Hindutva can not be blamed on Hinduism: N Ram

Hindutva is a "political project" and its rise can not be blamed on Hinduism, senior journalist N Ram said here Thursday.

Ram was speaking at a panel discussion on 'Hindu Hinduism Hindutva' at Tata Literature Live festival.

"Hindutva is a political project and its founders made it clear. But don't confuse Hindutva with Hinduism," he said.

"Hindutva can not be blamed on Hinduism. Hindutva is a political project and cynically used," Ram added.

Former Rajya Sabha member and national spokesperson of Janata Dal (United) Pavan Verma, who was also part of the panel, said "a handful of people" have appropriated the right to speak for all Hindus.

"There are many shades and aspects of Hinduism which can be used to counter Hindutva," Verma said.

"There are handful of people who say to other Hindus that if you don't behave in a certain manner, you are not a Hindu in our definition," he said.

The prime concern of most Hindus is their economic well-being, he said.

Writer and founder and director of Literature Live Anil Dharker said that religion has been used by all parties.

"Religion has been used for political means and has been used by all the political parties including Congress. Though BJP and RSS are using it in a very organised and aggressive way," he said.

To a query, journalist Barkha Dutt, another member of the panel, said that India will never become "another Pakistan" as "ours is a genuine democracy.