View source for Hindu Mahasabha

{{Short description|Hindu nationalist political party in India}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2015}}{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox Indian political party
| name  = Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha 
| logo = ABHM flag.svg
|colorcode = {{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}
| foundation  = {{start date and age|1915}} <small>(as organization)</small><br />{{start date and age|1933}} <small>(as political party)</small><ref name="Ali">{{cite book|title=An Indian Dynasty|first=Tariq|last=Ali|publisher=G.P. Putnam|year=1985|page=196}}</ref>
| founder = [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]] 
| headquarters = [[New Delhi]]
| split = [[Indian National Congress]]<ref name="Ali"/>
|eci                = Registered Unrecognised<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/OrdersNotifications/year2018/Notification-13.04.2018.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-date=30 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530035200/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/OrdersNotifications/year2018/Notification-13.04.2018.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|alliance           = 
|loksabha_seats     = {{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
|rajyasabha_seats   = {{Composition bar|0|245|hex=#FF9933}}
|state_seats_name   = [[State legislative assemblies of India|State Legislative Assembly]]
|state_seats        = {{Composition bar|0|4036|hex=#FF9933}}
| state2_seats_name = [[State legislative councils of India|State Legislative Council]]
| state2_seats      = {{Composition bar|0|426|hex=#FF9933}}
| no_states         =
{{Composition bar|0|31|hex=#FF9933}}
{{small|(Collectively '''28''' States & '''3''' UTs)}}
|ideology           = [[Hindutva]]{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}}{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=61}}<br />[[Hindu nationalism]]{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}}<ref name=Clemens/><br />[[Ultranationalism]]<ref>{{cite book|year=1974|publisher=Allyn and Bacon|title=A History of Asia|page=601|first=Woodbridge|last=Bingham}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=India in Axis strategy|publisher=Klett-Cotta|first=Milan|last=Hauner|page=66|year=1981}}</ref><br />[[Social conservatism]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|first=Christophe|last=Jaffrelot|page=63|publisher=Primus Books|year=2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Denise|last=Cush|page=316|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|publisher=Routledge|year=2012}}</ref><br />[[National conservatism]]<ref>{{cite journal|last=Misra|first=Amalendu|year=1999|title=Savarkar and the Discourse on Islam in Pre-Independent India|journal=Journal of Asian History|volume=33|issue=2|page=175}}</ref><br />[[Economic nationalism]]<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Vedic Press|page=12|first=Nirmal C.|last=Chatterjee|year=1959|title=Hindu Mahasabha Tracts}}</ref><br />[[Right-wing populism]]<ref>{{cite book|first=Mehran|last=Tamadonfar|page=125|year=2013|title=Religion and Regimes|publisher=Lexington Books}}</ref>
|position           = {{nowrap|[[Right-wing politics|Right-wing]]<ref>{{cite book|first=L|last=Delap|publisher=Springer|page=152|year=2013|title=Men, Masculinities and Religious Change in Twentieth-Century Britain}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=P.R.|last=Kumaraswamy|title=India's Israel Policy|year=2010|page=159|publisher=Columbia University Press}}</ref> to [[Far-right politics|far-right]]<ref name=Clemens>{{cite book|first=Clemens|last=Six|title=Secularism, Decolonisation, and the Cold War in South and Southeast Asia|quote=The Hindu Mahasabha, a far-right Hindu nationalist political party|publisher=Routledge|year=2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Luce|first=Henry Robinson|date=17 October 1949|title=INDIA: Anchor for Asia|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|page=33|publisher=Time Incorporated|volume=54}}</ref>}}
|colours             = {{Colorsample|#FF9933}} [[Saffron (colour)|Saffron]]
|website             = {{URL|https://abhm.org.in/}}
|flag  = Hindu Mahasabha.png
|symbol = [[File:Horse and rider Indian election symbol.png|150px]]<ref name=symbol>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/history-of-election-symbols-how-they-still-help-to-connect-with-the-masses/articleshow/25961306.cms |title=Congress: History of election symbols: How they still help to connect with the masses |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=18 November 2013 |author=Vikram Doctor |access-date=18 October 2021 |quote=Other parties were happier with what they got – the Hindu Mahasabha had a suitably aggressive horse and rider.. |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018101747/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/history-of-election-symbols-how-they-still-help-to-connect-with-the-masses/articleshow/25961306.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
|dissolution=|merged=}}
[[Image:Savarkaringroup.jpg|thumb|right|350px|A group photo taken in [[Shimoga]] in 1944 when [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]] (seated fourth from right, second row) came to address the State-level Hindu Mahasabha conference. The late Bhoopalam Chandrashekariah, president of the Hindu Mahasabha State unit, is seated to Savarkar's left.]]

