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BJP/RSS Are Truly Secular. Follow-up To Ms. Yvette Rosser.

> Namaste,
> 
>    I am a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin.  I am
> doing a research project of the personal philosophy behind the rise of
> what is often called Hindu Nationalism or Hindu Fundamentalism.
> 
>    I am interviewing several Hindustanis here in Austin you are big
> supporters of BJP, Hinduttva, etc.  I am interested in their philosophical
> outlook concerning Hindu Nationalism.  I hesitate to call it Hindu
> Fundamentalism, for obvious reasons.


Hi Ms. Yvette,

It is heartening to note that you would like to research this topic. Much
as I consider myself a novice, or a beginner in the matters of religon, I
definitely would liek to take this opportunity to discuss these issues at
length with you.

At first outset, I would agree with you characterization of the BJP's own
Hindutva platform as Hindu Nationalism. I would also call it by another &
more encompassing term as Hindu Revivalism.


> 
>    When speaking with one of my informants, I asked him if this new type
> of Hinduism wasn't a form of "Semiticization of Hinduism."  He responded
> that it is better to co-opt a little bit and survive than to die a

I think, by Semiticization, you probably mean that Hindus tend to follow,
rather orthodox and ritualistic beliefs. Well, there are many who do, and
many more who do not.

Hinduism is based on the philosophy, that a person should seek out his/her
own means of getting at the truth. Any and all ways can be used to seek at
the truth that a person desires.


> glorious death.  He also said that the Semiticization paradigm was false.
> "There are plenty of models within Hindu scriptures (i.e. Maha Bharata,
> etc.) that extol direct action.  Ahimsa is not the only path.  Dharm Yudh
> is also part of Hinduism."


There are believed to be 3 types of attainment of the Supreme Being,  that
is the method of attaining enlightenment. One is teh part of Direct Action
enables us to perform Our Duties, in the chosen vocation, and life without
concerning ourselves about the fruits that we  should obtain,  as a result
of our actions. Our right is to the performance of Action alone and not to
the fruits of the action. The other method is using the Method of Devotion
which enables us to always strive to do good, and to inflict harm upon our
own self too, in the pursuit of the truth. This method involves the method
of praying concentrating on God, and trying to perform all good deeds, and
always striving to go on the right path. The third method is using the one
of Knowledge of the Supreme Being, and his words, and scripture. This is a
state achieved only by the most minutest of people who are really Prophets
or Saints. The 3 methods are called Karmayoga, Sankhayoga and Jnanayoga.


>       I was concerned that Ram, the favorite deity of my beloved Guru,
> Neem Karoli Baba, was being used as a source rallying Hindus to violence
> and communalism:  the "Raam Naam Uber Alles" syndrome.  I did notice when
> I was in India a few years ago that there were Hanuman Temples springing
> up eveyrwhere.  Hanuman has definitely become a favorite in North India.


Well, those whipping up a fervour in the name of God, whether in Rama's or
in Krishna's name is doing something wrong. Hinduism has always stressed a
benevolent view, even towards one's enemies.  Hindus are basically never a
communal community and will always strive to protect people from the other
faiths. 

As for Hanuman, he was always a popular deity, and that was because of his
devotion to his duty towards Rama and his philosophy of always striving to
do the good thing. He' s also a consummate learner and practioner of Bhakti
which endears him to all of Rama's devotees.


> Naturally, he always was popular, "jai Bajarangi!"  but, is his popularity
> due in part to his role as the standard bearer,the victorious messenger of
> Ram? This is particularly relevant since there are temples going up
> everywhere to Him!  Of course, I love Hanuman (Sankata Mochana/ Kripa
> Nirdan) and it is a pleasure to see Him honored, however, I am wondering
> if this proliferation of Hanuman Mandirs is not some how related to the
> Ramjanam Bhumi/BJP situation.  Do you think this rapid rise of Hanuman's


No it is not. Since he is also a God, whom people pray for strength, and to
get rid of all obstacles in the conduct of one's life, Sanaka Vimochan,  as
you so aptly put it, he is popular. Also, because of his great strength and
wrestling abilities, he is teh Patron Deity of all wrestlers in India.


> popularity is an expression of "right-wing" Hinduism.  This questoin about
> Hanuman is a bit off the exact topic that I wish to address but it is an
> interesting aside.
> 
>      One of the most intriguing concepts is the idea about the
> "Semiticization of Hinduism." 1000 years of Islam, 300+ years of Christian
> missionaries, 100+ years of western style modernity/modernism,
> secular-democratic government, these variables have definitely placed
> their mark on Hinduism's outward expressions.  How has Hinduism,  which is
> renowned for its resiliency, responded to these pressures?  How has it
> changed through the centuries in order to adapt and survive?  Is Hindu
> Nationalism the logical outgrowth?  What do you think about the usurping
> of Ram Nam for political purposes?


