Predictably shoddy reporting, but instructive. These conspiratorial "global hindutva" pieces all make the same error: b/c of a conflation of "hindutva" with a broader phenomenon of hindu revivalism, they end up mischaracterizing the latter as a top-down project of the BJP/RSS
For critics this is useful, because focusing on "hindutva" means they can leverage a pre-existing narrative re: the dangers of the RSS as a cudgel against a fairly ecumenical social movement that poses a political threat
And while "hindutva" and "hindu revivalism" are often used interchangeably, the focus on hindutva or the RSS distracts from the deep political and social transformations that have taken place in Indian society over the past few decades. Economic growth, internal migration, etc...
Look no further than the linked article, in which a quoted expert cites as paradigmatic hindu nationalist activity in America "dinners during Diwali" or "camps where Hindu children could learn about Ramayana and Mahabharata"
They even "help migrants with visa issues, or assist incoming students from India with problems they might face on arrival"
"Such strategies," we're told, "are commonly employed by Hindu nationalists across the globe."
The horror!
"Such strategies," we're told, "are commonly employed by Hindu nationalists across the globe."
The horror!
These are totally prosaic activities that ALL religious communities in America partake in (though of course it's only problematic if hindus do it). If anything, Hindu Americans are way behind the curve.
The effect of these diatribes is to cast a pall of suspicion on hindu cultural revival broadly, hence highlighting innocuous cultural activities as hindutva-adjacent (remember "Holi Against Hindutva"?)
While this may have some effect in the diaspora, where upwardly mobile, largely assimilated hindus will shed outward symbols of their cultural/religious affiliation of out of fears of being labeled with a hindutva tag, it is political suicide in India.
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