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|position = {{nowrap|[[Right-wing politics|Right-wing]]<ref>{{cite book|first=L|last=Delap|publisher=Springer|page=152|year=2013|title=Men, Masculinities and Religious Change in Twentieth-Century Britain}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=P.R.|last=Kumaraswamy|title=India's Israel Policy|year=2010|page=159|publisher=Columbia University Press}}</ref> to [[Far-right politics|far-right]]<ref name=Clemens>{{cite book|first=Clemens|last=Six|title=Secularism, Decolonisation, and the Cold War in South and Southeast Asia|quote=The Hindu Mahasabha, a far-right Hindu nationalist political party|publisher=Routledge|year=2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Luce|first=Henry Robinson|date=17 October 1949|title=INDIA: Anchor for Asia|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|page=33|publisher=Time Incorporated|volume=54}}</ref>}}
|position = {{nowrap|[[Right-wing politics|Right-wing]]<ref>{{cite book|first=L|last=Delap|publisher=Springer|page=152|year=2013|title=Men, Masculinities and Religious Change in Twentieth-Century Britain}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=P.R.|last=Kumaraswamy|title=India's Israel Policy|year=2010|page=159|publisher=Columbia University Press}}</ref> to [[Far-right politics|far-right]]<ref name=Clemens>{{cite book|first=Clemens|last=Six|title=Secularism, Decolonisation, and the Cold War in South and Southeast Asia|quote=The Hindu Mahasabha, a far-right Hindu nationalist political party|publisher=Routledge|year=2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Luce|first=Henry Robinson|date=17 October 1949|title=INDIA: Anchor for Asia|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|page=33|publisher=Time Incorporated|volume=54}}</ref>}}
|colours = {{Colorsample|#FF9933}} [[Saffron (colour)|Saffron]]
|colours = {{Colorsample|#FF9933}} [[Saffron (colour)|Saffron]]
|website = {{url|https://abhm.org.in/}}
|website = {{URL|https://abhm.org.in/}}
|flag = Hindu Mahasabha.png
|symbol = [[File:Horse and rider Indian election symbol.png|150px]]<ref name=symbol>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/history-of-election-symbols-how-they-still-help-to-connect-with-the-masses/articleshow/25961306.cms |title=Congress: History of election symbols: How they still help to connect with the masses |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=18 November 2013 |author=Vikram Doctor |access-date= 18 October 2021 |quote=Other parties were happier with what they got – the Hindu Mahasabha had a suitably aggressive horse and rider.. }}</ref>
|symbol = [[File:Horse and rider Indian election symbol.png|150px]]<ref name=symbol>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/history-of-election-symbols-how-they-still-help-to-connect-with-the-masses/articleshow/25961306.cms |title=Congress: History of election symbols: How they still help to connect with the masses |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=18 November 2013 |author=Vikram Doctor |access-date=18 October 2021 |quote=Other parties were happier with what they got – the Hindu Mahasabha had a suitably aggressive horse and rider.. |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018101747/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/history-of-election-symbols-how-they-still-help-to-connect-with-the-masses/articleshow/25961306.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
|dissolution=|merged=}}
|dissolution=|merged=}}
[[Image:Savarkaringroup.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A group photo taken in [[Shimoga]] in 1944 when [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]] (seated fourth from right, second row) came to address the State-level Hindu Mahasabha conference. The late Bhoopalam Chandrashekariah, president of the Hindu Mahasabha State unit, is seated to Savarkar's left.]]
[[Image:Savarkaringroup.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A group photo taken in [[Shimoga]] in 1944 when [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]] (seated fourth from right, second row) came to address the State-level Hindu Mahasabha conference. The late Bhoopalam Chandrashekariah, president of the Hindu Mahasabha State unit, is seated to Savarkar's left.]]
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'''Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha''' ({{literally|All-India Hindu Grand Assembly}}) is a [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] political party in [[India]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}}<ref name="McDermottGordon2014">{{cite book|last1=McDermott|first1=Rachel Fell|last2=Gordon|first2=Leonard A.|last3=Embree|first3=Ainslie T.|first4=Frances W. |last4=Pritchett |first5=Dennis |last5=Dalton|title=Sources of Indian Traditions: Modern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w8qJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA439|year=2014|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-51092-9|pages=439–}}</ref><ref name="Klostermaier1989">{{cite book|last=Klostermaier|first=Klaus K.|title=A Survey of Hinduism: First Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ltn3OuF_i4sC&pg=PA403|year=1989|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-88706-807-2|pages=403–}}</ref>
'''Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha''' ({{literally|All-India Hindu Grand Assembly}}) is a [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] political party in [[India]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}}<ref name="McDermottGordon2014">{{cite book|last1=McDermott|first1=Rachel Fell|last2=Gordon|first2=Leonard A.|last3=Embree|first3=Ainslie T.|first4=Frances W. |last4=Pritchett |first5=Dennis |last5=Dalton|title=Sources of Indian Traditions: Modern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w8qJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA439|year=2014|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-51092-9|pages=439–}}</ref><ref name="Klostermaier1989">{{cite book|last=Klostermaier|first=Klaus K.|title=A Survey of Hinduism: First Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ltn3OuF_i4sC&pg=PA403|year=1989|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-88706-807-2|pages=403–}}</ref>


Founded in 1915, the Mahasabha functioned mainly as a pressure group advocating the interests of [[Sanātanī|orthodox]] [[Hindus]] before the [[British Raj]] and within the [[Indian National Congress]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} In the 1930s, it emerged as a distinct party under the leadership of [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]], who developed the [[Hindutva]] ("Hinduness") and became a fierce opponent of the secular nationalism espoused by the Congress party.
Founded in 1915 by [[Madan Mohan Malviya]], the Mahasabha functioned mainly as a pressure group advocating the interests of [[Sanātanī|orthodox]] [[Hindus]] before the [[British Raj]] from within the [[Indian National Congress]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} In the 1930s, it emerged as a distinct party under the leadership of [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]], who developed the concept of [[Hindutva]] ("Hinduness") and became a fierce opponent of the western, secular nationalism espoused by the Congress.


During the [[World War II]], the Mahasabha supported the British war effort and briefly entered coalitions with the [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] in provincial and central councils. After the [[Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi|assassination]] of Indian leader [[Mahatma Gandhi]] by Hindu Mahasabha activist [[Nathuram Godse]], the Mahasabha's fortunes diminished in Indian politics, and it was soon eclipsed by the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]].
During the [[World War II]], the Mahasabha supported the British war effort and briefly entered coalitions with the [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] in provincial and central legislative councils. After the [[Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi|assassination]] of Indian leader [[Mahatma Gandhi]] by a Hindu Mahasabha activist [[Nathuram Godse]], the Mahasabha's fortunes diminished in post-Independence Indian politics, and it was soon eclipsed by the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]].


==Name==
==Name==
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==History==
==History==
===Antecedents===
===Antecedents===
Local forerunners of the Hindu Mahasabha emerged in connection with the disputes after the [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|partition of Bengal in 1905]] in British India. Under the then viceroy [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Lord Curzon]], the division of the province of Bengal was in two new provinces of East Bengal and Assam, as well as Bengal. The new province of Bengal had a Hindu majority, the province of East Bengal and Assam was mostly Muslim. The division was justified by the British administration for religious reasons.
Local forerunners of the Hindu Mahasabha emerged in connection with the disputes after the [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|partition of Bengal in 1905]] in British India. Under the then viceroy [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Lord Curzon]], the division of the province of Bengal was into two new provinces of East Bengal and Assam, as well as Bengal. The new province of Bengal had a Hindu majority, the province of East Bengal and Assam was mostly Muslim. The British administration justified the division for religious reasons.


The formation of the [[All India Muslim League]] in 1906{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=16}} and the [[British India]] government's creation of separate [[Muslim]] electorate under the [[Indian Councils Act 1909|Morley-Minto reforms]] of 1909{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=3}} was a catalyst for [[Hindu]] leaders coming together to create an organisation to protect the rights of the [[Hindus|Hindu community]] members.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=16}}
The formation of the [[All India Muslim League]] in 1906{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=16}} and the [[British India]] government's creation of separate [[Muslim]] electorate under the [[Indian Councils Act 1909|Morley-Minto reforms]] of 1909{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=3}} was a catalyst for [[Hindu]] leaders coming together to create an organisation to protect the rights of the [[Hindus|Hindu community]] members.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=16}}


In 1909, Lal Chand and U.N. Mukerji established the Punjab Hindu Sabha ("Punjab Hindu Assembly").{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=17}} The Sabha stated that it was not a sectarian organisation, but an "all-embracing movement" that aimed to safeguard the interests of "the entire Hindu community". During 21–22 October 1909, it organised the Punjab Provincial Hindu Conference, which criticised the [[Indian National Congress]] for failing to defend Hindu interests and called for promotion of Hindu-centered politics. In this conference Sabha leaders strongly proposed that Hindus need a separate nation, and the Muslims should not be given any rights in that nation. The Sabha organised five more annual provincial conferences in Punjab.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}
In 1909, Lal Chand and U.N. Mukerji established the Punjab Hindu Sabha ("Punjab Hindu Assembly").{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=17}} The Sabha stated that it was not a sectarian organisation, but an "all-embracing movement" that aimed to safeguard the interests of "the entire Hindu community". On 21–22 October 1909, it organised the Punjab Provincial Hindu Conference, which criticised the [[Indian National Congress]] for failing to defend Hindu interests and called for the promotion of Hindu-centered politics. In this conference, Sabha leaders strongly proposed that Hindus need a separate nation and that Muslims should not be given any rights in that nation. The Sabha organised five more annual provincial conferences in Punjab.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}


The development of the broad work for Hindu unity that started in the early 20th century in [[Punjab, British India|Punjab]] was a precursor for the formation of the All India Hindu Sabha. Over the next few years, several such Hindu Sabhas were established outside Punjab, including in United Provinces, Bihar, Bengal, [[Central Provinces and Berar]], and [[Bombay Presidency]].{{sfn|Jaffrelot|2011|p=43}}
The development of the broad civic framework for Hindu unity that started in the early 20th century in [[Punjab, British India|Punjab]] was a precursor for the formation of the All India Hindu Sabha. Over the next few years, several such Hindu Sabhas were established outside Punjab, including in United Provinces, Bihar, Bengal, [[Central Provinces and Berar]], and [[Bombay Presidency]].{{sfn|Jaffrelot|2011|p=43}}


A formal move to establish an umbrella All-India Hindu Sabha was made at the Allahabad session of Congress in 1910. A committee headed by Lala Baij Nath was set up to draw up a constitution, but it did not make much progress. Another conference of Hindu leaders in Allahabad also took the initial step to establish an All India Hindu Sabha in 1910, but this organisation did not become operational due to factional strife. On 8 December 1913, the Punjab Hindu Sabha passed a resolution to create an All India Hindu Sabha at its [[Ambala]] session. The Conference proposed holding a general conference of Hindu leaders from all over India at the 1915 [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela|Kumbh Mela in Haridwar]].{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}
A formal move to establish an umbrella All-India Hindu Sabha was made at the Allahabad session of Congress in 1910. A committee headed by Lala Baij Nath was set up to draw a constitution, but it did not make much progress. Another conference of Hindu leaders in Allahabad also took the initial step to establish an All India Hindu Sabha in 1910, but this organisation did not become operational due to factional strife. On 8 December 1913, the Punjab Hindu Sabha passed a resolution to create an All India Hindu Sabha at its [[Ambala]] session. The Conference proposed holding a general conference of Hindu leaders from all over India during 1915 [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela|Kumbh Mela in Haridwar]].{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}


===Establishment===
===Establishment===
Preparatory sessions of the All India Hindu Sabha were held at [[Haridwar]] (13 February 1915), Lucknow (17 February 1915) and Delhi (27 February 1915). In April 1915, ''Sarvadeshak'' (All India) Hindu Sabha was formed as an umbrella organisation of regional Hindu Sabhas, at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Gandhi and [[Swami Shraddhanand]] were also present at the conference and were supportive of the formation of All India Hindu Sabha.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}} The Sabha laid emphasis on Hindu solidarity and the need for social reform.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}
Preparatory sessions of the All India Hindu Sabha were held at [[Haridwar]] (13 February 1915), Lucknow (17 February 1915) and Delhi (27 February 1915). In April 1915, ''Sarvadeshak'' (All India) Hindu Sabha was formed as an umbrella organisation of regional Hindu Sabhas, at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Gandhi and [[Swami Shraddhanand]] were also present at the conference and were supportive of the formation of All India Hindu Sabha.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}} The Sabha emphasized Hindu solidarity and the need for social reform.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}


At its sixth session in April 1921, the ''Sarvadeshak Hindu Sabha'' formally changed its name to ''Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha'' on the model of the Indian National Congress. Presided over by Manindra Chandra Nandi, it amended its constitution to remove the clause about loyalty to the British and added a clause committing the organisation to a "united and self-governing" Indian nation.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=20}}
At its sixth session in April 1921, the ''Sarvadeshak Hindu Sabha'' formally changed its name to ''Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha'' on the model of the Indian National Congress. Presided over by Manindra Chandra Nandi, it amended its constitution to remove the clause about loyalty to the British and added a clause committing the organisation to a "united and self-governing" Indian nation.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=20}}


Amongst the Mahasabha's early leaders was the prominent nationalist, educationalist and
Amongst the Mahasabha's early leaders were the prominent nationalists, educationalists and
four times [[Indian National Congress]] president Pandit [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]], who founded the [[Benaras Hindu University]], the Punjabi populist [[Lala Lajpat Rai]] and Lajpat Rai's mentor [[Navin Chandra Rai]]<ref>autobiography of Lajpat Rai</ref><ref>ISBN 9781315180076</ref> of the [https://www.hindusamaj.in/mission Hindu Samaj] who chaired the special Congress session of 1921 held at Lahore which gave the call for non-cooperation. Under Malaviya, the Mahasabha campaigned for Hindu political unity, for the education and economic development of Hindus as well as for the conversion of Muslims to Hinduism.
four-time [[Indian National Congress]] president Pandit [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]], who founded the [[Benaras Hindu University]], the Punjabi populist [[Lala Lajpat Rai]] and Lajpat Rai's mentor [[Navin Chandra Rai]]<ref>autobiography of Lajpat Rai</ref><ref>ISBN 9781315180076</ref> of the [https://www.hindusamaj.in/mission Hindu Samaj] who chaired the special Congress session of 1920 held at Lahore which gave the call for non-cooperation. Under Malaviya, the Mahasabha campaigned for Hindu political unity, for the education and economic development of Hindus as well as for the conversion of Muslims to Hinduism.


===Indian independence movement===
===Indian independence movement===


The Hindu Mahasabha did not unconditionally support the [[Indian independence movement]] against British rule in India.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=40}} However, it became part of movement on its own conditions and with regards to protect the interests of the Hindus. For example, it boycotted the [[Simon Commission]]. In the aftermath, it was part of the all party committee, which came out with Nehru report. However, it did not accept the report as according to Mahasabha, it gave too many concessions to Muslims. Similarly, when Mahatma Gandhi observed a fast against Communal Award, Mahasabha worked with Gandhi and other parties to ensure [[Poona Pact]] is signed and Depressed Classes are given a fair representation.
The Hindu Mahasabha did not unconditionally support the [[Indian independence movement]] against British rule in India.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=40}} However, it became part of the movement on its conditions and with regards to protecting the interests of the Hindus. For example, it boycotted the [[Simon Commission]]. In the aftermath, it was part of the all-party committee, which came out with the Nehru Report. However, it did not accept the Report as according to Mahasabha, it gave too many concessions to Muslims. Similarly, when Mahatma Gandhi observed a fast against the Communal Award, Mahasabha worked with Gandhi and other parties to ensure [[Poona Pact]] was signed and Depressed Classes were given a fair representation.


Hindu Mahasabha under Savarkar's leadership organized ''Hindu Militarization Boards'' which recruited armed forces for helping the British in [[World War 2]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McKean |first=Lise |title=Divine Enterprise: Gurus and the Hindu Nationalist Movement |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsI7Hy8H34YC |year=1996 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-56009-0 |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215003328/https://books.google.com/books?id=OsI7Hy8H34YC |page=72|url-status=live }}</ref>
Hindu Mahasabha under Savarkar's leadership organized ''Hindu Militarization Boards'' which recruited for the British Indian armed forces to help the British in [[World War 2]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McKean |first=Lise |title=Divine Enterprise: Gurus and the Hindu Nationalist Movement |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsI7Hy8H34YC |year=1996 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-56009-0 |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215003328/https://books.google.com/books?id=OsI7Hy8H34YC |page=72|url-status=live }}</ref>


====Civil disobedience movement====
====Civil disobedience movement====
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The [[Indian National Congress]] won a massive victory in the [[1937 Indian provincial elections]], decimating the Hindu Mahasabha. However, in 1939, the Congress ministries resigned in protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's action of declaring India to be a belligerent in the Second World War without consulting the Indian people. This led to the Hindu Mahasabha joining hands with the Muslim League and other parties to form governments, in certain provinces. Such coalition governments were formed in Sindh, NWFP, and Bengal.
The [[Indian National Congress]] won a massive victory in the [[1937 Indian provincial elections]], decimating the Hindu Mahasabha. However, in 1939, the Congress ministries resigned in protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's action of declaring India to be a belligerent in the Second World War without consulting the Indian people. This led to the Hindu Mahasabha joining hands with the Muslim League and other parties to form governments, in certain provinces. Such coalition governments were formed in Sindh, NWFP, and Bengal.


In [[Sindh]], Hindu Mahasabha members joined [[Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah]]'s Muslim League government. In Savarkar's own words:<blockquote>Witness the fact that only recently in Sind, the Sind-Hindu-Sabha on invitation had taken the responsibility of joining hands with the League itself in running coalition government...<ref name="Savarkar1963">{{cite book |last=Savarkar |first=Vinayak Damodar |date=1963 |title=Collected Works of V.d. Savarkar |publisher=Maharashtra Prantik Hindusabha |pages=479–480}}</ref><ref name="Islam3">{{cite book|author=Shamsul Islam|title=Religious Dimensions of Indian Nationalism: A Study of RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaQjbO8SN48C&pg=PA213|year=2006|publisher=Media House|isbn=978-81-7495-236-3|pages=213–}}</ref><ref name="Aiyar2009">{{cite book|author=Mani Shankar Aiyar|title=A Time of Transition: Rajiv Gandhi to the 21st Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cpzzxxCgpbcC&pg=PT75|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-670-08275-9|pages=75–}}</ref></blockquote> In March 1943, Sindh Government became the first Provincial Assembly of the sub-continent to pass an official resolution in favour of the creation of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite book|title=Asian Societies in Comparative Perspective: Papers Presented at the 7th Annual Conference of the Nordic Association for Southeast Asian Studies, Møn, Denmark, 1990|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6lmBbQXVCwoC&pg=PA800|year=1991|publisher=NIAS Press|isbn=978-87-87062-14-5|pages=800–}}</ref> In spite of the Hindu Mahasabha's avowed public opposition to any political division of India, the Mahasabha Ministers of the Sindh government did not resign, rather they simply "contented themselves with a protest".<ref name="Noorani1">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT59|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=59–}}</ref>
In [[Sindh]], Hindu Mahasabha members joined [[Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah]]'s Muslim League government. In Savarkar's own words:<blockquote>Witness the fact that only recently in Sind, the Sind-Hindu-Sabha on invitation had taken the responsibility of joining hands with the League itself in running coalition government...<ref name="Savarkar1963">{{cite book |last=Savarkar |first=Vinayak Damodar |date=1963 |title=Collected Works of V.d. Savarkar |publisher=Maharashtra Prantik Hindusabha |pages=479–480}}</ref><ref name="Islam3">{{cite book|author=Shamsul Islam|title=Religious Dimensions of Indian Nationalism: A Study of RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaQjbO8SN48C&pg=PA213|year=2006|publisher=Media House|isbn=978-81-7495-236-3|pages=213–}}</ref><ref name="Aiyar2009">{{cite book|author=Mani Shankar Aiyar|title=A Time of Transition: Rajiv Gandhi to the 21st Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cpzzxxCgpbcC&pg=PT75|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-670-08275-9|pages=75–}}</ref></blockquote> In March 1943, Sindh Government became the first Provincial Assembly of the sub-continent to pass an official resolution in favour of the creation of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite book|title=Asian Societies in Comparative Perspective: Papers Presented at the 7th Annual Conference of the Nordic Association for Southeast Asian Studies, Møn, Denmark, 1990|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6lmBbQXVCwoC&pg=PA800|year=1991|publisher=NIAS Press|isbn=978-87-87062-14-5|pages=800–}}</ref> Despite the Hindu Mahasabha's avowed public opposition to any territorial division of India, the Mahasabha Ministers of the Sindh government did not resign, rather they simply "contented themselves with a protest".<ref name="Noorani1">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT59|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=59–}}</ref>


In the North West Frontier Province, Hindu Mahasabha members joined hands with [[Sardar Aurang Zeb Khan]] of the Muslim League to form a government in 1943. The Mahasabha member of the cabinet was Finance Minister [[Mehr Chand Khanna]].<ref name="Islam2">{{cite book|author=Shamsul Islam|title=Religious Dimensions of Indian Nationalism: A Study of RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaQjbO8SN48C&pg=PA313|year=2006|publisher=Media House|isbn=978-81-7495-236-3|pages=313–}}</ref><ref name="Baxter1969">{{cite book |last=Baxter |first=Craig | author-link = Craig Baxter |date=1969 |title=The jan Sangh: A biography of an Indian Political Party |url=https://archive.org/details/janasanghbiograp0000baxt |url-access=registration |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/janasanghbiograp0000baxt/page/20 20]|isbn=9780812275834 }}</ref>
In the North West Frontier Province, Hindu Mahasabha members joined hands with [[Sardar Aurang Zeb Khan]] of the Muslim League to form a government in 1943. The Mahasabha member of the cabinet was Finance Minister [[Mehr Chand Khanna]].<ref name="Islam2">{{cite book|author=Shamsul Islam|title=Religious Dimensions of Indian Nationalism: A Study of RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaQjbO8SN48C&pg=PA313|year=2006|publisher=Media House|isbn=978-81-7495-236-3|pages=313–}}</ref><ref name="Baxter1969">{{cite book |last=Baxter |first=Craig | author-link = Craig Baxter |date=1969 |title=The jan Sangh: A biography of an Indian Political Party |url=https://archive.org/details/janasanghbiograp0000baxt |url-access=registration |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/janasanghbiograp0000baxt/page/20 20]|isbn=9780812275834 }}</ref>
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The Hindu Mahasabha openly opposed the call for the [[Quit India Movement]] and boycotted it officially.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}} [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]], the president of the Hindu Mahasabha at that time, even went to the extent of writing a letter titled "''Stick to your Posts''", in which he instructed Hindu Sabhaites who happened to be "members of municipalities, local bodies, legislatures or those serving in the army...to stick to their posts" across the country, and not to join the Quit India Movement at any cost.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}}
The Hindu Mahasabha openly opposed the call for the [[Quit India Movement]] and boycotted it officially.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}} [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]], the president of the Hindu Mahasabha at that time, even went to the extent of writing a letter titled "''Stick to your Posts''", in which he instructed Hindu Sabhaites who happened to be "members of municipalities, local bodies, legislatures or those serving in the army...to stick to their posts" across the country, and not to join the Quit India Movement at any cost.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}}


