This blog aims at bringing out the past glory and history of India, Hinduism and its forgotten values and wisdom. This is not copyrighted so as to reach genuine seekers of these information. Its my prayer that only genuine seekers - and not vandals & plagiarists - come to this site.
The Great Uprising of 1857 unnerved the British, though for a while. Within two or three years of quelling it, and with great ferocity, they set to work putting together a version of the incident that would suit their ends. "The uprising was confined to just a few pockets", they said, adding, "it erupted as a result of local misunderstandings", and that "there was no national sentiment behind it for the leaders themselves fought only for their feudal privileges-one because her son was not being recognized, another because his pension was being stopped, and so on." This version was believed to be the true narration of the incident for so long that it even finds mention in Nehru"s "Discovery of India"!
The British did not stop at rewriting history books. They initiated a series of real politick measures. As Brahmins had provided the ideological leaven for the uprising, the campaign of calumny against them was redoubled.
They started their propaganda against the Brahmins and an era of anti-Brahmanism began which lives on till date.
Though the British just gave a boost to such sentiments, they were not the beginners of the legacy. In the book "Diwan-i-Salman", Khwaja Masud bin Sa"d bin Salman wrote of the Battle of Jalandhar (Punjab) thus: "The narrative of any battle eclipses the stories of Rustam and Isfandiyar. By morning meal, not one soldier, not one Brahmin remained alive or free. Their heads were levelled to the ground with flaming fire. Thou have secured the victory to the country and to religion, for amongst the Hindus this achievement will be remembered till the day of resurrection."
In Mughal times, Sheikh Ahmad (Mujaddid) of Sirhind wrote a letter to Mirza Darab excerpts of which read thus: "Hindu Brahmans and Greek philosophers have spent a lot of time on religion. Since their efforts were not according to the Shariat of the prophet, they were all fools. They will remain devoid of salvation."
According to the Tawarikh Firishta, Firoz Shah Bahmani (circa 1398-99), kidnapped 2,000 Brahman women, who were later freed by Raja Devaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire.
A country is never fully defeated as long as its martial and intellectual leaders exist. A self-conscious imperialism undertakes to reduce them as its first important task.
Muslims coming to India found brave, armed, men and a Brahman class providing cultural and spiritual leadership. Dr. Ambedkar, quoting Muslim historians, says the first act of religious zeal by Mohammad bin Qasim, the first Arab invader, was circumcision of Brahmans. "But, after they objected, he put to death all above the age of seventeen."
Rev. C. Buchanan said Indians should be baptized because "it attaches the governed to the governors." They thought that Brahmans came in the way of their dream of a baptized India. They started blackening and discrediting them. A brochure called "The Book of Wisdom" with 279 verses was widely circulated by missionaries under William Carey, touted as the father of the Indian press. It was one of the first he printed and is addressed to the "mean, despicable Brahmans". The brochure promises hell for heathens and salvation through Christ.
The British administration found Brahmans to be the only "national" caste, held in much respect and capable of providing political leadership. They fomented anti-Brahman movements in different parts of the country which are still very powerful in today"s secular India.
Their fears were well-founded. Brahmins were the intellectual leaders of the Independence struggle. Thus anti-Brahmanism was a construct of the last two centuries. And though learnt under the colonial-missionary aegis, it became an important category of future social thinking and political action.
Brahmans began to be described as "cunning, parasitic, exploiters and authors of the iniquitous caste system".
A lot of scholarship and intellectual labour was put into this thesis before it acquired its present momentum and currency. Anti-Brahmanism originated in, and still prospers in anti-Hindu circles.
It is particularly welcome among Marxists, missionaries, Muslims, separatists, and casteists, of different hues. When they attack Brahmans, their target is unmistakably Hinduism.
Even in the freedom struggle, the contribution of Brahmans under the leadership of the Mahatma was enormous. A great percentage of his followers were Brahmans and hence, the country owes quiet a lot to them, and they certainly deserved special privileges.
But when freedom was attained, their services were quickly forgotten. In the name of empowering the lower caste, their right to a fair chance in education, service, and so many other things, was snatched away.
There is no credible testimony to the fact that Brahmins ever opposed upliftment of the lower caste, yet the government, for the sake of "strengthening the weak", in every sense, weakened the strong.
Today, the situation is such that Brahmans have been practically deprived and made to suffer in the same way as the Dalits were "made to suffer".
There are 50 "sulabh shauchalayas" (public toilets) in Delhi; all of them are cleaned and looked after by Brahmans (this much-needed public institution was started by a Brahman).
A far cry from the elitist image that Brahmans have! There are five to six Brahmans manning each toilet. They came to Delhi eight to ten years ago looking for a source of income, as they were a minority in most of their villages, where Dalits constitute the majority (60 to 65 per cent). In most villages in UP and Bihar, Dalits have a union which helps them secure jobs.
Did you know that you also stumble upon a number of Brahmans working as coolies at Delhi"s railway stations? One of them, Kripa Shankar Sharma, says that though his daughter is doing her graduation in science, he is not sure if she will secure a job. "Dalits often have five to six children, but they are confident of getting them placed easily and well," he says.
As a result, the Dalit population in villages is increasing. He adds, "Dalits are provided with housing, even their pigs have spaces; whereas there is no provision for "gaushalas" (cowsheds) for the cows of the Brahmans".