As i mentioned earlier, I would not term the present movement as a Hindu
Nationalistic Movement, but as a Hindu Revivalist Movement. Hinduism has
survived through the ages, by means of its liberal traditions and by its
power of assimilation of everything that was good in all other walks  of
life. Hinduism draws its innate strength from allowing the people to  be
in charge of the choices they make, and it provides a framewrok or guide
lines to do what is right, and what is the correct path. It does not try
to impose a dictum on people,  and neither does it try to ex-communicate
people who do not follow the guide-lines.


> Can anyone suggest some articles on this broad topic?  If so, can you send
> them to me via email
>                      y.r.rani@mail.utexas.edu
> 
> 
>      As a long-time Indo-phile and traveller in India, I can understand
> the rage of some Hindus.  So many temples were destroyed by Muslims and
> the mark of their destruction is written everywhere they went.  From
> Lumbini to Bodh Gaya to Nalanda to Benares to Mathura to Udaipur, all the
> Pujaris and Chowkidars will tell you why the statues have no arms and no
> faces- "Mussalmanon."  The resentment is deep and has been for centuries.
> But, why suddenly, after so many decades of democratic cohabitation, has
> this mass political movement against Muslims arisen with such coordinated
> force?  I realize that there was the RSS early on in the nationalist
> picture and that there has long been communal violence but it seems more
> focused and political now.   I am planning to read several books given to
> me by my informant.  Two books by Conrad Elst-  "Negation in India-
> Concealing the Record of Islam" and "Ayodhya and After- Issues Before
> Hindu Society."  I also have a book by M. Anwar Khan, "The Charlatans of
> the Two Nations Theory."


Well you have to consider one thing. Throughout the period that Islam was
invading India, they always found the Hindus a culture, that was benign &
that was resilient due to its own strength of beliefs and methods. Islam,
and its proponents found it difficult to  understand the survival of this
culture. As is well-known, Hinduism flourished,  because of its spiritual 
basis, whereas Islam never had a spritual basis, it was couched in dogma,
and dictat. Hence the perennial attempt by Islam's proponents to destroy 
Hindu symbols, and their consistent failure to do so. The RSS, was not a
vehicle to destroy Islma in India, but was, and still is an Organization
that has taken the massive responsibility to revitalize Hinduism, and in
turn revitalize India. Hinduism sufferred  enormously during the  bygone
era, from the twin evils of casteism, and foreign invasion.  While one's
been taken care of, the other malady that is far deep and more painful's
is much more difficult to get rid of. 



>     Most of the work that has been done by scholars on Ayodhya and the
> BJP, etc. has been of the politically correct, secular school.  I want to
> use my informants to speak with the voice  of the Hindu Nationalists.  I
> don't even know if Hindu Nationalist is the right term.  I guess it
> depends on your perspective.  I am depending (in part) on the Hindus who
> read the posts on this newswatcher list to respond to this query and
> please give me your opinions and feed back.  Certainly I know that the
> majority of Hindus are not members of the BJP, but I think even some of
> the more moderate and Nehru style "secular" Hindus have some opinions
> about the whole matter and have been influenced by the nationalist
> rhetoric.


The problem in India has been that over the years, Secularism has come to 
mean anti-Hinduism. That's the philosophy that the BJP is trying to bring
a change about. For too long has there been a pandering to elements, that
opposed India, Indians and Hinduism.  Since Hinduism is an essential part
of the Indian psyche, and has been its most enduring aspect,  the BJP has
been trying to revive the essence of it.

In India, all this while, if any person wished to be called secular,  all
that he/she had to do was to criticize Hinduism, Hindus and also India if
necessary. Just because Hindus are a forgiving people, does not mean that
unwarranted criticism, and denial  of rights to Hindus become a necessary
ingredients of Indian polity. Let me give you an example. While Muslims &
Sikhs are allowed to organize themselves politically, to fight for rights
of their respective communities, Hindus, were not allowed to do so. Also,
while Hindus are required to follow the Common Civil Code in India,  with
respect to Marriage, and other matters of personal life, Muslims are  not
required to do so. The BJP is trying to remedy this anomaly of modern-day
Indian Law.


> 
>      I sincerely look forward to hearing from those of you who may be
> interested in sharing your insights and opinions and thereby helping me
> draw an ethnographic type picture of the feelings of Hindus on this very
> touchy subject.
> 
> Sasneha,
> 
> Yvette C. Rosser
> 


Yours Sincerely,
Regards,
Vivek.
-- 
vprabhu@dcsd.sj.nec.com (Vivek R. Prabhu) - Systems Integration Engineer,
NEC America Inc. - Data Communications & Systems Division, San Jose, CA 95134.
Dr.BonD - The Flexible Dial-Up Router Solution To Internetwork Diverse Sites.   
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~vivek 
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