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Transnational Entanglements of Hindutva and Radical Right Ideology

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Transnational Entanglements of Hindutva and Radical Right Ideology Reconfiguring nationalism: Transnational entanglements of Hindutva and radical right ideology Eviane Leidig Dissertation submitted for the degree of Ph.D. Department of Sociology and Human Geography Faculty of Social Sciences University of Oslo 2019 © (YLDQH/HLGLJ, 2020 Series of dissertations submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo No. ISSN 1564-3991 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without permission. Cover: Hanne Baadsgaard Utigard. Print production: Reprosentralen, University of Oslo. ii Dedicated to Professor Vernon F. Leidig, who taught me how to listen. iii Table of Contents List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................... vi Glossary ........................................................................................................................................... vii Summary ........................................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. xii 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 2 Background ................................................................................................................................. 5 The Origins and Evolution of Hindutva in India............................................................................ 6 Colonial India and the emergence of Hindutva ........................................................................................................ 6 Independent India and the growth of Hindutva ....................................................................................................... 7 Modi’s India and contemporary Hindutva ................................................................................................................ 8 Diaspora Hindutva ......................................................................................................................... 9 British Hindutva................................................................................................................................................... 12 American Hindutva .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Brexit and Trump in 2016 .......................................................................................................... 22 Brexit referendum ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Trump campaign .................................................................................................................................................. 23 3 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................................ 25 Nationalism ................................................................................................................................ 26 Nationalism and Diaspora: boundary making ............................................................................. 30 Nationalism and the Radical Right: a ‘master concept’ ................................................................ 34 4 Research Design and Methods ....................................................................................................... 37 Genealogy .................................................................................................................................. 37 Qualitative Content Analysis on Social Media ............................................................................. 39 Quantitative Social Media Analysis ............................................................................................. 44 Semi-structured Interviews ......................................................................................................... 45 Ethical Considerations ................................................................................................................ 50 Twitter data .......................................................................................................................................................... 50 Interview data ...................................................................................................................................................... 51 5 Summary of Articles .................................................................................................................... 54 Article I ..................................................................................................................................... 54 Article II .................................................................................................................................... 55 Article III ................................................................................................................................... 56 Article IV................................................................................................................................... 57 Article V .................................................................................................................................... 58 iv 6 Concluding Discussion ................................................................................................................. 59 References ......................................................................................................................................... 61 Appendices ....................................................................................................................................... 65 Appendix 1 ................................................................................................................................. 66 Appendix 2 ................................................................................................................................. 67 Appendix 3 ................................................................................................................................. 69 Article I Hindutva as a variant of right-wing extremism Article II From cyber-Hindutva to Ab Ki Baar Trump Sarkar: (Trans)national entanglements of Hindu diaspora political participation Article III Immigrant, nationalist and proud: A Twitter analysis of Indian diaspora supporters for Brexit and Trump Article IV New forms of civic nationalism? American and British Indians in the Trump and Brexit Twittersphere Article V Looking back, looking forward: Nationalist imaginaries of Indian diaspora supporters of Brexit and Trump v List of Abbreviations BJP Bharatiya Janata Party HSC Hindu Students Council HSS Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS UK Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK HSS USA Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA NHSF National Hindu Students Forum NSD Norwegian Centre for Research Data OFBJP Overseas Friends of BJP OFBJP UK Overseas Friends of BJP UK OFBJP USA Overseas Friends of BJP USA RHC Republican Hindu Coalition RSS Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh VHP Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHPA Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America VHP UK Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK vi Glossary Akhand Bharat Translates to Undivided India. An irredentist term referring to territory covering modern nation-states of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. Bharatiya Jana Sangh Translates to Indian People’s Association. Founded in 1951 as precursor to Bharatiya Janata Party. Dissolved in 1977. Bharatiya Janata Party Translates to Indian People’s Party. Founded in 1980 as the only political party that has adopted Hindutva as its official ideology. Dharma Term in Hinduism, loosely translates to the right way of living. Hindu Sena Translates to Hindu Army. Founded in 2011. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Translates to Hindu Volunteer Organisation. Subsidiary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for Hindus outside India. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK Founded in 1966 as UK branch. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA Founded in 1989 as US branch. Hindu Students Council Founded in 1987 as university division of Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America Hindutva Translates to Hindu nationalism. National Hindu Students Forum Founded in 1991 as university branch of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK. Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party Subsidiary of Bharatiya Janata Party for Hindus outside of India. Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party UK Founded in 1992 as UK branch. Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party USA Founded in 1991 as US branch. Rashtra Translates to state. Often used to refer to a Hindu rashtra. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Translates to National Volunteer Organisation. Founded in 1925 as first Hindutva organisation with grassroots paramilitary operandi. vii Republican Hindu Coalition Founded in 2015 as US advocacy organisation to promote Hindu American interests. Saffron terror Used to describe acts of violence committed in the name of Hindutva, with the symbolic use of the saffron colour by Hindutva organisations. Sangh Parivar Translates to Family of Organisations. Sewa Term in Hinduism, loosely translates to service to the poor and suffering. Shakha
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