This reverse discrimination is also found in bureaucracy and politics. Most of the intellectual Brahman Tamil class has emigrated outside Tamil Nadu. Only 5 seats from the 600 in the combined UP and Bihar assemblies are held by Brahmans-the rest are in the hands of the Yadavs.
At least 400,000 Brahmans of the Kashmir valley, the once respected Kashmiri Pandits, now live as refugees in their own country, sometimes in refugee camps in Jammu and Delhi in appalling conditions. But who gives a damn about them? This is all simply because their vote bank is negligible.
At Tamil Nadu"s RanganathaswamyTemple, a priest"s monthly salary is Rs 300 (as per the Census Department findings) and a daily allowance of one measure of rice. The government staff at the same temple receive Rs 2,500 and above every month. But these facts have not modified the priests" reputation as "haves" and as "exploiters". The destitution of Hindu priests has moved none, not even the parties sympathetic to Hindus.
The Indian government gives Rs 1,000 crores (Rs 10 billion) in salaries for "imams" in mosques and Rs 200 crores (Rs 2 billion) as Haj subsidies. But no such help is available to the Brahmans and the upper castes.
As a result, not only the Brahmans, but also some of the other upper castes are suffering in silence today, seeing the minorities slowly taking control of their majority.
Even after so many years of persecution by invaders and their own countrymen, Brahmans still continue to suffer in silence and yet, contribute in a very positive way to this land. Not a day has ever been recorded in history when Brahmans, anywhere in this land, have resorted to arms.
There are incredible success stories attributed to them. Had there been no Brahmans, the IT sector of India, in which the media and government take pride, would not have even existed. There are so many industrialists, academicians, journalists, engineers, and doctors, who continue to contribute to this land by trying to forget their deprivation.
In light of this, I wish to ask my Muslim brethren as to what they are complaining about. Can they complain of more atrocities than the Brahmans? Everyone has had their share of bad luck. I am a Brahman, but I hold no prejudice against Muslims or Christians for they are my countrymen today. I always say "we have issues to resolve" and not "scores to settle".
Yet, whenever I try to expose the negations and false concoctions of Muslim and Christian intellectuals I am easily branded a "fanatic", "fundamentalist" and what not.
The point I wish to wish to make here is simple. If Brahmans, after facing so much opposition from everyone including those of their own faith, can keep up their courage, write stories of passion, and contribute proactively, without brooding over their plight, then it is certainly possible for the Muslims to do so provided they come to terms with modern world dynamics and shun violence in all forms and types.
An interesting discussion on how much one 'knows' happened in yesterday's episode of the serial, 'EngE Brahmanan?' in Jaya TV.
Can any one 'know' everything?
Can anyone claim himself to be fully knowledgeable?
These questions were handled by Mr Cho Ramaswamy in the episode.
He quoted a sloka which said that that a person may know whatever he 'knows'. But he may not know what he does not know!
Mr Cho also listed the texts he knows and has read.
This discussion quite stirred me up.
Because 'to know' is very much an obsession for a seeker of Vedantha!
This begins with very basic question of what must be known.
From Acharya Ramanuja'scommentary on Brahma sutras, we come to know that
if by knowing something, everything else can be known,
then the knowledge of that 'something' constitutes Real knowledge!
According to him, by knowing Brahman, everything in this created worlds and beyond can be known. So the knowledge of the Brahman and Its Nature constitutes Real knowledge. By knowing That Brahman, one can be said to have known everything. One can explain or understand or know any phenomenon happening in this world at present, in the past and in the future.
To understand this, he gives the example of many items made of clay.
The knowledge about a doll, or a pot, or a brick or some artifact can be had if we know the constituent that has gone into making them. Suppose the clay is used for making them. Then the knowledge about the clay, the clay in different ratios with water and other substances and the nature of clay available from different locations must be necessary to know how the different things made from clay will look like and how long it will last.
Similarly by knowing the nature of Brahman, we can know how everything in this created world will behave, because it is from Brahman everything has sprung up.
The knowledge of the Brahman is supposed to be the Highest knowledge that one must aspire for.
The numerous texts (sruti and smruthi) only help us as guide-books in getting that knowledge about Brahman.
So it is not enough if one says that one has read this book or that book. Has one read or sought about the Brahman is the question that would lead one to the quest of Ultimate knowledge.
The 3 gems (Prasthaana thraya) namely Upanishads, Brahma sutras and Bhagavad Gita are the texts that guide one seeking knowledge of the Brahman.
The numerous stories, thoughts of many saints and noble persons, puranas and other texts do bring out the essence of these gems. In reading them, one must not lose sight of the essence – which is the knowledge about Brahman.
In this context, I consider the compilation of thoughts and stories of Paramacharyal of Kanchi given as "Deivatthin Kural" is an excellent one for any seeker of Knowledge.
One irony about Knowledge is that perfect Knowledge is impossible!
Ifknowing the Brahman is the Ultimate knowledge, that can not happen without Realization of Brahman.
It is because if we say that this is Brahman, then it is not Brahman!
The 'neti' (na ithi) verses of Brahadaaranyaka upansihad give us the insight that Brahman can never be described. If some one says that this is Brahman or Brahman is of this nature, then it is not Brahman. For, Brahman is that which goes beyond all thoughts, words, descriptions and visualizations.
It can only be Realized!
Such realization comes by attainment of Brahman.
