"We have not given up on the Swastik even though Hitler gave it a bad name. Similarly, just because a handful number of Hindus have given a bad name to Hindutva, why should we stop using it?" feels Janata Party president Dr Subramanian Swamy.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat launched Dr Swamy's book, Hindutva and National Renaissance, in New Delhi on Monday. The launch comes against the backdrop of the Congress's allegations that the RSS has links to the Hindu terror network.
Speaking exclusively to rediff.com, Swamy said of the allegations, "I would like to know the source of Rahul Gandhi's claims (about him fearing that the Hindu terror network poses the biggest danger to India). My sources in the government say they have not briefed the (Congress) party or Rahul Gandhi about the RSS's involvement in the Hindu terror network. If the government has not briefed him, then who has? In fact, the other day I was reading the WikiLeaks story on how India did not pay heed to the United States' information on the Samjhauta Express blast. This needs to be probed first."
Talking about the origin of his book, Dr Swamy said there was no proper text on Hindutva. "I went to this two-day conference in Ahmedabad two years ago. The entire function was going out of context as there was no single text to refer to. That is when I realised that I should write a text which will explain the Hindutva concept promoted by Swami Vivekananda, Veer Savarkar, Mahatma Gandhi and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya. I have always felt that Deen Dayal Upadhyaya has been forgotten by the BJP," Swamy said.
When asked if his book could be read by non-Hindus, Dr Swamy said, "Of course yes."
"In researches conducted by many universities in the United States, it has been established that all Indian Muslims have the same DNA as that of Hindus. This is because their ancestors are Hindus. Even if they did change their religion, culture does not have to change. There are so many non-religious aspects in Hindutva that they can adopt," Swamy said.
At the book-launch, former RSS chief K S Sudharshan had said, "Instead of a secular State, India should be known as a spiritual State."
Explaining this statement further, Swamy said, "A spiritual State does not mean that you will be forced to follow one religion. It just means that the State will advance the cause of spirituality -- a belief, which essentially establishes the presence of God and of a punishment that is superior to our legal system. Americans, including Hollywood stars like Julia Roberts, come to our country to look for spiritualism. They are all looking to attain happiness."
