Read the passage and answer the question: In the aftermath of the Emergency, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh had merged with the Janata Party. After the fall of the Janata Party and its break-up, the supporters of erstwhile Jana Sangh formed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980. Initially, the BJP adopted a broader political platform than that of the Jana Sangh. BJP embraced ‘Gandhian’ Socialism’ along with cultural nationalism as its ideology. But it did not get much success in the elections held in 1984. After 1986, the party began to emphasise nationalism as the core of its ideology. The BJP also pursued the politics of ‘Hindutva’ for political mobilisation. |
What is 'punyabhu' in Hindutva ideology? |
Fatherland Holy land Motherland Peaceful land |
Holy land |
The correct answer is Option 2 - Holy land Hindutva was popularised by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, as the basis of Indian nationhood. It basically meant that to be an Indian, one must accept India as their ‘fatherland’ (pitrubhu) as well as their holy land (punyabhu). Believers of ‘Hindutva’ argue that a strong nation can be built on the basis of a united national culture. They also believe that in the case of India, Hindutva can provide this base. |