One who has attained Brahman is said to have become Liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
That means he won't be with us in mortal form to tell us what it means to be realizing Brahman!
That state of Brahman can not be expressed by any facilitating agent.
It can only be experienced.
It is the Knowledge / experience of Brahman as satyam, gyanam and anantham.
The ‘Swat’ valley is presently in the news as a stronghold of the Taliban. The inhuman and violent culture that is prevalent now is a complete anathema to what this place was once!This place was once reverberating with Vedic chants and was peopled with a culture of high order. In the article posted below excerpted from http://indianrealist.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/hindu-heritage-of-swat-valley/, it is known that Swat was originally known as Suvaastu river.
In my curiosity to locate this place in the Kurma Chakra of Varahamihira, I went through the nations mentioned in Brihad Samhita.
Varahamihira has given the division of countries as they existed long before him, when Vedism was in its prime glory. Most of the names of the places he has mentioned had become redundant or underwent changes even by his times. I am saying this to stress the antiquity of the countries he has mentioned.
The Kurma charka has 9 divisions of land forms having many countries in each division.
It is in the form of a kurma (tortoise) with the central part called as Madhya bhoomi ruled by stars, Kritthika, Rohini and Mrigashira.This land consists of Matsya and Panchala desas. This seems to be lying on the axis (imaginary line) connecting Lanka and Ujjain.
Other 8 divisions lie on 8 directions of this Madhya desam, in clockwise direction starting from east of this Madhya desam. These divisions are ruled by 3 stars each continuing from Arudra ( after Mrigashira of Madhya desam).
What is of interest in the present context is that countries such as Peshawar(known as Pushkalavatha in Kurma charka) and Kandahaar (Gandhara) lie to the north of this Madhya desam. Takshasheela (Taxila) also is part of this land.
Since Swat lies between these places, it can be said that it also formed part of the Northern lands of the Kurma charka.
All these places were known for nurturing Vedic culture. Swat also could not have been any different from the culture of these places. This list by Varahamihira contains a place called “Vasathi’. The article below says that Swat was known as Suvaastu in olden times. Both Vasathi and suvaastu mean the same – ‘that which is fit for living / settlement.’ Perhaps Vasathi came to be known as Suvaastu later.
-Jayasree
*************
From Udyana, the Seat of Rig-Veda,
to the PresentSwatValley in Pakistan
under Taliban Control
By V. V. S. Sarma
Sadguru Sri Sivananda Murty, an eminent scholar and a well known spiritual leader in Andhra Pradesh hosted the tenth annual Vedic conference at Bheemunipatnam, Vizag District on 12th April 2009. For ten successive years, he has been hosting/sponsoring this important event, wherein not only the Vedic Pandits are honoured but young students of Vedas are also honoured and given certificates.
The Sabha witnessed crisp group chanting of portions from all the four Vedas. Guruji explained that Vedas are important for the unity of the country and stressed the important role played by Andhra in preserving that tradition. He shook everyone when he mentioned that the present land of Taliban (SWAT valley) was called the Brahmin Vatika!
Later, when asked for the reason for such a downfall, he answered, “Brahmins can only dedicate themselves to Vedas. Theirs is a life of total commitment to a singular cause. They cannot protect themselves. They have to be protected. When kshatriya dharma left us, things collapsed.” This input prompted me to explore the history of the place.
The Hindu Kush Mountain Range
The name ‘Hindu Kush’ of the mountain range in Eastern Afghanistan means in Persian ‘Hindu Slaughter’ or ‘Hindu Killer’. History also reveals that until 1000 A.D. the area of Hindu Kush was a full part of the Hindu cradle. More likely, the mountain range was deliberately named as ‘Hindu Slaughter’ by the Moslem conquerors, as a lesson to the future generations of Indians. However Indians in general and Hindus in particular are completely oblivious to this tragic genocide.
The Hindu Kush is a mountain system nearly 1000 miles long and 200 miles wide, running northeast to southwest, and dividing the Amu Darya River Valley and Indus River Valley. It stretches from the Pamir Plateau near Gilgit, to Iran. The Hindu Kush ranges mainly run through Afghanistan and Pakistan. It has over two dozen summits of more than 23,000 ft in height. Below the snowy peaks the mountains of Hindu Kush appear bare, stony and poor in vegetation.
Historically, the passes across the Hindu Kush have been of great military significance, providing access to the northern plains of India. The Khyber Pass constitutes an important strategic gateway and offers a comparatively easy route to the plains of Punjab. Most foreign invaders, starting from Alexander in 327 BC, to Timur Lane in 1398 AD, and from Mahmud of Ghazni, in 1001 AD, to Nader Shah in 1739 AD attacked Hindustan via the Khyber Pass and other passes in the Hindu Kush. The Hindu name of the Hindu KushMountains was ‘Paariyaatra Parvat’.
History of the SwatValley
Swat is a valley and an administrative district in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) located 160 km/100 miles from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. It is present in the Hindukush range, in the Pakistan area. The Swat River originates in the Hindu Kush and is a tributary of the Kabul River in the Peshawar valley. Swat Valley is located between POK and Afghanistan to the North of Pakistan’s Punjab province. In December 2008 most of the area was captured by the Taliban insurgency and is now considered too dangerous for tourism.
