From: krishna@iss.nus.sg (...Krishnamoorthy)
Subject: ARTICLE: Be-Kar Seva (from Business India)
Originator: krishna@suliman
Keywords: BJP, Hindu, Democracy
Organization: National University of Singapore
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 07:59:43 GMT


Yet another article, a sample for the united stand of the Indian press on
masjid demolition and riots there upon, sensible, amidst the continuing 
wrangling in and out of the Indian Parliament. 

-Krishna
krishna@iss.nus.sg
--------------------------------cut-here---------------------------------- 

#include <std_disclaimer.h>

                                  Be-Kar Seva
                                  ===========
                                      by
                                 Malvika Singh

    (This article excerpted without permission from the December issue of 
     Business India, 1992)                     

The BJP, with its ongoing 'Hindu' rhutoric, has forced many rational Hindus
  to become defensive about being born Hindu. Sadly, the essence of the 
  religion and its true strengths have been diluted in the attempt of this 
  party to use faith for a political end. Hinduism propagates the divinity of
  man - in those terms it honours the human being, leaves space for 
  individualism, for new thinking, for innovation and change. It is, in fact,
  a way of life and one's code of conduct becomes the `religion' that one 
  lives by.

Deflecting from its own failure to deliver an alternative either in 
  governance or in policy directives and ideas, the BJP seems to be hanging 
  on to the temple bogey. This over-emphasis seems to stem from a sense of
  insecurity, a desperation that usually comes from a private recognition of
  failure. Also, one has not yet got a clear idea of the BJP position on the 
  larger and far more important dilemmas that face the subcontinent. Temples,
  rath yatras and bhajans are, in those terms, inconsequential.

It was under the rule of the late Rajiv Gandhi that the lock was removed
  from the Babri Masjid. This was a political move to win the support of the
  Hindu constituents. The BJP has merely accelerated the Congress initiative.
  What is the final cost that society will have to pay for such shenanigans?
  It is a political ploy all parties indulge in and those who are continuing
  to flare religious passions are, in fact, making a mockery of the true 
  faith of the people - because the end is warped.

Peculiar Democracy:

One would imagine that "leadership" at the turn of this century would 
  strive to alleviate the indignities that people face across the world,
  particularly in this subcontinent. But, in our peculiar democracy, elected
  representatives seem to spend all their energy on how to keep factions
  fighting: class, caste and communities. Instead of breaking the barriers 
  of caste and creed, they stoke man's baser instincts. This they do to 
  maximise their power potential. 

All this recent burst of Hindu zeal from Advani, Joshi and others is not 
  much different from the so called zeal of Bhindranwale. That was Punjab, 
  this is the heartland. All this Hinduised rhutoric is slowly infiltrating
  into the psyche of India, pushing the Hindus to feel unnaturally insecure
  and compelling them, therefore, to "assert" themselves. This strategy 
  appears insidious. It is like some amorphous force determined to keep the
  coals hot, lest calm prevail. Why have the "champions" of Hinduism
  forgotten a major tenet of the religion - tolerance? Why are they so 
  insecure about other communities? The world is torn apart today with 
  religious, economic and therefore social strife. The slaughter of Muslims
  in Europe has horrified the world. Is it not for India, home of millions
  of Muslims, to lay the new norms of human dignity and tolerance in the 
  bridging of differences of caste and creed? Or are we quite content to 
  move backwards in time?

A God's birthplace! Are Gods really born? We belive divinity is all 
  pervasive. Worship can take place anywhere, everywhere. Why are faith and
  worship being reduced to the mundane? Is a temple crucial, an edifice, or
  the restoration of values, ethics and goodwill, all of which have been 
  disappearing with rapidity? Why not Kar Seva to build roads?

Endless debate:

Who needs a temple if there is no dignity in life and living? The debate
  on "Ramjanmabhoom" could go on ad nauseum. Ram 'born' where, when, how;
  archaeological positions; historical evidence; etcetera etcetera. Why not 
  take a piece of land, build the temple, people will begin to worship, 
  faith will be restored and a fundamental philosophy will triumph - live 
  and let live? Why desecrate another's faith, in order to prop up one's 
  own? Conquerors from the pages of history pulled down places of worship of
  others to build their own. Butm surely at the end of the 20th century we
  should lay the ground for a new ethic, a new norm for the future.

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Xref: sparky soc.culture.indian:41045 soc.culture.tamil:4375 soc.culture.indian.telugu:1422