The Hindu Mahasabha, established in 1915, was one of the earliest political expressions of Hindu nationalism in colonial India. It sought to unify various Hindu factions under a common political and cultural identity, especially in response to the perceived favoritism towards minorities in the colonial structure and the rising popularity of the Indian National Congress. While it held a significant presence in the pre-independence period, particularly under leaders like Madan Mohan Malaviya, Lala Lajpat Rai, and later Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, the organization failed to sustain its influence in post-independence India.
Decline Post-Independence
Several factors contributed to the Hindu Mahasabha's decline after 1947:
Association with Gandhi's Assassination: Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, was a former member of the Hindu Mahasabha. Though the organization was not legally implicated, the public association caused widespread outrage and irreparably damaged its image.
Ideological Rigidity: The Mahasabha's strict interpretation of Hindutva alienated progressive Hindus and those seeking a more inclusive, reformist approach to Hindu identity.
Opposition to Popular Movements: During the Quit India Movement, the Mahasabha opposed Congress’s call for immediate British withdrawal, aligning instead with British interests. This stance further distanced it from the nationalist mainstream.
Lack of Mass Support: Unlike the Indian National Congress or even later organizations like the RSS, the Mahasabha never managed to build a widespread grassroots movement. Its appeal remained limited to a niche segment of Hindu society.
While the Hindu Mahasabha exists today, it has become politically marginal. Occasionally, it garners media attention for controversial acts, such as attempting to glorify Godse, but it remains largely irrelevant in electoral politics.
Ideological Legacy and Influence
Despite its political decline, the Hindu Mahasabha's ideological framework—especially its emphasis on Hindutva—has profoundly influenced the trajectory of Hindu nationalist politics in India.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: As president of the Mahasabha from 1937, Savarkar laid the foundational theory of Hindutva, defining the Indian nation in cultural and religious terms. His writings remain influential in contemporary Hindu nationalist discourse.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS): Founded in 1925, the RSS was ideologically influenced by the Mahasabha. It focused on cultural consolidation of Hindus and has grown into one of the largest voluntary organizations in the world, with a widespread grassroots network.
Bharatiya Jana Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): In 1951, Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a former Mahasabha president, founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the RSS's political wing. The BJS later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980, which has since become India’s dominant political party.
Mass Support and Contemporary Relevance
Today, while the Hindu Mahasabha itself does not command mass support, its ideological descendants do:
RSS: With millions of volunteers and a robust organizational framework, the RSS continues to shape India’s socio-political landscape through its affiliates.
BJP: As the ruling party at the center and in numerous states, the BJP has successfully mobilized mass support using a blend of Hindutva ideology, cultural nationalism, and governance narratives.
Conclusion
The Hindu Mahasabha may have faded into the political background, but its ideological seeds have borne fruit in the form of powerful, enduring movements. Its legacy lives on in the continued evolution and mainstreaming of Hindutva, embodied by organizations like the RSS and BJP that now shape the core of India's political discourse. Thus, while the Mahasabha as a political entity may be defunct, its influence endures in contemporary India.