The Swat River is mentioned in the Rig Veda 8.19.37 as the SuvāstuRiver. Suvāstu, literally means that the river is an ideal location on which human settlements can be made. This opinion is expressed by Kumkum Roy, professor of ancient Indian history at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the author of “Historical Dictionary of Ancient India”. Centuries later, the scenic river, which flows from the majestic Hindu Kush Mountains, is a magnet for Pakistani tourists who love to flaunt the Swat valley as the Switzerland of Pakistan.
Swat has been inhabited for over two thousand years and was known in ancient times as the Udyana. It is fair to assume that the people of Swat are of Vedic Aryans. The first inhabitants were settled in well-planned towns. In 327 BC, Alexander fought his way to Udegram and Barikot. In Greek accounts these towns have been identified as Ora and Bazira. By 305 BC, the region became a part of the Mauryan Empire (or it may be Gupta Empire as per the more recent understanding).
There is no equivalent to the term "secularism" in Indian languages. It was a term borrowed from the West and used without comprehending its proper meaning. It has been much abused by Indian journalists and politicians alike.
Secularism is a code of duty pertaining to this life, founded on considerations purely human, and intended mainly for those who find theology indefinite or inadequate, unreliable or unbelievable.
Its essential principles are three:
(1) The improvement of this life by material means.
(2) That science is the available Providence of man.
(3) That it is good to do good. Whether there be other good or not, the good of the present life is good, and it is good to seek that good."
(None of the three principles are incompatible with Hindu philosophy or practice as expounded below in contrast to many other popular religions of today. In fact, there has not been any coflict with Science for the Hindus.)
Holyoake held that secularism and secular ethics should take no interest at all in religious questions (as they were irrelevant), and was thus to be distinguished from strong free thought and atheism. In this he disagreed with Charles Bradlaugh, and the disagreement split the secularist movement between those who argued that anti-religious movements and activism was not necessary or desirable and those who argued that it was.
"Secularism" is the assertion that governmental practices or institutions should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs.
The term secularism was pejoratively used originally by the Christian Church in medieval period. The life of a common man in Europe was so miserable with widespread poverty and various form of slavery that Church in response to such misery, to protect the Nobles, propagated the doctrine that there is no happiness in this world and only by being "faithful" believer in this life, there will be happiness in the Heaven yearned for in ones imagined after-life.
Anyone who advocates worldly pleasures was considered by the Church as secular and to be condemned. By the time of European Renaissance, with the recognition of the autocracy and corruption of the Church, the intellectuals in Europe defied the church, challenged its teachings and accepted the term secularism to characterize the worldly concern irrespective of the promise of afterlife. They drew their inspiration from the writings of the Greek and Roman Philosophers. One such philosopher was Epicurus, who held Gods are busy in their own world and have no interest in this world and Man should seek happiness and fulfillment in this world.
The Church wrongly interpreted this pragmatic philosophy of his to mean that he was advocating licentious, immoral pleasures without caring for the heavenly salvation. Epicurus never advocated anti-social or immoral behavior; he simply advocated practical form of worldliness. Epicureanism was again revived in the 19th century by many philosophers, prominently by Karl Marx whose doctoral dissertation was on this subject. Marx took anti religious position and advocated pure dialectical materialism.
All the followers of Marxism avidly espouse antireligious secularism. Thus secularism had the connotation of anti-religiousness, as well as anti-traditional social attitude. Extreme individualism and defiance of social mores and norms as we witnessed by hippies and beatniks are attributed to this thinking, again unfairly. Several 20th century intellectuals, including scientists and Humanists like Julian Huxley and Albert Einstein called themselves secularists and interpreted the term to mean that their interest was to advocate welfare of this society in this world regardless of the religious beliefs of the members of the society. This thought was already prevalent among the framers of the American Constitution, especially Thomas Jefferson, who advocated strict separation of Church and State without diminishing the spirituality of the citizens. The word secularism was never used by Thomas Jefferson or any of the founding fathers of the United States of America to characterize religious neutrality of State.
At the present day this interpretation of secularism as a principle of mainly advocating concern for the social welfare without deliberately antagonizing the Church has been accepted – the emphasis is in not to antagonize the church or faith. In fact, even Pope Pius coined the term "Secular Christianity" to promote the church priests' social activism by who-so-ever willing to be active in matters of societal interest without wearing Church insignia.
It is, therefore, clear to all who are familiar with the Indian political scenarios and also the above-mentioned senses, connotations, and authentic meanings of Secularism that the term Secularism is used in India with no clear concept except by the Indian Communists who correctly accept the atheistic Marxian doctrine of wiping out any religious influence, as Marx called it "the opium of the masses."
However, in practice the Communists in India are becoming close allies of the Christians and Muslims as most of them adopted these religions in rebellion towards to the majority Hindus prior to their espousing Communism. They do not give up their identity as a religious minority and declare themselves as atheists, especially when there are affirmative action and reservation benefits. This unholy alliance is particularly evident in Kerala, West Bengal, etc. The Maoists in India are becoming allies of the Christian missionaries. All of these related facts are mentioned to illustrate that even the communists in India are not truly Secularists in practice. Neither are they likely to be secular if they become the ruling power at the center.
Now, is there such a thing as Secular Hinduism?
