Comprehensive List of Hindutva-Linked Violence Since 1900

Note: This timeline focuses on organized violence linked to Hindutva groups like the RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Mahasabha, Shiv Sena, and their offshoots, based on major reports and historical studies.

Pre-Independence (Before 1947)

• 1947 Partition Massacres: Hindu Mahasabha and RSS members involved in ethnic cleansing of Muslims and Sikhs during Partition.
• 1948 Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi: Nathuram Godse, former RSS and Hindu Mahasabha member, assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.

Post-Independence (After 1947)

1950s–1970s

• 1969 Gujarat Riots (Ahmedabad): RSS and allied groups accused of inciting anti-Muslim riots; over 500 killed.
• 1970 Bhiwandi-Jalgaon Riots (Maharashtra): Hindu nationalist groups involved in communal violence against Muslims.
• 1972–74 Communal Riots (Kanpur, Aligarh, Varanasi): Hindutva influence in spreading communal hatred and polarization.

1980s

• 1984 Anti-Sikh Pogrom: Congress leaders responsible, but Hindutva organizations remained passive and did not protect Sikhs.
• 1987 Hashimpura and Maliana Massacres (U.P.): Police and PAC killed dozens of Muslims amidst an atmosphere of Hindu majoritarianism.
• 1989 Bhagalpur Riots (Bihar): Over 1,000 Muslims killed; BJP and Sangh Parivar activists blamed for polarizing the region during Ram Janmabhoomi mobilization.

1990s

• 1990 Rath Yatra Violence: Lal Krishna Advani's Yatra fueled riots across northern and western India.
• 1992 Demolition of Babri Masjid: RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena activists involved in the demolition, leading to massive riots nationwide.
• 1992–93 Mumbai Riots: Shiv Sena and allied groups orchestrated anti-Muslim violence; over 1,000 dead (Srikrishna Commission Report).
• 1999 Graham Staines Killing (Odisha): Christian missionary and his two sons burned alive by Bajrang Dal activists.

2000s

• 2002 Gujarat Pogrom: Post-Godhra train burning, organized anti-Muslim massacres by VHP, Bajrang Dal, with state complicity.
• 2006 Nanded Blasts (Maharashtra): RSS-linked individuals died making bombs to attack Muslim targets.
• 2007 Samjhauta Express Bombing: Terror attack killing 68 Pakistanis and Indians; later investigations implicated Hindutva-linked extremists (Swami Aseemanand and others).
• 2008 Kandhamal Anti-Christian Violence (Odisha): VHP-led attacks on Christian communities post-assassination of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.
• 2008 Malegaon Blasts (Maharashtra): Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Purohit, linked to Abhinav Bharat, arrested for bombing Muslim areas.
• 2008 Modasa Bomb Blasts (Gujarat): Similar pattern targeting Muslims during Ramzan celebrations; Hindutva terror suspected.

2010s

• 2013 Muzaffarnagar Riots (U.P.): BJP, VHP, and Hindu Jat groups fomented anti-Muslim violence; over 60 dead, thousands displaced.
• 2015 Dadri Lynching (U.P.): Mohammad Akhlaq lynched by cow vigilantes linked to Hindutva outfits.
• 2017 Alwar and Jharkhand Lynchings: Series of mob lynchings in the name of cow protection fueled by Hindutva propaganda.
• 2018 Bhima Koregaon Attacks (Maharashtra): Dalit celebrations attacked by Hindutva groups; violence triggered across Maharashtra.

2020s

• 2020 Delhi Riots: Anti-Muslim pogrom during CAA protests; Hindutva supporters accused of instigating violence.
• 2021–2024 Bulldozer Politics: Demolition drives disproportionately targeting Muslim neighborhoods in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, with Hindutva backing.
• 2022–2023 Procession Clashes: Violence during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti processions armed by Hindutva outfits in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
• Ongoing Hate Crimes and Polarization: Series of attacks against Christians, Muslims, and Dalits, driven by Hindutva propaganda and vigilante groups.

Summary Timeline

Year	Event	Hindutva Role
1947	Partition ethnic cleansing	Hindu Mahasabha, RSS
1948	Gandhi assassination	Godse (former RSS member)
1969	Gujarat riots (Ahmedabad)	RSS cadres involved
1970	Bhiwandi riots	RSS-Shiv Sena mobilization
1972-74	Kanpur, Aligarh riots	Communal incitement by Hindutva groups
1984	Sikh pogrom	Hindutva passivity noted
1987	Hashimpura massacre	Polarized context
1989	Bhagalpur riots	Ram Janmabhoomi polarization
1990	Rath Yatra violence	VHP/BJP-led
1992	Babri Masjid demolition	RSS/VHP/Bajrang Dal
1992-93	Mumbai riots	Shiv Sena
1999	Graham Staines killing	Bajrang Dal
2002	Gujarat pogrom	VHP/Bajrang Dal
2006	Nanded blasts	RSS workers
2007	Samjhauta Express bombing	Abhinav Bharat cadres
2008	Malegaon blasts	Sadhvi Pragya, Lt. Col. Purohit
2008	Kandhamal violence	VHP/Bajrang Dal
2013	Muzaffarnagar riots	BJP/VHP mobilization
2015	Dadri lynching	Cow vigilantes
2017-19	Cow lynchings	Gau Raksha groups
2020	Delhi riots	Hindutva activists
2021-23	Bulldozer demolitions	State-backed Hindutva agenda

References

• Srikrishna Commission Report (1998)
• Liberhan Commission Report (2009)
• Paul Brass – "The Production of Hindu-Muslim Violence in Contemporary India"
• Christophe Jaffrelot – "Hindu Nationalism: A Reader"
• Teesta Setalvad – "Foot Soldier of the Constitution"
• Arundhati Roy – Various essays and interviews

This compilation is for historical and educational purposes. Readers are encouraged to verify through commissions, scholarly books, and credible media reports.