A significant national conference focusing on the enduring significance of Hindutva was convened at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on Sunday, January 9, 2026. The event, orchestrated by the World Association of Hindu Academicians (WAHA), assembled scholars and invited speakers from numerous universities nationwide to delve into the concept's contemporary meaning.
Key Figures and Conference Objectives
Delhi Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh graced the occasion as the chief guest, while K K Aggarwal, the President of South Asian University (SAU) in Delhi, presented the special address. The core purpose of the gathering was articulated by Nachiket Tiwari, a faculty member at IIT-Kanpur and a leading figure within WAHA. Tiwari elaborated on the organization's goals and provided a detailed explanation of Hindutva.
He emphasized the prevalence of misconceptions surrounding India, Hindus, and Indian culture, asserting that the primary duty to dispel these falsehoods rests with educators. "People think that this problem will be solved by changing the media. But the mind of the media changes only when the mind of the teacher changes, when the mind of the intellectual changes," Tiwari stated. He warned that without a united network of teachers and academics, the issue would persist and potentially intensify.
Defining 'Hindutva' and Academic Role
Explaining the conference's theme, 'The Eternal Relevance of Hindutva', Tiwari described it as signifying 'Hindu-ness' or essentially 'human-ness'. He lamented that numerous political interpretations have diluted the term's original meaning. "That element which exists in the mind of a Hindu, in the intellect, and which is spread across all Hindus, that element is Hindutva," he clarified.
Echoing this sentiment, Sanjoy Roy, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Delhi University, who participated in the conference, told The Indian Express that the aim was to comprehend the role of teachers and academicians in preserving Indian culture and knowledge systems and advancing Hinduism. Roy noted that attendees came from various institutions, including Indore, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Kanpur University.
Institutional Welcome and WAHA's Track Record
The conference commenced with a welcome address by Arvind Nema, Deputy Director of IIT-Delhi, who extended greetings on behalf of the organizers. Nema praised Nachiket Tiwari for his excellent work in guiding and effectively coordinating WAHA's activities.
This event is part of a series of academic discussions initiated by WAHA. Previous conferences have tackled subjects like:
- 'Misportrayal of Hindu Dharma and Traditions in the Academia'
- 'Bharatiya Knowledge System & Its Relevance in the Present'
- 'Western Methods of Interpreting Texts and Their Consequences'
According to its website, WAHA's inaugural international conference in Haridwar during October 2019 saw participation from major organizations including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishva Hindu Parishad, ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, and Art of Living.