Where does secularism fit in with Hinduism? The relatively new term "secular" does not apply to Hinduism which has a history of nearly 10 thousand years, because Hinduism is both secular and spiritual. Refined form of Hinduism (Upanishadic) does not advocate that "salvation" is only to be achieved in the afterlife. It advocates Man's perfection in this life, here and now, promoting spirituality as the means to achieve inner peace and tranquility in a dissonant and chaotic world; furthermore, spirituality is hoped to raise the "state of Man" to "Divine" which is seen as the highest human potential.
Having not attained such a state of perfection (Brahmi Sthiti) one would be subjected to illusions about the reality (and will not be free of temptations and misinterpretations of reality) and after attaining this state one will always be grounded in reality; but holding on to this state of mind even until the end of ones life- (i.e., in this world itself), one would reach divine perfection (Rucchati meaning "goes to" - Brahma Nirvana) experiencing eternal bliss and attain nirvana, (nirvana meaning liberation from all imperfect frames of reference, caused by the genetically inherited memories or by learned paradigms, with the ability to recognize the true nature of the Brahman and to identify with It as the only ultimate reality.)
There is some semantic confusion as to whether the above quote can be considered purely philosophical and extra-religious in the Hindu tradition, and whether it could even be universally applicable to all human beings as a supra-religious philosophical principle, or is it "religious" because Gita is considered to be one of the scriptures of the Hindus.
Nevertheless, one must note that this verse from Gita does not presume presence of God, presence of after-life, etc., and limits itself to the concerns of attaining a state of mind in this life that will permit one to do good irrespective of any other considerations, and ultimately liberate one even from the usual hackneyed paradigms like "theology." In that sense it is a similar stance like the "Secular Christianity" but goes deeper than focusing on not wearing the insignia.
(See "Dhee: Essence of Hinduness" Part I and II on http://www.swaveda.com/ and http://www.kalyan97.blogspot.com/ with discussion on freedom of thought and absence of dogma which make the term "Hindu Fundamentalism" an oxymoron.)
Most Hindus know that freedom of thought, absence of dogma, and even atheism are totally compatible with Hinduism, therefore, secularism even with its focus on pure materialism is not new for the Hindu thinkers (as propounded by Charvaka). That secularism does not need to be taught newly to Hindus is historically a self evident truth.
They have welcomed other religions and have practiced governance without regards to religious concerns long before the arrival of the British is well known. With all accusations about BJP being affiliated with Hindutva political philosophy, which is falsely characterized by the so-called "Secular" English media in India as anti-secular, these accusations of BJP being non-secular or anti-secular are unfouded when the governance by BJP dominated NDA government is scrutinized for its secular stance and performance in comparison to the stance taken by the Indian National Congress and policies implemented and endorsed by it when in power. (See "Indian Secularism: A Sham" Part I & II on this page)
So there is no such thing like "pseudo-secularism" in Hinduness, Hindutva, or Hinduism.There are both, secularism-this worldliness, and spirituality, which pertains to the inner life of human consciousness - in Hinduism; both of which are integral to reformed Hinduism as well as truly interpreted traditional Hinduism (as is by Kashmiri Shaivism). Both can co-exist and can be practiced concurrently by any knowledgeable Hindu. It is bothersome to hear the abuse of the term secularism by politicians and journalists alike but even more so when they portray it as totally absent in Hinduism and Hindu history or even more so when the word "secular" is used as an antonym of "Hindu."
Hinduism in its philosophy, principles, and practice is historically the most open minded and open system religion and Hindu society has historically been more pluralistic than any other society dominated by religions other than Hinduism. This is an undeniable fact which the modern so-called secular English media conveniently ignore. In the history of India there have been million Gandhis among the ordinary people all over India who have not had to be taught religious tolerance, and therefore, viewing Mahatma Gandhi as the first and only proponent of accepting other religions is also a myth that is propagated by these media.
The other abused term is "Communalism" and particularly "Hindu Communalism" which is pejoratively used to label "Hindu Nationalism", a universally accepted dignified term. On the question of Hindu Nationalism we could hold a healthy civilized debate without "name calling." The words "Communalism" and "Hindu Communalism" are essentially a form of name calling with no room for any critical thinking to analyze these terms.
What is communalism? It is not a bad word after all. People who formed the communes in the West like the Quakers and the Mormons and others who practiced collective agriculture and shared community life have used the term "communism." This word communism in this context was offensive to the orthodox leaders of these communes who associated the term with atheism as implied in Marxian parlance and hence preferred the term "communalism."
How did we get this term in India with the currently distorted usage? We have to hold the original protagonists of this term responsible for this perverted use, and others have been only blind imitators. If we want to use this term strictly, for example, it applies to Tamils in Bombay who live together and have their own linguistic groups, Bengali groups in Bihar and Assam, and Andhra Maha Sabha in Delhi or in Chennai, etc. These are aptly described as communal organizations. There is nothing wrong in socializing with a group that shares ones language and culture.
Is there anything like Hindu Communalists? Hindus are several communities or a conglomeration with different linguistic and caste divisions, as well as sub-cultures and, therefore, it is absurd to use the word Hindu Communalists.
This label or phrase of "Hindu Communalism" was framed by Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, mischievously to denigrate anyone that would advocate Hindu welfare exclusively or organize Hindus exclusively without the consent, cooperation or addition of Muslims - no body cared for Christians as a politically significant group at that time any way. The emphasis then and even now was to include Muslims at every turn in public life to fully integrate them into a homogeneous society. The ideal propagated then was that of "Hindu-Muslim Bhai-Bhai." It is a wonderful Utopian concept (hoping for the brotherhood of Hindus and Muslims,) but inherently an oxymoron considering the fundamentalism of Islam as universally and historically refractory to any change.
