Hindu Culture Vs Secularism

Jai Bharat Mata ! … Jai Hindu Rashtra !

I just read a rather interesting article in a blog which says that “India that is not secular does not deserve to exist” … which is a reproduction of the thoughts of Politician Mr. Mani Shanker Iyer in his book “Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist”.

And what made me sit up and notice … was these two words “Secular Fundamentalist”. After all, they are also “Fundamentalists” is it ?

Till now, I thought that Secular Elements in this country have “no particular ideology” and … “Secular People are like opportunists … who have no fixed principles in life … they go after “short-term gains / profits” … and when they find no more gains/profits in a particular venture … they hop to another greener pasture”.

When i learned about the “Fundamentalism of a Secularist” which came from the pen of the most famous “secularist” in the Indian Political Scenario, Mani Shankar Iyer … i certainly have to change my views about Secularists in India … afterall, they also have some “princples” that they follow … which is “Secular Fundamentalism” as Mr.Iyer called … afterall they are also “Fundamentalists” who can go to any length to preserve their “Secular Credentials” ! … which I call as “Hardcore Secularism”.

For me … Secular Fundamentalism is the same as Hardcore Secularism … they are people who puff out their chests about being secular … they take pride in calling and “Shouting” themselves as “secular” … they feel great “joy and kick” in their hearts when people from other countries give them some complements about ” their secular character” … they think that the word “Secular” as understood in India, is completely different from the place of its origin … and lastly, they use this term “Secular” to their “political advantage”, win elections, and use the power of seat to make more money for themselves and their families, and the corruption in the system still remain as it is ! … (i am not saying that Honorable Mr.Iyer is a corrupt person, i am just raising fingers at corrupt politicians at large).

I understand that what Mr. Iyer wants to convey by the term Secular is that “Respect to all religions, cultures, peculiar demographical identities”, which is ok with me ! … But unfortunately, you cannot change the basic meaning of the word “Secular” which is “not believing in any ideology or principle”.

So, i guess, the “secularists” have to clearly identify themselves as to what they actually are ! … if you are a believer, then you cannot be secular … if you are not a Believer, then you are secular.

The fact that you call yourself “secular” means that you are “not a believer” … then whats the point in “worrying about other religions” in the country ? … why force your “non-believer views on believers” … and that too on Hindus,  who form 85% majority in this country ?

The title of the blostpost mentioned in the starting, “India that is not secular does not deserve to survive” is quite hilarious … dont you know that the Hindu Culture itself has many diversities … Hindus just “Accept” those diversities in their culture and other religions … its the Humaneness of Hindu Culture which has its roots in “Sanatana Dharma”, which treats all living beings on an equal platform, hence naturally all religions are equal as per Hinduism … in the same way, its this “acceptance of diversities” by the people of this “Hindu Rashtra”, that has made this place a heaven for other cultures to successfully integrate in its fold.

Unlike the “Secular Fundamentalists” who raise their collars in pride of “respecting different cultures” … which is typically “materialism” that the Secularists are fond of ! … its not in Hindu Culture to take “Pride” in “accepting other cultures” … Hindu Culture is “respecting other cultures without a question asked” … its not Raising the heads with pride “by giving them respect and doing a favour to other cultures , like Seculars do” … Hindu Culture is “Bowing to other cultures and accepting them with open arms” !

There is certainly difference between Secular Fundamentalists and Hindu Nationalists. I would say, Hindu Nationalists are the best and the Secular Fundamentalists are at the bottom ! … and in this connection, i would consider muslims who respect other cultures as Hindu Nationalists !

Without “Hindu Culture” … there would be no future for India … and no future for the world !

The name of Mahatma Gandhi, which you “Hardcore Secularists” take quite often on your lips … was a “Great Soul” or a “Mahatma” and a devotee of Lord Rama ! … and the word “Mahatma” comes from/given to people who are well versed with “Hindu Culture” … and you think Hindu Culture is harmful for India !

Dont you know that the practice in ancient days  was to treat all people  who have different identities, with equal respect and dignity ? … and the thread that binds all the hindus and their culture is the Bhagawad Gita … But as time passed on, surely there have been some handful of people who have brought a bad name on this “Hindu Culture” … but as the followers of Hinduism, we have bring back the “Glory days of Hindu Rashtra” … therein lies our future.

Perhaps, the “fear” of Secular Fundamentalists that Hindu Nationalism means the end of cultures other than Hindu Culture, stems from some of the tragic events that have unfolded in India, some being done by some Hindu Groups, which is completely understandable.

But, as an ideology “hindu nationalism” or “hindu rashtra” is the way ahead for a prosperous India. And there is just no alternative to it. Whether the “Secular Fundamentalists” like it or not !

Seeing the way some of the “Secular Fundamentalists” keep on shouting and taking pride of their being “Secular-in-nature” … I feel in the long run, Secularism is the real danger for the Country … and not Hindu Culture/Nationalism, which is its salvation !

Vamsi.