CIHS – Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies

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CIHS – Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies > #Narratives
Education Hindus
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Unite to Lead by Example

RSS message of unity transcending caste, creed, gender, region and faiths will strengthen Bharat’s social fabric, signal global leadership role K.A.Badarinath ‘Reconciliation, security and peace’ are what Hindu centric Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagawat articulated while delivering his annual Vijay Dashami speech at the organization’s headquarters in Nagpur. This is at variance with ‘radicalism’ and ‘fundamentalism’ sought to be attached to Hindus and RSS by self-styled ‘liberal minds’, conspiracy theorists and those opposed to Bharat’s unity. RSS chief’s Dussehra speech is widely recognized in Bharat and internationally as firm indicator of the organization’s outlook towards issues, happenings and unfolding developments on socio-economic and political front. ‘Sulah, Salamati & Aman’ is what Mohan Bhagawat pushed for with diverse communities that form larger Bharat’s society. Bhagawat appealed for reconciliation, security and peace as against discord, strife and violence (Fitna, Fasad & Kitan) to realize vast breadth of unity in diversity that Bharat’s 1.4 billion population is known for since millennia. Use of Arabic and Persian root words by RSS chief to drive home the point of unity rising above differences seems a firm signal to over 210 million Muslims in India and their counterparts around the world especially the Sunnis that eye RSS and Hindus with suspicion and distrust. His reference to Christians and other minorities that may have differences with Hindus is again significant given ‘tolerant, embracing attitude’ of Bharat’s citizens to all those that made this country their home. There was very little or no mention of RSS chief’s reconciliatory note in Bharat’s media or dispatches of foreign writers. Forging unity by rising above selfish and divisive tendencies disrupting Bharat’s growth seems to be central theme of RSS chief’s speech. RSS appeal for forging unity as ‘mantra’ is refreshing and assuring given the false propaganda unleashed by Bharat’s rivals on reported Muslims ‘genocide’ or Christians being targeted post-2014. A couple of Christian and Muslim organizations have being propagating globally on their being targeted by RSS, BJP and Modi Government, in that order. Sangh chief spoke for his organization unequivocally and plain terms that RSS does not believe in such an agenda. Playing victimhood, looking at each other with suspicion and seeking political dominance have been identified as three big evils that come in the way of achieving unity. RSS chief also made it clear that his push for unity did not tantamount to ‘ceasefire’ between the so called warring parties. It was RSS chief’s way of reflecting on cultural continuity, unity and vast diversity. Rightly so, RSS targeted ‘cultural Marxists’ and ‘woke’ that have sought to dominate the narrative and peddle confusion, chaos and corruption’ through deceitful means to meet selfish ends and discriminatory in attitude. RSS chief came down heavily on these elements that promoted anarchy and indiscretion in public life as individuals and groups. A lot of what Mohan Bhagawat said makes sense when one looks at disruptive campaigns, ‘tool kits’ and physical demonstrations that are done by anti-Hindu conglomerations that are indoctrinated by misplaced Marxism, jihad, evangelism and of all extremism and violence that breed divisiveness. Case in point is the aggressive, violent and extremist minority Khalistani elements in otherwise calm and quiet larger Sikh community. These vocal groups and individuals, not very large in numbers in Bharat, UK, US, Canada and Europe have threatened to derail perception about Bharat globally. Line of conciliation and message of unity propounded by RSS chief Mohan Bhagawat is significant given that Bharat is celebrating 75-years post adoption of the country’s constitution and in a year or so, RSS turns 100-years old with rich legacy of its founders Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and his successor, Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar. Sangh’s message of unity cannot be more apt given the challenges that Bharat faces within and outside as a country and ‘classical civilization with rich heritage. It’s no denying that this unity should also be the driving force for Bharat to provide leadership globally especially after an eventful G-20 Presidency, forging bilateral and regional pacts with equanimity at centre. RSS chief seems to have exercised huge restraint in his commentary on the Russian onslaught of Ukraine and Hamas terror attack on Israel that have led to ‘conflicts’ which will have disruptive impact on humanity and economic recovery that’s nascent post-Covid 19. Briefly, RSS chief referred to basic tenets of Sanatan Dharma as the guiding principles that shaped Hindu way of life. He seems to have exercised a lot of restraint in calling out the likes of Tamil Nadu’s first political family that view Sanatan Dharma as ‘dengue’ and ‘malaria’ to be weeded out. One issue that’s dear to Hindus on which RSS chief came out unambiguously is ‘grand’ Ram temple to house Ram Lalla at Ayodhya whose consecration has been scheduled for January 22 next year. RSS and likeminded organizations view Ram temple as a ‘unifying factor’ for all citizens in Bharat transcending castes, creed, sex, region and faiths. His call for holding programmes that send out a strong message of unity across Bharat and globally is extension of his extrapolation to rise above narrow mind-set. (Author is Director & Chief Executive of New Delhi based non-partisan think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)

