The planned and combined attack against Modi, BJP and RSS including Hindu sanyasis by fundamentalists from Muslim, Christian, Communist groups and the Media controlled by them give a clear message, i.e. Hindus as well as Hinduism can no longer feel safe in Kerala. Their beliefs, their leaders and their institutions are ridiculed and attacked more and more, which speaks a lot about the demographic changes and the socio-cultural consequences that bring in.
Hindus believe that the cow is a sacred animal. The Cow has an auspicious status in the ashrams of rishis and sages of India from very ancient time. The famous story of the heavenly cow Kamadhenu and Nandini, the cow of Rishi Vasisht is famous. A cow gives us nourishment in the form of milk, ghee, curds and other valuable milk products that are also used in the preparation of medicines. So a cow is called Gomata in India. Cows were dear to Sri Krishna also. Sri Krishna is called Gopala Krishna, the protector of cows. He is always seen along with cows. So the reverence for cows is an important element of faith in Hinduism. When a Hindu buys a cow and brings her home, she is ceremoniously welcomed with lighted lamp. How should we honour such a benefactor of mankind? Clearly it does not deserve cruelty if not any honour. But the people of Kerala openly attacked this faith of Hindus and cruelly cut calves in the open in defiance of Hindu beliefs and conducted beef festival in Kerala. Luckily, it did not lead to a communal flare up because Hindus are a minority in Kerala, their real population may be in the range of twenty percent. About eighty percent of Kerala is Christian and Muslim (50-55%), Communists and Atheists (25-30).
There are many other aspects of Hindu culture that are being openly attacked in Kerala. Indian culture respects chastity of women. And these groups conducted Kiss Contest in Kerala. Young unmarried men and women openly kissed to defy this noble culture in the name of freedom. Should freedom be to hurt others’ faith? Not only that there are the incidents of dishonour to the national anthem, national flag and other patriotic symbols which the people of India, especially the majority Hindus hold in high reverence. Hindus consider the mother and the mother land greater than heaven. (Janani Janma Bhumischa Swargatapi Gariyasi). There are people here who oppose and insult the patriotic spirit of Hindus in the name of religious faith, because Muslims worship only Allah, not the motherland. They even ridicule yogic exercises because it is somehow connected with Indian culture and Hinduism. So is it that the religious faith of a particular community is to be protected, while that of the other is to be opposed.
Another thing that confounds me is the allegation that Hindus are communal, persecute minorities and divide Indians on the basis of religion. What has happened during the Muslim rule of India is well known. Hindus were forced to convert and accept Islam or face death; their temples were razed to the ground and masjids built in their place. Hindus were forced to pay a special tax in order to remain a citizen of India. In contrast, compare what Hindus have done to the early Parsi, Jew, Christian and Muslim settlers. The Hindu rulers always assisted them to establish their prayer houses and gave freedom to practice their faith. Hindu civilisation is alien to any exclusive view of God; it gives freedom to have different views on God. Then how and when did Hindus become communal?
After independence the Muslims wanted an exclusive nation for them, so the country was cut into two with the cruel massacre of millions of people. What is happening now in Kashmir, which has remained an inalienable part of India for time immemorial? There Muslim fundamentalists are fighting for an Islamic state separate from India. They do not want to remain with a secular democratic India but want to join Pakistan or create another nation for themselves all in the name of Islam. Very recently another Muslim leader said that Muslims want another partition. Muslim leaders like Owaisi spit venom on Hindus and say the population of Muslims has become 25 crores and now they can take on Hindus. Political Islam cannot accept democratic and secular rule as its allegiance is only to Allah and Sharia. So once they have the number, the demand for a separation nation arises. No need to blame them, because it is the inherent nature of Islam. That is why the Muslim leaders in India oppose Indian constitution when it comes to the question of uniform civil code and other laws that affect Muslim customs and beliefs. So India even though it is a secular democratic country is unable to implement Uniform Civil Code or pass laws related to Triple Talaq etc.
So who is Communal? Hindus? No. It is making a goat a wolf. Hindus are not communal. Their religion teaches them only to be liberal and tolerant to other faiths. But does it mean that the faith of Hindus should be ridiculed and attacked in their motherland? Such a negative and intolerant attitude on the part of religious minorities and leftists group have given rise to Hindutva. Communalism of one leads to the communalism of the other. Intolerance generates intolerance. Hatred generates hatred. Hatred can be overcome only through love and accommodation. That is the culture the great rishis of India taught. And their teachings is the soul of India.
Now when a tragedy has struck Kerala, even this calamity is used to attack Prime Minister Modi and BJP. It shows the consequences of increasing population shift of Muslims and Christians who have an upper hand in Kerala politics. In addition, there is the Communists who are ever in conflict with Hindu groups. The Communists are mostly from backward Hindu communities who are aggrieved by the caste system of brahmins, although caste system has ended long ago constitutionally. The Communists have become a good tool in the hands of minority groups to resist Hinduism. Peace and progress can be achieved only when the faith of all people including Hindus are respected. Religious freedom and religious rights should not be tilted towards only the minorities, who are in majority in some states of India. Otherwise it can lead to a terrible communal holocaust unpleasant than the floods now. Also, it is time for a great reformation of Hinduism. Faith in the Only One God as well as the idea of One People is absolutely essential in this age.
Mukundan P.R.
Note: The above is my personal view. It has nothing to do with the tenets of Santhigiri Ashram, where I serve. Santhigiri Ashram is above all isms, caste and religious boundaries and teaches mankind a unifying path of spirituality.
