Hindu Fundamentalism is Good for Bharat and the World

An attempt has been made since 2008, when the term ‘Hindu Terror’ and ‘Saffron Terror’ was coined, to normalize ‘Islamist Terror’. This was done while it was already being drummed into our ears that ‘terror has no religion’. On the other hand, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been routinely termed as a “Hindu fundamentalist, militant, organization” while the ruling party BJP is described as “Hindu nationalist party.” To lull us into sounding politically correct and feel good, we are told – “all kinds of fundamentalism is bad.”

In the wake of new and sudden Hijab controversy, we are made to believe that many of the fundamental ideas of Islam, though regressive, are good and are a matter of ‘choice’ but in the same breath they are presented as ‘essential’ or mandatory; that if not adhered to, turn you into a munafiq – a lesser Muslim, to put it mildly. Attempt is being made to elevate and celebrate the ideas that discriminate against certain sections of society. For example, women and ‘non-believers’ or kafirs. At the same time, nearly every ritual or tradition of Hindu religions is used to demonize Hindus. Hindu dharma is viewed in a very shallow manner through western and Abrahamic lens.

Hindu Fundamentalism is Good for Bharat and the World

Here, I build a case that fundamental ideas of Hindu dharma are actually good for the nation and the world. Hence, being a fundamentalist Hindu is a good idea. For the sake of present arguments, Sanatan dharma, now referred to as Hindu dharma due to various historic reasons, encompasses various faiths born out of Indic roots like Jaina, Bouddha, Sikhi, and hundreds of sects that grew out of traditional Vedic traditions and have prospered as independent faiths.

Pluralism

The foundational idea of Hindu dharma is “Ekam sat, vipra bahuda vadanti”. Truth is one but wise ones describe it variously. Pluralism is inherent in Hindu philosophy. This is the reason Bharat is a republic of faiths. This is why democracy is a natural way of life for Bharat. “My faith is true and so is yours.” It is not “only my path”, it is “your path too.” Even an ‘atheist’ scholar like Charvaak is honored as ‘rishi’. This approach creates an environment of mutual respect. For Abrahamic religions, “Mine is the only truth”, all other beliefs are ‘false’.

The essence of Hindu dharma or Hindutva is ‘inclusiveness’, while Abrahamic religions are ‘exclusivist’ where there is no place for different or ‘deviant’ views. This mindset has led to many wars, and is still dominant cause of conflicts in major parts of the world.

Abrahamic religions have One Book, while Hindu dharma does not have one authorized scripture that must be obeyed by all the followers. One can follow any book to seek ‘moksha’ or attain it by self-realization.

Freedom of choice

Rajiv Malhotra, a public intellectual, notes that in the case of Abrahamic religions if you do not believe in the prophet or the son of God and stories around them, there is no salvation for you. It is a pre-condition for liberation.
I may not believe in the historicity of Bhagwan Krishna or Ram, but I can still follow high values of life from Geeta and Ramayana and make my life meaningful.

Hindus can believe in ‘niraakaar’ or ‘saakaar’ (having a body or shape which can be seen), ‘nirgun’ or ‘sagun’ (properties less or having properties). Eeshwar or God can be He, She or It, not just He. People following Indic faiths create the image of Eeshwar as per their own intellectual inclination. While Abrahamic scriptures say, “God created man in his/her own image”. Hindu can say, “Tat twam asi” (You are supreme being) or “Aham Brahmasmi” (I am the supreme being), or “Khalvidam sarvam” (All this is Brahman or Supreme Being). He/she can see and call God as “Mother, Father, Brother or Friend.” There are no ‘false’ gods, there is a freedom of choice. Hindus can be as comfortable with Jesus Christ as they are with Krishna. A Sanatani loves God, unlike other faiths who are “God fearing”.

Place of women in the society

There is no debate in Sanatan dharma about women being secondary to men, later distortions notwithstanding. Vedas have ‘richas’ or mantras by rishikas (women rishis), which is 6000 years back. We have seen Ubhaya Bharati having a shastraarth with Adi Shankaracharya when her husband Mandan Mishra loses the debate.

Sati was an exception, not a rule. Or Ahilyabai Holkar, Rani of Jhansi, or Rani Tarabai, and many like them wouldn’t have led their kingdoms. Our brave queens were fighting invaders when Christianity was still debating whether a woman has a soul or not till the 15th century or so. The church was burning women at the stakes accusing them of being witches. In Islam, a woman’s witness has half the value of a man, just one example. The Prophet may have improved a lot of women from what their condition was in Arabic tribal culture, but it is not enough in today’s period. But, their dominant scholars refuse to move ahead from the 7th century.

