‘Defining Hindutva’ Released at VIF

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‘Defining Hindutva’, authored by Amb O P Gupta, was released at the VIF on February 24, 2014 by Dr Mohan Rao Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, RSS in the presence of Ajit Doval, Director, VIF and Santosh Taneja, Coordinator, Sankalp.

Listing out the manifold intellectual challenges before the nation, Doval, in his introductory remarks, emphasised on the importance of a common past and a common vision to build a strong nation. For this, the current ideology would have to change, he said.

In his address, the RSS Chief elaborated on the Sangh’s vision of Hindutva and sought to allay many a misapprehension and confusion in this regard. He said Hindu was a geographical term to begin with and it has been scientifically established that the DNA of all the people living on the Indo-Iranian plateau has been the same over the last 40,000 years. He said Hindus were equally responsible for the misinterpretation of the term Hindutva as they themselves were not aware of the concept. He agreed with Doval that Hindutva was infinite and cannot be defined. He praised Amb Gupta for bringing out the book and suggested that it be read widely.

Speaking on the occasion, Amb Gupta asserted that Hindutva was akin to genuine secularism and Hinduism and Hindutva were not contradictory to each other.

The concept of Hindu Rashtra, he said, was as old as Rig Veda itself. While listing out the various grievances of the Hindu community, he said Hindutva was neither anti-minority nor anti-Muslim.

Several dignitaries including former Rajya Sabha Chairperson Najma Heptulla, former Union Minister Arif Mohd Khan and Rajya Sabha member Justice Rama Jois were present on the occasion.