Rahul Gandhi on Hindutva

Rahul Gandhi has positioned himself as a firm distinction-drawer between Hinduism, which he respects as a faith, and Hindutva, which he views as a political ideology associated with the ruling party and its affiliates. He argues that Hinduism is a belief system centered on love, non-violence, and truth, which is fundamentally inclusive of all Indians. In contrast, he characterizes Hindutva as a modern, political construct designed to divide society, often associating it with the ideologies of the ruling establishment and its ideological parent organization. This framing is a central pillar of his recent political narrative, aiming to claim the spiritual heritage for his secular party while framing the opposition as divisive.

This differentiation has become a recurring theme in his public discourse, particularly following his parliamentary remarks where he explicitly contrasted the two concepts. The position implies that the current ruling political project is founded upon an ideology hostile to India's pluralistic spirit, rather than being representative of the nation's traditional faith. By separating the two, he seeks to appeal to the spiritual and religious sentiment of Hindu voters while simultaneously criticizing the political deployment of religious identity for electoral gain, suggesting an evolution in the Congress party's approach to the subject.