The concept of Hindu nation

Book Details

• Publisher: Voice of India

• Language: English

• Edition: New Delhi, 1995

• ISBN: 9788185990330

• Subject(s): Religion, Voice of India

About the Book

In this compelling work, Shri Abhas Chatterjee challenges several widespread misconceptions about the identity and culture of Hindus. He addresses the idea that the term "Hindu" is merely a geographical concept and refutes the notion that India's identity is merely Bharatiya or composite in nature. Drawing on various criteria such as geography, history, culture, language, and spiritual tradition, Chatterjee presents a bold assertion: Hindus are a nation, not just a religious community, and their national identity is rooted in Sanatana Dharma, rather than in Nehruvian secularism.

The book delves into the unity of Hindus as a nation, rejecting the division of India into separate states like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It asserts that the goal of Hindus is to reunite the entire ancestral homeland, no matter how long it takes. The author emphasizes the cultural, linguistic, and historical elements that bind Hindus together, presenting Sanskrit and its sister languages as integral to the nation’s identity.

Chatterjee also critiques the role of foreign ideologies like Islam, Christianity, and secularism, asserting that these are alien forces that have disrupted the Hindu identity. The book calls for a cultural and intellectual awakening within the Hindu community to reclaim its heritage and establish a nation-state grounded in Hindu culture. It serves as a provocative call for a deeper understanding of the past and a vision for the future.