'''Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha''' ({{literally|All-India Hindu Grand Assembly}}) is a [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] political party in [[India]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}}<ref name="McDermottGordon2014">{{cite book|last1=McDermott|first1=Rachel Fell|last2=Gordon|first2=Leonard A.|last3=Embree|first3=Ainslie T.|first4=Frances W. |last4=Pritchett |first5=Dennis |last5=Dalton|title=Sources of Indian Traditions: Modern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w8qJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA439|year=2014|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-51092-9|pages=439–}}</ref><ref name="Klostermaier1989">{{cite book|last=Klostermaier|first=Klaus K.|title=A Survey of Hinduism: First Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ltn3OuF_i4sC&pg=PA403|year=1989|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-88706-807-2|pages=403–}}</ref>

Founded in 1915 by [[Madan Mohan Malviya]], the Mahasabha functioned mainly as a pressure group advocating the interests of [[Sanātanī|Orthodox]] [[Hindus]] before the [[British Raj]] from within the [[Indian National Congress]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} In the 1930s, it emerged as a distinct party under the leadership of [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]], who developed the concept of [[Hindutva]] ({{lit|Hinduness}}) and became a fierce opponent of the western, secular nationalism espoused by the Congress.

During the [[World War II]], the Mahasabha supported the British war effort and briefly entered coalitions with the [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] in provincial and central legislative councils. They opposed the integration of the [[princely states]] into India.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=32-33}} After the [[Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi|assassination]] of Indian leader [[Mahatma Gandhi]] by a Hindu Mahasabha activist [[Nathuram Godse]], the Mahasabha's fortunes diminished in post-Independence Indian politics, and it was soon eclipsed by the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]].

==Name==
The organisation was originally called ''Sarvadeshik Hindu Sabha'' ("Pan-Country Hindu Assembly"). In 1921, it changed to the present name ''Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha'' ("All-India Hindu Grand Assembly").{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=20–21}}

==History==
===Antecedents===
Local forerunners of the Hindu Mahasabha emerged in connection with the disputes after the [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|partition of Bengal in 1905]] in British India. Under the then viceroy [[George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston|Lord Curzon]], the division of the province of Bengal was into two new provinces of East Bengal and Assam, as well as Bengal. The new province of Bengal had a Hindu majority, the province of East Bengal and Assam was mostly Muslim. The British administration justified the division for religious reasons.

The formation of the [[All India Muslim League]] in 1906{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=16}} and the [[British India]] government's creation of separate [[Muslim]] electorate under the [[Indian Councils Act 1909|Morley-Minto reforms]] of 1909{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=3}} was a catalyst for [[Hindu]] leaders coming together to create an organisation to protect the rights of the [[Hindus|Hindu community]] members.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=16}}

In 1909, Lal Chand and U.N. Mukerji established the Punjab Hindu Sabha ("Punjab Hindu Assembly").{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=17}} The Sabha stated that it was not a sectarian organisation, but an "all-embracing movement" that aimed to safeguard the interests of "the entire Hindu community". On 21–22 October 1909, it organised the Punjab Provincial Hindu Conference, which criticised the [[Indian National Congress]] for failing to defend Hindu interests and called for the promotion of Hindu-centered politics. In this conference, Sabha leaders strongly proposed that Hindus need a separate nation and that Muslims should not be given any rights in that nation. The Sabha organised five more annual provincial conferences in Punjab.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}

The development of the broad civic framework for Hindu unity that started in the early 20th century in [[Punjab, British India|Punjab]] was a precursor for the formation of the All India Hindu Sabha. Over the next few years, several such Hindu Sabhas were established outside Punjab, including in United Provinces, Bihar, Bengal, [[Central Provinces and Berar]], and [[Bombay Presidency]].{{sfn|Jaffrelot|2011|p=43}}

A formal move to establish an umbrella All-India Hindu Sabha was made at the Allahabad session of Congress in 1910. A committee headed by Lala Baij Nath was set up to draw a constitution, but it did not make much progress. Another conference of Hindu leaders in Allahabad also took the initial step to establish an All India Hindu Sabha in 1910, but this organisation did not become operational due to factional strife. On 8 December 1913, the Punjab Hindu Sabha passed a resolution to create an All India Hindu Sabha at its [[Ambala]] session. The Conference proposed holding a general conference of Hindu leaders from all over India during 1915 [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela|Kumbh Mela in Haridwar]].{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}

