Hindutva and Dalits

Why did Dalits join forces with the Hindu Rights that unleashed the terrible riots in Gujarat against the Muslims in 2002? Why indeed are Dalits, the primary targets of the Hindu caste system, prepared to accept Hindutva or the political philosophy of 'caste Hindu' supremacy? As the editor says, "Hindutva has declared Muslims as their 'enemy other' and extended a hand of friendship to Dalits as 'us allies'." In this path-breaking collection, the contributors, all eminent in their fields, consider the many issues raised by the Hindutva overture towards Dalits. The question of Dalit women vis-a-vis Dalit men and others is also discussed. Divided into two parts, the first discusses the theoretical perspective while the second considers Hindutva in operation. The views presented do not offer a consensus simply because none exists. A thought-provoking and incisive analysis of Hindutva, this book makes an invaluable contribution to the current debate and takes it forward.