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{{Short description|Destruction of religious centers, art, and artifacts by Hindutva militants}}
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'''Hindutva iconoclasm''' is the purposeful targeting and alteration of structures, symbols, or places of worship that are associated with non-[[Hinduism|Hindu]] religions, particularly [[Islam]]. [[Mosque]]s and other [[Religious organization|religious]] and [[Cultural institution|cultural institutions]] esteemed by Muslims, who make up 15% of India's population,<ref name="f889">{{cite web |last=Kramer |first=Stephanie |date=2021-09-21 |title=Population growth and religious composition |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/09/21/population-growth-and-religious-composition/ |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=[[Pew Research Center]]}}</ref> thought by Hindu nationalists to be in opposition to Hindu values have long been targets of destruction and violence at the hands of followers of the [[Hindutva]] [[political ideology]]. Attacks of this kind against Muslims have alarmingly risen in recent years, with the number of attacks against members of the Islamic community increasing [[Premiership of Narendra Modi|since 2014]].<ref name=":3" /> These attacks have ranged from random acts of street violence to the razing of mosques, including an instance in 2020, where in just 48 hours, 14 mosques were burned by Hindu nationalists.<ref name="o413">{{cite web |date=2020-03-15 |title=In Photos: 14 Mosques were Burnt by Hindutva Mobs in Delhi Pogrom |url=https://clarionindia.net/in-photos-14-mosques-were-burnt-by-hindutva-mobs-in-delhi-pogrom/ |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=Clarion India}}</ref>

==Historical context and origins==
First synthesized by Indian politician and political theorist [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]] in 1922, the [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] [[Hindutva]] political movement has grown in size, scope, and tendency to commit violence significantly since its inception.<ref name="r339">{{cite web |last=Purandare |first=Vaibhav |date=2019-08-22 |title=Hindutva is not the same as Hinduism said Savarkar |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/hindutva-is-not-the-same-as-hinduism-said-savarkar/cid/1699550 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=[[Telegraph India]]}}</ref> Hindutva has drawn comparisons with the ideology of [[Fascism in Europe|European fascist]] movements<ref name="g322">{{cite book |last1=Krishna |first1=C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LnEMAQAAMAAJ |title=Fascism in India: Faces, Fangs, and Facts |last2=Noorani |first2=A.G.A.M. |author-link2=A. G. Noorani |publisher=Manak Publications |year=2003 |isbn=978-81-7827-067-8 |page= |access-date=2024-06-20}}</ref> and [[Revisionist Zionism]], and is bound together by the idea of Hindu [[hegemony]] across the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref name="g322"/>

With the rise of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), which openly espouses a Hindutva line,<ref name="g955">{{cite book |last1=Cush |first1=D. |url= |title=[[Encyclopedia of Hinduism]] |last2=Robinson |first2=C. |last3=York |first3=M. |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-135-18978-5 |page=351}}</ref> adherents of the political ideology have found themselves occupying high government positions in India, including that of [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]] with the election of [[Narendra Modi]]. The election of BJP leadership to Indian parliament has resulted in an increase in Hindutva violence and [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] sentiment in India, with Islamic institutions being a particularly potent target.<ref name="m443">{{cite web |last1=Mogul |first1=Rhea |last2=Ripley |first2=Will |date=2024-04-30 |title=Rising Hindu nationalism leaves Muslims fearful in India's holy city |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/30/india/india-elections-varanasi-hindu-muslim-tensions-intl-hnk-dst/index.html |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=[[CNN.com]]}}</ref>

