03-07-2005, 01:28 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Demographic Challenge
Ram Gopal (Pioneer)
In his address to a huge gathering at the Hindu conference in Barmer (Rajasthan) on February 6, RSS supremo K Sudarshan advised Hindus to have more children in order to prevent the community from becoming a minority in the country. He offered this suggestion in order to counter the increasing Muslim population in the Indian subcontinent (February 8).
It would have been better had the RSS chief given a serious thought to the population problem in all its aspects and offer a better solution. India is already overburdened with its burgeoning population of over a thousand million resulting in widespread unemployment, poverty, crime, corruption, etc. Therefore, it would not be wise to offer a proposition for multiplying it further.
As for the diminishing percentage of Hindu population, it is erroneous to attribute it wholly to its observance of a small family norm. For unavoidable economic compulsions, the city-based middle and lower-middle class Hindus are increasingly opting for a nucleus family norm. But then its effect on total Hindu population is marginal. In rural areas, however, both Hindus and Muslims prefer larger family, mostly for economic reasons.
The abnormally high Muslim growth rate is a global phenomenon. Its greater virulence in India may be attributed to three additional factors: One, infiltration from neighbouring Muslim countries; two, more than one lakh Hindu girls are going to Muslim homes annually; and three, there is only one-way traffic of Hindu conversion to Islam or even Christianity. Hence, the foremost need is to plug, or at least neutralise, these adverse factors at the earliest. The RSS may better let the BJP manage its own affairs and put all its energy and resources on social, cultural and religious restructuring of the Hindu society.
It should get in touch with other Hindu socio-religious institutions like the Arya Samaj and Ram Krishna Mission, true dharmacharyas, and work for removal of obnoxious dowry system. Besides, it should concentrate on the proper management of temples to make them the centres of education on Hindu religion, culture and social services. Besides, opening homes for poor Hindus could be an important contribution. It should also strive for rationalisation of the outdated birth-based caste system so that profession, and not birth, becomes the determining factor. Finally, there should be admission of non-Hindus to Hindu-fold.
The current notion that Hindu religion does not allow proselytisation holds no water. Krinvanto vishwamaar yam (let us Aryanise the whole world) is an age-old vedic slogan. The truth is Hindu religion is the oldest proselytising religion. Before Islam made way into India, the people (Shakas, Huns, Greeks and others) who came to India were converted to Hindu religion. Later on, they became its staunch defenders against Islamic invaders.
There is an interesting anecdote recorded as early as AD 315, when a good number of Hindu converts to Christianity were taken back into Hindu-fold. George Mark Morages in his book, A History of Christianity in India from Early Times to St Francis Xavier, AD 52 to 1542, (1964) observed: "In the third century, the peaceful life of this (Christian) community was disturbed by the presence among them of a teacher who succeeded in perverting a good many of their number. A sorcerer called Maikka Vachakar came (to Quilon) and converted back to Hinduism about half a dozen families subsequently come from the Coromandel coast (perhaps from Puhar itself), and 20 families of local Christians (presumably in Quilong)."
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his response..
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> Time for resurgent Hinduism-full text of the letter:
Regain lost glory
I had never imagined that my article, âDemographic challengeâ (February 28), would create such a stir. My point about Hinduism being the oldest proselytising religion seems to have aroused the readers. There are many who believe that the concept of proselytisation was unknown to Hinduism since it is the oldest religion of the world. It is significant that the Vedic people who called themselves Aryans wanted to convert the original inhabitants of the country, the Dasas or Dasyus. In my view such attempts as assimilation wherein the natives gradually adapted themselves to the Aryan way of life was nothing but proselytisation. The rishis in the Vedic age carried their message far and wide. Thus, the Greek, including the Huns and Shakas, when they came to India, converted to Hinduism. At the same time Islam too was on the ascendant in West Asia and gradually emerged as a strong political force in India, forcing Hinduism to recede into the background. On the other hand, since Hinduism prohibited sea voyage, it was difficult to send its messages across. It was soon closeted leading to the dilution of the Vedic precept, Krinnavanto vishwam aryam (let us Aryanise the whole world). It is for Hindu leaders to decide whether they want to regain the lost glory of Hinduism and pursue the original goal of Aryanising the world or continue with their suicidal dhimmitude. Todayâs world order is determined to strike a blow on Hinduism. This is exemplified by the recent developments in Nepal and their impact on India. Whereas Nepalâs Hindu monarch is facing brickbats, the country has turned a blind eye to the misdemeanours of Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf. Thus, Hinduism must thwart any attempt by the Islamic and Christian world to usurp India and destroy its religious and cultural ethos.