Following the Hindu Mahasabha's official decision to boycott the Quit India movement,{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}} [[Syama Prasad Mukherjee]], leader of the Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal (which was a part of the ruling coalition in Bengal led by [[Krishak Praja Party]] of [[Fazlul Haq]]), wrote a letter to the British Government as to how they should respond, if the Congress gave a call to the British rulers to Quit India. In this letter, dated July 26, 1942, he wrote:<blockquote> Let me now refer to the situation that may be created in the province as a result of any widespread movement launched by the Congress. Anybody, who during the war, plans to stir up mass feeling, resulting internal disturbances or insecurity, must be resisted by any Government that may function for the time being.<ref name="Noorani2">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT56|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=56–}}</ref><ref name="Mookerjee2000">{{cite book |last=Mookherjee |first=Shyama Prasad |title=Leaves from a Dairy |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=179}}</ref></blockquote> Mookerjee in this letter reiterated that the Fazlul Haq led Bengal Government, along with its alliance partner Hindu Mahasabha would make every possible effort to defeat the [[Quit India Movement]] in the province of Bengal and made a concrete proposal as regards this:<blockquote> The question is how to combat this movement (Quit India) in Bengal? The administration of the province should be carried on in such a manner that in spite of the best efforts of the Congress, this movement will fail to take root in the province. It should be possible for us, especially responsible Ministers, to be able to tell the public that the freedom for which the Congress has started the movement, already belongs to the representatives of the people. In some spheres it might be limited during the emergency. Indian have to trust the British, not for the sake for Britain, not for any advantage that the British might gain, but for the maintenance of the defense and freedom of the province itself. You, as Governor, will function as the constitutional head of the province and will be guided entirely on the advice of your Minister.<ref name="Noorani3">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT57|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=57–}}</ref></blockquote> Even the Indian historian [[R.C. Majumdar]] noted this fact and states: <blockquote>Syama Prasad ended the letter with a discussion of the mass movement organised by the Congress. He expressed the apprehension that the movement would create internal disorder and will endanger internal security during the war by exciting popular feeling and he opined that any government in power has to suppress it, but that according to him could not be done only by persecution... In that letter he mentioned item wise the steps to be taken for dealing with the situation...<ref name="Majumdar1978">{{cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Ramesh Chandra |date=1978 |title=History of Modern Bengal |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=179}}</ref></blockquote>
Following the Hindu Mahasabha's official decision to boycott the Quit India movement,{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}} [[Syama Prasad Mukherjee]], leader of the Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal (which was a part of the ruling coalition in Bengal led by [[Krishak Praja Party]] of [[Fazlul Haq]]), wrote a letter to the British Government as to how they should respond, if the Congress gave a call to the British rulers to Quit India. In this letter, dated July 26, 1942, he wrote:<blockquote> Let me now refer to the situation that may be created in the province as a result of any widespread movement launched by the Congress. Anybody, who during the war, plans to stir up mass feeling, resulting in internal disturbances or insecurity, must be resisted by any Government that may function for the time being.<ref name="Noorani2">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT56|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=56–}}</ref><ref name="Mookerjee2000">{{cite book |last=Mookherjee |first=Shyama Prasad |title=Leaves from a Dairy |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=179}}</ref></blockquote> Mookerjee in this letter reiterated that the Fazlul Haq led Bengal Government, along with its alliance partner Hindu Mahasabha would make every possible effort to defeat the [[Quit India Movement]] in the province of Bengal and made a concrete proposal as regards this:<blockquote> The question is how to combat this movement (Quit India) in Bengal? The administration of the province should be carried on in such a manner that in spite of the best efforts of the Congress, this movement will fail to take root in the province. It should be possible for us, especially responsible Ministers, to be able to tell the public that the freedom for which the Congress has started the movement, already belongs to the representatives of the people. In some spheres, it might be limited during the emergency. Indians have to trust the British, not for the sake for Britain, not for any advantage that the British might gain, but for the maintenance of the defence and freedom of the province itself. You, as Governor, will function as the constitutional head of the province and will be guided entirely on the advice of your Minister.<ref name="Noorani3">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT57|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=57–}}</ref></blockquote> Even the Indian historian [[R.C. Majumdar]] noted this fact and states: <blockquote>Syama Prasad ended the letter with a discussion of the mass movement organised by the Congress. He expressed the apprehension that the movement would create internal disorder and will endanger internal security during the war by exciting popular feeling and he opined that any government in power has to suppress it, but that according to him could not be done only by persecution... In that letter, he mentioned item-wise the steps to be taken for dealing with the situation...<ref name="Majumdar1978">{{cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Ramesh Chandra |date=1978 |title=History of Modern Bengal |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=179}}</ref></blockquote>


===Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi===
===Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi===
{{Main|Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi}}
{{Main|Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi}}


On January 30, 1948, [[Nathuram Godse]] shot Mahatma Gandhi three times and killed him in [[Delhi]]. Godse and his fellow conspirators [[Digambar Badge]], [[Gopal Godse]], [[Narayan Apte]], [[Vishnu Karkare]] and [[Madanlal Pahwa]] were identified as prominent members of the Hindu Mahasabha. Along with them, police arrested Savarkar, who was suspected of being the mastermind behind the plot. While the trial resulted in convictions and judgments against the others, Savarkar was released due to lack of evidence. Many leaders including Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar were convinced that Savarkar's arrest was nothing but a political vendetta.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Malgonkar |first1=Manohar |title=The Men Who Killed Gandhi |date=2008 |publisher=Roli Books Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5194-083-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ucWsCAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref> The Kapur Commission said:
On January 30, 1948, [[Nathuram Godse]] shot Mahatma Gandhi three times and killed him in [[Delhi]]. Godse and his fellow conspirators [[Digambar Badge]], [[Gopal Godse]], [[Narayan Apte]], [[Vishnu Karkare]] and [[Madanlal Pahwa]] were identified as prominent members of the Hindu Mahasabha. Along with them, police arrested Savarkar, who was suspected of being the mastermind behind the plot. While the trial resulted in convictions and judgments against the others, Savarkar was released due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Malgonkar |first1=Manohar |title=The Men Who Killed Gandhi |date=2008 |publisher=Roli Books Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5194-083-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ucWsCAAAQBAJ |language=en |access-date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130152335/https://books.google.com/books?id=ucWsCAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Kapur Commission said:
:All these facts taken together were destructive of any theory other than the conspiracy to murder (of Gandhiji).<ref>{{cite book |last1=J.L Kapur |title=Report of Commission of Inquiry in to Conspiracy to Murder Mahatma Gandhi (1969) |date=February 2012 |page=303 |publisher=South Asia Citizens Web (www.sacw.net) |url=https://archive.org/stream/JeevanlalKapoorCommissionReport/JeevanLalKapurCommissionReport_PART2-D#page/n9/mode/1up |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>
: All these facts taken together were destructive of any theory other than the conspiracy to murder (of Gandhiji).<ref>{{cite book |last1=J.L Kapur |title=Report of Commission of Inquiry into Conspiracy to Murder Mahatma Gandhi (1969) |date=February 2012 |page=303 |publisher=South Asia Citizens Web (www.sacw.net) |url=https://archive.org/stream/JeevanlalKapoorCommissionReport/JeevanLalKapurCommissionReport_PART2-D#page/n9/mode/1up |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>


