Representative Image. / Pexels

“That which is eternal cannot be divided. Dharma flows, adapts, and responds—but it never fragments.”
— Inspired by Sanatan thought

For too long, Hindu identity has been filtered through the lens of Western binaries: religion versus politics, faith versus nationalism, spirituality versus ideology. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the narrative promoted by the Rutgers University report, Hindutva in America.

Also read: Rutgers University Part 1: A nexus for anti-Hindu and anti-India narratives

The report relies on an artificial and intellectually deficient dichotomy: Hinduism as a benign, apolitical faith, and Hindutva as a dangerous, ethnonationalist ideology. This framing ignores the lived reality of a civilization that has always integrated the spiritual and the societal. It is deeply rooted in colonial anthropology, in which Western academia defines Hindutva in isolation from Hinduism to delegitimize Hindu public life.

In this third part of our series, we offer a civilizational response to this false dichotomy by affirming what many Hindus around the world already know: Hinduism and Hindutva are not action/reaction or opposite forces but interconnected expressions of the same civilizational foundation- the Sanatan Dharma.

Also read: Rutgers University Part 2: The Expanding Academic Nexus Fueling Anti-Hindu Narratives in America

Understanding Hindutva in Civilizational Terms

Hindutva, often mistranslated or misrepresented as a form of religious extremism, is best understood as the cultural and civilizational identity of the Hindu people. The term gained visibility through Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the early 20th century, but its spirit predates any modern formulation. From the time of the Arthashastra to the Bhakti movements, Sanatan civilization has always merged the sacred and the civic.

Hindutva, literally "Hinduness," refers to the collective cultural, geographical, and historical consciousness that binds Hindus together. Just as Judaism encompasses both a religion and a civilizational ethos, so too does Hinduism. To be Hindu is not only to follow certain spiritual practices but also to participate in a living, evolving civilization grounded in Sanatani principles of Dharma (righteousness), Karma (action), and Moksha (liberation). Hindutva is the civilizational articulation of Hindu identity in the context of modern nationhood, resilience, and cultural continuity.

Why the Rutgers Narrative Fails?

The Rutgers report, following in the ideological footsteps of groups like SASAC (South Asia Scholar Activist Collective), insists on a separation between Hinduism and Hindutva to vilify the latter. In doing so, the SASAC reduces Hindu identity to a sanitized, apolitical construct—acceptable only when stripped of historical memory and collective agency.

Such a portrayal, by the so-called academics in higher education, is not only intellectually dishonest but deeply harmful. It implies that Hindus must deny their cultural roots, historical continuity, or political aspirations to be deemed acceptable in liberal societies. The report’s selective reading of history and reliance on anonymous authorship further undermine its credibility. Its claim to protect pluralism ironically rests on demonizing the worldview of over a billion people.

Challenging the Western Religious Framework

Western religious traditions often separate the sacred from the secular, the private from the public. This binary does not apply to ancient Dharmic traditions like Hinduism, where spiritual, social, and political life are intertwined. Attempts to force Hinduism into a Western framework erase this complexity.

To deny Hindutva as an authentic expression of Hindu identity is to deny Hindus the same civilizational dignity afforded to other communities. No one demands that Jewish Americans disavow Zionism to participate in civic life. No one insists that Catholic identity be separated from political or cultural values. Nor are expressions of Black identity or Indigenous spirituality discredited for carrying political meaning. Why, then, must Hindus accept a fractured identity?

A Living Tradition, not a Frozen Faith

Hinduism has never been static. This ancient tradition has evolved over millennia, absorbing, debating, reforming, and expressing itself through countless languages, customs, and philosophical schools. Hindutva is one such expression—a response to colonial erasure, civilizational crisis, and modern realities.

Labeling Hindutva as an ideology akin to fascism is a deliberate distortion. Unlike political ideologies that seek power through dogma or conquest, Hindutva is rooted in civilizational self-awareness, an assertion of dignity after centuries of fragmentation and marginalization. To reject Hindutva outright is to misunderstand Hinduism’s adaptability, depth, and resilience. It is to suggest that Hindus must remain confined to temples and scriptures, while others are allowed full participation in the shaping of society.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Civilizational Wholeness

The attempt to divide Hinduism from Hindutva is not just academic dishonesty; it is a civilizational threat. It serves those who wish to fragment Hindu identity, delegitimize Hinduness, and pathologize Hindu participation in public life.

But Hindus are neither obliged nor should they accept externally imposed definitions. We are not required to choose between being spiritual or political, traditional or modern, private or public. One way to understand this is: if Hinduism is the river, Hindutva is its flow through the terrain of modern life.

Let it be clear: Hinduism and Hindutva are not adversaries—they are expressions of the same soul across different registers. One offers eternal principles; the other, their contemporary articulation. Sanatan Dharma is not a relic—it is a living force. And its voice, both spiritual and civilizational, will not be silenced or split to fit the comfort of misguided academic gatekeepers of the West.

In the next part of this series, we will examine the role of Hindu American organizations like HAF, CoHNA, VHPA, and the Infinity Foundation that work to defend Hindu dignity, counter Hinduphobia, and advocate for accurate representation of Hinduism and Hindutva in public discourse.

NOTE: The author acknowledges the use of ChatGPT in researching topics and the meaningful improvement of content.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad)