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Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-23-2004
<span style='color:red'>Secularism as a Tool of Adharm</span>
by Satya Sarma
The basis of Bharat was the eternal dharm. I use the past tense deliberately, because in the short space of the last ten days, ironically on the day we Bharatiyas celebrate dharmâs victory over adharm, we awoke to the fact that this is no longer the case. How we got to this point, and how the path of secularism took us there is the story I want to tell here.
Let us begin then with the arrest of Kanchi Sri Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal: an arrest the police conducted without any definitive basis in fact being provided, beyond contradictory and vague rumors disseminated in the press.
Follow that up with the dispatch of police officers to the Kanchi Mutt, to the schools it runs and to the NGOs it funds, as well as the daily harassing and interrogations of its employees.
Next, examine the delays and hurdles erected by the state in its legal deliberations - a judicial hearing ruled upon in the absence of defense counsel, a simple bail hearing unresolved for over a week, the refusal to provide any consideration for the health of the Acharya or the observance of his mattâs traditions.
When it came to an old sanyasin who has concerned himself in this life with the welfare of our society and its dharm, the secular humanists could see no humanitarian grounds to spare this guru physical pain or. When it came to the observances of a 2,500-year old Bhaaratiya tradition, they could find no reason for religious impartiality.
Swamigal could rot in a cell for all they cared, be beaten and tortured by interrogators, if thatâs what it took. And if the Shiv puja could not be properly carried out, if the rituals that connect the bhakths to Bhagavan are disrupted, then why should proponents of religious freedom be concerned? If a sanyasinâs dharm must forcibly be forbidden him â so what? Do not, the libertarians cautioned, be prejudiced in favor of a defenseless old manâs liberty.
None of the human rights activists who keep their eyes peeled for even the faintest transgression against the practice of faith can spot religious persecution in India today. Such is their secularism.
âThe law is the lawâ, they shrug their shoulders to say. What law? Our secular laws are treacherous: full of loopholes for those who harm society, but stern to punish those who work for its benefit. Professional thieves, habitual murderers, rabble-rousing rowdies, thugs and goondas â secularism allows all these to write its laws, even laws that confer them immunity. Now, when a fragile old man who has given up all possessions and all allegiances except to the path of truth is imprisoned arbitrarily, these very looters will point out to us that it is all very legal.
Look at who has custody of this law today: this secular law that prosecutes our Swamigal, who is ours because he has dedicated every breath of his life to our well-being. This selfless samaj-sevak who literally gave sight to so many thousands is accused by people who refuse to open their eyes â who deliberately blind themselves, even to the extent of wearing dark sunglasses indoors.
How do such willfully ignorant men gain custody of secular institutions? There are those in our society â or indeed any society - who by nature are debauched. They revel in misery both their own and that of others. Their predatory greed is whetted by those who seek to rule us. Malicious people feed their putrid minds with hatred. Then that fattened hatred is wielded like a cudgel.
There are those in our society or in any other who lack control over their emotions. When their anger is inflamed, they hit out in a blind rage, like children in a tantrum, breaking everything before them. Secular leaders take advantage of that blindness. They make sure this mad anger is kept alive, so that they, being shrewder, can stay in charge of the secular institutions.
Indeed, the institutions of secularism are built on a graveyard of political murders and mass riots and secular justice gropes around there blindfolded, innocently unaware of the slaughterhouse she lives in.
Who is a Balasubramaniam or an Uttamarajan to judge a jagatguru? What are their bona-fides? How clear are their minds, how clean their hearts? What good have they done in the world to show their credentials to sit in judgment of our Swamigal? They are the talking puppets of a blindfolded woman with empty scales.
And then there are the so-called journalists who are supposed to be the secular guardians of truth. In reality, they are sensationalists and rumor-mongers, who treat Sankaracharya and Veerappan as equally novel curiosities. They can barely tell the difference between them. Today, in their craving for scandal, they cannot seem to remember the deeds and words our Acharya has left behind. They cannot remember the hospitals, or the temples, or his efforts to make peace between warring factions.
Who should you rely upon? Ask yourself!
Let me tell you what I think of this secularism that strangles dharm and tolerates adharm. I say this secularism and the constitution it is based on is the death-knell of Bharat. I say tear up this constitution. I repudiate its secular basis, because this secularism takes no cognizance of the eternal dharm.
All I know â all I care to know is my dharm, my birthright bequeathed to me through the accumulated wisdom of my ancestors, and kept alive by our jagatgurus. What are the antecedents of this secularism that I should give it even a momentâs notice? Secularism was brought here by some foreign invaders, who stole from my Bharat everything that they could carry. Now those invaders are gone. Why should I put up with the refuse they have left behind on my soil? Why should I let the law take its course, when it is taking a course that demolishes the path of sat? Why should I accept the decision of a court that has no authority except in that truth-demolishing bulldozer called secularism? Why should I respect a raaj that has forgotten â worse, lost sight of â even the concept of dharm?
While secularism blindfolds Justice, our dharm urges us to open our eyes. Our dharm asks us to cleanse our own thoughts and our minds, to repel corruption of any kind. Why then should we respect these secular institutions, which are built on corruption, held up by the corrupt â in fact, corrupt through and through?
Our gurus, from Vivekananda to Shirdi ke Sai Baba have taught us all how to make our minds peaceful, how to fulfill our obligations and how to live in society in harmony with sat. The path they have shown us through the example of their existence is open to everyone, regardless of creed or status. It stops at mandirs and dargahs and gurudwaaras, runs through villages and cities. What has secularism done - this secularism that wallows in the filth of corruption?
There is a lesson in our history that many have not learnt. In Bharat, there are still Duryodhanas who clamor for adharm, Dushaashanas who drag the virtuous by their hair to ridicule and insult. There are still Shakunis â foreign-born ones â who smilingly indulge them, there are still turbaned Dhirthrashtras who stare vacantly on. Even today, there are Pandavas who hang their heads in shame, powerless against a corrupted raaj. And then there are Dronas and Kripas, who know better, but stay silent because they remain confused about where their obligations lie. And there is even a Bhishma, who watches in anguish, but fails to lift a finger. To these I say: if you watch silently now while the virtuous are humiliated, you have made your bed of arrows today. Neither society nor history will forgive you.
When Draupadi was humiliated with only Bhagavan for refuge, only a terrible war could restore dharm. What the consequence will be of todayâs paap, I cannot tell. But fight we must to our dying breath, to restore dharm.
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-23-2004
Article has been promoted to India-Forum main page.
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-23-2004
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Who is a Balasubramaniam or an Uttamarajan to judge a jagatguru? <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-25-2004
Samudra - Is there some reasoned argument you want to make about my quote? Or are you just suffering from an ocular malady?
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-25-2004
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->When Draupadi was humiliated with only Bhagavan for refuge, only a terrible war could restore dharm. What the consequence will be of todayâs paap, I cannot tell. But fight we must to our dying breath, to restore dharm.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
People are not realizing negative effect on society when there will be no dharma.
Vacuum in society will be dangerous for future generation.
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-25-2004
<!--QuoteBegin-satya+Nov 25 2004, 07:30 AM-->QUOTE(satya @ Nov 25 2004, 07:30 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> Samudra - Is there some reasoned argument you want to make about my quote? Or are you just suffering from an ocular malady? <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I am sorry , i should have been a bit more specific.
It in my opinion would be extremely unwise to elevate the shankaracharya to a position where the judicial system of the country would be deemed unfit to try the cases against such religious leaders.Such actions encourage other dubious leaders like premananda ,all the more recent Chaturvedi , and heck you know one can find a 100 fake swamis in this country , to lay claim to such prestiges and privilages.
Can you guess the outcome ? More shame on the religion because a so called swami can commit a crime and get away from crime.In case a crime happens , and it had the hands of a acharya behind ( lets assume they are not gods , are humans and to err is human OK ? ) , your elevation easily denies the fundamental right of the victim.
Now i guess that should be enough to make the elite of the hindu society more and more aloof from the average indian/hindu. Another form of the inhuman untouchablity.
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-25-2004
<!--QuoteBegin-samudra_gupta+Nov 25 2004, 10:23 AM-->QUOTE(samudra_gupta @ Nov 25 2004, 10:23 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> Another form of the inhuman untouchablity. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I confess that needs explanation.
I believe in the past such segregations of the religious elites led to a condition where they considered themselves the pure , the highest order in the society(no wrong , so be it ) and thus it eventually led to the rigid caste system of this country.No person born in this country irrespective of his religious/moral capacity should be left above the law/judicial system.
If you have a problem with the system , fight to reform the system in a just manner , certainly not by elevating the persons affected above the law.The consequences can be found embedded in our history.
I remember asoka maurya punished buddhist monks for thier actions harming the
sangh.
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-25-2004
Dear Samudra - I would turn the question around. What is so reasonable or beneficial to society about a system that allows any old Uttamarajan or Balasubramaniam to be elevated to the position of judge - more or less at the whim of a political official? When we allow individuals to have that kind of power - literally the power of deciding between freedom and imprisonment, life or death, we surely have a duty to question what they are like - how sound their judgment might be, and how wise their decisions have been or how sane their doings have been in the past.
Sankaracharya's power is solely based on his following - which is voluntary. If anyone believes Sankaracharya to be a bad man or a fake swami, they will stop following his advice or seeking his blessing. But society is at the mercy of a judge whether they like it or not, because someone appointed them. And the very act of raising questions about what their qualities are that they should weild such power, people like you merely roll their eyes, instead of engaging in thought. That, to me, is a pretty sorry state of affairs.
The Sankaracharya's influence and power arise solely from his adherence to the path of truth. Because so many perceive that Periyaval has been the embodiment of dharm, they respect and revere him. It has nothing to do with "untouchability" or "caste", The proof lies in the pudding, in this case. The broad swathe of people, crossing boundaries of religion, "caste" and party to voice their indignation proves this point abundantly. (It is a mark of the intellectual laziness of modern, secular Indians ad hoc assertions about "caste-untouchabiity" are offered as a substitute for reasoned argument like a parroted refrain.)
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-25-2004
Satya
May be , there is something that you have been not aware of.The decision of the judges are not their personal opinions nor are they a result of their thoughts/bias.
It is a system.While i do agree that the level of corruption in the system is high , it should be understood that established law procedures , precedents set by a number of other higher authorities are ithe ones which the judges are supposed to use as guidelines in arriving at their decisions.It is not the individual arriving at the system, he is merely a tool.You cannot blame the tool.
There are a number of chances for the acharya to prove his innocence.He cannot be called the murderer , unless he choses to exhaust all his appeal options in the country.<b>That being said the matt have also stated that they would like to prove his innocence in court, thereby setting an example for other religions to follow</b>.Which am afraid is totally not in line with your words.So , no , i differ.<b>The society nor this case , does not solely lie upon the mercy of one individual.</b> .
<i>State of affairs reg the judicial system ,as you have pointed out are not really something that makes one proud of it</i>. BUT , what rights we have been granted are , i am convinced , are enough to give you the maximum oppurtunity to prove your innocence.
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-25-2004
<!--QuoteBegin-samudra_gupta+Nov 25 2004, 10:02 PM-->QUOTE(samudra_gupta @ Nov 25 2004, 10:02 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> While i do agree that the level of corruption in the system is high , it should be understood that established law procedures , precedents set by a number of other higher authorities are ithe ones which the judges are supposed to use as guidelines in arriving at their decisions.It is not the individual arriving at the system, he is merely a tool.You cannot blame the tool.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[QUOTE]
My point exactly.
The judges are a "tool" of the "system"; they don't have to answer questions about their personal fitness. How does that tally with the concept of nyaay? After all, it is their judgment and wisdom that is at play when they evaluate cases. I say they *should* have to answer such questions. But people are willing to be herded like sheep in the pen of secularism, as you are when you tell us "that's the system".
Not only that, while bleating about "rights", in the same breath you betray your utter ignorance of that system. People don't "get a chance to prove their innocence" in court. Their accusers have to *prove* them guilty before calling them murderers. What constitutes *proof* is the part where *judgment* comes in. So, how can we say justice is served *unless* we are confident about those very judges?
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-27-2004
Satya
Congratulations on getting your article published on Sulekha.
Secularism as a Tool of Adharma
Secularism As A Tool Of Adharm - Guest - 11-29-2004
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->There is a lesson in our history that many have not learnt. In Bharat, there are still Duryodhanas who clamor for adharm, Dushaashanas who drag the virtuous by their hair to ridicule and insult. There are still Shakunis â foreign-born ones â who smilingly indulge them, there are still turbaned Dhirthrashtras who stare vacantly on. Even today, there are Pandavas who hang their heads in shame, powerless against a corrupted raaj. And then there are Dronas and Kripas, who know better, but stay silent because they remain confused about where their obligations lie. And there is even a Bhishma, who watches in anguish, but fails to lift a finger. To these I say: if you watch silently now while the virtuous are humiliated, you have made your bed of arrows today. Neither society nor history will forgive you.
When Draupadi was humiliated with only Bhagavan for refuge, only a terrible war could restore dharm. What the consequence will be of todayâs paap, I cannot tell. But fight we must to our dying breath, to restore dharm.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I found these closing comments as the most interesting part of the article. The analogy is particularly apt in the ongoing situation - at several levels. Some relevant ques that we can raise in this context..
1. Can we ask "Who is Pitamaha to raise arms against the pandava army the one that had Bhagavan on its side ?"
2. Did Bhisma/Drona/Kripa do things they did thinking they were doing adharma ?
3. After all Dhritrastra was the king and the pandavas waged war against hastinapur. Were they being traitors ?
There are no easy answers. Its a dharma-sankata for all proud hindu indians. We must all fight the kurukshetra war within ourselves to the best of our abilities and do what we think is our Dharma..