===Attempts at rehabilitation of Godse===
===Attempts at rehabilitation of Godse===
[[Nehru]] led Congress government did not allow [[Nathuram Godse ]] to present his side in the court.{{fact|date=December 2023}} His speech and thoughts were never published and broadcast by media.{{Cn|date=December 2023}} The Hindu Mahasabha considers [[Nathuram Godse]] to be a "real forgotten hero"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Mohammad |date=2015-11-15 |title=Hindu Mahasabha launches a website for Nathuram Godse |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-launches-a-website-for-nathuram-godse/article7880713.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |others=PTI |date=2022-01-31 |title=Hindu Mahasabha pays tribute to Nathuram Godse |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-pays-tribute-to-nathuram-godse/article38350859.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> of the independence struggle of India and criticises Gandhi for not having prevented the partition of India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chattopadhyay |first=Suhrid Sankar |date=2022-10-03 |title=Controversy erupts over depiction of Mahatma Gandhi as demon in Kolkata puja pandal |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/controversy-erupts-over-depiction-of-mahatma-gandhi-as-demon-in-kolkata-puja-pandal/article65966356.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=frontline.thehindu.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, following the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s rise to power, the Hindu Mahasabha continued attempts to rehabilitate and portray him as a patriot. It requested Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] to install the bust of Nathuram Godse. It created a documentary film ''Desh Bhakt Nathuram Godse'' (Patriot [[Nathuram Godse]]) for release on the death anniversary of Gandhi on 30 January 2015.<ref name=mahasabha>
The Hindu Mahasabha considers [[Nathuram Godse]] to be a "real forgotten hero"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Mohammad |date=2015-11-15 |title=Hindu Mahasabha launches a website for Nathuram Godse |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-launches-a-website-for-nathuram-godse/article7880713.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111050829/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-launches-a-website-for-nathuram-godse/article7880713.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=PTI |date=2022-01-31 |title=Hindu Mahasabha pays tribute to Nathuram Godse |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-pays-tribute-to-nathuram-godse/article38350859.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111050826/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-pays-tribute-to-nathuram-godse/article38350859.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> of the independence struggle of India and criticises [[Mahatma Gandhi]] for not having prevented the partition of India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chattopadhyay |first=Suhrid Sankar |date=2022-10-03 |title=Controversy erupts over depiction of Mahatma Gandhi as demon in Kolkata puja pandal |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/controversy-erupts-over-depiction-of-mahatma-gandhi-as-demon-in-kolkata-puja-pandal/article65966356.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=frontline.thehindu.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, following the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s rise to power, the Hindu Mahasabha continued attempts to rehabilitate and portray him as a patriot. It requested Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] to install the bust of Nathuram Godse. It created a documentary film ''Desh Bhakt Nathuram Godse'' (Patriot [[Nathuram Godse]]) for release on the death anniversary of Gandhi on 30 January 2015.<ref name=mahasabha>{{cite news|first=Debobrat|last=Ghose|title=Hindu Mahasabha head speaks to FP: Godse was a 'martyr' and 'patriot'|newspaper=Firstpost|date=21 December 2014|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/hindu-mahasabha-head-speaks-fp-godse-martyr-patriot-1977649.html|access-date=21 December 2014|archive-date=21 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221131649/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/hindu-mahasabha-head-speaks-fp-godse-martyr-patriot-1977649.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
There were attempts to build a temple for Nathuram Godse and to celebrate 30 January as a ''Shaurya Diwas'' ("Bravery Day").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141224/nation-current-affairs/article/hindu-mahasabha-announces-godse-temple|title=Hindu Mahasabha announces Godse temple|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=24 December 2014|access-date=2 March 2018|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201053450/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141224/nation-current-affairs/article/hindu-mahasabha-announces-godse-temple|url-status=live}}</ref> A civil suit was filed in Pune Court asking for a ban on the documentary film.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pune-court-to-hear-suit-against-godse-film/article6724649.ece|title=Pune court to hear suit against Godse film|author=PTI|work=The Hindu|date=25 December 2014|access-date=2 March 2018|archive-date=18 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318073403/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pune-court-to-hear-suit-against-godse-film/article6724649.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{cite news|first=Debobrat|last=Ghose|title=Hindu Mahasabha head speaks to FP: Godse was a 'martyr' and 'patriot'|newspaper=Firstpost|date=21 December 2014|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/hindu-mahasabha-head-speaks-fp-godse-martyr-patriot-1977649.html|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref>
There were attempts to build a temple for Nathuram Godse and to celebrate 30 January as a ''Shaurya Diwas'' ("Bravery Day").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141224/nation-current-affairs/article/hindu-mahasabha-announces-godse-temple|title=Hindu Mahasabha announces Godse temple|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=24 December 2014}}</ref> A civil suit was filed in Pune Court asking for a ban on the documentary film.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pune-court-to-hear-suit-against-godse-film/article6724649.ece|title=Pune court to hear suit against Godse film|author=PTI|work=The Hindu|date=25 December 2014}}</ref>


===Karnataka controversy===
===Karnataka controversy===
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==Ideology==
==Ideology==
Although the Hindu Mahasabha did not call for the exclusion of other religious communities from government, it identified India as a ''[[Hindu Rashtra]]'' ("Hindu Nation") and believed in the primacy of [[Hindus#Culture|Hindu culture]], [[Hinduism|religion]], and [[Cultural heritage of India|heritage]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} The Hindu Mahasabha was opposed to the [[Caste system in India|Indian caste system]] and policies that endorsed [[untouchability]], and used to organize all caste dinners in Nagpur and in Kanpur.<ref name="Keer 1950">{{Cite book|last=Keer|first=Dhananjay|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.449273|title=Veer Savarkar|date=1950|publisher=Popular Prakashan Bombay}}</ref> [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar|Savarkar]] was very critical of the Indian caste system and untouchability, and among the social institutions, he saw it as the greatest curse of India.<ref name="Keer 1950"/>
Although the Hindu Mahasabha did not call for the exclusion of other religious communities from government, it identified India as a ''[[Hindu Rashtra]]'' ("Hindu Nation") and believed in the primacy of [[Hindus#Culture|Hindu culture]], [[Hinduism|religion]], and [[Cultural heritage of India|heritage]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} The Hindu Mahasabha was opposed to the [[Caste system in India|Indian caste system]] and policies that endorsed [[untouchability]], and used to organize all caste dinners in Nagpur and Kanpur.<ref name="Keer 1950">{{Cite book|last=Keer|first=Dhananjay|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.449273|title=Veer Savarkar|date=1950|publisher=Popular Prakashan Bombay}}</ref> [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar|Savarkar]] was very critical of the Indian caste system and untouchability, and among the social institutions, he saw it as the greatest curse of India.<ref name="Keer 1950"/>


===Hindutva===
===Hindutva===
The Hindu Mahasabha promotes the principles of [[Hindutva]], a Hindu nationalist ideology developed by its pre-eminent leader [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} The Mahasabha identifies India as ''[[Hindu Rashtra]]'' ("Hindu Nation").{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}}
The Hindu Mahasabha promotes the principles of [[Hindutva]], a Hindu nationalist ideology developed by its pre-eminent leader [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} The Mahasabha identifies India as ''[[Hindu Rashtra]]'' ("Hindu Nation").{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}}


===Ideological positions===
===Ideological positions===
In 2015, Vice President of All India Hindu Mahasabha, VP Sadhvi Deva Thakur stated that [[Christians]] and [[Muslims]] must undergo [[forced sterilization]] to restrict their growing population in India, which she considered a threat to Hindus.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle"/><ref name="IBNLive"/> She declared: "The population of Muslims and Christians is growing day by day. To rein in this, Union will have to impose emergency, and Muslims and Christians will have to be forced to undergo sterilization so that they can't increase their numbers".<ref name="Deccan Chronicle">{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150412/nation-current-affairs/article/muslims-christians-should-be-forcibly-sterilised-says-hindu|title=Muslims, Christians should be forcibly sterilisation, says Hindu Mahasabha leader|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=12 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="IBNLive">{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hindu-mahasabha-leader-calls-for-forced-sterilisation-of-muslims-christians-to-restrict-growing-population/539301-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413000454/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hindu-mahasabha-leader-calls-for-forced-sterilisation-of-muslims-christians-to-restrict-growing-population/539301-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-04-13|title=Hindu Mahasabha leader calls for forced sterilisation of Muslims, Christians to restrict growing population|work=IBNLive}}</ref>
In 2015, Vice President of All India Hindu Mahasabha, VP Sadhvi Deva Thakur stated that [[Christians]] and [[Muslims]] must undergo [[forced sterilization]] to restrict their growing population in India, which she considered a threat to Hindus.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle"/><ref name="IBNLive"/> She declared: "The population of Muslims and Christians is growing day by day. To rein in this, Union will have to impose emergency, and Muslims and Christians will have to be forced to undergo sterilization so that they can't increase their numbers".<ref name="Deccan Chronicle">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150412/nation-current-affairs/article/muslims-christians-should-be-forcibly-sterilised-says-hindu|title=Muslims, Christians should be forcibly sterilisation, says Hindu Mahasabha leader|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=12 April 2015|access-date=13 April 2015|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114175122/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150412/nation-current-affairs/article/muslims-christians-should-be-forcibly-sterilised-says-hindu|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IBNLive">{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hindu-mahasabha-leader-calls-for-forced-sterilisation-of-muslims-christians-to-restrict-growing-population/539301-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413000454/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hindu-mahasabha-leader-calls-for-forced-sterilisation-of-muslims-christians-to-restrict-growing-population/539301-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-04-13|title=Hindu Mahasabha leader calls for forced sterilisation of Muslims, Christians to restrict growing population|work=IBNLive}}</ref>


