Hindutva movement is the product of this struggle against communalism

True colours of communalism

The true genesis of communalism lies in an obscure document called the Pirpur Report. This report was published in 1938 and lists Muslim “grievances” as under: 

• Being insulted by the singing of the idolatrous anthem Vande Mataram



• Not recognising Urdu as a national link-language



• Mahatma Gandhi’s appeals against cow slaughter

The main opposition to communalism ensued from the Hindu Mahasabha, and not the Congress Party. In several ways, the present-day Hindutva movement is the product of this struggle against communalism. The Hindu Mahasabha’s manifesto was to abolish communalism and make India a democracy without separate electorate or communal quotas. However, the Congress defended its compromise with communalism by assuming symmetry between the Muslim League and the Mahasabha. The irony can’t be harsher: While the Muslim League demanded — and got — separateness, the Hindu Mahasabha was reprimanded for fighting against this very demand for separatism.