Hindutva – Origin, Evolution and Future

Description

About the book :

This book studies Hindutva in both critical and holistic terms – an approach that is oft found missing in most studies on Hindutva, where a lot of critical knowledge has been left out either intentionally or out of ignorance.

This book is built on the strong foundation that Hindutva is not an ideology but a process – a historical-civilizational process. As such, it does not fit the expectations of any ideological framework. It is also an answer to another fundamental question ” Is Hindutva different from, and perhaps even opposed to Hinduism ? ”

Appreciation for the book : 

A Magisterial work by Neelakandan to understand what Hindutva actually is and stands for.” – Dr. Vikram Sampath ”

I have long admired Aravindan Neelakandan as one of the very few Indian thinkers who appreciate and acknowledge Western-derived science and modernity, while simultaneously remaining authentically grounded in Hindu tradition. There have been many books on the history of Hinduism and Hindutva, but this one is different, and significant, because it (correctly) takes a step back and identifies that our current situation is part of a global bio-psycho-sociological churn, something playing out over millennia, far beyond the lifespans of any one individual or organization or state.

Aravindan, at his core, is a nature-lover and a scientist, and it is this perspective that suffuses this book and makes it special. While there is plenty of ground-breaking content within this expansive, encyclopedic book, I believe the sections on the neurobiological connections of Hindu meditative and ritual practice, which tie the history of Hinduism to the broader evolutionary inheritance of the human species, are going to be very impactful in the years to come.” – Dr Anand Venkatraman Neuroscientist

Whether one is  supporter or a critic of Hindutva, Neelakandan’s work is essential for understanding its worldview and its historical and philosophical underpinnings. – Dr Jeffery D Long , Carl W Zeigler Professor of Religion, Philosophy & Asian studies.

A work of profound scholarship and deep sensitivity, it removes various distortions around Hindutva – Dr Ram Sharma, Director Indus Institute of Special Studies.

ISBN : 978-9392209062 ; Publisher :  Kali (An Imprint of BluOne Ink)