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Disinformation Misinformation
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Vicious Attack on Religious Freedom of Minority Hindu Americans

By Neha Dahiya Is Hindumisia on the rise in the United States? Over the past few decades, Hinduphobic radical organisations like Hindus for Human Rights (H4HR), Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), and Equality Labs have waged disinformation and slur campaigns against Hindu culture, events and identity. The Hindu American community had scheduled a religious discussion and cultural event for August 30 and 31, 2022, at Impact Hall, Global Mall, Norcross, Georgia. A spiritual figure in the Hindu community, Sadhvi Ritambhara was invited to grace the occasion. Several extremist Anti-Hindu groups waged an online and offline smear campaign to disparage the Sadhvi and the event organisers. This continuing hate campaign is intended to terrorise and intimidate American Hindus barring them of their rights enshrined in the Constitution of the United States. This is not new as over the years, one may recall various hate and misinformation campaigns by motivated and foreign backed, abetted organisations and individuals which are habitual of spreading misinformation and hatred against Hindus like Equality Labs with its baseless “Smash Brahminical Patriarchy” campaign, Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR) with its constant and vile hateful attacks on Hindu cultural organisations like the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Pieter Friedrich, Audrey Truschke, Bhajan Singh Bhinder for their Pakistan supported Anti-Hindu agenda are some names, but the list goes long. Similarly, by instilling doubt and dread in the minds of Americans about Hindu culture and its saints, the hate campaign against Sadhvi Ritambhara launched by H4HR, IAMC and their supporters enlisted above is aimed to demonise the very persona of such noble Hindu saints, so as to further their nefarious, divisive and communal agenda in the United States. The hate campaign against the Sadhvifollows patterns and trends closely aligning with earlier campaigns and appears to be a part of an organised ecosystem of organisations and individuals who are well known around the world for their Hinduphobic views and discriminatory and divisive views about the Hindu society. On the contrary and in reality, Sadhvi Ritambhara is also known as DidiMaa(Lit. Sister and Mother), has motivated countless people all over the world. In Vrindavan, India she founded orphanages, special schools for underprivileged kids, and homes for women who have been abandoned. She established the “Param Shakti Peeth” organisation to protect India’s underprivileged people. To help women become more self-reliant and confident, Shakti Peeth also offers training in karate, horseback riding, and other sports. The collective name for these organisations is “Vatsalya Gram.” She also manages widows’ ashrams and shelters in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. In addition, she founded and serves as the chair of DurgaVahini, a Hindu women empowered organization. Durga Vahini seeks to inspire more women to take part in Hindu prayer gatherings and cultural activities. By providing social services and aid to struggling families, the organisation hopes to foster a sense of togetherness and solidarity. Sanyasini Sadhvi Ritambhara has devoted her entire life to advancing Hindu causes including strongly advocating for Ram Janamboomi (Lit. Birthplace of lord Ram) in Ayodhya, India. On November 9, 2019, the five-judge Constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, presided over by the now-retired Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, unanimously ruled that Lord Ram was born on the Ayodhya ground where the Babri Structure previously stood. Over the years, her motivating speeches, which are backed up by Hindu texts, have gained a tremendous global following that transcends caste, gender, and nationality. In light of this, acknowledging the gross violation of human values of Vis-a-Vis Hindus in America. HinduPACT, a policy research and advocacy collective based in the USA, suggested in a statement that American law enforcement agencies pay attention to the surge in such hate speech on social media and its potential to hurt people. Political favouritism must not be used to support these kinds of targeted assaults on the religious liberty of Hindu Americans and Hindu organisations. The First Amendment, which is a cornerstone of the US Constitution, guarantees Hindu Americans the freedom to profess their beliefs. But because of some radical organisations, Hindus in the USA are not allowed to freely practise their religion. Whether it be through the physical assault on Hindus expats or the entanglement of intellectuals in a web of false propaganda, Hindus are made into very easy targets in the west. Maligning Hindu culture, rituals and values using hate-tricks by radical cells is not a new phenomenon. They made groups, organisations, and networks with selective ill mind people to target India and Hindus from all spheres. Islamists, Separatists and Evangelists masked themselves as an innocent Hindu rights advocacy organisation, which didn’t spare any chance to malign Hindus and India. On the contrary, they sponsor events of Anti-India entities and fully support every measure to lead their malicious agenda of wiping out the Hindu community from the world. (Neha Dahiya is a specialist content writer at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)

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