==Major incidents==

===Babri Masjid demolition (1992)===
{{Main|Demolition of the Babri Masjid}}
[[File:Babri Masjid (cropped).jpg|thumb|The [[Babri Masjid]], [[Ayodhya]], India, [[Demolition of the Babri Masjid|destroyed in 1992]] by Hndu nationalists.]]
The [[Babri Masjid]], a mosque located in the town of [[Ayodhya]] in northern India, was [[Demolition of the Babri Masjid|destroyed by a mob]] organized by Hindu nationalist politicians in 1992.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Gandhi |first=Supriya |date=2020-07-13 |title=When Toppling Monuments Serves Authoritarian Ends |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/india/2020-07-13/when-toppling-monuments-serves-authoritarian-ends?check_logged_in=1&utm_medium=promo_email&utm_source=lo_flows&utm_campaign=registered_user_welcome&utm_term=email_1&utm_content=20240605 |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=[[Foreign Affairs]] |language=en-US |issn=0015-7120}}</ref> The mosque is believed by Hindu nationalists to have been built on the [[Ram Janmabhoomi|birthplace]] of the Hindu deity [[Rama]], which motivated Hindutva leaders to call for its destruction.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Truschke |first=Audrey |author-link=Audrey Truschke |date=2020-12-15 |title=Hindutva's Dangerous Rewriting of History |url=https://journals.openedition.org/samaj/6636 |journal=South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal |language=fr |issue=24/25 |doi=10.4000/samaj.6636 |issn=1960-6060 |via=[[OpenEdition.org]] |doi-access=free}}</ref> In 2019, the [[Supreme Court of India]] ruled that the demolition was illegal and transferred control of the land to a government-appointed trust.<ref name=":0" /> Construction of a new Hindu temple devoted to Rama, known as the [[Ram Mandir]], began on the same site in August 2020.<ref name=":1" />

===Gujarat riots (2002)===
{{Main|2002 Gujarat violence}}
In February 2002, the [[Godhra train burning|burning of a train in Godhra]], which led to the deaths of 59 Hindu pilgrims, was followed by extensive riots in the state of [[Gujarat]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2014-04-06 |title=Timeline of the Riots in Modi's Gujarat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/04/06/world/asia/modi-gujarat-riots-timeline.html |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> These riots, which were marked by brutal violence against the Muslim community, included numerous instances of arson and destruction of mosques and Muslim-owned properties. Over 500 mosques and Muslim shrines were attacked, burnt, or completely destroyed. The [[2002 Gujarat riots|Gujarat riots]] resulted in the deaths of over a thousand people, predominantly Muslims, and no legal action was taken against violent participants by the BJP.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Mody |first=Anjali |date=2020-03-16 |title=From Ayodhya 1992 to Delhi 2020, mosques have long been a target of the BJP's corrosive politics |url=https://scroll.in/article/956268/from-ayodhya-1992-to-delhi-2020-mosques-have-long-been-a-target-of-the-bjps-corrosive-politics |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=[[Scroll.in]] |language=en}}</ref> It has been speculated that Hindu nationalist leaders instigated and supported the violent actions of the mob, which has been denied by both the BJP and the [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]].<ref name=":2" />

===New Delhi Mosque burning (2020)===
{{See also|2020 Delhi riots}}
In February 2020, the northeastern part of [[New Delhi]] witnessed severe communal violence between supporters of the BJP and Muslim residents. The clashes resulted in the deaths of over 50 people and extensive property damage, with the majority of the affected properties being Muslim-owned.<ref name=":3" /> Within 48 hours, 14 mosques and one Sufi shrine were burnt down. The violence was reportedly triggered by [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests|protests]] against the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]] (CAA), which had been criticized for being discriminatory against Muslims.[[File:Lord Ramji.jpg|thumb|Devotional depiction of Ram with softer features, representing a fair and virtuous king.]]
[[File:Ram in Ayodhya.jpg|thumb|Recent Hindutva depiction of Ram as a martial figure. In this representation, Ram appears more muscular and militant than traditional depictions.]]
==Ideological framework==

Hindutva’s iconoclastic acts and efforts to rewrite history are multifaceted and deeply embedded in the movement’s broader ideological and strategic objectives. By reshaping historical narratives, Hindutva aims to achieve political dominance, consolidate a unified [[national identity]], and legitimize its [[Political sociology|sociopolitical]] agenda.

