Similarities Between Hitler’s Racism and The RSS racism
Ideologies are often born in different geographical and cultural contexts ,but their structure ,language and objectives can show astonishing similarities . Two of the most discussed models of cultural nationalism in the twentieth century -Adolf Hitler’s Nazism in Germany and the Rashtriya Swayemsevak Sangh Hindutva in India -are important for this comparative study.Both ideologies constructed a specific type of racial -cultural nationalism in the name of the glory,purity and revenge for historical injustice of the majority community in their respective countries .
1. Nation Defined on the Basis of Race and Culture.
For Hitler the meaning of nation was not the constitutional boundaries of the German state ,but the biological and blood community of the Aryan race.According to him ,the German nation is a racial entity whose blood must remain pure.Jews,Roma and other minorities were an adulteration in this blood purity .
Almost the same definition of nation is found in the foundational ideological texts of the RSS. Guru Golwalkar clearly wrote in his book “We or Our ,Nationhood Defined ” that this nation belongs to the Hindus living in Hindustan . According to him ,Muslim and chritians,even while living here ,cannot be part of the national life unless they assimilate into Hindu culture and religion .Just as German blood was the criterion for Hitler ,for the RSS , Hindu culture and the concept of Pitribhumi -Punybhumi becomes the touchstone of citizenship .Both reject secular ,territorial and inclusive nationalism.
2. Projection of the Minority as the Internal Enemy.
The central element of Nazi ideology was Jews are the cause of all of Germany’s problems .In Mein Kampf,Hitler described Jews as termites,parasites and anti-nation who are hollowing out Germany from within .
The same place in RSS literature is given to Muslims and christians.In his book” ,Bunch of Thoughts”Golwalkar has mentioned three internal threats to India -Muslims,christains and communists.According to him,these communities have foreign loyalties .Hitler accused Jews of being disloyal,the RSS accuses Muslims of being pro-Pakistan.Both ideologies create permanent fear and suspicion of minorities among the majority so that the majority can be united |
3. Narrative of a Golden Past and Humiliation .
Hitler propaganda was that the ancient Aryan German were a great and pure race ,which humiliated by Jews ,liberals and the treaty of Versailles , German’s have to avenge this insult and become the world leader again as the Third Reich .
The ideological basis of the RSS is also built on a similar narrative.According to it ancient Hindu India was the Vishvguru ,a golden bird ,which was destroyed by Muslim invaders and then by the British . This theory of 1000 years of slavery awaken both revenge and a sense of pride among Hindus . Both ideologies use history not as facts ,but as a myth of wound and glory .
4. Organisational and Cultural Similarity.
There is a deep similarity in the working style of both movements as well.
A – uniform and parade :Hitler’s stormtroopers SA and SS emphasized khaki uniform,parade,flag salutation and physical discipline . In the RSS shakha too ,khaki shorts,black cap,lathi,flag,प्रणाम and physical exercise are compulsory.Both believe that a disciplined body and obedience to orders are more important than thought .
B..Youth and Propaganda :Hitler filled the minds of children with racial pride through the Hitler Youth.The RSS inculcates cultural nationalism from childhood through Shishu Mandir ,Vidya Bharti and Shakhas.
C. One leader One ideology-In Nazism there was the Fuhrer Principle -the leader can never be wrong.In the RSS ,the Sarsngh chaalk is considered supremely revered and there is a lack of tradition of questioning in the organization .Organization is bigger than individual and ideology is bigger than the organization .
5. The insistence on Purity and Purification .
the ultimate goal of Hitler’s racism was the complete expulsion of Jews from Germany,which he called the “Final Solution”.The RSS does not say so directly ,but its Ajenda of cultural purification -Ghar vapsi,compaogn against Love Jehad ,insistence on vegetarianism Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan -is inspired by the same sense of purity-According to both ,the minority will either have to merge into the majority or live as second class citizens .Golwalker himself described Germany’s Jewish purge as a good lesson in how to maintain racial and cultural purity.
6. Opposition to Democracy and Liberalism.
Hitler considered democracy to be weak and a Jewish conspiracy . The RSS also considers Western Democracy ,Secularism and Liberalism to be against the Indian soul .For both, majority does not mean just electoral numbers,but cultural domination .The opponent is not considered a political rival ,but a traitor to the nation.Therefore,both show a deep distrust towards the Press,Universities and the intellectual class .
In conclusion,it can be said that Hitler’s racism was biological while the racism of the RSS is cultural but the grammar of both is the same .both invoke an imaginary pure past ,create an internal energy ,fill the majority community with a mixture of fear and pride ,and dream of making the nation uniform through a disciplined ,uniformed organization.The difference is only of degree and historical context ,the direction is the same .
Madan Lal Sharma
website-thegodweknow.com