Anti Brahminism

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The rigourous physical training that army and police imparts on its recruites is just another form of martial arts training. Why aren't these brave people coming out to defend when their community was attacked, just because they belonged to that community? <b>Did they get de-brahminized?</b> or do they care only about themselves? Why are those type of brave people not getting attacked by DK goondas?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The following is a matrimonial ad, on one of those online websites:
<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->I am Major B. XXXXX, father of YYYY, our 2nd daughter. She is
working in Hyderabad.Salary 20K. I am a Hindu (Goud) and my wife is a
Christian. I am a retired Army Officer and working as Faulty in an
Engineering College at Hyderabad. Eldest is our son,PGDCA, Manager in an IT
Firm at Bangalore. Our daughter in law is MBA, a Christian, working in an
IT Firm at Hyderabad. First Daughter,M Sc(Bio Tech), married to a Hindu,
Software Engineer in Bangalore. My wife is looking after my family.We are
interested in a Working Hindu Boy (except SC/ST or Brahmin), preferably an
engineer or PG, settled or want to settle in Hyderabad. He must have a good
family back ground, religious tolerance and should not expect any
dowry. Interested persons may contact me<!--c2--><!--ec2-->

The above is not the only instance I know: An acquaintance of mine is also in a similar situation. He retired from the navy, and both his children married out of the religion.

Reflecting on these, I believe that the Indian Army does act as a vehicle for <i>national integration</i>. What this means, in effect, is the replacement of one's allegiance to a religious or caste community with allegiance to the constitution. The old "All Indians are my brothers and sisters" funda. So yes, people eventually do get de-Brahminized or de-Hinduized as the case may be. I believe this happens by the use of similar uniforms, creation of ranks and forms of address, the creation of military rituals, the concept of professional pride, a soldier's sense of "duty" and "honour" (as if all other professions were dishonorable), living in close quarters, sending children to the same schools (many of which have military traditions), etc. All these are good - for the army's agenda, which is employee retention, discipline and defense of the constitution and its creatures (the various organs of government).

But, this is not necessarily a good thing for Hinduism. This will result in the destruction or subversion of the Hindu community, in very obvious ways. It will not necessarily affect the actual person who joined the military or his spouse, because they have a non-military past that they can remember. But, <b>it will certainly affect the children</b> of the couple. We can see how the children will grow up: in an atmosphere where religion has very little to do with daily living. They grow up in a "cosmopolitan" environment, see very little of their relatives and members of the extended family. Their education will essentially din into them the need to maintain overarching loyalty to the government.

I am sure many members will be dismayed by my saying this, but perhaps, joining the Indian armed forces is not necessarily in the best interests of Hinduism?!

Please note, I am not blaming the armed forces for this - this is how any organization seeks to keep its employees loyal and satisfied. I am also not blaming the father in the above example for this - he is already doing his part to keep his family Hindu, and his wife seems like an exceptionally good person. I am merely trying to point out the logic of an organization's agenda, and how it might impact everything we hold dear.

(to my wife: No, I am not looking at matrimonial columns. It is for sociological study onlee!)