Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: Re: BJP and Revision of School Curriculum
Supersedes: <92257.201034DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu>
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 21:56:32 EDT
From: <DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu>

In article <1992Sep12.230747.26169@tamsun.tamu.edu>, gagrawal@cs.tamu.edu (Gopal
Agrawal) says:
>
>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

I have made no such assumption, at least not for you.

>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).

I share your sentiments fully. I also appreciate your recognition of the truth
in our article. Howeve, the post did not intend to target any individual, nor
meant to respond specific criticisms. The main purpose of the article was to
counter the claims and general thrust of the articles by Ms. Poornima Tripathi
(Times of India), N. K. Singh (India Today), by others who had enthusiastically
endorsed these articles. No offence to any individual was intended in the post.

>However, I resent your claim that anyone criticising BJP is implicitly
          *************************************************************
>pro-congress. I for one am definetely not pro-congress. Though I would
**************

No such claim was made implicitely or explicitely

>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.

Agree with you, yes criticism is one of the most important essential ingredient
of demorcatic polity. And it is not true that whenever somebody cricises BJP
and its policies, he/she is termed by those epithets. I am amused that you are
categorizing these varieties of politicians and intellectuals as trash. Though
in India lot of people will go to any ridiculous lengths to prove their
secular or pseudosecular credentials. Leftist intellectual-variety, which now
form an elite group, has become an endangered species, and more and more
members of this club are turning to rightist/nationalist/'communalist'
ideology, the latest example is Mr. R. K. Karanjia (Editor-in-Chief of Blitz).
And I am glad that you do not belong to that "trashy company".

>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

Perhaps your above opinion is based on the write-up in India Today (August 15)
in which the writer mentions some of the proposed changes in the school texts.
Now he does not give  either the source of his information or the actual quotes
from the books, most of his write up was either based on hearsay, or from the
statements of the local Congress leaders plus colored by his own prejudiced
mind. This matter even was discussed in parliament and all the fears were
removed, and clarifications were issued for introducing essential and
reasonable changes.

>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".

When somebody belonging to RSS or not belonging to RSS (and you will find lot
of people who do not have any connection with RSS and make the above claim)
makes such a claim, it is quite natural, just like for a mother her son (no ma-
tter how bad he is)is the best man in the world. But that does not mean that we
undermine the importance of other cultures or denigrate them. India has always
welcomed noble and goods thoughts from any other society or culture, and tried
to absorb them. Our Upanishads have repeatedly exhorted the humanity to be open
minded and receptive for noble thoughts irrespective of its origin. Now, same
thing can not be said about other cultures/religions.

>welcome. The concern comes from suppressing or even manipulating other
>historical facts that may not put up a very rosy picture of India. Concern

No such attempt is being made. Some of the historical facts which were either
suppressed of manipulated by Britishers and their progeny are now being
corrected. All the hallaaballu being made on this issue is entirely unwarranted
and is an over-reaction. An objective analysis would have lauded the declared
objectives of the UP and MP governments in re-designing the curriculum with
a caution of the possible repurcussions of  such a step. But ridiculing and
comparing the whole exercise as Nazism is absurd.

>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

Marxism is a dead philosophy. Its original objectives of social equity
are recognized and lauded, but its implimentation and its inhuman approach
have put death nail in its body. And it was never told to our youth that our
past was always glorious. There had been ups and downs, and all these phases
of our national life should be highlighted to learn lessons from our mistakes &
flaws as well as to be aware of the achievements of our forefathers. What is
wrong in that?

>Concern comes when goondas like Bal Thackeray extend support to BJP.

Well, there are all kind of people who are now supporting and joining BJP and
RSS. And BJP and RSS do not need a certificate from Bal Thackeray. That should
not be a yard stick to be apprehensive about BJP or RSS. He is a too controver-
sial man and should be ignored. In politics, almost all parties have joined
hands with him and his party at one point or other. Why single out only 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.

Agree with you partially, there may be some individuals who may be overzealous
but please do not generalize this for the whole organization. And the internal
and external criticism of BJP have immensely contributed to its growth in the
recent times. So positive and well meaning criticisms are always welcome and
encouraged.

>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.

No such attempt has been made in my postings. If you got such impression, it
is regretted.

Dinesh Agrawal...

>E-mail - gagrawal@cs.tamu.edu       |   /   All Std. Disclaimers apply.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian