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Re: BRIDE BURNING IN INDIA: A SHAME FOR HINDUISM: ACT NOW
In article <45k5lh$j02@babbage.ece.uc.edu>,
<Suyog.Mahadeo.Bhobe@att.com> wrote:
>
>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.
>
---
You miss my point. The problem is intricately tied with Hinduism,
caste system in Hinduism, fundamentalism, conservatism, etc.
Therefore, talking about the problem without mentioning the roots is
meaningless.
---
>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.
---
No, you are wrong. The epicenter of the problem is the Hindu upper
caste in north India. Almost 70% of the incidents have occurred there
in the past 10 years when the situation has aggrevated so much. In
many other parts of India (e.g., Assam and the northeastern states,
southern states like Kerala, eastern states like West Bengal), the
problem is much less severe.
And if you know the marriage system among the muslims of Bangladesh
and Pakistan, you'd know that their oppression on women is for a
different reason and is not related to dowry (however deplorable that
situation is).
---
>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".
>
---
See above.
---
>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.
>
---
Talking about a religion in a utopian way bypassing the social and
political issues is again meaningless. We have been doing that for
ages. It has not solved our problems. So, let's talk about the other
important issues pertaining to Hinduism. Let's be futuristic.
Assam, for example, is one of the poorest states in India with a very
low literacy rate. Why doesn't it happen there? Poverty and illiteracy
has nothing to do with this horrendous problem. Contrary to your
assertion, the problem is much more prevalent among the more affluent
and "educated" Hindus.
---
>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.
>
---
Gujarat and Maharashtra have been witnessing a surge of the problem in
the recent years. Ask and find out. As far as UP, it is one of the
most conservative states in India and has been always ruled by the
conservative Congress party and recently by the BJP (which is again
ruling de facto with help from Mayawati's party). That's why we have
seen the Ayodhya issue to flare up in UP so much. We have many other
VERY HOLY HINDU places in India, e.g., Kamakshya in Assam or Meenakshi
Temple in Madurai. Why do think BJP selected Ayodhya to be their
platform? Because UP and the Hindu heartland in north India would
work! And it did work, didn't it?
That is also the same reason the Mandal issue created so much uproar
in these areas. Why? Because, the conservative upper-caste Hindus
would not part with their socio-political power.
---
>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.
>
---
Again, you are wrong. Check the facts. As far as seeking support from
the Hindu scriptures, read some history. The whole problem of Sutee
during the eighteenth and nineteenth century was based on Brahmin's
seeking support of Sutee in Hindu scriptures. Ram Mohun Ray fought the
battle citing evidence from older Hindu scriptures.
We need to talk about these historical events, how the Brahmins and
upper-caste Hindus misused Hinduism to keep in social and political
power. That would be the best way to study Hinduism. And this is
definitely a good forum for that.
---
>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.
>
---
See above. Any discussion of our religion is meaningless if we fail to
relate to our people and their situations. If you want to champion the
causes of Hinduism, then talk about its problems too. And don't hide
the facts. Face them.
---
-Partha
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