Explain V.D. Savarkar on Hindu nation and Indian state.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as V.D. Savarkar, was a prominent Indian nationalist, political thinker, and proponent of Hindutva ideology. His views on the Hindu nation and the Indian state were foundational to the development of Hindu nationalist thought in India.

Savarkar conceptualized the idea of the Hindu nation as a political and cultural entity rooted in the ancient civilization of India. He argued that Hindus, as the majority religious and cultural community in India, should form the basis of the nation-state. For Savarkar, the Hindu nation was not merely a religious or sectarian identity but a civilizational identity that encompassed all those who identified with the land, culture, and heritage of India.

Furthermore, Savarkar emphasized the need for Hindus to assert their political dominance in India, reclaiming their rightful place as the rulers of the land. He rejected the notion of a composite Indian identity that transcended religious and cultural differences, advocating instead for a Hindu-centric vision of the nation-state. Savarkar's vision of the Hindu nation was characterized by cultural nationalism, territorial integrity, and political sovereignty.

In terms of the Indian state, Savarkar believed that it should be organized along Hindu nationalist lines, with Hindu values and traditions serving as the guiding principles of governance. He called for the establishment of a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation-state) that would prioritize the interests and welfare of Hindus while ensuring equal rights and protection for religious minorities. Savarkar envisioned a state that promoted Hindu unity, cultural pride, and national strength, free from the influence of foreign powers and divisive ideologies.

However, it's important to note that Savarkar's views on the Hindu nation and the Indian state have been a subject of controversy and debate. While some see his ideology as a legitimate expression of Hindu pride and nationalism, others criticize it as exclusionary, divisive, and potentially discriminatory towards religious minorities. Nonetheless, Savarkar's ideas continue to shape the discourse on nationalism, identity, and governance in contemporary India, influencing political movements and ideologies across the country.