===Establishment===
Preparatory sessions of the All India Hindu Sabha were held at [[Haridwar]] (13 February 1915), Lucknow (17 February 1915) and Delhi (27 February 1915). In April 1915, ''Sarvadeshak'' (All India) Hindu Sabha was formed as an umbrella organisation of regional Hindu Sabhas, at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Gandhi and [[Swami Shraddhanand]] were also present at the conference and were supportive of the formation of All India Hindu Sabha.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}} The Sabha emphasized Hindu solidarity and the need for social reform.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=17-20}}

At its sixth session in April 1921, the ''Sarvadeshak Hindu Sabha'' formally changed its name to ''Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha'' on the model of the Indian National Congress. Presided over by Manindra Chandra Nandi, it amended its constitution to remove the clause about loyalty to the British and added a clause committing the organisation to a "united and self-governing" Indian nation.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=20}}

Amongst the Mahasabha's early leaders were the prominent nationalists, educationalists and 
four-time [[Indian National Congress]] president Pandit [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]], who founded the [[Benaras Hindu University]], the Punjabi populist [[Lala Lajpat Rai]] and Lajpat Rai's mentor [[Navin Chandra Rai]]<ref>autobiography of Lajpat Rai</ref><ref>ISBN 9781315180076</ref> of the [https://www.hindusamaj.in/mission Hindu Samaj] who chaired the special Congress session of 1920 held at Lahore which gave the call for non-cooperation. Under Malaviya, the Mahasabha campaigned for Hindu political unity, for the education and economic development of Hindus as well as for the conversion of Muslims to Hinduism.

===Indian independence movement===

The Hindu Mahasabha did not unconditionally support the [[Indian independence movement]] against British rule in India.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=40}} However, it became part of the movement on its conditions and with regards to protecting the interests of the Hindus. For example, it boycotted the [[Simon Commission]]. In the aftermath, it was part of the all-party committee, which came out with the Nehru Report. However, it did not accept the Report as according to Mahasabha, it gave too many concessions to Muslims. Similarly, when Mahatma Gandhi observed a fast against the Communal Award, Mahasabha worked with Gandhi and other parties to ensure [[Poona Pact]] was signed and Depressed Classes were given a fair representation.

Hindu Mahasabha opposed the [[Quit India Movement]].{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}} Under Savarkar's leadership, the party organised ''Hindu Militarization Boards'' which recruited for the British Indian armed forces in [[World War 2]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McKean |first=Lise |title=Divine Enterprise: Gurus and the Hindu Nationalist Movement |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsI7Hy8H34YC |year=1996 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-56009-0 |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215003328/https://books.google.com/books?id=OsI7Hy8H34YC |page=72|url-status=live }}</ref>

====Civil disobedience movement====
Under the leadership of [[Mahatma Gandhi]], the Congress led several nationwide campaigns of [[non-violence|non-violent]] [[civil disobedience]]. The Mahasabha officially abstained from participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=40}}

====Alliance with Muslim League and others====
The [[Indian National Congress]] won a massive victory in the [[1937 Indian provincial elections]], decimating the Hindu Mahasabha. However, in 1939, the Congress ministries resigned in protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's action of declaring India to be a belligerent in the Second World War without consulting the Indian people. This led to the Hindu Mahasabha joining hands with the Muslim League and other parties to form governments, in certain provinces. Such coalition governments were formed in Sindh, NWFP, and Bengal.

In [[Sindh]], Hindu Mahasabha members joined [[Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah]]'s Muslim League government. In Savarkar's own words:<blockquote>Witness the fact that only recently in Sind, the Sind-Hindu-Sabha on invitation had taken the responsibility of joining hands with the League itself in running coalition government...<ref name="Savarkar1963">{{cite book |last=Savarkar |first=Vinayak Damodar |date=1963 |title=Collected Works of V.d. Savarkar |publisher=Maharashtra Prantik Hindusabha |pages=479–480}}</ref><ref name="Islam3">{{cite book|author=Shamsul Islam|title=Religious Dimensions of Indian Nationalism: A Study of RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaQjbO8SN48C&pg=PA213|year=2006|publisher=Media House|isbn=978-81-7495-236-3|pages=213–}}</ref><ref name="Aiyar2009">{{cite book|author=Mani Shankar Aiyar|title=A Time of Transition: Rajiv Gandhi to the 21st Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cpzzxxCgpbcC&pg=PT75|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-670-08275-9|pages=75–}}</ref></blockquote> In March 1943, Sindh Government became the first Provincial Assembly of the sub-continent to pass an official resolution in favour of the creation of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite book|title=Asian Societies in Comparative Perspective: Papers Presented at the 7th Annual Conference of the Nordic Association for Southeast Asian Studies, Møn, Denmark, 1990|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6lmBbQXVCwoC&pg=PA800|year=1991|publisher=NIAS Press|isbn=978-87-87062-14-5|pages=800–}}</ref> Despite the Hindu Mahasabha's avowed public opposition to any territorial division of India, the Mahasabha Ministers of the Sindh government did not resign, rather they simply "contented themselves with a protest".<ref name="Noorani1">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT59|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=59–}}</ref>