In April 2015, the general secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha Munna Kumar Shukla claimed that it is not illegal to attack a church and it does not violate any law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bishops-seek-end-to-provocative-remarks-against-christians-115042401086_1.html|title=Bishops seek end to provocative remarks against Christians|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2015-04-24|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2020-01-09}}</ref> He requested the [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government to give legal and administrative protection to the Hindus who attack churches. He justified his claim by saying that churches were only conversion factories. Shukla also promised the Mahasabha would give protection and awards to those who marry Muslim girls and attack churches. He also said that Taj Mahal would meet the same fate as [[Demolition of the Babri Masjid|Babri masjid]] as it was a Shiva Temple.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/church-attacks-not-illegal-hindu-outfit/article7127261.ece|title=Church attacks not illegal: Hindu outfit|last=Ali|first=Mohammad|date=2015-04-22|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-09|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
In April 2015, the general secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha Munna Kumar Shukla claimed that it is not illegal to attack a church and it does not violate any law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bishops-seek-end-to-provocative-remarks-against-christians-115042401086_1.html|title=Bishops seek end to provocative remarks against Christians|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2015-04-24|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2020-01-09|archive-date=23 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423174233/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bishops-seek-end-to-provocative-remarks-against-christians-115042401086_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He requested the [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government to give legal and administrative protection to the Hindus who attack churches. He justified his claim by saying that churches were only conversion factories. Shukla also promised the Mahasabha would give protection and awards to those who marry Muslim girls and attack churches. He also said that the Taj Mahal would meet the same fate as [[Demolition of the Babri Masjid|Babri masjid]] as it was a Shiva Temple.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/church-attacks-not-illegal-hindu-outfit/article7127261.ece|title=Church attacks not illegal: Hindu outfit|last=Ali|first=Mohammad|date=2015-04-22|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-09|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017201017/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/church-attacks-not-illegal-hindu-outfit/article7127261.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Electoral history in Lok Sabha==
==Electoral history==
===Electoral history in Lok Sabha===
{| class="sortable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 2px #000000 solid; font-size: x-big; width:70%; border:1"
{| class="sortable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 2px #000000 solid; font-size: x-big; width:70%; border:1"
|+
|+
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| {{increase}} 4
| {{increase}} 4
| {{no2|Opposition}}
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=1&tab=15|title=Party-wise list of members of 1st Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=1&tab=15|title=Party-wise list of members of 1st Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031155342/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=1&tab=15|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1957 Indian general election|1957]]
| [[1957 Indian general election|1957]]
Line 128: Line 129:
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{no2|Opposition}}
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=2&tab=14|title=Party-wise list of members of 2nd Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=2&tab=14|title=Party-wise list of members of 2nd Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001044337/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=2&tab=14|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1962 Indian general election|1962]]
| [[1962 Indian general election|1962]]
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| {{decrease}} 1
| {{decrease}} 1
| {{no2|Opposition}}
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=3&tab=13|title=Party-wise list of members of 3rd Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=3&tab=13|title=Party-wise list of members of 3rd Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031162746/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=3&tab=13|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1967 Indian general election|1967]]
| [[1967 Indian general election|1967]]
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| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{no2|Opposition}}
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=4&tab=12|title=Party-wise list of members of 4th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=4&tab=12|title=Party-wise list of members of 4th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001051740/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=4&tab=12|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1971 Indian general election|1971]]
| [[1971 Indian general election|1971]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|518|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|518|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| {{decrease}} 1
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=5&tab=11|title=Party-wise list of members of 5th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=5&tab=11|title=Party-wise list of members of 5th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107115912/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=5&tab=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1977 Indian general election|1977]]
| [[1977 Indian general election|1977]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|542|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|542|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=6&tab=10|title=Party-wise list of members of 6th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=6&tab=10|title=Party-wise list of members of 6th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206014950/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=6&tab=10|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1980 Indian general election|1980]]
| [[1980 Indian general election|1980]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|542|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|542|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=7&tab=9|title=Party-wise list of members of 7th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=7&tab=9|title=Party-wise list of members of 7th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=5 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105034732/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=7&tab=9|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1984 Indian general election|1984]]
| [[1984 Indian general election|1984]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|533|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|533|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=8&tab=8|title=Party-wise list of members of 8th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=8&tab=8|title=Party-wise list of members of 8th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107115915/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=8&tab=8|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1989 Indian general election|1989]]
| [[1989 Indian general election|1989]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| {{decrease}} 1
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=10&tab=6|title=Party-wise list of members of 10th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=10&tab=6|title=Party-wise list of members of 10th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106062718/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=10&tab=6|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1996 Indian general election|1996]]
| [[1996 Indian general election|1996]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=11&tab=5|title=Party-wise list of members of 11th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=11&tab=5|title=Party-wise list of members of 11th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031162538/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=11&tab=5|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1998 Indian general election|1998]]
| [[1998 Indian general election|1998]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=12&tab=4|title=Party-wise list of members of 12th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=12&tab=4|title=Party-wise list of members of 12th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022054613/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=12&tab=4|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1999 Indian general election|1999]]
| [[1999 Indian general election|1999]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=13&tab=3|title=Party-wise list of members of 13th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=13&tab=3|title=Party-wise list of members of 13th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206011115/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=13&tab=3|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2004 Indian general election|2004]]
| [[2004 Indian general election|2004]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=14&tab=2|title=Party-wise list of members of 14th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=14&tab=2|title=Party-wise list of members of 14th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
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|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=15&tab=1|title=Party-wise list of members of 15th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=15&tab=1|title=Party-wise list of members of 15th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031161956/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=15&tab=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
| [[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=16&tab=0|title=Party-wise list of members of 16th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=16&tab=0|title=Party-wise list of members of 16th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026015744/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=16&tab=0|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2019 Indian general election|2019]]
| [[2019 Indian general election|2019]]
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|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{steady}}
| {{-}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/PartywiseList.aspx|title=Party-wise list of members of 17th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/PartywiseList.aspx|title=Party-wise list of members of 17th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117214334/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/PartywiseList.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2024 Indian general election|2024]]
| [[18th Lok Sabha]]
|
|
|
|
|}
|}


==Electoral history in State Election==
===Electoral history in State Election===


===Assembly election history===
====Assembly election history====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" | Year
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" | Year
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|0.001%
|0.001%
|
|
|None<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3781-karnataka-1999/ | title=Karnataka 1999 | date=20 August 2018 }}</ref>
|None<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3781-karnataka-1999/ | title=Karnataka 1999 | date=20 August 2018 | access-date=11 May 2023 | archive-date=2 March 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302100502/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3781-karnataka-1999/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[2004 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2004]]
|[[2004 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2004]]
Line 303: Line 311:
|0.01%
|0.01%
|
|
|None<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3783-karnataka-2008/ | title=Karnataka 2008 | date=20 August 2018 }}</ref>
|None<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3783-karnataka-2008/ | title=Karnataka 2008 | date=20 August 2018 | access-date=11 May 2023 | archive-date=12 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412105342/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3783-karnataka-2008/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[2013 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2013]]
|[[2013 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2013]]
Line 312: Line 320:
|0.001%
|0.001%
|
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|None<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3784-karnataka-2013/ | title=Karnataka 2013 | date=20 August 2018 }}</ref>
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Revision as of 17:29, 21 August 2024

Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha
FounderMadan Mohan Malaviya
Founded1915; 109 years ago (1915) (as organization)
1933; 91 years ago (1933) (as political party)[1]
Split fromIndian National Congress[1]
HeadquartersNew Delhi
IdeologyHindutva[2][3]
Hindu nationalism[2][4]
Ultranationalism[5][6]
Social conservatism[7][8]
National conservatism[9]
Economic nationalism[10]
Right-wing populism[11]
Political positionRight-wing[12][13] to far-right[4][14]
Colours Saffron
ECI StatusRegistered Unrecognised[15]
Seats in Lok Sabha
0 / 543
Seats in Rajya Sabha
0 / 245
Seats in State Legislative Assembly
0 / 4,036
Seats in State Legislative Council
0 / 426
Number of states and union territories in government
0 / 31
(Collectively 28 States & 3 UTs)
Election symbol
[16]
Party flag
Website
abhm.org.in
A group photo taken in Shimoga in 1944 when Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (seated fourth from right, second row) came to address the State-level Hindu Mahasabha conference. The late Bhoopalam Chandrashekariah, president of the Hindu Mahasabha State unit, is seated to Savarkar's left.

Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (lit.'All-India Hindu Grand Assembly') is a Hindu nationalist political party in India.[2][17][18]

Founded in 1915 by Madan Mohan Malviya, the Mahasabha functioned mainly as a pressure group advocating the interests of orthodox Hindus before the British Raj from within the Indian National Congress.[2] In the 1930s, it emerged as a distinct party under the leadership of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who developed the concept of Hindutva ("Hinduness") and became a fierce opponent of the western, secular nationalism espoused by the Congress.

During the World War II, the Mahasabha supported the British war effort and briefly entered coalitions with the Muslim League in provincial and central legislative councils. After the assassination of Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi by a Hindu Mahasabha activist Nathuram Godse, the Mahasabha's fortunes diminished in post-Independence Indian politics, and it was soon eclipsed by the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

Name

The organisation was originally called Sarvadeshik Hindu Sabha ("Pan-Country Hindu Assembly"). In 1921, it changed to the present name Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha ("All-India Hindu Grand Assembly").[19]

History

Antecedents

Local forerunners of the Hindu Mahasabha emerged in connection with the disputes after the partition of Bengal in 1905 in British India. Under the then viceroy Lord Curzon, the division of the province of Bengal was into two new provinces of East Bengal and Assam, as well as Bengal. The new province of Bengal had a Hindu majority, the province of East Bengal and Assam was mostly Muslim. The British administration justified the division for religious reasons.

The formation of the All India Muslim League in 1906[20] and the British India government's creation of separate Muslim electorate under the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909[21] was a catalyst for Hindu leaders coming together to create an organisation to protect the rights of the Hindu community members.[20]

In 1909, Lal Chand and U.N. Mukerji established the Punjab Hindu Sabha ("Punjab Hindu Assembly").[22] The Sabha stated that it was not a sectarian organisation, but an "all-embracing movement" that aimed to safeguard the interests of "the entire Hindu community". On 21–22 October 1909, it organised the Punjab Provincial Hindu Conference, which criticised the Indian National Congress for failing to defend Hindu interests and called for the promotion of Hindu-centered politics. In this conference, Sabha leaders strongly proposed that Hindus need a separate nation and that Muslims should not be given any rights in that nation. The Sabha organised five more annual provincial conferences in Punjab.[23]

The development of the broad civic framework for Hindu unity that started in the early 20th century in Punjab was a precursor for the formation of the All India Hindu Sabha. Over the next few years, several such Hindu Sabhas were established outside Punjab, including in United Provinces, Bihar, Bengal, Central Provinces and Berar, and Bombay Presidency.[24]

A formal move to establish an umbrella All-India Hindu Sabha was made at the Allahabad session of Congress in 1910. A committee headed by Lala Baij Nath was set up to draw a constitution, but it did not make much progress. Another conference of Hindu leaders in Allahabad also took the initial step to establish an All India Hindu Sabha in 1910, but this organisation did not become operational due to factional strife. On 8 December 1913, the Punjab Hindu Sabha passed a resolution to create an All India Hindu Sabha at its Ambala session. The Conference proposed holding a general conference of Hindu leaders from all over India during 1915 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar.[23]

Establishment

Preparatory sessions of the All India Hindu Sabha were held at Haridwar (13 February 1915), Lucknow (17 February 1915) and Delhi (27 February 1915). In April 1915, Sarvadeshak (All India) Hindu Sabha was formed as an umbrella organisation of regional Hindu Sabhas, at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Gandhi and Swami Shraddhanand were also present at the conference and were supportive of the formation of All India Hindu Sabha.[23] The Sabha emphasized Hindu solidarity and the need for social reform.[23]

At its sixth session in April 1921, the Sarvadeshak Hindu Sabha formally changed its name to Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha on the model of the Indian National Congress. Presided over by Manindra Chandra Nandi, it amended its constitution to remove the clause about loyalty to the British and added a clause committing the organisation to a "united and self-governing" Indian nation.[25]

Amongst the Mahasabha's early leaders were the prominent nationalists, educationalists and four-time Indian National Congress president Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, who founded the Benaras Hindu University, the Punjabi populist Lala Lajpat Rai and Lajpat Rai's mentor Navin Chandra Rai[26][27] of the Hindu Samaj who chaired the special Congress session of 1920 held at Lahore which gave the call for non-cooperation. Under Malaviya, the Mahasabha campaigned for Hindu political unity, for the education and economic development of Hindus as well as for the conversion of Muslims to Hinduism.

Indian independence movement

The Hindu Mahasabha did not unconditionally support the Indian independence movement against British rule in India.[28] However, it became part of the movement on its conditions and with regards to protecting the interests of the Hindus. For example, it boycotted the Simon Commission. In the aftermath, it was part of the all-party committee, which came out with the Nehru Report. However, it did not accept the Report as according to Mahasabha, it gave too many concessions to Muslims. Similarly, when Mahatma Gandhi observed a fast against the Communal Award, Mahasabha worked with Gandhi and other parties to ensure Poona Pact was signed and Depressed Classes were given a fair representation.

Hindu Mahasabha under Savarkar's leadership organized Hindu Militarization Boards which recruited for the British Indian armed forces to help the British in World War 2.[29]

Civil disobedience movement

Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress led several nationwide campaigns of non-violent civil disobedience. The Mahasabha officially abstained from participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930.[28]

Alliance with Muslim League and others

The Indian National Congress won a massive victory in the 1937 Indian provincial elections, decimating the Hindu Mahasabha. However, in 1939, the Congress ministries resigned in protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's action of declaring India to be a belligerent in the Second World War without consulting the Indian people. This led to the Hindu Mahasabha joining hands with the Muslim League and other parties to form governments, in certain provinces. Such coalition governments were formed in Sindh, NWFP, and Bengal.

In Sindh, Hindu Mahasabha members joined Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah's Muslim League government. In Savarkar's own words:

Witness the fact that only recently in Sind, the Sind-Hindu-Sabha on invitation had taken the responsibility of joining hands with the League itself in running coalition government...[30][31][32]

In March 1943, Sindh Government became the first Provincial Assembly of the sub-continent to pass an official resolution in favour of the creation of Pakistan.[33] Despite the Hindu Mahasabha's avowed public opposition to any territorial division of India, the Mahasabha Ministers of the Sindh government did not resign, rather they simply "contented themselves with a protest".[34]

In the North West Frontier Province, Hindu Mahasabha members joined hands with Sardar Aurang Zeb Khan of the Muslim League to form a government in 1943. The Mahasabha member of the cabinet was Finance Minister Mehr Chand Khanna.[35][36]

In Bengal, Hindu Mahasabha joined the Krishak Praja Party led Progressive Coalition ministry of Fazlul Haq in December 1941.[37] Savarkar appreciated the successful functioning of the coalition government.[30][31]

Quit India Movement

The Hindu Mahasabha openly opposed the call for the Quit India Movement and boycotted it officially.[38] Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, the president of the Hindu Mahasabha at that time, even went to the extent of writing a letter titled "Stick to your Posts", in which he instructed Hindu Sabhaites who happened to be "members of municipalities, local bodies, legislatures or those serving in the army...to stick to their posts" across the country, and not to join the Quit India Movement at any cost.[38]

