Hindutva Archives - Bridge Initiative

12 Jan 2024 | Individuals

Factsheet: Narendra Modi

Narendra Damodardas Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat during the deadly 2002 anti-Muslim pogroms in the state, and throughout his political career, he has promoted Hindu nationalist views. Under his leadership, India has experienced a rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes and hate speech, increasing polarization and violence in society, growing restrictions on the media, and the growth of Hindu nationalist groups. Critics and human rights experts have warned that under Modi’s leadership, democracy in India is under threat. read the complete article

Factsheet

04 Jan 2024 | Organizations

Factsheet: Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh (HSS)

Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh (HSS) is a right-wing Hindu non-profit organization registered in New Jersey. On its website, the group states its mission is “to organize a diverse and vibrant Hindu American society that can collectively address its challenges and contribute to the welfare of the world.” As of November 2023, HSS claims it has 220 Shakhas (branches) nationwide. HSS’s website venerates the early ideologues of Hindu nationalism, including those who praised Nazi Germany. Additionally, HSS has hosted prominent figures from the RSS, an Indian right-wing, Hindu nationalist, paramilitary volunteer organization. read the complete article

Report

24 Nov 2023 | Policy/Law

Hindutva in Britain

This report analyzes the historical and contemporary context that has cultivated the complex landscape in which Hindu nationalist influences have materialized in the UK. Our research provides an overview of Hindutva in India, the Islamophobia industry and its connection to Hindutva, UK-based groups and individuals who have expressed or supported Hindu nationalist sentiment, and the 2022 Leicester riots, the political response and fallout following the events in the city. read the complete article

Article

20 Dec 2022 | Policy/Law

2022 Islamophobia in Review: India

2022 marked the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, and the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the country and its accomplishments. Many scholars, journalists, and rights activists noted that the momentous occasion was marred... read the complete article

Article

07 Nov 2022 | Individuals

India’s 2022 Anti-Muslim Yearbook: Bollywood Bigotry & Hijab Bans

India’s movie industry known as “Bollywood” has cemented itself as the world’s leading film market when it comes to selling seats (2 billion tickets sold annually). Even though India’s most famous Bollywood superstar is a... read the complete article

Report

31 Oct 2022 | Policy/Law

Is a Genocide of Muslims Underway in India?

Over the past decade, India has experienced a dangerous rise in Islamophobia. There are near daily episodes of harassment, public beatings and mob assaults, destruction of property, and lynchings that have created an atmosphere of fear for the country’s 200+ million Muslims. read the complete article

Article

05 Jan 2022 | Politics

2021 Islamophobia in review: India

Throughout 2021, Indian Muslims found themselves on the receiving end of countless mob attacks and state violence as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government continued to embolden the country’s right-wing Hindu nationalist forces. Further, conspiracy theories constructing Indian Muslims as a threat to the Hindu majoritarian population gained credibility thanks to the rhetoric and actions of politicians and the government. read the complete article

Factsheet

18 May 2021 | Organizations

Factsheet: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

IMPACT: Founded in 1925 by K.B Hedgewar, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is an Indian right-wing, Hindu nationalist, paramilitary volunteer organization. In 2020, RSS had almost 585,000 members and over 57,000 branches or sakhas, including... read the complete article