In the North West Frontier Province, Hindu Mahasabha members joined hands with [[Sardar Aurang Zeb Khan]] of the Muslim League to form a government in 1943. The Mahasabha member of the cabinet was Finance Minister [[Mehr Chand Khanna]].<ref name="Islam2">{{cite book|author=Shamsul Islam|title=Religious Dimensions of Indian Nationalism: A Study of RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaQjbO8SN48C&pg=PA313|year=2006|publisher=Media House|isbn=978-81-7495-236-3|pages=313–}}</ref><ref name="Baxter1969">{{cite book |last=Baxter |first=Craig | author-link = Craig Baxter |date=1969 |title=The jan Sangh: A biography of an Indian Political Party |url=https://archive.org/details/janasanghbiograp0000baxt |url-access=registration |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/janasanghbiograp0000baxt/page/20 20]|isbn=9780812275834 }}</ref>

In Bengal, Hindu Mahasabha joined the [[Krishak Praja Party]] led Progressive Coalition ministry of [[Fazlul Haq]] in December 1941.<ref name="Sarkar">{{cite book|author=Sumit Sarkar|title=Modern India 1886-1947|year=2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJeKBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA349|isbn=978-93-325-4085-9|pages=349–|publisher=Pearson Education India }}</ref> Savarkar appreciated the successful functioning of the coalition government.<ref name="Savarkar1963"/><ref name="Islam3"/>

====Quit India Movement====
The Hindu Mahasabha openly opposed the call for the [[Quit India Movement]] and boycotted it officially.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}} [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]], the president of the Hindu Mahasabha at that time, even went to the extent of writing a letter titled "''Stick to your Posts''", in which he instructed Hindu Sabhaites who happened to be "members of municipalities, local bodies, legislatures or those serving in the army...to stick to their posts" across the country, and not to join the Quit India Movement at any cost.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}}

Following the Hindu Mahasabha's official decision to boycott the Quit India movement,{{sfn|Bapu|2013|p=103}} [[Syama Prasad Mukherjee]], leader of the Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal (which was a part of the ruling coalition in Bengal led by [[Krishak Praja Party]] of [[Fazlul Haq]]), wrote a letter to the British Government as to how they should respond, if the Congress gave a call to the British rulers to Quit India. In this letter, dated July 26, 1942, he wrote:<blockquote> Let me now refer to the situation that may be created in the province as a result of any widespread movement launched by the Congress. Anybody, who during the war, plans to stir up mass feeling, resulting in internal disturbances or insecurity, must be resisted by any Government that may function for the time being.<ref name="Noorani2">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT56|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=56–}}</ref><ref name="Mookerjee2000">{{cite book |last=Mookherjee |first=Shyama Prasad |title=Leaves from a Dairy |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=179}}</ref></blockquote> Mookerjee in this letter reiterated that the Fazlul Haq led Bengal Government, along with its alliance partner Hindu Mahasabha would make every possible effort to defeat the [[Quit India Movement]] in the province of Bengal and made a concrete proposal as regards this:<blockquote> The question is how to combat this movement (Quit India) in Bengal? The administration of the province should be carried on in such a manner that in spite of the best efforts of the Congress, this movement will fail to take root in the province. It should be possible for us, especially responsible Ministers, to be able to tell the public that the freedom for which the Congress has started the movement, already belongs to the representatives of the people. In some spheres, it might be limited during the emergency. Indians have to trust the British, not for the sake for Britain, not for any advantage that the British might gain, but for the maintenance of the defence and freedom of the province itself. You, as Governor, will function as the constitutional head of the province and will be guided entirely on the advice of your Minister.<ref name="Noorani3">{{cite book|author=Abdul Gafoor Abdul Majeed Noorani|title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC&pg=PT57|year=2000|publisher=LeftWord Books|isbn=978-81-87496-13-7|pages=57–}}</ref></blockquote> Even the Indian historian [[R.C. Majumdar]] noted this fact and states: <blockquote>Syama Prasad ended the letter with a discussion of the mass movement organised by the Congress. He expressed the apprehension that the movement would create internal disorder and will endanger internal security during the war by exciting popular feeling and he opined that any government in power has to suppress it, but that according to him could not be done only by persecution... In that letter, he mentioned item-wise the steps to be taken for dealing with the situation...<ref name="Majumdar1978">{{cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Ramesh Chandra |date=1978 |title=History of Modern Bengal |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=179}}</ref></blockquote>

