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Re: BRIDE BURNING IN INDIA: A SHAME FOR HINDUISM: ACT NOW
Partha,
Overall, I agree with your article - however I feel that you
could have made your point without the anti-Hindu slant.
You could have talked about the dowry problem without
bringing in Hinduism, Brahmins, Hindu fundamentalist party etc.
Bride burning in the Indian subcontinent (i.e., India, Pakistan,
Bangla Desh, etc.) transcends religion, caste and language. It is prevalent
in Islamic Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is prevalent among all castes and
languages.
The phenomenon is in no way tied to Hinduism, Islam, or any other
religion, nor is it associated with a particular caste.
It is not accurate to say that Pakistan and Bangladesh were
"traditionally dowry free". Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are culturally
Indian and dowry has always been a part of "their" culture as much as
"ours".
Your references to "conservative and chauvinistic Hindu heartland",
"Hindu fundamentalist party", etc. are regretable. Was your intention
to create (in the minds of the reader) a link between Hinduism, BJP,
Brahmins, and the dowry system? Bihar and UP are some of poorest states
in India with very low literacy rates. Hence it is not surprizing
that dowry deaths are more prevalent in that part of the country.
Also, when the abuse accurs among the well-off it is more
likely to come to light. Hence it is not surprizing if statistics
show that the problem is more prevalent in the upper caste
affluent community.
In Maharashtra and Gujarat, people have voted for BJP (which is
probably a fundamentalist Hindu party in your opinion). Yet the
dowry problem in these two states is not as severe as it is
in UP, where people have voted for a socialist party dominated by
lower caste people.
To summarize, dowry problem is a serious social problem in the Indian
sub-continent and it has nothing to do with anybody's caste
or religion or what party they vote for. Neither the Hindu
scriptures, nor the BJP charter support bride burning. The problem
is prevalent in the Hindu as well as Muslim communities in the
Indian subcontinent.
As a matter of fact your article was perfectly suitable for
soc.culture.indian but not for soc.religion.hindu. soc.religion.hindu
is meant for discussing the Sanatana Dharma. So unless you are
implying that bride burning is sanctioned by the Vedas, Upanishads,
and the Bhagawad Gita, please post followups to soc.culture.indian.
Suyog
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