From: gagrawal@cs.tamu.edu (Gopal Agrawal)
Subject: Re: BJP and Revision of School Curriculum
Organization: Computer Science Dept., Texas A&M University
Distribution: soc
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 23:07:47 GMT


In article <92255.213153DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu> <DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
>Since the announcement of BJP Governments in UP and MP to revise school curri-
>culum to make the children feel proud of our heritage and culture, and remove
>some distortions in the history books, the secularists, pseudosecularists,
>leftist intellectuals and die-hard RSS-bashers (on the net and in India) are
>very unhappy. And as usual they are indulging in their favorite pastime.

I am replying to your article since I assume I am one of the evil 
psuedo secularist that you have addressed. Everything that you have 
said in this article is *almost* true. It is commendable that we be 
made aware of our own heritage and contribution to the world. There 
is absolutely nothing wrong in setting up organizations that infuse 
a little physical education in us (perhaps it will even bring out 
some potential athletes for the olympics). 

However, I resent your claim that anyone criticising BJP is implicitly 
pro-congress. I for one am definetely not pro-congress. Though I would 
refrain from affliating myself with any political group, I would probably 
lean a wee-bit towards the BJP. This does not however mean that there 
is no room for criticism. Criticism is the basis for improvement
and discovering one's own fault. Everytime you hear someone criticising 
a few of BJP's policies, you resort to flinging the standard set of 
words -- "psuedosecularist", "leftist", "congress" and other such trash. 
You are no better than the muslims who consider critism as blasphemy. 
In the same vein one could call the (BJP-Basher)-Bashers like you a 
psuedopatriot, self-styled-defenders-of-Hinduism, etc. 

I don't think any netter has expressed anguish at the things you mentioned
in this article. It is only some of the other philosophies of BJP/RSS 
(which you have not mentioned here) that netters express concern about. 
The problem lies in teaching the philosophy that only OUR CULTURE WAS THE
BEST, IS THE BEST and WILL BE THE BEST.  There is a difference between 
"Mera Bharat Mahan" and "SIRF Mera Bharat Mahan". I am sure that you will 
agree that such philosophies are extremely bigoted and dangerous (All 
religous fanaticism arise from the same principle).  IMO, any one who 
will grow up to think that he/she belongs to an "ideal" culture is 
stupid and will only lead us to become more insular in a time when 
communication at international levels is crucial for a countries 
prosperity. Witness how countries like Iran are receding more and more 
into a cocooned lifestyle.  As far as my experience with my friends in 
the RSS go, they would vehemently scream "Our culture is the best".  

No one will express concern if the contribution of "0" or the Raman effect
is emphasized (BTW- Why do you say our text books were silent on these 
contributions ?  As far as I recall, I learnt about them from my NCERT 
text books). Rewriting history in that perspective would infact be very 
welcome. The concern comes from suppressing or even manipulating other 
historical facts that may not put up a very rosy picture of India. Concern
comes from not permitting our youth to be aware that there are other 
philosophies (Marxism etc.) and scientific contributions existing in this 
world. Concern comes when our youth is led to believe that everything was 
hunky-dory in our past. Concern comes when abstract concepts of religion 
are forced down people's throat (believe it or not, the ABVP at my former 
university organized a mini "yagna" to help flood vicitms! And a couple of 
students were physically roughed up for their criticism of this act). 
Concern comes when goondas like Bal Thackeray extend support to BJP. 

The point is that while there are many constructive things that BJP 
is trying to do (I'm especially impressed by their tackling mass 
copying in examinations), in its idealistic zeal it sometimes goes 
overboard. Its is this extremism which is criticised. One does not 
have to be a leftist to criticise the BJP. Even among the ranks of 
BJP, there is criticism. 

I hope you will refrain from calling anyone, who does not agree 
with EACH AND EVERY policy of BJP, a psuedo-secularist, leftist, 
pro-congress etc. 

(rest of the article deleted..)
>
>Only a slave bought by the enemy will have the intellectual harlotry to equate
>patriotic history rewriting with the Nazism of Rosenberg, Goebles, and Hitler.
>
>Aneeta Chakrabarty, and
>Dinesh Agrawal....


regards,
--   
   ______ ______ ______ ______ __  |\/\/\/|
    ____/  __  /  __  /  __  /  /  |  \  /|   LIFE'S COMPLEX - IT HAS 
   / __   /   /  /   /  /   /  /   | (o)(o)   REAL & IMAGINARY PARTS  
  /   /  /   /   ___/  __  /  /    C      _) 
_____/ _____/ __/   __/ __/ ______/ | \___|  
E-mail - gagrawal@cs.tamu.edu       |   /   All Std. Disclaimers apply.