===Princely states===

Hindu Mahasabha took funding from the [[princely states]] and supported them to remain independent even after the [[independence of India]]. Savarkar particularly hailed the Hindu dominated states as the 'bedrock of Hindu power' and defended their despotic powers, referring to them as the 'citadels of organised Hindu power'. He particularly hailed the princely states such as [[Mysore State]], [[Travancore]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|Oudh]] and [[Baroda State]] as 'progressive Hindu states'.{{sfn|Bapu|2013|pp=32-33}}<ref>{{cite book | last=Chhibber | first=P.K. | last2=Verma | first2=R. | title=Ideology and Identity: The Changing Party Systems of India | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2018 | isbn=978-0-19-062390-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nJRqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT248 | access-date=2024-10-12 | page=248}}</ref>

===Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi===
{{Main|Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi}}

On January 30, 1948, [[Nathuram Godse]] shot Mahatma Gandhi three times and killed him in [[Delhi]]. Godse and his fellow conspirators [[Digambar Badge]], [[Gopal Godse]], [[Narayan Apte]], [[Vishnu Karkare]] and [[Madanlal Pahwa]] were identified as prominent members of the Hindu Mahasabha. Along with them, police arrested Savarkar, who was suspected of being the mastermind behind the plot. While the trial resulted in convictions and judgments against the others, Savarkar was released due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Malgonkar |first1=Manohar |title=The Men Who Killed Gandhi |date=2008 |publisher=Roli Books Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5194-083-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ucWsCAAAQBAJ |language=en |access-date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130152335/https://books.google.com/books?id=ucWsCAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Kapur Commission said:
: All these facts taken together were destructive of any theory other than the conspiracy to murder (of Gandhiji).<ref>{{cite book |last1=J.L Kapur |title=Report of Commission of Inquiry into Conspiracy to Murder Mahatma Gandhi (1969) |date=February 2012 |page=303 |publisher=South Asia Citizens Web (www.sacw.net) |url=https://archive.org/stream/JeevanlalKapoorCommissionReport/JeevanLalKapurCommissionReport_PART2-D#page/n9/mode/1up |access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>

===Attempts at rehabilitation of Godse===
The Hindu Mahasabha considers [[Nathuram Godse]] to be a "real forgotten hero"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Mohammad |date=2015-11-15 |title=Hindu Mahasabha launches a website for Nathuram Godse |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-launches-a-website-for-nathuram-godse/article7880713.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111050829/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-launches-a-website-for-nathuram-godse/article7880713.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=PTI |date=2022-01-31 |title=Hindu Mahasabha pays tribute to Nathuram Godse |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-pays-tribute-to-nathuram-godse/article38350859.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111050826/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-mahasabha-pays-tribute-to-nathuram-godse/article38350859.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> of the independence struggle of India and criticises [[Mahatma Gandhi]] for not having prevented the partition of India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chattopadhyay |first=Suhrid Sankar |date=2022-10-03 |title=Controversy erupts over depiction of Mahatma Gandhi as demon in Kolkata puja pandal |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/controversy-erupts-over-depiction-of-mahatma-gandhi-as-demon-in-kolkata-puja-pandal/article65966356.ece |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=frontline.thehindu.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, following the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s rise to power, the Hindu Mahasabha continued attempts to rehabilitate and portray him as a patriot. It requested Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] to install the bust of Nathuram Godse. It created a documentary film ''Desh Bhakt Nathuram Godse'' (Patriot [[Nathuram Godse]]) for release on the death anniversary of Gandhi on 30 January 2015.<ref name=mahasabha>{{cite news|first=Debobrat|last=Ghose|title=Hindu Mahasabha head speaks to FP: Godse was a 'martyr' and 'patriot'|newspaper=Firstpost|date=21 December 2014|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/hindu-mahasabha-head-speaks-fp-godse-martyr-patriot-1977649.html|access-date=21 December 2014|archive-date=21 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221131649/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/hindu-mahasabha-head-speaks-fp-godse-martyr-patriot-1977649.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
There were attempts to build a temple for Nathuram Godse and to celebrate 30 January as a ''Shaurya Diwas'' ("Bravery Day").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141224/nation-current-affairs/article/hindu-mahasabha-announces-godse-temple|title=Hindu Mahasabha announces Godse temple|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=24 December 2014|access-date=2 March 2018|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201053450/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141224/nation-current-affairs/article/hindu-mahasabha-announces-godse-temple|url-status=live}}</ref> A civil suit was filed in Pune Court asking for a ban on the documentary film.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pune-court-to-hear-suit-against-godse-film/article6724649.ece|title=Pune court to hear suit against Godse film|author=PTI|work=The Hindu|date=25 December 2014|access-date=2 March 2018|archive-date=18 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318073403/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pune-court-to-hear-suit-against-godse-film/article6724649.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Karnataka controversy===
In September 2021, the state general secretary for Hindu Mahasabha in Karnataka, Dharmendra, threatened to kill Karnataka Chief Minister [[Basavaraj Bommai]] over the demolition of an unlicensed temple in [[Nanjangud]], Mysuru, along with comments about killing Mahatma Gandhi. For these threats, he and two other associates, Rajesh Pavitran and Prem Poolali, were arrested.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/we-didnt-spare-gandhi-hindu-leader-arrested-over-threat-in-karnataka-2546591|title="We Didn't Spare Gandhi": Hindu Leader Arrested Over Threat In Karnataka|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