Dharma and Religion are not Static; Harmony not Conflict

Sanatan dharma has thrived with rise of new philosophies and Hindu society has allowed them to prosper without any problem. India has hardly seen no war or bloodshed in the name of faith. We believe in mutual respect and have no intolerance for other faiths. No scientists or scholars were hanged or persecuted in Bharat.

Abrahamic thought are static and does not brook deviations. While Christianity has seen some reformist movements resulting in new Churches being formed, there is strong animosity between them. They don’t visit each others’ churches. In Islam, various sects have arisen but they have been put down with a heavy hand by the dominant sect of that region. Various sects in Abrahamic world are always at war with each other and ‘others’ or non-believers. Jews, who are forerunners of Christianism and Islamism and whose sacred book ‘Torah’ has highly influenced other two books, are treated as enemies.

In Abrahamic belief systems an ‘atheist’, ‘heretic’ or ‘apostate’ or person committing ‘blasphemy’ is to be prosecuted. There is no word for ‘apostate’ nor ‘blasphemy’ etc. in Hindu dharma.

Inclusive, non-proselytizing

Followers of Hindu dharma have never gone out aggressively or attacked any society to spread their religion. Their spread has been through the propagation of their ideas and acceptance by the local populace. China and whole of South East Asia are living proof of this pacifist approach of Hindu tradition-based religions. Utilizing debates (shastraarth) rather than sword by Adi Shankaracharya to win over Buddhist scholars is classic example. Hindus had colonies outside Bharat, but they must be rare colonialists who are remembered with affection, not hate unlike European colonialists.

Abrahamic religions believe that theirs is the only true path and all other ‘non-believers’ would land up in hell for not following the prophet and his religion. Hence, it becomes their duty to convert others to save them from ‘hell’. Therefore, it is their duty to aggressively follow the directions coming from their prophets or holy books to convert the ‘non-believers’ to ‘save’ them, to earn goodwill of their ‘God’ and a place in ‘heaven’ leading to trail of destruction for imposing this supremacist idea. Even Jews don’t believe in conversion.

Hindus have given shelter to persecuted people who escaped proselytization from across the world - right from Syrian Christians, Jews to Parsis since hundreds of years. The exodus we have seen in recent times during the Partition and of Kashmiri Hindus were both a result of rise of intolerant Islam.

Some critics cite Sufism as syncretic and comparatively secular, but forget that Sufism had overwhelming Hindu influence. They basically proselytizers by other means. Sufis have been considered deviants by dominant Islamic schools. Music, like many other elevated joys of life, is haram in Islam. For all Indic religions, music is another divine path to God.

Karma, Re-incarnation

All Dharma based faiths believe in the philosophy of karma, reincarnation. Dharmic faiths believe that their karma decides the results they face in this life or later births. They can change their fate by doing better Karma. Abrahamic religion surrenders to all the problems in life to “Will of God”, “Allah ki marzi”. There is no rationale.

Respect for mother nature

All Indic faiths worship nature as a form of ‘Supreme Being’. Principle of ‘ahimsa’ is born out of this respect for all living beings and nature. From these thoughts flow the teachings of Hindu traditions to preserve nature. Farmers worship mother earth before putting his plough on her, an artisan worships his tools, a Hindu does ‘bhumi puja’ (worshipping the land) before he digs it to make a house. A Hindu doesn’t worship nature as a superstition, he/she worships nature as he/she envisions divinity in it, because without its support one cannot survive.

For a Hindu, he or she is part of an integrated universe. Love for environment and its preservation is inherent in Hindu tradition. Abrahamic religions believe that their ‘God’ has given them right to enjoy ‘earth’ to fulfill their desires as it is a gift. Today’s idea of environmental protection is born out of compulsion in West as it faces dire consequences of pillage of the planet for its unrestrained growth and self-aggrandizement, much different from the Sanatan philosophy of “ten tyatken bhunjitha” – hoarding beyond requirement is considered bad.

Wellbeing of All

“Sarve bhavantu sukhinah” – Let all be happy comes as an emotion for the wellbeing of all in the world. Shanti mantra talks not just of ‘dwipada’ – two legged human beings, but also ‘chatushpada’ – four legged animals, all living creatures and plants. This is how spirit of ‘Vasudhaiv kutumbakam’ is created. Hindus or Sanatanis do not seek wellbeing of only their followers.

Hindu fundamentalism or Hinduness is good for Bharat and the World

A human being is born into a religion and he/she has every right to practice that religion or change on his/her free will. At the same time, none has the right to impose one’s belief system on others.

I, therefore, submit that for the good of our nation and the world, Hindu or Sanatan way of life is the ideal way towards peace and prosperity. Respect for nature and space for all belief systems can avert environmental disaster and conflicts. Therefore, being a Hindu fundamentalist is a noble ideal.