In search of lost pride
By Gopal K Agarwal,
Why the politician feels free to disregard
Hindu sentiment
Years of subjugation and Hindu philosophy have created a mindset which does not react
to aggression or exploitation. There are circumstances that call for collective
wisdom to dictate action-when castes, creeds or religious communities must
revolt against any act on the part of an individual or institution causing hurt
to its pride or identity. I think the Hindus have lost this capability.
Every
politician and many institutions in the country are competing to hurt Hindu
sentiments in the race to appease other groups. This is being done with the
clear intent to gain in votebank politics. Who is to be blamed for this
shameful disregard to Hindu sentiment? Any community which cannot stand up
for its institutions or its symbols, or is a silent spectator to the ridicule
of its pride, must go down unsung in history. It is better for it to perish
than to lead this shameful existence.
Petty
politicians like Jayalalithaa have become bold enough to act in concert to
malign a 2500-year-old Hindu institution. This institution represents the
greatest philosopher and unifier of the country. Shri Adi Shankaracharya had a
clear vision to establish Shankar Mutts in the four corners of the country as
seats of knowledge, public service and national integration.
They
say nobody is above the law. Only fools buy this argument. In our country, not
only do criminals roam free but they also occupy seats of power. Else, how can
you explain persons like Shibu Soren occupy- ing high positions and Raja
Bharyya, who is a hardened criminal, be-coming a minister in the government?
Yet this argument is being used to arrest a respected personality without
proving his guilt and staging his trial by media through selective leaks.
In
the Mahabharata, it is said that public ridicule of any respected person is a
punishment worse than killing him. Yet what have so-called leaders done with
Shankaracharya ji? We are all mute spectators to this heinous crime.
The
law was bent in the Shah Bano case to appease one community. A religious leader
of the community was not taken to court because it may have created a difficult
law and or- der situation and the case against him was dropped. But then, those
were treasured vote banks.
It
is a good thing to be liberal in one's thoughts and deeds. Indeed,
"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) is a great
philosophy. But when this very philosophy becomes our weakness, then it is the
duty of every thinking and proud individual to set it aside and fight for his
rights and demolish those demons who are creating a divide and rule politics.
"Arise awake and stop not till the goal is reached thus spoke Swami
Vivekananda. He further said, "Say with pride that I am a Hindu".
The writer is a member of the BJP's Central Intellectual Cell.
