hindamist

Hindamist is a term occasionally used in political discourse to describe a person who advocates Hindustan-centered nationalism or policies that privilege Hindu cultural or religious identities in the political sphere. The word combines Hindu with the suffix -ist, and it is distinct from Hinduist, which denotes a practitioner or believer of Hinduism. Hindamist is not widely standardized and has no formal definition in major ideological typologies; it is often employed as a critical label by commentators or opponents of Hindu nationalist movements.

Usage and scope: In discussions about South Asian politics, hindamist may be applied to individuals or groups who argue for a political order where Hindu identity is central or privileged. The term is typically associated with secular critics or opponents of Hindu nationalist programs and can carry pejorative or polemical connotations. Because it lacks a uniform doctrinal core, there is considerable variation in what adherents are said to believe.

Historical context: The label has appeared in journalism and academic writing since the late 20th century amid debates over Hindu nationalism, secularism, and minority rights. It is sometimes used to describe supporters of political platforms that seek to weave cultural Hindu norms into state policy, but not all supporters of such platforms would accept the label.

See also: Hindu nationalism, Hindutva, secularism, ethnonationalism, Hinduism.