Book chapter
Hindu Nationalism, Identity Politics, and the Indian Diaspora in the United States
The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Race, Ethnicity, and Nationalism
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
03 Aug 2020
Abstract
Hindu nationalism, or hindutva, is a distinct ideological stream in Indian politics that displays an assertive nationalism in its approach to cultural diversity. The rise of Hindu nationalism to power has altered the discourse of identity politics both in India and in the Indian diaspora. This chapter traces the rise of Hindu nationalism in India against the backdrop of cultural, economic, and foreign policy after independence. It examines its impact on the Indian diaspora, tracing the shift in the Indian government's policies and positions towards the diaspora from non‐engagement to one that includes it as part of India's “global family”. Religion is the most acceptable means of displaying one's ethnic identity in the US. Nationalist organizations in both the US and United Kingdom have sought to create a pan‐Hindu nationalism by erasing specificities such as regional, religious, linguistic, caste, and cultural differences among Hindus.
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Details
- Title
- Hindu Nationalism, Identity Politics, and the Indian Diaspora in the United States
- Creators
- Sonali JainArun Swamy
- Contributors
- John Stone (Editor)Rutledge Dennis (Editor)Polly Rizova (Editor)Xiaoshuo Hou (Editor)
- Publication Details
- The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Race, Ethnicity, and Nationalism
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; Chichester, UK
- Number of pages
- 17
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Sociology
- Identifiers
- 991021862242204721