The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and VHP are commemorating the coronation of Hemchandra Vikramaditya, popularly called Hemu, on October 7 under its umbrella project of rewriting India history, one in which 'Hindu icons find a pride of place'.
In a bid to present 'India’s real history', Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana (ABISY) — an RSS wing dedicated to writing or rewriting Indian history with a national perspective — has planned to celebrate the day Hemu declared independence from the Muslim Suri dynasty and became king after defeating Mughal king Akbar’s forces in the Battle of Delhi on October 7, 1556. He had also fought Humayun’s forces. Hemu assumed the title of ‘Vikramaditya’in the Hindu tradition of kings. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has partnered with ABISY for the event.
RSS finds ideological significance in Hemu as he was killed a month later. Hemu was felled by a chance arrow in the Second Battle of Panipat, which led to his capture, and then Bairam Khan, Akbar's regent, beheaded him.
RSS joint general secretary Dr Krishna Gopal will preside over the event. VHP joint general secretary Vinayak Deshpande will also be present. Several historians from the rightwing have also been invited.
Adding another chapter to the ongoing efforts to set 'the history right', the RSS wing is also organising a seminar on the history and heritage of Delhi on October 8. “We are organising a seminar called ‘Dilli Ki Dharohar’ under our Delhi chapter. So far Delhi’s heritage has always been depicted as having been created by, and thus belonging to, Muslims,” Pandey said. National Museum director BR Mani is set to be the chief speaker at this event.
“The history of India so far has been hegemonised by the Left. History has been taught as Muslim history in the medieval times, or as British history in the colonial times. Post-1947, history has been presented as the history of Gandhis and Nehrus. We are trying to dig out and identify such figures who have been neglected, and thus expunged from these hegemonic structures of history-writing. They need to be given place of pride. India needs a truly nationalist history,” Dr Balmukund Pandey, ABISY organising secretary, said.
“We are running history writing and research exercises all across India to find India’s nationalist heritage,” he added. “There are many national heroes who are missing from Indian history books and we are searching for them.”
