1887
Volume 17, Issue 4
  • ISSN 1569-2159
  • E-ISSN: 1569-9862
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Abstract

Abstract

This article focuses on how Hindu nationalists interpret the term ‘secularism’ in Hindi. I will refer to two Hindi translations of ‘secularism’: and The first one means indifference towards religion and the second indifference towards communities. My main point is that the Hindu nationalists’ strategy of referring to old, Sanskrit meanings of (which means ‘law’ and ‘order’ aside ‘religion’ and other concepts) make it possible for them to criticise and choose instead. Their position is that the state can only be indifferent to communities and not to , as the latter would also mean being indifferent to ‘law’ and ‘order’. Such an approach helps the Hindu nationalists to claim to be in agreement with the idea of secular Indian state on one hand and promote their religion-linked ideology on the other.

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2018-07-25
2025-04-29
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/content/journals/10.1075/jlp.14020.iwa
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): Hindu nationalism; Indian politics; secularism
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