# Trads

Trads (short for "Traditionalists") is a term used to describe alt-right groups within Hindu nationalism. Inspired by Neo-Nazism, these groups promote rhetoric for genocide of Muslims and other Indian minorities. 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 criticizes other Hindutva right-wing groups like VHP and RSS for weakening true Hindu traditions. Their content is based on provocative hate based on caste, religion, race and gender.

## Background

A sub-cultural movement, it hosts the people who are inspired by the idea of a Hindu nation. The term "Trad" is short for "Traditional". The debate between Trads and other Hindutva supporters exist due to the differences between their ideologies. The Trads consider themselves as the defenders of Hinduism and find Narendra Modi to be soft on the Muslims and Dalits.

## Trads and Raitas

Trads refer other Hindu nationalist factions as "Raita" for having soft core toward caste hierarchy and non-hindu religions. Raitas generally support Narendra Modi and RSS, while Trads often criticize RSS and use the term "Maulana Modi" for Narendra Modi in a defamatory manner.
Comparison of Trads and Raitas :
| Aspect | Trads | Raitas |
| Ideological Position | Hardline, extremist Hindutva | Mainstream, pro-Hindutva |
| View on Narendra Modi | Critical, call him "Maulana Modi" for being too moderate | Supportive, view him as a strong leader |
| Approach to Hindutva | Advocate for a purist, traditionalist Hindu state | Support a more pragmatic, electoral Hindutva |
| Views on Muslims and Minorities | Openly extremist, support violence against them | Prefer institutional suppression over direct action |
| Involvement in Controversies | Linked to Bulli Bai and Sulli Deals hate campaigns | Often defend BJP from left-wing criticism |
| View on RSS and BJP | Criticize RSS and BJP for being too soft | Strongly support BJP and RSS |
| View on the Constitution | Want Manusmriti as the constitution | Prefer the Indian Constitution with desirable changes |
| View on Caste System | Support a birth-based caste hierarchy with Brahmins supremacy | Prefer a flexible Varna system and believe caste is interchangeable |
| View on Intercaste Marriage | Oppose intercaste marriage | Support intercaste marriage among Hindus |

## Influence

Trads are primarily active in online spaces, using social media to conduct campaigns and disseminate extremist content. They frequently use memes and do not have a formal organizational structure. Doge memes, Wojak face memes, and Pepe the Frog memes are often used by Trads . The green frog with a skullcap is used to mock Muslims, while the blue frog is used as an insult against Dalit Ambedkarites, calling them “Bhimtas.”

## Sulli Deals and Bulli Bai app

Sulli Deals was an open-source app created by Trads used to target Muslim women by sharing their photographs and personal details online. The app was hosted on GitHub and sparked outrage, leading to legal action and police investigations. The Delhi Police registered an FIR after the National Commission for Women took suo moto cognizance of the case. The app creator, Aumkareshwar Thakur, a self-identified Trads member and BCA student from Indore, was arrested in January 2022 but later granted bail.
Following the incident, a similar app called Bulli Bai emerged in early 2022, targeting Muslim women in a similar manner. The police arrested Trads member Neeraj Bishnoi, a key suspect in the case.

## Criticism

The rigid stance and aggressive tactics of the Trads have drawn widespread criticism. Human rights organizations and political opponents argue that their ideology deepens social divisions and weakens democratic pluralism.
The conflict between Trads and Raitas is viewed by some political analysts as a reflection of deeper fractures within the Hindu nationalist movement.