Hindutva is a philosophy for global integration: Dr. Krishna Gopal

Dignitaries on the dais releasing the book 'Hindutva is about Bharatiya Ekatmata and not Muslim Hatred' written by Dr. S. N. Pathan, former VC of Nagpur University at India Islamic Cultural Centre

New Delhi, May 18: Equating the philosophy of Hindutva with that of global integration RSS Sah-Sarkaryawah Dr. Krishna Gopal on Sunday said that this is the basic philosophy and soul of Bharat.

He was speaking as a keynote speaker at a book release function held at India Islamic Cultural Centre here on Sunday. The book was written by Dr. S. N. Pathan, former Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University, former Director of Technical Education Government of Maharashtra, and veteran educationist and writer in Hindi, Urdu, and Marathi. The auditorium was jam-packed with an audience drawn from various universities and colleges, religious leaders, and lay Muslims.

Dr. Gopal along with RSS National Executive Committee Member and Patron of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) Dr. Indresh Kumar launched the book in a company of Hindu and Muslim scholars. Later the book was distributed to the audience by Rahul Karad, Managing Trustee of MIT, Pune and they all joined in the book launch ceremony in a novel way.

Dr. Krishna Gopal further said that Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam is the fundamental underlining principle of Hindutva and it spreads the feeling of oneness all over. It is not globalization, he explained as globalization is guided by the principle of profit while Hindutva is guided by the principle of realization of oneness inherent in every being.

Dr. Krishna Gopal said that no saint or a tradition of Bharat has ever expressed the desire for the welfare of his followers only. Each one of them and all traditions talked of global welfare only as they all believed in the principle of the world as one family.

book Dr. S. N. Pathan, author speaking at the book release function

We can unite and integrate the entire world with this thought only, he said adding that this is the best solution to avoid conflict and contradictions. Bharat sees and experiences the presence of one divine principle that dwells in all of us and since time immemorial when there was no such word as Hindu. The world has experienced this feeling of the welfare of all beings initiated by Bharat during the Corona pandemic period, he added. We have not only provided food for the needy but also cared for the birds and animals during that period, he said.

The world is witness since the hoary past how this country gave shelter with a large heart to all those who came here seeking refuge and provided all facilities for them to profess and practice their religious traditions and ways of worship. He said that they might have different religious and political ideologies but we consider them as our own because they belong to this creation. He urged the audience to look at Hindutva from this large accommodative perspective. If we look at it through a narrow outlook and deny the presence of diversities there will be conflicts and contradictions, he warned.

Speaking on this occasion Dr. Indresh Kumar, senior RSS Pracharak, and Patron of MRM appealed to the people to show courage to stand for truth and right. He said Ravan was also a great scholar of his time but he was disrespected as ‘Satan’ or ‘Rakshasa’ due to his bad character and wrongdoings. Kamsa was the king of Mathura but the people of Mathura do not worship him. We must exhibit such courage today, he added.

Referring to invasions by Muslim invaders Indresh Kumar said that if someone captures your house and destroys it how can this be called democracy? Even if he belonged to our own religion we will fight to get our house back from his possession. We will fight generations together until we succeed. When will we understand this truth? How long will we keep people in the dark and far from the truth? Let us allow the truth to prevail. We all have a common DNA, it was the same in the past and will be so in the future too because all our ancestors are from Hindustan and it would be better for us to understand this reality as soon as possible.

He said that healthy discussion and debate are necessary to resolve any issue. Then only we can have peace and development.

Dr. S. N. Pathan explained the idea of his book and narrated his personal experiences that prompted him to understand the philosophy of Hindutva in its right perspective. He categorically stated that Hindutva was not against Muslims or Christians or any other minorities but it is the way forward to achieve social and national integration. He also touched on the issue of the Gyanwapi survey and supported the idea of having its survey done to resolve the issue.

book Dr. Krishna Gopal was welcomed with a floral bouquet and shawl

Rahul Karad, the Managing Trustee of MIT, Pune who was a special guest at the function, also expressed his views on social integration and peaceful coexistence and outlined the efforts of his institution in this direction.

MRM National Conveners Mohd. Afzal and Prof. Dr. Shahid Akhtar who is also a member of the National Commission for Minority Education Institutions, National Convener of Hindustan First Hindustani Best, and Chairman of Uttarakhand Madarsa Board Bilal-Ur-Rehman and Co-Convener Prof. Mehralam Alam Rizvi were prominently present on the dais. MRM National Convener Virag Pachpore conducted the proceedings of the programs.

Vice-Chancellors of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Tariq Mansur, VC of Jamia Hamdard University Afsar Alam, President of India Islamic Cultural Centre Sirajuddin Qureshi, former VC of Language University, Lucknow Maruf Mirza, Registrar of Kashmir University Prof. Zargar, Prof. Baharul Islam, Swami Sushir, Acting Chairperson of National Minority Commission Shahzadi, Bishop Amit Seth, former Chairman of Haj Committee Tanveer Ahmed, MRM National Conveners S K Muddin (Jabalpur, MP), Abu Bakar Naqvi, (Kota, Rajasthan), Reshma Hussain (Jaipur, Rajasthan), Islam Abbas, (Agra, UP), Irfan Ali Pirjade, (Mumbai, Maharashtra), Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti (Delhi), Dr. Tahir Hussain (Delhi), Regional Conveners, and Conveners of various Prakoshth were conspicuous by their presence. The auditorium was overcrowded by the audience drawn from intellectual Muslims coming from nearby places like Aligarh, Lucknow, Agra, Moradabad, etc.