==Ideology==
Although the Hindu Mahasabha did not call for the exclusion of other religious communities from government, it identified India as a ''[[Hindu Rashtra]]'' ("Hindu Nation") and believed in the primacy of [[Hindus#Culture|Hindu culture]], [[Hinduism|religion]], and [[Cultural heritage of India|heritage]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} The Hindu Mahasabha was opposed to the [[Caste system in India|Indian caste system]] and policies that endorsed [[untouchability]], and used to organize all caste dinners in Nagpur and Kanpur.<ref name="Keer 1950">{{Cite book|last=Keer|first=Dhananjay|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.449273|title=Veer Savarkar|date=1950|publisher=Popular Prakashan Bombay}}</ref> [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar|Savarkar]] was very critical of the Indian caste system and untouchability, and among the social institutions, he saw it as the greatest curse of India.<ref name="Keer 1950"/>

===Hindutva===
The Hindu Mahasabha promotes the principles of [[Hindutva]], a Hindu nationalist ideology developed by its pre-eminent leader [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]].{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}} The Mahasabha identifies India as ''[[Hindu Rashtra]]'' ("Hindu Nation").{{sfn|Jha|2018|pp=1–4}}

===Ideological positions===
In 2015, Vice President of All India Hindu Mahasabha, VP Sadhvi Deva Thakur stated that [[Christians]] and [[Muslims]] must undergo [[forced sterilization]] to restrict their growing population in India, which she considered a threat to Hindus.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle"/><ref name="IBNLive"/> She declared: "The population of Muslims and Christians is growing day by day. To rein in this, Union will have to impose emergency, and Muslims and Christians will have to be forced to undergo sterilization so that they can't increase their numbers".<ref name="Deccan Chronicle">{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150412/nation-current-affairs/article/muslims-christians-should-be-forcibly-sterilised-says-hindu|title=Muslims, Christians should be forcibly sterilisation, says Hindu Mahasabha leader|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=12 April 2015|access-date=13 April 2015|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114175122/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150412/nation-current-affairs/article/muslims-christians-should-be-forcibly-sterilised-says-hindu|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IBNLive">{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hindu-mahasabha-leader-calls-for-forced-sterilisation-of-muslims-christians-to-restrict-growing-population/539301-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413000454/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hindu-mahasabha-leader-calls-for-forced-sterilisation-of-muslims-christians-to-restrict-growing-population/539301-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-04-13|title=Hindu Mahasabha leader calls for forced sterilisation of Muslims, Christians to restrict growing population|work=IBNLive}}</ref>

