The Greater India Experiment: Hindutva and the Northeast Paperback

The Greater India Experiment: Hindutva and the Northeast by Arkotong Longkumer is a groundbreaking ethnographic study that offers a nuanced examination of how the Hindu nationalist ideology (Hindutva) is expanding its influence in India's diverse and predominantly non-Hindu Northeast region. The book delves into the strategies employed by the Sangh Parivar (the umbrella organization of Hindu nationalist groups) to foster a singular "Indic identity" by engaging with indigenous communities, redefining their cultures, education, and religious identities, and aligning local narratives and historical figures with the broader Hindutva agenda. Longkumer's research reveals the complexities and contradictions of this "experiment," highlighting how Hindutva adapts its tactics in a region with strong indigenous and Christian identities, ultimately providing a critical understanding of the ongoing efforts to forge a unified "Greater India."