Keshdhari Hindus
Keshdhari Hindus means "Hindus with long hairs". It is a term used and promoted by the advocates of Hindutva in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishva Hindu Parishad, and other Sangh Parivar organisations, describing Sikhs as the sword arm of Hindus and, hence, supposedly staunch Indian nationalists. The label is largely rejected by Sikhs.
Usage
Many Hindus and Hindutva groups regard Sikhs as "turbaned Hindus", a label which many Sikhs reject. The former mentioned groups also seek to co-opt Sikhs as part of their anti-Islam and anti-Christian agenda, both of which are labelled as foreign religions. Hindutva groups also push the idea of Sikhs being the "sword arm of Hinduism". The RSS chief has used the term to describe Sikhs. The term is also used for people who are from Hindu backgrounds originally but on the border of established Sikh and Hindu beliefs and practices, possibly identifying with both faiths simultaneously or converting from Hinduism to Sikhism.Reaction
The Sikh leadership rejects the categorisation of Sikhs as Keshdhari Hindus and claims that Sikhism is a unique religion with a unique message.Sikh leader, Harchand Singh Longowal, made the following comment in-response to Khushwant Singh claiming that Sikhs are "bearded Hindus":