You don't understand, we are at war! Refashioning Durga in the service of Hindu nationalism

Abstract

This article analyses the meaning of the Hindu goddess Durga as a reference point for activists of two Hindu nationalist women's organisations; namely, the Rashtra Sevika Samiti (National Women Volunteers' Organisation) and Durga Vahini (Durga's Army). It begins by examining Hindu nationalist women's organisations' one-sided representation of Durga and how this has facilitated the appropriation of her imagery to ideologically justify their members' participation in violence. This article then considers the manner in which Durga's example is both reflected and contradicted by these women's activist practice. Finally, this article briefly discusses whether and in what ways the Hindu nationalist appropriation of Durga adds to the empowerment of the movement's female activists. By using Hindu nationalism's portrayal of Durga as a lens through which to understand the activism of its female supporters, this articles aims to increase insights into the motivations, nature and meaning of Hindu nationalist women's choices and actions; in particular, their violent activism.