A Myth and a Conspiracy?
Air Marshal Anil Khosla
THE GAME BEHIND SAFFRON TERROR by Kanwar Khatana Creative Crows Publishers, 2022, 352 pp., 690
July 2023, volume 47, No 7

The term ‘Saffron Terror’ was coined almost two decades ago in 2002 and gained popularity in 2007-2008. At times, terms like Hindu terrorism or Hindutva terror are also used instead, allegedly to describe acts of violence motivated by Hindu extremist nationalism. In all probability, the term comes from the symbolic use of the saffron colour by most of the temples in India and many Hindu nationalist organizations. However, these organizations consider the term to be a misnomer, and consider the use of the saffron colour as a symbol of religion, asceticism, and sacrifice.

Kanwar Khatana, a military veteran and a lawyer, has served in the Intelligence Corps of the Indian Army for almost three decades. The Game Behind Saffron Terror, a 349-page book with 21 chapters, is written in a dialogue style. However, although the author has described it as a work of fiction based on verifiable information available in the open domain, the events, names of people, and organizations are actual.  His service experience and access to information are evident in the lucid narration of the events.

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