“Vinayak & Me: Hindutva and the Politics of Naming”: Reading and Discussion Questions.

1. (213) What was Dr. Dattatrey S. Parchure’s specialization in the field of medicine?

2. (213) Vinayak is another name of which Hindu deity? What is special about this deity?

3. (214) Who is Upendra Parchure?

4. (216-17) Why did Dr. Parchure start a Branch of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha (Great Society)? When did Dr. Parchure meet Savarkar?

5. (218) Why was Savarkar arrested? How long did he spend in prison?

6. (218) What was Savarkar’s political platform when he was released from prison?

7. (221) What does Savarkar argue in his essay entitled, “A woman’s beauty and duty?”

8. (222) Who was Nathuram Godse? What was Dr. Parchure’s relationship with Godse?

9. (223) How many children did Dr. Parchure name Vinayak?

10. (224) Which text influences Dr. Parchure in naming boys?

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss Nathuram Godse’s statement about protecting the Mother from the Father at the bottom of page 221. How does this related to the earlier discussions of Mother India?

2. Is the process of naming always political? Was Dr. Parchure participating in a public sphere or counterpublic sphere? In your opinion was naming boys Vinayak an effective way of promoting Savarkar’s politics?

3. What type of research project is presented in the article?

4. Who is the intended audience of the article? Is this article meant for a public?

5. What are the problems of interpreting Gandhi’s assassination as a counterargument?

6. Interpret the article within the framework of DOING: Political participation, resistance, public expression, and ethical interactions.