The attempt to unify Hindus and Muslims then in the early Independent Nehruvian India utterly failed because of the rejection of this thrust by Muslims themselves. This was amply demonstrated by Muslims when they responded to the call for Direct Action by Jinnah with their atrocious widespread violence towards the Hindus. Riots broke out throughout the country from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari, giving a foretaste of what was to come at the time of the partition of India. In any case the phrase "Hindu Communalism" gained popularity as a pejorative term to malign anyone whose philosophy was to advocate welfare and protection of Hindus exclusively even in the face of such extreme violence directed exclusively at the Hindus by the Muslims or others. As a great skilled sloganeer Nehru managed to successfully convey in one innocuous sounding term, many subcomponents of pejorative meanings including Hindu orthodoxy, narrow-mindedness, alleged hatred of all other religions, especially Muslims!
Communists chose to translate the term as "Mata tatva vadins"- "advocates of religion or religious theories."- Hindu Nationalism is not of a religious identity, it is a cultural identity of a people, albeit belonging to religions of their native land, but as one people, of one origin, one culture, one shared history, and tradition. Cultural Nationalism invokes unity of all Hindus as "Vishva Hindu" no matter where the Hindus live in the world, whether in Sri Lanka, South Africa, UK or USA; Hindu nationalism means they are "our people" and most Hindus are broad-minded to include others who have adopted Hindu culture, who use indigenous Indian languages of the Hindus, and also attires and customs of the Hindus as "our people" regardless of their religions if they would be open minded to mingle freely with them and freely associate in a harmonious manner, as exemplified in many "India Associations" in foreign countries.
The overarching concern of Hindu Nationalist is to make the public and political life of India "Hindu-centric." From the above discussion it should be clear that Hnidu-centric society and government is not antithetical to Secularism. This is not as un-modern as some seem to think. We can see examples of similar lines of thinking and social processes elsewhere outside India demonstrated by the governments that are secular in a true sense more than the current Indian Government. With diverse immigrants entering the U.S, the leftists, anarchists and libertarians argue against sanctifying any traditions. Intellectuals like Patrick Buchanan and George Will in contrast have taken a position that America is and should be Judeo-Christian centric.
Multiculturalism may be allowed so far and no further, lest the other cultures may wipe out the soul of the Nation represented by its History, tradition, and faiths. This realization also came to France recently with the influx of large number of Muslim immigrants into that country demanding special treatment to distinguishing themselves as Muslims. President Sarkosy has stamped down on this trend. Similar message was given to the Muslim immigrants by the Prime Minister of Australia. In Denmark, the traditional free press was attacked by Muslims for hurting their sentiment by printing a picture of Mohamed. The Europeans are waking up to this intrusion or overbearing attitude of the Muslims in their countries. Germany has already made the laws to certify incoming religions and restricting proselytizing. They banned the church headed by Rev. Moon and did not allow Moon to enter into Germany. Likewise, Russia instituted certification of non-Russian, non-orthodox, churches. In UK where there is relatively liberal attitude, Muslims are demanding enforcement of Sharia Law for their people with an ambition to apply it to all people in their adopted country. The British are waking up and resenting this intrusion and threats of death directed at them in the absurd "peace march" by Jihadi Muslims. People who argue against Hindu Nationalism (not communalism) should pause and think which way Indian liberalization goes. Such liberalism as is practiced under the name of secularism calling names like communalism to Hindu Nationalism will be a disaster in India if it already is not.
The Nation of Israel is based on Zionism which should be respected by anyone entering that country. Milk in coffee is not served in McDonald restaurants, for it offends Kosher. Countries like Saudi Arabia which is so vocal of protecting the rights of Muslims would not allow any non-Muslim religious symbols or scriptures into their country. As an atheistic Communist country, China was fighting Falun Gong and Unification Church of Rev. Moon. But, they do retain the ancient Chinese culture; therefore, initially supported Falun Gong which was native to their culture until political considerations caused the reversal of the policy.
From all this, there should be no surprise that Hindu Nationalists advocate the preservation of Hindu centric polity and civil society that honors the great traditions and languages of India that is Bharat. People have the freedom to celebrate Valentine day as long as they don't scoff at Vasant Panchami which is more meaningful to the Hindus. They may celebrate demons and goblins of Halloween without demeaning Diwali or Holi. When it comes to the question of opening a male or female strip joint, offending Hindu sensibility and sentiments the line has to be drawn. Anarchistic individualism is not a right, it is a concession gifted by the society in which the majority shows a generosity, for no individual can survive without organized society which should have control on the limits of individual freedom. Hindus will draw that line of limits pursuant to their tradition. That is the essence of Hindu Centric society which is not to be called "communalism."
Such efforts to maintain decency in accord with the sentiments of the majority including ban of the cow slaughter is not "communalism." This right of the majority of the community is respected in all nations and all societies. The people in the United States will not permit slaughter of dogs because this species is viewed as pets although in some Eastern countries dog-meat is routinely considered for table food.
The majority in all countries enjoy this privilege without stepping on the fundamental rights to liberty, life and pursuit of happiness of any individual belonging to any religions.
