July 02, 2007
Invading the sacred--Aditi Banerjee
A great article probing the very roots of why Hinduism is still not given an equal status as other religions and how the academic world is responsible for it.
...These solutions are not perfect and deserve scrutiny and challenge. However, if we are serious about promoting multiculturalism and pluralism, if we are sincere about tackling the serious challenges we face as a society by using the most effective solutions, then such approaches deserve a fair hearing and must at least be investigated and explored...
Here's the link to the book Invading the Sacred
Posted by Anuj at 01:38 PM | Comments (2)
January 24, 2005
Threat to Hinduism
The article in Rediff written by Francois Gautier is a mockery not only of his own identity but also his religion and culture. A westener who has no idea about the depth and breadth of Indian culture and religion should have no authority to write such an article. Well he points correctly I must say that a Sonia Gandhi is a Christian, Benny Hinn (controversial American Evangelist) was in India to preach and that thousands of people did attend his prayer meetings. Also that the great spiritual leader of the Hindus Shankaracharya is on bail for a murder of a mutt employee.
But he points out wrongly I must say that India is a Hindu state, yes the Hindus are a majority with 850 million of them, constituting about 85% os India. But that in no way makes India a Hindu state and a threat to Hinduism. The very idea on which India was created in 1947, which still exist was that India would be a sovreign, secular, democratic republic. India was not built on the basis of religion. And everyone in free India has the right to practice and preach their religion. It is because of religious fundamentalists that this idea is being distorted and brought to the Indian public.
The threat to Hindus and Hinduism is as idiotic as anything. Hinduism has its roots in the Vedas, the sacred and ancient books of the Hindus. Hinduism was not born out of a person as were the other religions of the world. Being the oldest religion, Hinduism is more of a Philosophy and way of living than a religion. It is this idea which makes its the strongest of all religions. Often the good and humble nature of the people is exploited by the religious fundamentalists. It is very easy for the poor to get carried away as all they need is two meals a day. The religions which seek to convert people use this weapon of providing food, shelter, quotas, education etc. etc. But do they preach their religious philosophy to them? Do they tell them why should one religion be better than the other?
Well I guess that religion is great which preaches the oneness of all and that no matter whether you pray to Jesus, Allah, Guru Nanak, Buddha, Mahavira or Ram, it's all the same. It's the mind which needs to be devoted to the service of God. And this is something which Hinduism teaches its followers. And that is what makes it a strong religion whose foundation cannot be shaken. Even if people are converting today to other religions, sooner or later they will come back.
And in the end whether we have a Hindu or a Muslim or a Christian leader at the top is of no value, as they are Indians first in their own right. Even America has a many leaders who are not of American origin, like Arnold Schwarzenegger who is a Austrian by birth, John F Kennedy was Irish etc. There are many people in the Senate even today who are not "Native American", but noone points that out. I think Mr. Gautier should do more research before writing such articles.
India is not in "mood to die" and there is no threat to the spirituality or santana dharma. Also being an Indian and a Hindu, I assure Mr.Gautier that he has nothing to worry about.
Posted by Anuj at 02:21 PM | Comments (0)