From: vivek@ecst.csuchico.edu (Vivek R. Prabhu)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: Ayodhya And Its Aftermath - A Few Points To Ponder.
Keywords: right-wing, revivalism, foreign hand.
Date: 13 Dec 92 19:08:10 GMT
Organization: California State University, Chico
NNTP-Posting-Host: cscihp.ecst.csuchico.edu


This is in view of the incidents in Ayodhya, and similar kinds before
them in other parts of India and the world.

I would like to point out certain coincidental and in my view certain
strategic similarities in incidents.

I will explain,

Let's take the incidence of Hindu revivalism, a phenomenon that is in
appearance quite akin, to the rise of right-wing nationalism in India
steered as it is by the BJP, which is a right-wing party. 

Now consider, the happenings in say, Italy, Germany, France,  as also 
in our good old U.S.A.. What we have seen is the rise of a version of 
the extreme right-wing, ultra-conservative nationalism, which has led 
to a revival of racism in Germany, of the neo-Nazi type, pan-national
conservatism in France, and the rise of an extreme and anti-foreigner
movement in Italy. In the U.S.A., this movement has been signified by 
the rise of the Ku Klux Clan, in almost every state of the Union, and
indicated by the increasing popularity, and rise of the like of David 
Duke, and Pat Buchanan. In retrospect, thus, the revival of Indian or
as some would say, Hindu nationalism is not a phenomenon in isolation
but is a part of the conflicts arising out of differences in cultural
affiliations of different people. It all is boiling down to the most,
and many-a-time neglected,  issue of economic inequality, that is the
cause of frustration of people,  and consequently makes them hostile,
to anyone, whom they perceive, as depriving thems of their means of a
livelihood. In India, these fears of the people, have been ruthlessly
exploited, to whip up mass frenzy, and hysteria.

Now, with reference to India,  there is also, often, with, or without
justification, the allegation of a foreign hand. Is it not surprising
that, at every time,  a convultion in India takes place, for example,
there are foreign broadcasters present, and who see it all, more than
what even most Indians come to know about. Examples could be when the
assasination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi took place there was Peter Ustinov
who saw it all, and was an eye-witness. When Rajiv Gandhi was killed,
there was Barbara Crosette of the New York Times, who got it all, and
when the attack on Babri Masjid took place,  there was the VOA guy, I
forget his name, who was the eye-witness to it. During all so-called,
deadlines that the VHP, or BJP, had given to the Govt. Of India,  and
which had lamely passed away,  none  of these foreign correspondents,  
were present. Was it because of the fact that they were privy to some
secret information, that these so-called deadlines were in fact going 
to be all hogwash, and that the deadline for December 6,  was in fact 
for real. 

Please ponder over these points I have raised as I am still trying to 
figure out, why what has happened, and why now,   and whether it is a 
malaise that is spreading around the world, or not, and if so what is 
the reason.

Regards,
Vivek.
-- 
vivek@cscihp.ecst.csuchico.edu (Vivek R. Prabhu),
Research Assistant, Systems Engineering Lab., Dept. Of Computer Science, 
School Of Engineering, Computer Science And Technology,
California State University, Chico, California.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian