They say, spirituality and philosophical thoughts are the hallmarks of Eastern cultures. Unfortunately, these very philosophical and spiritual thoughts and the thinkers who think these thoughts are not so spiritual or philosophical. Swami Vivekananda was a great Indian Swami who was well received abroad and in his own home country.
He suggested that India as a nation must survive and the country belonged to the majority. He reiterated that every community that had invaded India in the past or invades India would have to face the majorities. One can’t be sure about what he actually meant but people always misinterpret words of charismatic individuals.
However, the charismatic leader that he was, he did gain a huge fan following and good or bad, people have continued to dislike minorities. It is in the best interest of the nation to stop arguing if religious leaders are sinners or saints, and instead work towards the construction of a more secular nation.
Here is an article that describes what the Swami was like. He apparently did not instigate anyone, but people might have misunderstood his words. So, it is better to take a middle path.
Posted by Carlos on May 18, 2009 in Critic · 6 Comments
I see nothing but hatred in what you wrote
I don’t think anyone would need a great orator like Vivekananda to get convinced that muslims were invaders. Who were they?. How did they come to India? As saints? Did they come on fair trade?. Who were Gajini’s, Ghori’s?. Please don’t tell me that they were priests and peace lovers.
On the other hand, Hindus are not conducting genocides. If you see anything of such kind, it was only a reaction. It’s India where you can see the minorities flourishing. It’s only in India where Kalams, Sharukh Khans, Pathans etc., are worshipped…. Show me a similar place in the world where minorities are allowed to reach those levels.
Ah moderation.. Some idiot can put down anything he would like and I am sure only the positive responses would be moderated.
Jaggie, on the other hand I see exactly where you are coming from and it is because of such attitudes towards minorities that the genocides in Gujarat, Violence against Christians in Orissa and Karnatak keep happening and victims receive no justice whatsoever.
You have mentioned a few successful minorities’ names but please do not forget the thousands of minorities still languishing for justice because of forced evictions, rapes and murders. If you call these genocides, rapes, murders and other forms of violence against the minorities to be a “reaction” as you put it, I see a medieval mindset that prevails in you.
“Show me a similar place in the world where minorities are allowed to reach those levels.”
NO ONE NEEDS TO BE “ALLOWED” TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THIS COUNTRY. EVERY ONE HAS A BIRTH RIGHT TO ACHIEVE WHAT THEY WANT AND THE MAJORITY HAS NO REASON TO FEEL MAGNANIMOUS ABOUT THESE PEOPLE’S SUCCESSES.
Well, your comments certainly could have been deleted for using disrespectful language but nevertheless it has been approved as your words only support what I have written – YOUR HATRED towards minorities and where YOU are coming from.
I thank some invincible god somewhere that this article wasn’t about ‘mahatma’ Gandhi. Imagine what would happen if you wrote about how Gandhi kicked out his wife into the rain when she was pregnant, or how he had teenagers sleep nude next to him. Oops! What am I saying, insulting the Father of the nation! I should be slayed for my dirty words. And you should be, too, Jaiyant, for what you’ve written about Vivekananda. I think Jaggie should have the honours..
Shruti, this article is not about Mahatma Gandhi, and neither do I have personal against any religion or religious leaders. I am just worried about the state of affairs where the minorities are targets of hate and violence. You need not be slain for voicing your opinion, nor should I or anyone else be for it is a free country. In the end, I just ask, “Why can’t we all just get along” without hating anyone. I don’t know if you are being sarcastic or you mean the violence that is seen in your comment. I would be happy if it is just sarcasm.
Jaiyant, it was Vivekanada who preached universal brotherhood and harmony of religions. It was because of broad-mindedness of such spiritual souls that they are able to even accept other religions as true. Unlike sematic religions which cannot even tolerate other religions. In India, even the most fundamental Hindu (if at all such a person exists), accepts Islam is a path or obtaining Moksha, but even the most learned Mohammedean scholar believes that Hindus are misguided idiots who require the mercy of Allah without which they cannot survive. Look at the differences in attitude! I pity you, I feel that you will certainly change your views if you attempt to read what Vivekanada taught for humanity.