The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi hosted a compelling public lecture titled “Savarkar and the Making of Hindutva” by Dr. Janaki Bakhle, Professor of History at the University of California, Berkeley, at its City Campus. The lecture, centered on the ideological and historical roots of Hindutva, delved into the life and works of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a key figure in shaping modern Hindu nationalism.
Introduction by Dr. Akbar Zaidi: The event began with Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, introducing Professor Bakhle and her book “Savarkar and the Making of Hindutva.”
Dr. Zaidi underscored the book’s importance in understanding the complexities of Hindutva’s development and its contemporary relevance in global political discourse. Professor Bakhle’s lecture examined Savarkar’s revolutionary activities and his contributions to political thought.
She argued that Savarkar’s ideology, which is often viewed as Hindu fundamentalism, was not formed in isolation but was deeply shaped by the political and historical conditions of his time.
A major focus of the lecture was Savarkar’s strong anti-Muslim views, which were influenced by regional historical contexts rather than his direct interaction with Muslim communities. Professor Bakhle situated Savarkar on the far-right of the Indian nationalist movement, contrasting his views with those of other contemporary nationalists. Professor Bakhle also discussed Savarkar’s early years as a revolutionary and anti-colonial activist in the early 1900s, when his writings were primarily aimed at galvanizing fellow revolutionaries in their shared fight against colonial rule.
The lecture concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, where attendees engaged deeply with Professor Bakhle’s insights, seeking further understanding of the complex historical narratives surrounding Savarkar and Hindutva.
