Disaster relief and the RSS : resurrecting 'religion' through humanitarianism

Bhattacharjee, Malini (2019) Disaster relief and the RSS : resurrecting 'religion' through humanitarianism. SAGE, New Delhi. ISBN 9789353285517

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Abstract

Disaster Relief and the RSS: Resurrecting 'Religion' Through Humanitarianism studies the political implications of the humanitarian work of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by examining the institution of seva (service) in disaster situations. This book provides a refreshingly new perspective of the RSS by recognizing its ‘compassionate’ aspects and understanding its appeal from the point of view of its benefactors. It examines the religious, moral, intellectual and instrumental heritage of seva and discusses the possible reasons for its continual resurrection in modern India. By highlighting the under-analysed aspects of the moral complexity of evaluating the RSS’s humanitarian work, the book provokes the larger question of whether there is a need to move beyond the stereotypical understanding of Hindutva as a challenge to liberal democratic principles. It attempts to nudge the reader towards some of the limitations of the ‘secular’ and the repercussions of the political project of secularism to suppress and de-recognize the non-secular experience.

Item Type: Book
Authors: Bhattacharjee, Malini
Uncontrolled Keywords: RSS, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Religion, Humanitarianism, seva (service) in disaster,
Subjects: Social sciences > Social problems & services
Divisions: Azim Premji University > School of Public Policy and Governance
Full Text Status: Public
Related URLs:
URI: http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/1999
Publisher URL: https://in.sagepub.com/en-in/sas/disaster-relief-a...

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