Ram Gopal
Paschim Vihar,New Delhi <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ram Gopal (Pioneer)
In his address to a huge gathering at the Hindu conference in Barmer (Rajasthan) on February 6, RSS supremo K Sudarshan advised Hindus to have more children in order to prevent the community from becoming a minority in the country. He offered this suggestion in order to counter the increasing Muslim population in the Indian subcontinent (February 8).
It would have been better had the RSS chief given a serious thought to the population problem in all its aspects and offer a better solution. India is already overburdened with its burgeoning population of over a thousand million resulting in widespread unemployment, poverty, crime, corruption, etc. Therefore, it would not be wise to offer a proposition for multiplying it further.
As for the diminishing percentage of Hindu population, it is erroneous to attribute it wholly to its observance of a small family norm. For unavoidable economic compulsions, the city-based middle and lower-middle class Hindus are increasingly opting for a nucleus family norm. But then its effect on total Hindu population is marginal. In rural areas, however, both Hindus and Muslims prefer larger family, mostly for economic reasons.
The abnormally high Muslim growth rate is a global phenomenon. Its greater virulence in India may be attributed to three additional factors: One, infiltration from neighbouring Muslim countries; two, more than one lakh Hindu girls are going to Muslim homes annually; and three, there is only one-way traffic of Hindu conversion to Islam or even Christianity. Hence, the foremost need is to plug, or at least neutralise, these adverse factors at the earliest. The RSS may better let the BJP manage its own affairs and put all its energy and resources on social, cultural and religious restructuring of the Hindu society.
It should get in touch with other Hindu socio-religious institutions like the Arya Samaj and Ram Krishna Mission, true dharmacharyas, and work for removal of obnoxious dowry system. Besides, it should concentrate on the proper management of temples to make them the centres of education on Hindu religion, culture and social services. Besides, opening homes for poor Hindus could be an important contribution. It should also strive for rationalisation of the outdated birth-based caste system so that profession, and not birth, becomes the determining factor. Finally, there should be admission of non-Hindus to Hindu-fold.
The current notion that Hindu religion does not allow proselytisation holds no water. Krinvanto vishwamaar yam (let us Aryanise the whole world) is an age-old vedic slogan. The truth is Hindu religion is the oldest proselytising religion. Before Islam made way into India, the people (Shakas, Huns, Greeks and others) who came to India were converted to Hindu religion. Later on, they became its staunch defenders against Islamic invaders.
There is an interesting anecdote recorded as early as AD 315, when a good number of Hindu converts to Christianity were taken back into Hindu-fold. George Mark Morages in his book, A History of Christianity in India from Early Times to St Francis Xavier, AD 52 to 1542, (1964) observed: "In the third century, the peaceful life of this (Christian) community was disturbed by the presence among them of a teacher who succeeded in perverting a good many of their number. A sorcerer called Maikka Vachakar came (to Quilon) and converted back to Hinduism about half a dozen families subsequently come from the Coromandel coast (perhaps from Puhar itself), and 20 families of local Christians (presumably in Quilong)."
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
his response..
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> Time for resurgent Hinduism-full text of the letter:
Regain lost glory
I had never imagined that my article, âDemographic challengeâ (February 28), would create such a stir. My point about Hinduism being the oldest proselytising religion seems to have aroused the readers. There are many who believe that the concept of proselytisation was unknown to Hinduism since it is the oldest religion of the world. It is significant that the Vedic people who called themselves Aryans wanted to convert the original inhabitants of the country, the Dasas or Dasyus. In my view such attempts as assimilation wherein the natives gradually adapted themselves to the Aryan way of life was nothing but proselytisation. The rishis in the Vedic age carried their message far and wide. Thus, the Greek, including the Huns and Shakas, when they came to India, converted to Hinduism. At the same time Islam too was on the ascendant in West Asia and gradually emerged as a strong political force in India, forcing Hinduism to recede into the background. On the other hand, since Hinduism prohibited sea voyage, it was difficult to send its messages across. It was soon closeted leading to the dilution of the Vedic precept, Krinnavanto vishwam aryam (let us Aryanise the whole world). It is for Hindu leaders to decide whether they want to regain the lost glory of Hinduism and pursue the original goal of Aryanising the world or continue with their suicidal dhimmitude. Todayâs world order is determined to strike a blow on Hinduism. This is exemplified by the recent developments in Nepal and their impact on India. Whereas Nepalâs Hindu monarch is facing brickbats, the country has turned a blind eye to the misdemeanours of Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf. Thus, Hinduism must thwart any attempt by the Islamic and Christian world to usurp India and destroy its religious and cultural ethos.
Ram Gopal
Paschim Vihar,New Delhi <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->