Following the Hindu Mahasabha's official decision to boycott the Quit India movement,[38] Syama Prasad Mukherjee, leader of the Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal (which was a part of the ruling coalition in Bengal led by Krishak Praja Party of Fazlul Haq), wrote a letter to the British Government as to how they should respond, if the Congress gave a call to the British rulers to Quit India. In this letter, dated July 26, 1942, he wrote:

Let me now refer to the situation that may be created in the province as a result of any widespread movement launched by the Congress. Anybody, who during the war, plans to stir up mass feeling, resulting in internal disturbances or insecurity, must be resisted by any Government that may function for the time being.[39][40]

Mookerjee in this letter reiterated that the Fazlul Haq led Bengal Government, along with its alliance partner Hindu Mahasabha would make every possible effort to defeat the Quit India Movement in the province of Bengal and made a concrete proposal as regards this:

The question is how to combat this movement (Quit India) in Bengal? The administration of the province should be carried on in such a manner that in spite of the best efforts of the Congress, this movement will fail to take root in the province. It should be possible for us, especially responsible Ministers, to be able to tell the public that the freedom for which the Congress has started the movement, already belongs to the representatives of the people. In some spheres, it might be limited during the emergency. Indians have to trust the British, not for the sake for Britain, not for any advantage that the British might gain, but for the maintenance of the defence and freedom of the province itself. You, as Governor, will function as the constitutional head of the province and will be guided entirely on the advice of your Minister.[41]

Even the Indian historian R.C. Majumdar noted this fact and states:

Syama Prasad ended the letter with a discussion of the mass movement organised by the Congress. He expressed the apprehension that the movement would create internal disorder and will endanger internal security during the war by exciting popular feeling and he opined that any government in power has to suppress it, but that according to him could not be done only by persecution... In that letter, he mentioned item-wise the steps to be taken for dealing with the situation...[42]

Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi

On January 30, 1948, Nathuram Godse shot Mahatma Gandhi three times and killed him in Delhi. Godse and his fellow conspirators Digambar Badge, Gopal Godse, Narayan Apte, Vishnu Karkare and Madanlal Pahwa were identified as prominent members of the Hindu Mahasabha. Along with them, police arrested Savarkar, who was suspected of being the mastermind behind the plot. While the trial resulted in convictions and judgments against the others, Savarkar was released due to lack of evidence.[43] The Kapur Commission said:

All these facts taken together were destructive of any theory other than the conspiracy to murder (of Gandhiji).[44]

Attempts at rehabilitation of Godse

The Hindu Mahasabha considers Nathuram Godse to be a "real forgotten hero"[45][46] of the independence struggle of India and criticises Mahatma Gandhi for not having prevented the partition of India.[47] In 2014, following the Bharatiya Janata Party's rise to power, the Hindu Mahasabha continued attempts to rehabilitate and portray him as a patriot. It requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to install the bust of Nathuram Godse. It created a documentary film Desh Bhakt Nathuram Godse (Patriot Nathuram Godse) for release on the death anniversary of Gandhi on 30 January 2015.[48] There were attempts to build a temple for Nathuram Godse and to celebrate 30 January as a Shaurya Diwas ("Bravery Day").[49] A civil suit was filed in Pune Court asking for a ban on the documentary film.[50]

Karnataka controversy

In September 2021, the state general secretary for Hindu Mahasabha in Karnataka, Dharmendra, threatened to kill Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai over the demolition of an unlicensed temple in Nanjangud, Mysuru, along with comments about killing Mahatma Gandhi. For these threats, he and two other associates, Rajesh Pavitran and Prem Poolali, were arrested.[51]

Ideology

Although the Hindu Mahasabha did not call for the exclusion of other religious communities from government, it identified India as a Hindu Rashtra ("Hindu Nation") and believed in the primacy of Hindu culture, religion, and heritage.[2] The Hindu Mahasabha was opposed to the Indian caste system and policies that endorsed untouchability, and used to organize all caste dinners in Nagpur and Kanpur.[52] Savarkar was very critical of the Indian caste system and untouchability, and among the social institutions, he saw it as the greatest curse of India.[52]

Hindutva

The Hindu Mahasabha promotes the principles of Hindutva, a Hindu nationalist ideology developed by its pre-eminent leader Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.[2] The Mahasabha identifies India as Hindu Rashtra ("Hindu Nation").[2]

Ideological positions

In 2015, Vice President of All India Hindu Mahasabha, VP Sadhvi Deva Thakur stated that Christians and Muslims must undergo forced sterilization to restrict their growing population in India, which she considered a threat to Hindus.[53][54] She declared: "The population of Muslims and Christians is growing day by day. To rein in this, Union will have to impose emergency, and Muslims and Christians will have to be forced to undergo sterilization so that they can't increase their numbers".[53][54]

In April 2015, the general secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha Munna Kumar Shukla claimed that it is not illegal to attack a church and it does not violate any law.[55] He requested the NDA government to give legal and administrative protection to the Hindus who attack churches. He justified his claim by saying that churches were only conversion factories. Shukla also promised the Mahasabha would give protection and awards to those who marry Muslim girls and attack churches. He also said that the Taj Mahal would meet the same fate as Babri masjid as it was a Shiva Temple.[56]

Electoral history

Electoral history in Lok Sabha

Year Legislature Seats won Change in seats Outcome Ref.
1951 1st Lok Sabha
4 / 489
Increase 4 Opposition [57]
1957 2nd Lok Sabha
2 / 494
Decrease 2 Opposition [58]
1962 3rd Lok Sabha
1 / 494
Decrease 1 Opposition [59]
1967 4th Lok Sabha
1 / 520
Steady Opposition [60]
1971 5th Lok Sabha
0 / 518
Decrease 1 - [61]
1977 6th Lok Sabha
0 / 542
Steady - [62]
1980 7th Lok Sabha
0 / 542
Steady - [63]
1984 8th Lok Sabha
0 / 533
Steady - [64]
1989 9th Lok Sabha
1 / 545
Increase 1 Opposition [65]
1991 10th Lok Sabha
0 / 545
Decrease 1 - [66]
1996 11th Lok Sabha
0 / 545
Steady - [67]
1998 12th Lok Sabha
0 / 545
Steady - [68]
1999 13th Lok Sabha
0 / 545
Steady - [69]
2004 14th Lok Sabha
0 / 543
Steady - [70]
2009 15th Lok Sabha
0 / 543
Steady - [71]
2014 16th Lok Sabha
0 / 543
Steady - [72]
2019 17th Lok Sabha
0 / 543
Steady - [73]
2024 18th Lok Sabha

Electoral history in State Election

Assembly election history

Year Seats contested Seats won +/- No. of Votes Voteshare (%) +/- (%) Outcome
Uttar Pradesh
1969
1 / 425
Increase 1 67,807 0.29% Other
1974
1 / 424
Steady 81,829 0.30% Other
In 1977, 1980, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996 Hindu Mahasabha contested but didn't win any seats
2002
1 / 403
Increase 1 Other
In 2007, 2012, 2017, 2022 Hindu Mahasabha contested but didn't win any seats
Karnataka
1999 1
0 / 224
0 253 0.001% None[74]
2004 Not contested
2008 6
0 / 224
0 2320 0.01% None[75]
2013 1
0 / 224
0 345 0.001% None[76]
2018 7
0 / 224
0 2840 0.01% None[77]
2023 6
0 / 224

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ali, Tariq (1985). An Indian Dynasty. G.P. Putnam. p. 196.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Jha 2018, pp. 1–4.
  3. ^ Bapu 2013, p. 61.
  4. ^ a b Six, Clemens (2017). Secularism, Decolonisation, and the Cold War in South and Southeast Asia. Routledge. The Hindu Mahasabha, a far-right Hindu nationalist political party
  5. ^ Bingham, Woodbridge (1974). A History of Asia. Allyn and Bacon. p. 601.
  6. ^ Hauner, Milan (1981). India in Axis strategy. Klett-Cotta. p. 66.
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  9. ^ Misra, Amalendu (1999). "Savarkar and the Discourse on Islam in Pre-Independent India". Journal of Asian History. 33 (2): 175.
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Sources

Further reading