The primary motivation behind the rewriting of history is the consolidation of [[Power (social and political)|political power]]. By portraying Muslim rulers as oppressive tyrants and [[Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent|Muslim rule]] as a dark period that hindered India’s intellectual advancements, Hindutva seeks to justify the present-day [[Violence against Muslims in India|oppression of Muslims]] and [[Violence against Christians in India|non-Hindus in India]].<ref name=":1" /> It is used to evoke a sense of historical grievance and mobilize public sentiment and support for their political agenda. These historical narratives fuel communal tensions, which can be exploited during elections. By framing current political and social issues within a historical context of Hindu resistance and victimization, the [[Hindu right]] can justify their policies and actions as a necessary continuation of a long-standing struggle for Hindu rights and sovereignty.<ref name=":1" />

Savarkar, among other Hindu nationalists, seek to reconstruct history to depict a glorious Hindu past to assert that [[Hindu identity]] was formed through violent resistance against non-Hindus.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://sunypress.edu/Books/H/Hindutva-and-Violence |title=Hindutva and Violence |language=en-US}}</ref> This narrative promotes the idea that employing violent means is a historically justified method to uphold and promote [[Hindu supremacy]] in India. The process of rewriting India’s history involves the [[NCERT textbook controversies|manipulation of educational content]], such as textbooks. By doing so, Hindutva can reshape the historical understanding of future generations, ensuring that their interpretation of history aligns with the goals of this movement.<ref name=":1" />

[[Rama]], a Hindu deity, has been depicted as a fair and virtuous king. However, in recent times, particularly within Hindutva imagery, Rama has been portrayed as a strong, militant figure. This martial depiction marks a significant departure from traditional devotional representations and has become a symbol of Hindu nationalism. This reinterpretation underscores the strength of the political movement, aligning Rama's image with contemporary political agendas and distancing it from the deity's religious origins.<ref name=":1" />

==Socio-political impacts==

===Religious conflict===

Acts of iconoclasm tend to exacerbate tensions between communities, particularly between Hindus and Muslims in India. Such events can lead to riots, violence, and a sense of insecurity among minority communities. Following the destruction of the Babri Masjid there were [[Bombay riots|several months of intercommunal riots]]. Hindus and Muslims were in conflict that led to violent attacks, burning and looting of homes, shops, and places of worship. These riots spread to over six cities in India and collectively resulted in around 1000 deaths.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frayer |first=Lauren |date=2019-04-25 |title=Nearly 27 Years After Hindu Mob Destroyed A Mosque, The Scars In India Remain Deep |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/04/25/711412924/nearly-27-years-after-hindu-mob-destroyed-a-mosque-the-scars-in-india-remain-dee |website=[[NPR.org]]}}</ref>

===National identity===

Hindutva-led iconoclasm often results in debates about the nature of Indian identity and the place of [[Minority group|minorities]] within it. It can challenge the secular fabric of the nation by privileging Hindu narratives and cultural symbols over others. The struggle over historical narratives and cultural heritage often involves the renaming of streets and cities with names reflecting India's multicultural past to those associated with Hindu figures or concepts.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilkinson |first=Steven I. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/votes-and-violence/DED9BA09D07210B27297837295115753 |title=Votes and Violence: Electoral Competition and Ethnic Riots in India |date=2004 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-0-521-82916-8 |series=Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics |doi=10.1017/cbo9780511510458}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Anti-mosque campaigning in India]]
* {{Section link|Iconoclasm|Iconoclasm in India}}
* [[Aniconism]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Hindutva]]
[[Category:Iconoclasm]]
[[Category:Wikipedia Student Program]]
[[Category:Hinduism-motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Hinduism-related controversies]]
[[Category:Anti-Muslim riots in India]]
[[Category:Attacks on religious buildings and structures in India]]

Hindutva iconoclasm - Revision history

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