Once again, Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Chief, ignited the controversy over Hindutva by saying Hindutva is India’s identity. A massive outrage broke on social network, between many seculars and Hindutva supporting groups which landed into war of words. Bhagwat said Hindutva has the capacity to ‘swallow’ other identities. This statement came within few days after he asked why all Hindustanis (Indians) should not be referred to as “Hindus”. By hearing at his random statements, one can conclude that Modi’s development is just a camouflage. Many have pointed and raised doubt on his development during the election campaigning and now all this is giving us proof. Modi has spoken once in three months i.e. his Independence Day speech, however, his old colleagues are damaging India’s secular structure continuously. RSS, VHP and some more Hindu organisations are taking benefit of ‘Free Speech’ and creating rift between communities in the country and harming the peace of the nation. They are threat to the nation. What action will Modi take on them now?
We have heard enough of his speech. Why not let Hinduism stand on its merits? There are millions of Dalits and low caste Hindus in India, whose living conditions are little better than slaves, who would joyfully escape, but the upper castes and others act like prison guards. Modi’s call for peaceful coexistence has fallen on deaf ears? Tagodia wants the Muslims and Christians to reconvert to Hinduism and Madhavan Nair agrees with him. For the last one year, we did not hear much from RSS or any other Hindu leaders. Now, every now and then, we are hearing their hate speech and this is injecting hatred inside the heart of others and which lead to riots. These leaders will destroy our plans to make India rich and prosperous.
Many extremists’ ideologies have already tried to destroy India’s indigenous cultures and religions. However, it is time to revive and be proud of India’s Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh cultures and religions. India is a tolerant, progressive and forward-looking country. India has to grasp and keep its ancient cultures alive. Constitution has declared our Nation as SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLIC and not as a Hindu / Muslim / Christian / Sikh / Jain / Buddhist nation. This matter is beyond comprehension or amendable by Mohan Bhagwat or RSS or any other entity. People of Hindustan are Hindustanis. Hindu is a religious construct and not geographical construct. The entire world recognises Indians as Hindus therefore India is a Hindu state. This is a very simple thing, if inhabitants of England are English, those of Germany are Germans and USA are Americans, all those who live in Hindustan are known as Hindus. May be Bhagwat was trying to indicate the ancestry. Many then Hindus had converted to various other religions. However, their heritage remains with Hindu dharma. The cultural identity of all Indians is Hindutva and the present population of the country is the offspring of this great culture. There was no reason, but the comment has been widely condemned, with several parties reminding that the Constitution used the name “Bharat” for India, not “Hindustan”. However, when the constitution says India it means Bharat. We might call it Hindustan but it is Bharat. Earlier, I thought whatever Bhagwat said was purely a common statement; he wanted to specify two things- that the people living in this country are known as Hindus and the victory to BJP is credited to its voter. But now, too much insistence on Hindutva is giving a wrong indication.
By hammering Hindutva and creating hate among people, you are scaring India, but India will not submit to your scaring. Bhagwat keeps saying these things because he is too weak to accept the greatness of India, which is much apart from the Hindutva, He is trying to publicise the Indian psyche. He says destruction of the Babri Masjid was the defining moment for Hindus but he has no guts to accept that millions of Aryan Hindus owe their genes to Babur’s forefathers from whose lands they had come. Bhagwat, identity cannot be sustained by linking it with faith, but identity can be best sustained and illuminated by embracing one’s genes for what they are. The Chinese are able to project a distinct identity not by heralding virtues of Confucianism but by embracing their genes. It would be hopelessly futile on our part to hide or pretend our genes are not what they are. Our genes are more common to those of Babur’s, except the genes of the Dravidians who are the true natives. If Hindutva means Indianness and encompasses ‘Hindu’, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh cultural traditions, please define a new name for the religious group which we currently call ‘Hindus’ so that confusion can be avoided. Whenever issue of the rights of majority community is raised by its leaders, a big hue and cry is made in the media that majority community is in danger. For thousands of years, so many communities lived in this great country with love for each other and respecting the religious sentiments of all. Then why this fear now? If a temple is constructed, it is not to show their supremacy against another religion, so also in the case of a monastery or mosque or a church. If all respect their religion and not interfere with the rights of others, whether minority or majority, there will be peace. Media has a responsibility to create an atmosphere of cordiality rather than fanning communal passion in the society. This country needs peace. Please give a chance to peace and prosperity in this country.
