Trads (Hindutva)

Trads (short for "Traditionalists") is a term used to describe various internet groups relating to the alt-right within the Hindutva movement. Advocating for a Hindu nation based on traditional values and Brahminical supremacy, they also want a strict adherence to the traditional Hindu caste system. The group is seen as a Hindu supremacist faction that criticises other Hindutva groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for weakening "true" Hindu traditions. Their content is based on provocative hate based on caste, religion, race, and gender and these groups promote rhetoric for genocide of Muslims and other Indian minorities. Quotes The Indian alt-right is completely and unapologetically inspired by Nazis. Aditya Menon, "'Trads' Beyond Bulli Bai Case: 'Hate, Genocide & Mass Rapes are Humour for Them'" (10 January 2022), The Quint Trads also share the US Alt Right's penchant for hyper sexualised figures such as Chad Thundercock. Muscular, alpha male figures are used to depict Hindu gods as well as Brahmins, whom the Trads believe should reign supreme. Several accounts use such images as profile pictures. Aishwarya Iyer, "Why Trads, India’s Alt Right, remain untouched online despite hate crimes" (13 May 2022), Scroll The Trads only love those who can hate unapologetically. Alishan Jafri, "'Trads' Beyond Bulli Bai Case: 'Hate, Genocide & Mass Rapes are Humour for Them'" (10 January 2022), The Quint The vocabulary is borrowed from the Western 'alt-right' – the neo-Nazi online ecosystem which is vocally opposed to affirmative action, minority advocacy and liberal values. A section of generally educated 'upper' caste Hindus have appropriated the symbols of the Western alt-right, like Pepe the Frog. [...] For instance, Shweta Singh, the alleged perpetrator in the Bulli Deals case, shot to notoriety after she posted a Hindutva propaganda poster which directly reconfigured a Nazi propaganda poster exhorting 'Aryans' to have more children. [...] Trad 'humour' is deliberately provocative, and designed to 'trigger' marginalised communities with shockingly violent 'humour'. They include memes depicting the beheading of Muslims, caricatures of Muslims being mowed under their cars, Dalit "cockroaches" being gassed, Muslims being murdered inside concentration camps, or rape victims (Muslims/ Dalits) being urinated upon by a saffronised Pepe the Frog. Alishan Jafri and Naomi Barton, "Explained: ‘Trads’ vs ‘Raitas’ and the Inner Workings of India's Alt-Right" (11 January 2022), The Wire See also Fascism Neo-fascism Category:Hindu nationalism Category:Alt-right Category:Politics of India Category:Nazism Category:Genocide Category:Sexism Category:Fascism in India Category:Caste system in India