Khaki Shorts and Saffron Flags is a penetrating and meticulously researched critique of the forces of Hindutva. The authors trace the roots of the Hindutva ideology to the politics of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. They discuss the history of the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, analyse the institutional structures of the organisations, their political language, their attempts at transforming Hinduism, and their strategies of communal mobilisation around the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid issue. This tract focuses not only on the speeches and writings of the RSS and VHP, but on their video cassettes, songs, posters and conversations.

This important tract is essential reading for anyone who is concerned with the real nature of the politics of Hindutva, and with the increasing communalisation of Indian society.

T. Basu teaches in the Department of English, Hindu College, Delhi University.

P. Datta and S. Sen teach in the Department of English at Shri Venkateswara College, Delhi University.

S. Sarkar is Professor of History at Delhi University.

T. Sarkar teaches in the Department of History at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University.