If Proselytization is a demographic assault on the majority, then the right to practice religion must not be expanded to include right to convert others, alienate and cleave them from the native traditional culture, especially the members of the majority community.
This is the contemporary crisis in present day Africa where competing Christian and Muslim proselytizing outfits have brought unending treacherous civil wars. The Pope has nothing to comment on this tragedy, while he is quite ready to condemn Evangelists who convert Catholics in Latin America; Evangelists don't believe Catholics are true Christians!
Such views of opposition to religious conversions are not "communalistic" and not even nationalistic. They are common sense mores in a live and let live type of harmonious living of groups belonging to different religions that need to learn to co-exist peacefully.
Religious freedom is not freedom to attack and convert others; nor is religious tolerance religious acceptance.
Other thought-provoking articles by the author can be read at
"Maut ka Saudagar", 'Liar", "the Ugly Indian" etc etc etc.
All the kind of epithets, the like of which till now used to come easily out of the mouth of President George Bush of the US and the pens of his Neo Conservative supporters.
Mr.Bush should be worried that he has now a growing number of competitors in the coining of demonising epithets in the community of the self-styled secularists of India .
What epithets they did not use against Shri Narendra Modi for the last five years and particularly in the weeks before the recent elections to the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, in which the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a spectacular victory despite the best (or worst) efforts of these self-styled secularists to demonise him day in and day out!
The pathological dislike----even hatred--- that some of our journalists----particularly in the electronic media--- have for Modi could be seen or sensed as one watched the TV coverage of the counting of votes on December 23,2007. Initially, as it appeared that the BJP might not do well in the final tally, there was excitement among many of the TV anchors. They thought they have tasted blood. After an hour, the BJP candidates started racing ahead and it became clear the the Congress (I) was in for a drubbing.
The disappointment on the faces of some of the anchors was to be seen to be believed. A five-star lady anchor could not help remarking: "Modi might be able to win the elections in Gujarat, but he still can't get a visa to go to the US and other Western countries." Some consolation!
Instead of spending their time searching for abusive expressions in the dictionary and in their copy-book of such expressions, if these self-styled secularists had only visited the web sites, discussion groups and blogspots of members of the Hindu community not only in India, but also in other countries of the world----particularly in the US--- they would have noticed something, which might have given them cause for introspection.
They would have noticed that Modi is becoming the icon of a growing number of Hindus not only in India, but also in the Hindu diaspora spread across the world. The support for him is not confined only to the Gujarati-speaking Hindus of the world. It is spread right across the Hindu spectrum---- whatever be the language or ethnicity or place of origin of the Hindus concerned.
They would have noticed that in the Hindu diaspora in the West, more young people admire Modi than grown-ups. Many of his young admirers in the US were born and brought up there and had the benefit of the best of secular education. In spite of this, there is a sense of pride in them that the Hindu community has at long last produced a leader of the calibre of Modi.
What is it they see in him?
His simple and austere living of the kind associated with the late Kamaraj of Tamil Nadu, but not seen in the leaders of today?
His reputation as an incorruptible politician, the like of which is not found anywhere in India----not even in his own party?
His style of development-oriented governance, which even his detractors on other grounds do not hesitate to praise?
The fruits of his policy, which Gujarat and its people are already enjoying?
His tough stance on terrorism?
His lucid-thinking on matters concerning our national security?
His defiance in the face of the greatest campaign of demonisation mounted against him, the like of which only Indira Gandhi had faced from her political opponents and sections of the media in the 1970s?
All these are factors, which influence their favourable perception of him, and which have already been highlighted and analysed in the articles on his impressive election victory.
But there is one factor, which is more important than these and which has not found mention in the analyses.
That is, for large sections of the Hindus----young and old, even more among the young than among the old--- he gave them a sense of pride in their identity as Hindus.
They feel that he removed from their minds long habits of defensiveness as Hindus carefully nurtured by the self-styled secularists.
As if to proclaim one's Hindu identity and to assert one's rights as Hindus in their own homeland in which they are in a vast majority (80 per cent of the population) is to be communal, is to become an ugly Indian.
For these self-styled secularists, a pretty Indian is a Hindu, who is all the time on the defensive, fights shy of proclaiming his Hindu personality and asserting his rights as a member of the majority community.
These self-styled secularists would not address their sermons of secularism to the Islamic countries, where for a Muslim to convert a non-Muslim into Islam is an act blessed by Allah, but for a non-Muslim to convert a Muslim into his religion is a crime calling for the death penalty.
For them, secularism is a virtue which a Hindu should practise towards others, but not others towards him.
It is Modi's rejection of this hypocrisy of the self-styled secularists, which makes him stand apart as a Hindu leader with a difference in the eyes of his admirers.
Bharathiyar, the Tamil poet who inspired millions of Tamil youth to join the independence struggle under Mahatma Gandhi, wrote: "Tamizhanenru Chollada, Talai Nimirndhu Nillada"
"Say You Are a Tamil, Hold Your Head High."
The growing legion of Modi's admirers in the Hindu community all over the world are saying: "Hindu Enru Chollada, Talai Nimirndu Nillada."
"Say You Are A Hindu, Hold Your Head High."
They are no longer prepared to be defensive in proclaiming their Hindu idenity, in asserting their rights as Hindus.
