Hindutva

Far-right Hindu nationalists are using digital propaganda to delegitimize India’s wrestler protests

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 5, 2023
Online, Bharatiya Janata Party, Spring, Smile, Journalism, Violence, Hindutva, Technology, Pegasus, Internet, Brazilian Wrestling Federation, Farmer, Olympian, Orientation, Muslims, Black, Movement, Government, Bhima River, Athlete, BJP, Police, Child, Propaganda, Confusion, Knowledge, Digital, Social, Social movement, Environment, Demonization, Ganges, Social media

They are seeking the arrest of the Wrestling Federation of India’s president, Brij Bhushan Singh, who is facing allegations that he sexually harassed athletes.

Key Points: 
  • They are seeking the arrest of the Wrestling Federation of India’s president, Brij Bhushan Singh, who is facing allegations that he sexually harassed athletes.
  • However, far-right Hindu nationalists loyal to the government and its Hindutva ideology have attempted to bully and discredit the protesters.

Digital propaganda

    • A big part of that effort involves using digital propaganda like memes, disinformation campaigns and digitally altered content.
    • Similarly to the 2020-2021 farmers’ movement, the wrestlers’ protest is facing rampant demonization on social media.
    • The wrestlers have even been accused of being linked to the Khalistanis, a banned Sikh separatist movement in India.

Online counter-speech

    • It usually involves polite and non-aggressive responses, sharing fact-checked information and exposing the logical inconsistencies of messages shared online.
    • Social movements face online propaganda campaigns, use of political bots, monitoring through spyware like Pegasus and even internet shutdowns.
    • But most protest movements do not have this marginal advantage in online spaces.

Challenging propaganda

    • To support counter-speech that can challenge the propaganda of governments, experts and academics need to rethink how efforts like digital media literacy programs and fact-checking can effectively respond.
    • A proposed amendment to the country’s internet rules would give the government more power to police online content.
    • In order to combat propaganda and disinformation, it is crucial to support democratically owned businesses like platform co-operatives, independent journalism and develop public service media and internet platforms that value truth and transparency and treat people like citizens, not consumers.

Recent mosque attacks raise questions about the affinity between white supremacy and far-right Hindu nationalism

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Hatred, Vacuum, Violence, Hindutva, RSS, National Council of Canadian Muslims, Grande, Act respecting the laicity of the State, Jihad Watch, Fear, Woman, Research, Great Replacement, World Sikh Organization, Great, Movement, Man, Social media, Traction, BJP, National Council, Crime, United, Demonization, Love jihad, Drug, Jewellery, Mail, Islamophobia, Muslims, Hindus, Islam

He allegedly yelled slurs, tore up a Qu'ran, and attempted to run down worshippers in his vehicle.

Key Points: 
  • He allegedly yelled slurs, tore up a Qu'ran, and attempted to run down worshippers in his vehicle.
  • Some people on Twitter have raised the idea that the attacker was connected to Hindu extremist groups; however, the investigation is still ongoing.

Legal discrimination and violence

    • From the United States’ Muslim ban, to India’s Citizenship Amendment Act, to Québec’s Bill 21, Muslims face legal discrimination globally.
    • Read more:
      Niqab bans boost hate crimes against Muslims and legalize Islamophobia — Podcast

      Alongside these laws, Muslims face physical violence.

Hindutva-based terrorism in Canada

    • A recent published report by the National Council of Canadian Muslims and the World Sikh Organization documents how this organization has gained ground in Canada.
    • Jasmin Zine is a Canadian scholar whose recent report also outlines a network of Hindu nationalists that aids in the circulation of ideologies that promote Islamophobia.

Governments spreading misinformation

    • Like the RSS, the BJP and other Hindu nationalist parties believe that India belongs only to Hindus.
    • Since elected, the BJP has actively spread misinformation and conspiracies about Muslims through social and mainstream media, intensifying hostilities between Muslims and Hindus.

The Love Jihad conspiracy

    • One of the conspiracy theories shared by these groups is called Love Jihad.
    • Originating in India by Hindu nationalists in 2013, this conspiracy alleges Muslim men actively seduce non-Muslim women to marry and convert them to Islam.
    • Groups I monitor on Twitter from India constantly talk about the perceived threat of Love Jihad.

#LoveJihad travels to North America

    • The #LoveJihad conspiracy was quickly taken up by Islamophobic groups in North America.
    • Love Jihad has been proven a farce.

Transnational alignment of hate

    • This alignment is produced through the demonization of Muslim men and extremists’ shared hate and fear of them across borders.
    • Through transnational responses and retweets, extremists forge a layered and cumulatively condensed affective message: Muslim men are dangerous.
    • While it remains to be seen whether or not the recent mosque attackers were directly influenced by online, transnational and affective Islamophobia, recurring incidences such as this should remind us that hate does not abide by international borders.

India is Witnessing Millions of RSS Volunteers Carrying Out Massive Relief Operations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Religion, Hinduism, Computer files, Hindutva, Sangh Parivar, Hindu nationalism, Anti-Islam sentiment, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Ventilator, Ambulance, RSS

The RSS, as usual, have started providing various kinds of services for the COVID-19 affected patients and their family members," said RSS' public relation head Mr. Sunil Ambekar.

Key Points: 
  • The RSS, as usual, have started providing various kinds of services for the COVID-19 affected patients and their family members," said RSS' public relation head Mr. Sunil Ambekar.
  • He further added, "RSS volunteers have offered helpline numbers to find the medical assistance such as availability of ambulances, ventilators, food, etc.
  • Through these partnerships and a massive base of volunteers, RSS is running Covid care centers in 118 cities that have served 18,000+ patients to date.
  • There are 300 Ambulances operated by RSS, and thousands of volunteers are helping with funerals at 816 places in the country.

RSS Annual Report Reflects a Year of Pandemic-Related Service Across India

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 22, 2021
Hindutva, Hinduism, Sangh Parivar, Religion, Hindu nationalism, Anti-Islam sentiment, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Seva Bharati, Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras, Mauli Chandra Sharma

RSS provided the details of its response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in its annual report issued during its annual national meeting on March 19, 2021 at Bengaluru, India.

Key Points: 
  • RSS provided the details of its response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in its annual report issued during its annual national meeting on March 19, 2021 at Bengaluru, India.
  • Under the banner of its service department Rashtriya Seva Bharati, RSS made sure to take along various community organizations and reach out to the country and serve people.
  • Over half a million RSS volunteers served at 92,656 towns in the country.
  • During its annual meeting, the RSS national body passed a resolution recognizing the need for working together: "Bharat (India) stands as 'One' against Covid -19 Pandemic."

The Radiosurgery Society® Expands Sponsorship Alliance to Include Physician Groups with First Asian Physician Group Sponsor

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 15, 2021
Computer files, Articles, Religion, Anti-Islam sentiment, Hindu nationalism, Hindutva, Narendra Modi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Sangh Parivar, Epidemiology of cancer, Sponsor, RSS

The RSS Sponsorship Alliance champions the evolution of science and research clinical practices, patient safety and efficacy, technological innovations, and global adoption of SRS/SBRT techniques.

Key Points: 
  • The RSS Sponsorship Alliance champions the evolution of science and research clinical practices, patient safety and efficacy, technological innovations, and global adoption of SRS/SBRT techniques.
  • "Asian countries are suffering from a fast-rising cancer incidence and more than 50 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients are in Asia.
  • "We are very honored to be the first physician group sponsor of the RSS, where we can learn from our experienced colleagues and better serve our patients in Asia."
  • The RSS Sponsorship Alliance features three types of sponsors Academic/Medical Center, Corporate/Manufacturer and now Physician Group with benefits tailored to each.

RSS Invigorates Appalachian Highlands' Economy and Entrepreneurs with New Franchise Headquarters and Business TV Show

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Hindu nationalism, Sangh Parivar, Hindutva, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Franchising, Political ideologies, Nationalism

bioPURE is a franchise launched by RSS (Retail Service Systems) under the leadership of RSS founder, Scott Andrew.

Key Points: 
  • bioPURE is a franchise launched by RSS (Retail Service Systems) under the leadership of RSS founder, Scott Andrew.
  • During the event, RSS affiliated Rugged E TV Network will film interviews for its new TV show, The Local View, featuring local entrepreneurs, businesses, brands, restaurants, attractions, and the creative community enhancing the economy and quality of life in the Appalachian Highlands area.
  • "When you use over the counter cleaners, you are not cleaning all areas including hard to reach and hidden areas.
  • Students will learn and apply their talent in operating business projects involving RSS franchises, BoxDrop, and bioPURE.