Wikipedia

Hindu Munnani

Hindu Munnani is a right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation based in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Hindu Munnani was set up by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)[1] The organisation was founded in 1980 by Ramagopalan, a member of RSS and since its formation served as the platform for RSS and its subsidiaries known as the Sangh Parivar.[1]

Hindu Munnani
FounderRamagopalan, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Founded1980
Split fromHindu Makkal Katchi
IdeologyHindutva
Website
www.hindumunnani.org

The organisation promoted a Hindu identity and used it as a political mobilisation strategy.[citation needed] The AIADMK government in the 1990s was in alliance with the Hindutva aligned Bharatiya Janata Party which enabled Hindu Munnani in organizing Vinayaka Chathurthi processions in major cities of Tamil Nadu.[1] The state government's support of Rama Gopalan's activity made him a follower of Jayalalitha. Due to the proximity, a faction of the group broke away and found another group named Hindu Makkal Katchi in 1993. The militants of the Hindu Munnani used vituperative and abusive language against the Muslims. The provocative speeches against Islam and Muhammad polarized the social atmosphere of the region. Their anti-Muslim speeches and activities led to formation of radical muslim terrorist organisation Al Umma.[1]

The activities of R.S.S., Hindu Munnani and Hindu Makkal Katchi continued uninterrupted under Jayalalitha. The BJP alliance with AIADMK led to further spread of RSS ideology in Tamil Nadu. These organisations used religious festivals to combine their strength and caused riots.[1]

Activities

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The Hindu Munnani first gained public awareness in 1982 when it began to incite the Hindu population of Ramanathapuram district against the Meenakshipuram conversions by Ishaatul Islam Sabha of South India.[2][3]

However, the most remarkable achievement of the Hindu Munnani was the organisation of Vinayaka Chathurthi processions in Tamil Nadu.[4][5][6][7] On 16 May 2006, the Hindu Munnani organised the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the installation of the shivalinga in the Jalakanteswarar temple in Vellore.[8]

The Vinayaga Chathurthi celebrations organised by the Hindu Munnani were often accompanied by sporadic incidents of communal violence.[9][10] In 1993, there were bomb attacks made on the R.S.S. state headquarters at Chintadripet, Chennai.[2] Islamic organisations were found guilty for the blasts and a crackdown was launched on extremist Islamic organisations.[2]

1997 Coimbatore riots occurred between 29 November 1997 and 1 December 1997 in Coimbatore triggered by a murder of a police constable allegedly by some Muslim youth over a dispute of detention of Al-Ummah functionaries by the police.[11] The policemen revolted in response to the murder of the constable and in concert with the members of Hindu Munnani and Hindu Makkal Katchi, attacked Muslims and Muslim-owned properties. Clashes erupted between both the communities and the police reportedly opened fire targeting the Muslims killing ten. Many Muslim youth were beaten to death or burnt alive. Muslim-owned businesses in different parts of the city were looted and burnt down. At the end of the riots, 18 Muslims and 2 Hindus lost their lives.[12]

During the visit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L. K. Advani and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Coimbatore in 1998, a series of thirteen blasts rocked the city, killing over fifty-eight people. The Coimbatore bombings were considered a response to the 1997 Coimbatore riots.[13][14]

In 2007, there were clashes between the Hindu Munnani and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the remarks made by BJP leader Vedanti on DMK President and Chief Minister Karunanidhi.[15] DMK cadres attacked the Hindu Munnani state headquarters in Chennai on motorbikes.[16]

In September 2017, six members of Hindu Munnani were arrested in connection with the murder of CPI member K. Kanagaraj in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu.[17]

In March 2020, Hindu Munnani attacked a mosque in Coimbatore during a communal tension.[18]

Attacks against Hindu Munnani

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Thirukovilur Sundaram: In 1981, Hindu Munnani leader, Thirukovilur Sundaram, was murdered at R. S. Puram in Coimbatore by Islamic fundamentalists.[19]

S Vellaiappan: He was a senior leader of Hindu Munnani in Vellore. He was murdered by a gang of 8 people when he was headed towards Ramakrishna Math on his motorbike in July 2013.[20]

K. P. S. Suresh Kumar: He was the president of the Hindu Munnani for Thiruvallur East district. He was originally from Kanyakumari. He was murdered by people from Al Ummah, a banned Islamic terrorist organisation,[21] in June 2014.[22] Three members were detained by the police in August 2014.[23]

Jeevaraj: He was Hindu Munnani's Tirunelveli town secretary. He was murdered by his wife due to alleged illicit, adulterous relationship with other girl in July 2014.[24]

C Sasikumar: A member in Coimbatore. A gang of two members from Popular Front of India (PFI), a banned Muslim organization, chased him on motorcycles and attacked him with sickles. He suffered injuries and died in Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH).[25]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e Parvathy, A. A. (2003). Hindutva, Ideology, and Politics. Deep & Deep Publications. ISBN 978-81-7629-450-8. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c P. G. Rajamohan. "Tamil Nadu: The Rise of Islamist Fundamentalism". Faultlines. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  3. ^ Katju, Manjari (2003). Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics. Orient Longman. p. 34. ISBN 978-81-250-2476-7.
  4. ^ Hoskote, Ranjit (12 September 2004). "From pedestal to pavement". The Hindu: Magazine.
  5. ^ C. J. Fuller (2001). "The 'Vinayaka Chaturthi' Festival and Hindutva in Tamil Nadu" (PDF). Economic and Political Weekly. 43 (24). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2009.
  6. ^ Fuller, C. J. (2003). The Renewal of the Priesthood. Princeton University Press. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-691-11657-0.
  7. ^ Fuller, C. J. (2004). The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton University Press. p. 265. ISBN 978-0-691-12048-5.
  8. ^ Murthi, P. V. V. (10 March 2006). "Silver Jubilee". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 November 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  9. ^ "Hindu Munnani to hold 'satyagraha'". The Hindu. 28 September 2004. Archived from the original on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ "7,000 cops to be kept on toes in city". News Today. 28 September 2004. Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
  11. ^ "Confrontation in Coimbatore". Frontline. 12 December 1997. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  12. ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Rediff On The NeT Special: Scarred for life". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  14. ^ SUBRAMANIAN, T. S. (23 August 2007). "Found guilty". Frontline. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  15. ^ "'Fatwa' against Karunanidhi: Case registered against Vedanti". The New Indian Express. 26 September 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2008.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "BJP-DMK face off: Hindu Munnani office in Chennai vandalized". Merinews. 23 September 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2008.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Hindu Munnani cadre among six held in CPI man's murder". The Hindu. 10 September 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  18. ^ Thomas, Wilson (6 March 2020). "Petrol bomb hurled at Coimbatore mosque". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Hindu Munnani leader killed by Islamic fundamentalists". The Hindu. 4 July 2006.
  20. ^ "Hindu Munnani leader murdered". The Times of India. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  21. ^ "Murders of right-wing leaders in Tamil Nadu linked to terror group Al Mammah". The Indian Express. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  22. ^ "Hindu Munnani Leader Hacked to Death". The New Indian Express. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  23. ^ "3 suspected Al Ummah men detained for Hindu Munnani leader's murder". The Indian Express. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  24. ^ "Wife arrested for murder of Hindu Munnani functionary". The Times of India. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Hindu Munnani leader Sasikumar murder case: NIA chargesheet against two PFI members". The News Minute. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2021.

References

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  • K. Suryanarayana Rao (2002). The Story of R. S. S and Hindu Resurgence in Tamil Nadu
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