) to fulfil Savarkar's dream of building a greater Bharat?

Hindus are tough to unite. The religion is not based on a single belief, or an organised church, or on one book. So whenever an attempt is made to impose one way of being Hindu, Hindus revolt. Also, Hinduism's fundamental philosophy that one must not hurt or harm others goes against any plan to oppose others because of their religion.

This is why Savarkar's Hindutva was always rejected by most Hindus. Even today, presumably (used to convey that what is asserted is very likely though not known for certain.) at its peak, Hindutva doesn't garner its flag bearer, BJP, anywhere near full Hindu support. Modi became prime minister in 2014, but BJP received only 32% of the vote in a country that is 80% Hindu. Similarly in 2017, Yogi Adityanath rode history's biggest Hindutva wave in UP but obtained less than 40% of the vote in an 80% Hindu state.

Hindus do wish to be united, but it will take a more uplifting concept than Hindutva. It will require an idea that proclaims Hinduism's all-embracing universalism, rather than one that makes it an organised religion. Hindus want to be big-hearted, they will gladly follow a call for unity that is true to their philosophy of serving all mankind regardless of religious differences.

The first challenge in revamping Hindutva is the name itself. It breaks the general principle that a name is most effective when it doesn't need explanation. Savarkar took thousands of words to describe it, just to say that it is not Hinduism. Current explanations are also almost apologetic, that Hindutva is synonymous with Indianness, or Bhartiyata, but not Hinduism. Renaming Hindutva as Bhartiyata makes the most sense provided the concept also adopts other principles described here.

Second, unlike Hindutva, Bhartiyata must stand on the principle that minorities can have a fair share in power. This requires a system of government that provides them opportunities at local, state and central government levels. The best way is to adopt the presidential form of government, which was devised specifically to restrict majorities from ruling alone.

Third, local governments under Bhartiyata must be given greater autonomy in handling local affairs. Where Muslims are in the majority, in Kashmir for example, Bhartiyata must assign them the same rights and responsibilities as all other state governments.

Fourth, Bhartiyata must also enact laws that deliver genuine secularism. They must be based on principles of freedom of religion, equality before law, and separation of religion and state. For a greater Bharat, we must pass a Uniform Civil Code, and a constitutional amendment restricting governments from involvement with any religion.

Last, Bhartiyata must present a vision of a growing Bharat. By giving autonomy to states for self-government but not self-determination ­secession (withdrawal of something) would not be an option ­Bhartiyata would secure the country's territorial integrity. But it should go beyond by offering a federation to neighbouring countries. Like minded nations that wish to benefit from Bharat's size and vigor (effort, energy, and enthusiasm.) should be invited to join.

We all dream of a greater Bharat. So did Savarkar. Let's make his idea of Hindutva more uplifting and practical, so together we can build the nation of our dreams.

Courtesy: The Times of India (General Studies)

1. Intertwine (verb): (Connect or link (two or more things) closely/ be twisted together.) (एक दुसरे के साथ मिलना/ गुँथा हुआ होना)

Synonyms: Interweave, Interlace, Ravel, Be coiled each other. 

Antonyms: Untangle, Untwist, Separate.

Example: Our lives become increasingly intertwined as we grow up.

Verb forms: Intertwine, Intertwined, Intertwined.

2. Promulgate (verb): (Promote or make widely known (an idea or cause).) (प्रचार या प्रसार करना)

Synonyms: Spread, Propagate, Disseminate, Announce, Proclaim, Publicize

Antonyms: Conceal, Hide, Keep

Example: To promulgate the benefits of his healthcare plan, the president will tour the country and make numerous speeches.

Verb forms: Promulgate, Promulgated, Promulgated.

Related words:

Promulgation (noun) – प्रकाशन या प्रचार

Origin:  from Latin promulgare, from pro- ‘out, publicly’ + mulgere ‘cause to come forth’

3. Revile (verb): (Criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.) बुराई करना/निंदा करना

Synonyms: Criticize, Censure, Condemn, Lambaste, Stigmatize, Denounce.

Antonyms: Commend, Compliment, Laud, Praise, Applaud.

Example: The store manager frequently loses employees because he takes every chance he gets to revilethem and complain about their work.

Related words:

Revilement (noun) - दुर्वचन

Origin:  from Old French reviler, based on vil ‘vile’.

4. Rallying cry (noun): (A word or phrase that is used to make people join together to support an idea, cause, etc.) (नारा)

Synonyms: Motto, Acclamation, War Cry, Watchword, Slogan.

Example: “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” is rallying cry of BJP government.

5. Parochial (adjective): (Having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.) (संकीर्ण/संकुचित/सीमित)

Synonyms: Narrow-Minded, Inward-Looking, Limited, Restricted, Short-Sighted, Petty, Myopic.

Antonyms: Broad-Minded, Liberal.

Example: Since the professor tends to be parochial, he is often unwilling to listen to theories other than his own.

Related words:

Parochialism (noun) - संकीर्णता

Parochially (adverb) – संकीर्ण रूप से

6. Lofty (adjective): (Of a noble or elevated nature.) (उत्कृष्ट/उद्धत/ ऊंचा)

Synonyms: Eminent, Gallant, Majestic, Elevated, Exalted, Grand, Noble

Antonyms: Low, Normal, Wretched, Contemptible.

Example: When Jenny achieved her lofty objective of graduating from medical school, she cried for joy.

Origin: from Old Norse lopt ‘air, sky, upper room’

7. Amiable (adjective): (Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.) (सौम्य/मिलनसार)

Synonyms: Friendly, Affable, Amicable, Cordial, Genial.

Antonyms: Aloof, Hostile, Repulsive, Unfriendly.

Example: A doctor should be amiable towards his patients.

Related words:

Amiableness (noun) - सौम्यता

Origin: From French aimable ‘trying to please’.

8. Hegemony (noun): Preponderant influence or authority over others/ the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others. (आधिपत्य)

Synonyms: Authority, Command, Power, Predominance

Antonyms: Subordination, Obedience, play second fiddle to.

Example: When the dictator was chased out of the country, his hegemony over the people came to an end.

Related words:

Hegemonic (adjective) – प्राधान्य

Origin: from Greek hegemonia

9. Presumably (adverb): (Used to convey that what is asserted is very likely though not known for certain.)(अनुमानतः)

Synonyms: Apparently, Probably, Supposedly, Presumptively, Assumedly

Antonyms: Certainly, Definitely

Example: Before the generous millionaire died, he presumably changed his will and left all of his money to charity.

Verb forms: Presume, Presumed, Presumed.

Related words:

Presume (verb) - Suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability.

10. Secession (noun): The action of withdrawing formally from membership of a federation or body, especially a political state. (अपगमन/अलग होना/संबंध-विच्छेद)

Synonyms: Withdrawal, Breakaway, Separation, Severance, Schism, Apostasy.

Antonyms: Agreement, Concurrence, Juncture.

Example: Because my daughter does not like the household rules, she is threatening to secede from our family and move into her own place.

Verb forms: Secede, Seceded, Seceded.

Related words:

Secede (verb) - To withdraw from an organization, alliance, or association

Origin: from Latin secedere, from se- ‘apart’ + cedere ‘go’.