In April 2015, the general secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha Munna Kumar Shukla claimed that it is not illegal to attack a church and it does not violate any law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bishops-seek-end-to-provocative-remarks-against-christians-115042401086_1.html|title=Bishops seek end to provocative remarks against Christians|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2015-04-24|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2020-01-09|archive-date=23 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423174233/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bishops-seek-end-to-provocative-remarks-against-christians-115042401086_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He requested the [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government to give legal and administrative protection to the Hindus who attack churches. He justified his claim by saying that churches were only conversion factories. Shukla also promised the Mahasabha would give protection and awards to those who marry Muslim girls and attack churches. He also said that the Taj Mahal would meet the same fate as [[Demolition of the Babri Masjid|Babri masjid]] as it was a Shiva Temple.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/church-attacks-not-illegal-hindu-outfit/article7127261.ece|title=Church attacks not illegal: Hindu outfit|last=Ali|first=Mohammad|date=2015-04-22|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-09|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017201017/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/church-attacks-not-illegal-hindu-outfit/article7127261.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
===Electoral history in Lok Sabha===
{| class="sortable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 2px #000000 solid; font-size: x-big; width:70%; border:1"
|+
! style="width:25%;" Style="background-color:#FF9933; color:white" | Year
! style="width:15%;" style="background-color:#FF9933; color:white" | Legislature
! style="width:15%;" style="background-color:#FF9933; color:white" | Seats won
! style="width:15%;" style="background-color:#FF9933; color:white" | Change in seats
! style="background-color:#FF9933; color:white" | Outcome
! class="unsortable"  style="background-color:#FF9933; color:white" | Ref.
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1951-52 Indian general election|1951]]
| [[1st Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|4|489|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{increase}} 4
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=1&tab=15|title=Party-wise list of members of 1st Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031155342/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=1&tab=15|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1957 Indian general election|1957]]
| [[2nd Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|2|494|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{decrease}} 2
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=2&tab=14|title=Party-wise list of members of 2nd Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001044337/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=2&tab=14|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1962 Indian general election|1962]]
| [[3rd Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|1|494|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=3&tab=13|title=Party-wise list of members of 3rd Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031162746/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=3&tab=13|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1967 Indian general election|1967]]
| [[4th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|1|520|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=4&tab=12|title=Party-wise list of members of 4th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001051740/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=4&tab=12|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1971 Indian general election|1971]]
| [[5th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|518|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=5&tab=11|title=Party-wise list of members of 5th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107115912/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=5&tab=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1977 Indian general election|1977]]
| [[6th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|542|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=6&tab=10|title=Party-wise list of members of 6th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206014950/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=6&tab=10|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1980 Indian general election|1980]]
| [[7th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|542|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=7&tab=9|title=Party-wise list of members of 7th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=5 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105034732/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=7&tab=9|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1984 Indian general election|1984]]
| [[8th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|533|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=8&tab=8|title=Party-wise list of members of 8th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107115915/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=8&tab=8|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1989 Indian general election|1989]]
| [[9th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|1|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{increase}} 1
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=9&tab=7|title=Party-wise list of members of 9th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1991 Indian general election|1991]]
| [[10th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{decrease}} 1
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=10&tab=6|title=Party-wise list of members of 10th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106062718/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=10&tab=6|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1996 Indian general election|1996]]
| [[11th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=11&tab=5|title=Party-wise list of members of 11th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031162538/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=11&tab=5|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1998 Indian general election|1998]]
| [[12th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=12&tab=4|title=Party-wise list of members of 12th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022054613/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=12&tab=4|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[1999 Indian general election|1999]]
| [[13th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|545|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=13&tab=3|title=Party-wise list of members of 13th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206011115/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=13&tab=3|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2004 Indian general election|2004]]
| [[14th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=14&tab=2|title=Party-wise list of members of 14th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2009 Indian general election|2009]]
| [[15th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=15&tab=1|title=Party-wise list of members of 15th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031161956/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=15&tab=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
| [[16th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=16&tab=0|title=Party-wise list of members of 16th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026015744/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/partyar.aspx?lsno=16&tab=0|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2019 Indian general election|2019]]
| [[17th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/PartywiseList.aspx|title=Party-wise list of members of 17th Lok Sabha|work=loksabhaph.nic.in|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=17 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117214334/http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/PartywiseList.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[2024 Indian general election|2024]]
| [[18th Lok Sabha]]
|{{Composition bar|0|543|hex=#FF9933}}
| {{steady}}
| -
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiavotes.com/party/info/365/14/40|title=Hindu Mahasabha result of 18th Lok Sabha election|work=indiavotes}}</ref>
|}

