With the influence of Hinduism growing in America and Vivek Ramaswamy winning the hearts and possibly the votes of the American public, at least based on YouTube, I thought I would share a little information. But first, let me assure you that I have nothing against Indians or Hindus. Most of them are very nice, hard-working, good people, and many of them are our American doctors.
- Narendra Modi, The Indian Prime Minister is considered by many to be a right-wing nationalist who has defended and allowed violence against Indian citizens who are not Hindus. This includes Christians and Muslims. This ideology is called Hindutva. https://www.voanews.com/a/us-official-calls-religious-intolerance-in-india-frightening-/7186349.html https://www.milligazette.com/news/7-analysis/34028-bulldozers-discriminatory-laws-and-demonization-of-minorities-communal-violence-2022/
- In India, the ruling class of Hindus consider themselves the ‘chosen people’. https://www.justiceforall.org/indiannazis-report/the-nazi-party-is-analogous-to-indias-rss/
- Many Indian Hindus consider themselves secular, or even atheist, not religious, but they still practice the rituals and traditions of Hinduism, although these practices are extremely varied. They have a history of religious violence and persecution , so it is understandable that they have rejected this type of religion. https://openthemagazine.com/columns/a-manifesto-for-secular-hindus/
- Many Hindus in India have a bad opinion of Christianity due to it’s being associated with British colonialism, whether that is a valid belief or not. http://ojs.globalmissiology.org/index.php/english/article/view/244/684
- Hinduism is more closely aligned with the beliefs of New Age spiritualism than Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. Hindus can worship no god or any of thousands of possible gods. The goals of Hinduism, in general, are self-development, successful living, and enlightenment which will hopefully lead to a better reincarnation or infinite bliss in Brahma ( the universe).
- The caste system in India, though now illegal, continues to keep many Indians in poverty, although poverty is decreasing thanks to economic growth and development. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35650616
- Both Trump and Biden have met with Modi due to India’s rising economic power and close proximity to China. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/07/28/trump-modi-us-india-relationship-nationalism-isolationism/ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-meet-indian-prime-minister-modi-white-house-rcna90391
- There are over 1,450 Hindu temples in the United States. The majority of these temples are located in the eastern United States, with the largest concentration in the New York metropolitan area. Other major areas with a large number of Hindu temples include California, Texas, and Florida.
- There has been a recent surge in the construction of new Hindu temples in the United States, particularly in the South and West. This is a sign of the growing population of Indian immigrants and new converts to Hinduism and increasing acceptance of Hinduism as a belief system in American society.
- Hindus, who typically vote for Democrat candidates, are not pleased that Vivek Ramaswamy is downplaying the uniqueness of Hindu beliefs such as being polytheistic and mystical. https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/08/06/vivek-ramaswamy-s-hindu-faith-is-front-and-center-in-his-gop-presidential-campaign
What about you? Do you know any Hindu people? Have you ever asked them about their religion? Were you aware of this information? What do you think of Hindutka?
Blue Skies and Green Pastures 
I haven’t talked about hinduism with the few hindus I met..
However, I know a thing or two about the history of India.
That’s why I can say that the second link (the chosen people) links to a site which seems to be very onesided and biased.
While many claim that the RSS is fascist or that it was inspired by fascism the claim that the RSS is analogous to the nazi party is highly dubious.
For instance, the author equates the treatment of Jews with the treatment of Muslims. by the RSS.
This comparison is ridiculous.
Unlike the Jews who came peacefully to Europe as immigrants/refugees the Muslims came as conquerors who spead Islam by the sword and inevitably slaughter of Hindus was part of that spread. For instance, the word Hindukush is translated as “Hindu killer”.
After the 10th century most of India was for most of the time under Muslim rule.
The last Muslim empire, the Mughal Empire lasted from 1526 to 1857 and was replaced by British rule.
While for long periods of time Muslims and Hindus coexisted peacefully, tensions always existed and Hindus lived as 2nd class citizens. The Hindus were worse off than the Christians and Jews. Islam prescribes that “people of the book” (Jews and Christians) can choose to convert to Islam or to keep their religion but to accept 2nd class status and to pay a heavy tax annually (Jizya).
However, members of other religions had no such option. Their only choice was convert or die.
Many Hindus were killed but the Muslim rulers found it more profitable to let the Hindus live and to exploit them.
The tensions which have always existed exploded when India was partitioned in 1947.
Murder, rape and violence on an unimaginable scale and commited by both sides were part of the partition from day one.
Neither Muslims nor Hindus seem to be particularily tolerant of other religions but in the case of Islam we know that this intolerance is part of the religion itself while the fact that the RSS exists only since the 1920 ies indicates that such intolerance is part of a political ideology and not the religion itself.
BTW, if you want to know more of the partition of India I highly recommend you this 6 part podcast series.
https://www.conflictedhistory.com/the-partition-of-india-part-1-end-of-empire/
Thank you for this information that helps explain the situation better. However I don’t think replacing violence with violence is the answer. Christians are also being persecuted by the RSS. Both Muslims and Hindus need Jesus. Unfortunately what I see happening is the rise of “secularism” and increased intolerance of all monotheistic religions. True religious freedom/tolerance must also include enforcement of laws against violence of all kinds. This is why nationalism is dangerous.
Agreed. Violence is not the answer.
I wanted to put the RSS in context in order to show why the equation RSS = nazis is wrong.
Religious intolerance and fanaticism is a general problem of Indian society and not a unique feature of the RSS.
Prime minister Indira Gandhi (Congress Party) in 1984 ordered “Operation Blue Star” which ended in a massacre in the holiest temple of the Sikhs, the “Golden Temple”.
She was later assasinated by her Sikh bodygards.
If we are to judge someone correctly we need to be careful where we get our information from, especially when the person concerned is a an election candidate and information can be distorted by political motivations.
For an objective judgement much more information from many sources is needed.
As for nationalism, I guess there are many flavors of nationalism.
I see nothing wrong or dangerous with loving your country and putting the interests of your country first.
That’s something very different from Mussolini’s or Hitler’s nationalism.
I’m still researching Ramaswamy. I like that he originally called himself a Libertarian. I am looking at the big picture and the possibilities. The history of India is indeed fascinating and sad. In the big picture , most people just want peace and good things. I am wary of powerful men who want to make massive changes in a democratic government. Although I do agree with much of what he says. He’s very eager to fix America.
Enjoying the podcast . Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome.
Zach Cornwell is an awesome storyteller who makes learning history enjoyable.
Great stuff