They are secular in the genuine sense of the word, but for them secularism does not mean developing a guilt complex about being a Hindu and all the time conceding the rights of others. They do not accept the argument that a Hindu, who asserts his rights, ceases to be a secularist.
(The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai)
Indian Liberal Group, Rajaji Centre For Public Affairs & Institute of Economic Education Jointly Organize a
Lecture Meeting on 1st May 2009 at 5:30 PM
in P.S.High School Auditorium,
Mylapore, Chennai.
Dr R.Vaidyanathan will speak on "Tax Havens and Illegal Funds of India".
Dr R.Vaidyanathan is a Professor of Finance at IIM in Bengaluru.
He obtained his Fellowship in Management from IIM-Kolkata where he taught for few years.
He has published a number of articles in India and abroad on Corporate Finance and Capital Markets. He has also published extensively about the role of unincorporated sector in the Indian economy.
He is a National Fellow of ICSSR, member of the Advisory Committee on Secondary
Markets & Risk Management of the Security Exchange Board of India,
Member of the Standing Advisory Committee on Data Base of the Indian economy of the RBI and is the President of the Asia Pacific Risk and Insurance Association.
Professor Vaidyanathan is also the trustee of the Global Foundation for Civilizational Harmony, Delhi.
The aim of the foundation is to bring together thinkers and leaders to share ideas and find solutions for today's deepest concerns for civilizational harmony (vaidya@iimb.ernet.in)
Ingenious young Chartered Accountant M.R.Venkatesh will also address on the same topic during the Lecture Meeting.
MRV passed Chartered Accountancy in 1992 with an all India Ranking and has been in active practice since 1993. He is also a commentator on International Trade/Economic Affairs and a regular contributor to the prestigious publications in India. M R Venkatesh has also authored a detailed report on the farm sector in India in the context of ongoing Doha Round of negotiations and the aegis of WTO.
In 2007, his remarkable book 'Global Imbalances and the impending Dollar crisis' was released in Chennai.
He is a visiting faculty in various professional institutions, Chambers of Commerce and Universities (mrv@mrv.net.in)
The estimated money deposited in tax havens is $1500 Billion (Rs.100000 crore) which has been stashed away by corrupt officials and politicians of our country.
If this money is brought back to India, the entire foreign debt can be repaid in 24 hours. After paying the entire foreign debt, we will have surplus amount, almost 12 times larger than the foreign debt. If this surplus amount is invested in earning interest, the amount of interest will be more than the annual budget of the Central government. So even if all the taxes are abolished, then also the Central government will be able to maintain the country very comfortably.
Please sign it and forward it to all your friends.
We have to do it to create public awareness and
to put pressure on the Indian Government.
*****
Read the following news reports on how the other governments are acting on this issue.
First U.S. citizen arrested in UBS tax evasion case
A wealthy client of UBS AG became the first U.S. citizento be arrested for tax evasion stemming from an investigation into secret offshore accounts at the Zurich, Switzerland, bank.
Michael Steven Rubinstein, a 55-year old yacht company accountant, was charged with one criminal count of filing a false and fraudulent tax return in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
According to court papers, Mr. Rubinstein deposited more than $2 million in Kruggerand gold coins into his UBS accounts and bought securities worth more than 4.5 million Swiss francs through the accounts from 2001 to 2008.
UBSis under criminal investigation for helping U. S. citizens hide nearly $20 billion and evade taxes through secret offshore accounts that went unreported to the Internal Revenue Service.
In February UBS admitted to conspiracy to defraud the IRS and paid $780 million to settle the charges.
Federal prosecutors say Mr. Rubinstein is the first U.S. citizen to be criminally charged in the UBS case. Judge Barry Seltzer ordered Rubinstein held in jail until a hearing next date.
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The government will work harder to crack down on tax evasion, Vice Premier Paul Chiu said yesterday.
Chiu made the remarks during a tax forum held yesterday in Taipei.
According to Chiu, given the forces of globalization, many companies have set up operational points in different parts of the world.
However, Chiu said this gives way for tax evasion.
He said anti-tax evasion has become a global trend and was a topic during the G-20 Summit held recently between some of the world's most industrialized countries.
In his speech, Chiu cited some of the most common ways Taiwanese individuals or businesses evade taxes.
First, he said, individuals or businesses set up operational points in other countries and keep earnings or profits in those operational points.
Furthermore, some individuals take advantage of their dual citizenship status to evade taxes, as Taiwan gives different tax treatments for foreign residents.
Chiu said a Cabinet-level tax reform committee has approved a resolution listing anti-tax evasion as a target of mid- to long-term tax reform.
"This is a first step towards legalizing anti-tax evasion and related laws," Chiu said.
Liechtenstein is a favourite destination for German tax dodgers, but for how long?
After weeks of political wrangling, Germany's ruling coalition has reached agreement on a draft law to combat tax evasion. The revised draft law is to be presented to Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet on Wednesday.
Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck (SPD) and Economics Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) have resolved their differences after heated debate over several issues blocked passage of the proposed legislation.
Steinbrueck appears to have won this battle
The law makes it harder to illegally transfer money abroad. Steinbrueck's initial law proposal met with stiff opposition from SPD's conservative coalition partners.
Around 30 billion euros ($40 billion) are lost to Germany every year due to tax evasion and at least 10 times this amount has so far been illegally transferred abroad from Europe's largest economy, according to calculations by the DSTG tax union.
