The Hindu Akhand Bharat: Modi’s Political Ideology
Introduction
The concept of Akhand Bharat, or “Undivided India,” occupies a central place in the ideological framework of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its broader Sangh Parivar network, including the BJP. But more specifically, what the RSS envisions is not merely a geographic reunification of the Indian subcontinent—it is the resurrection of a civilizational order centered on the Hindu ethos, often referred to as “Hindu Akhand Bharat.”
This vision, far from being a neutral call for territorial unification, is deeply rooted in Hindu cultural nationalism, often in opposition to secularism, multiculturalism, or the political boundaries created by the 1947 Partition. It is a view of history, identity, and destiny through the lens of Hindutva—a modern Hindu political ideology distinct from pluralistic Indian nationalism.
Historical and Ideological Foundations
The idea of Akhand Bharat traces its roots to pre-colonial Indian empires—from the Mauryas under Ashoka to the Guptas and Marathas—which ruled large swathes of South Asia. But the RSS’s Hindu Akhand Bharat is not just historical nostalgia; it’s a civilizational assertion that the Indian subcontinent is inherently Hindu, and that political fragmentation is a consequence of foreign invasions—first Islamic, then British.
Dr. K. B. Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS in 1925, established the organization with the aim of resurrecting this Hindu civilizational pride. His successors, especially M. S. Golwalkar, further developed the concept of a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation), where the cultural and national identity of all inhabitants would be subordinate to Hindu values, irrespective of their personal religion.
Golwalkar wrote in “We, or Our Nationhood Defined” (1939):
“The foreign races in Hindusthan must either adopt the Hindu culture and language… or may stay in the country wholly subordinated to the Hindu Nation…”
This ideological position makes clear that Akhand Bharat is not envisioned as a secular, inclusive federation—but as a Hindu-dominated unity, one in which Muslims, Christians, and other minorities may exist, but not necessarily as equals.
Scope of Hindu Akhand Bharat
The territorial imagination of Hindu Akhand Bharat goes far beyond the borders of present-day India. It often includes:
- Pakistan – the site of ancient Indus Valley civilization and Vedic history (e.g., Takshashila, Harappa).
- Bangladesh – once part of Bengal, a major Hindu cultural hub before Partition.
- Nepal – historically a Hindu kingdom and the birthplace of Sita (in Janakpur).
- Sri Lanka – linked to Hindu epics like the Ramayana.
- Afghanistan – once the land of Gandhara and the abode of Hindu and Buddhist kings.
- Tibet & Bhutan – as Dharmic extensions of Hindu-Buddhist culture.
Maps associated with Hindu Akhand Bharat often depict this vast subcontinent as a spiritual and cultural entity unified under Sanatan Dharma—the eternal law—regardless of current political divisions.
Political and Cultural Implications
The Hindu Akhand Bharat vision is not merely symbolic. It carries deep implications for:
- Secularism: The concept challenges the idea of a religiously neutral Indian state, promoting instead a civilizational state model based on Hindu identity.
- Pluralism: By subordinating other religions under a dominant Hindu cultural framework, it questions the equal status of religious minorities.
- Geopolitics: Akhand Bharat suggests a reversal of Partition, which is seen as a historical wound. This antagonizes neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, where the idea is interpreted as expansionist and revanchist.
Contemporary Relevance
The idea of Hindu Akhand Bharat still informs the ideological posture of the RSS and parts of the BJP. While not official Indian policy, the idea has surfaced in speeches by RSS leaders. In 2022, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat remarked:
“Akhand Bharat is a reality and will be achieved in the next 10 to 15 years.”
Such declarations, combined with RSS maps and symbols, reinforce the perception that Akhand Bharat is more than a dream—it is a long-term civilizational goal, subtly influencing discourse, education, and national identity narratives.
Criticism and Resistance
Critics of Hindu Akhand Bharat argue:
- It is a Hindu extremist stance
- It erases the multicultural history of South Asia.
- It denies the agency and sovereignty of modern nations.
- It is incompatible with democratic pluralism.
- It promotes a majoritarian view of identity, where Hindus are central and others peripheral.
Even within India, liberal, secular, and minority communities view the idea with concern, seeing in it the seeds of religious hegemony and historical revisionism.
The Zionist-Hindutva Alliance
The concepts of Zionist “Greater Israel“ and Hindu “Akhand Bharat” both represent ideologically driven visions of territorial and civilizational expansion rooted in religious and nationalist frameworks. However, they differ in origin, scale, strategy, and political reality. Here’s a comparative analysis:
Zionist Greater Israel vs. Hindu Akhand Bharat
| Feature | Zionist Greater Israel | Hindu Akhand Bharat |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Religion | Judaism | Hinduism |
| Core Ideology | Religious Zionism (biblical land promise) + Jewish nationalism | Hindutva (Hindu cultural nationalism) |
| Geographical Vision | From the Nile (Egypt) to the Euphrates (Iraq), including parts of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the West Bank | Indian subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives |
| Scriptural Basis | Biblical passages (Genesis 15:18) interpreted as divine covenant | Cultural and civilizational narratives (e.g., Bharatvarsha from Hindu epics and Puranas) |
| Modern Political Role | Biblical passages (Genesis 15:18) interpreted as a divine covenant | Ideologically central to RSS, influential on BJP discourse current Indian foreign policy |
| Military Dimension | Appears on coins, posters, and settler slogans | Indian adventurism especially against Pakistan and Bangladesh |
| Relation to Partition/Modern Borders | Seeks to reverse Palestinian territorial claims | Sees 1947 Partition as a historical wrong needing eventual correction |
| Impact on Neighbors | Provokes intense conflict with Palestinians and neighboring Arab states | Fuels suspicion in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and smaller South Asian states |
| Mainstream Status | Conventionally within Israel; | More mainstream within RSS and BJP rhetoric, but denied as state policy |
| Symbolism | Appears on coins, posters, settler slogans | Appears in maps, temple artwork (e.g., Bharat Mata Mandir), RSS literature |
Similarities
- Religious-nationalist foundations.
- Territorial revisionism tied to ancient texts or civilizational memory.
- Seen by critics as expansionist or hegemonic.
- Inspire right-wing movements and influence educational, cultural, and political narratives.
- Their implementation would mean erasing or altering existing state boundaries—a highly provocative move internationally.
Both “Greater Israel” and “Akhand Bharat” serve as civilizational nationalist narratives that imagine the restoration of perceived historical unity. While Greater Israel has had practical geopolitical implications, especially in the West Bank, Hindu Akhand Bharat is more symbolic, influencing culture, education, and identity rather than statecraft. Both concepts are contested, seen by many as threats to pluralism, peace, and existing nation-states.
Conclusion
Hindu Akhand Bharat, as envisioned by the RSS, is not a call for peaceful unity among equal states. It is a civilizational mission to restore Hindu primacy across the subcontinent, often in opposition to the secular, multicultural foundations of modern India. Whether viewed as a visionary ideal or a troubling fantasy, it continues to shape the ideological terrain of Indian nationalism, Hindu identity, and regional geopolitics.
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