===Electoral history in State Election===

====Assembly election history====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" | Year
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" |  Seats contested
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" |  Seats won
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" |  +/-
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" |  No. of Votes
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" |  Voteshare (%) 
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" |  +/- (%) 
!Style="background-color:{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}};color:white" |  Outcome
|-
!colspan="8"| [[Uttar Pradesh]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[1969 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1969]]
|
|{{Composition bar|1|425|{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
|67,807 	
|0.29%
|
|Other
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[1974 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1974]]
|
|{{Composition bar|1|424|{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}}}
| {{steady}} 
|81,829	
|0.30%
|
|Other
|-
|colspan="8"| In [[1977 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1977]], [[1980 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1980]], [[1985 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1985]], [[1989 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1989]], [[1991 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1991]], [[1993 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1993]], [[1996 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1996]] Hindu Mahasabha contested but didn't win any seats
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[2002 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2002]]
|
|{{Composition bar|1|403|{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}}}
|{{increase}} 1 
|	
|
|
|Other
|-
|colspan="8"| In [[2007 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2007]], [[2012 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2012]], [[2017 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2017]], [[2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2022]] Hindu Mahasabha contested but didn't win any seats
|-
!colspan="8"| [[Karnataka]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[1999 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|1999]]
|1
|{{Composition bar|0|224|{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}}}
| 0
|253
|0.001%
|
|None<ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3781-karnataka-1999/ | title=Karnataka 1999 | date=20 August 2018 | access-date=11 May 2023 | archive-date=2 March 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302100502/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3781-karnataka-1999/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[2004 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2004]]
|colspan="7"| Not contested 
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2008]]
|6
|{{Composition bar|0|224|{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}}}
|0
|2320
|0.01%
|
|None<ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3783-karnataka-2008/ | title=Karnataka 2008 | date=20 August 2018 | access-date=11 May 2023 | archive-date=12 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412105342/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3783-karnataka-2008/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[2013 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2013]]
|1
|{{Composition bar|0|224|{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}}}
|0
|345
|0.001%
|
|None<ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3784-karnataka-2013/ | title=Karnataka 2013 | date=20 August 2018 | access-date=11 May 2023 | archive-date=22 October 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022140739/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3784-karnataka-2013/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[2018 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2018]]
|7
|{{Composition bar|0|224|{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}}}
|0
|2840
|0.01%
|
|None<ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/6933-karnataka-2018/ | title=Karnataka 2018 | date=20 September 2018 | access-date=11 May 2023 | archive-date=27 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027040352/https://eci.gov.in/files/file/6933-karnataka-2018/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|[[2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|2023]]
|6
|{{Composition bar|0|224|{{party color|Hindu Mahasabha}}}}
|
|
|
|
|
|}

== See also ==
* [[List of political parties in India]]
* [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] 
* [[List of Hindu nationalist political parties]]
* [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]
* [[Sangh Parivar]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Sources ==
* {{cite book |author-last=Bapu |author-first=Prabhu |year=2013 |title=Hindu Mahasabha in Colonial North India, 1915-1930: Constructing Nation and History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iUFalxUFFWkC |location=[[London]] and [[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Routledge]] |edition=1st |isbn=978-0415671651}}
* {{cite journal |author-last=Gordon |author-first=Richard |year=2008 |orig-year=1975 |title=The Hindu Mahasabha and the Indian National Congress, 1915 to 1926 |journal=[[Modern Asian Studies]] |volume=9 |issue=2 |location=[[Cambridge]] and [[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |pages=145–203 |doi=10.1017/S0026749X00004960 |issn=1469-8099 |jstor=311959|s2cid=144467731 }}
* {{cite book |author-last=Jaffrelot |author-first=Christophe |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot |year=2011 |title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PVikcQAACAAJ |publisher=C Hurst & Co |isbn=978-1849041386}}
* {{cite book |author-last=Jha |author-first=Mithilesh K. |year=2018 |chapter=Hindu Mahasabha |editor1-last=Long |editor1-first=Jeffery D. |editor1-link=Jeffery D. Long |editor2-last=Sherma |editor2-first=Rita D. |editor3-last=Jain |editor3-first=Pankai |editor4-last=Khanna |editor4-first=Madhu |title=Hinduism and Tribal Religions |location=[[Dordrecht]] |publisher=[[Springer Verlag]] |series=Encyclopedia of Indian Religions |doi=10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_490-1 |pages=1–4 |isbn=978-94-024-1036-5}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite news |first=Christophe |last=Jaffrelot |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot |title=The other saffron |newspaper=Indian Express |date=6 October 2014 |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-other-saffron/99/ |access-date=2014-10-06}}
* {{cite book |last1=Jha |first1=Krishna |last2=Jha |first2=Dhirendra K. |title=Ayodhya: The Dark Night |publisher=HarperCollins India |year=2012 |isbn=978-93-5029-600-4 }}
* {{cite news |first=Debobrat |last=Ghose |title=Hindu Mahasabha head speaks to FP: Godse was a 'martyr' and 'patriot' |newspaper=Firstpost |date=21 December 2014 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/hindu-mahasabha-head-speaks-fp-godse-martyr-patriot-1977649.html |access-date=2014-12-21}}
* {{cite book |first1=Aditya |last1=Mukherjee |first2=Mridula |last2=Mukherjee |first3=Sucheta |last3=Mahajan |title=RSS, School Texts and the Murder of Mahatma Gandhi |publisher=Sage |location=New Delhi |year=2008 |isbn=978-8132100478 }}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://abhm.org.in/|Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha official website}}

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