Recently Prof Mohan J Dutta of Massey University, NZ published a paper called “Cultural Hindutva and Islamophobia” (White Papers – CARE (carecca.nz)) wherein he suggested that cultural elements in Hindutva are part of militant Hindutva and they need to be closely monitored by the local police. As per his assertion Hindu nationalism is organized around anti-muslim and anti-christian ideologies. In addition he talks about state sponsored violence leading to disenfranchisement under CAA and NRC act.
In the same article he has given an example of Swami Chinmayanand who, he alleges, was a key architect of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and who has used Hindu symbolism to promote Hindu supremacy.
I have not seen any paper or research work that is full of only lies and falsehood. Every conclusion from each reference that has been cited are wrong conclusions and wrongly referred.
Cultural Hindutva[1] is a mis-nomer. The author tries to articulate this with different examples and different mores and codes being followed in India. Indian society is not a monolithic society to be defined through standard cultural dimensions[2] and self invented dogmas. I have not found one standard definition of culture which will fit Hindu culture.
The second issue that Mr Dutta raises is about portrayal of Muslims and Christians as invaders to promote Hindutva. My question to the author is whether he has read Indian History? Both Muslims and Christians came to India in multiple streams over the last two thousand years. These were streams of traders, streams of refugees and streams of invaders and proselytisers. The fact is that the biggest stream was that of proselytisers. Does the author suggest that providing a true picture of history to the people constitutes promotion of Islamophobia – or may be Christianphobia (which he has not mentioned)?
The biggest lie that the author, who is a learned professor of an esteemed university, says in his paper is about the National Registry of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The author has the audacity to say. “ state sponsored disenfranchisement of Muslims”. I challenge Prof Dutta to cite the clause which disenfranchises Indian Muslims? If he cannot, he should send a public apology on all the platforms where he has published his paper.
He further states, and I quote, “ the ideology of Hindutva thrives on telling the story of Hindu supremacy”. I challenge Mr Dutta to cite one example of such storytelling where there things are not factual and which has been supported by people. The fact is that Hindu civilization has remained and continued on the earth from the times when both the other religions did not even exist. If stating fact constitutes supremacy, then that is clear sign of Islam and Christian inferiority. It is Hindutva which has assimilated Christ as one of their Gods[3]. Millions of followers of Paramhansa Yogananda worship Christ[4]. Prof Dutta, I suggest you some wider reading and a road trip across corners of India.
Prof Dutta says that the mechanism of cultivation of pride among Hindus is through creation of “other” – and in the same sequence he also cites an example of the International Chinmaya Mission which creates “narratives of Hindu supremacy reflected in teachings of Vedas”. Either you are confused Prof Dutta or you are illiterate and have just cited something somewhere. Every Hindu grows up learning the sloka
“Ayam nijah paroveti ganana laghuchetasam, udaracharitanantu vasudhaiva kutumbakam”
अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्
उदार चरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्
This was quoted by Barrak Obama while addressing Indian Parliament. [5] I will not tell you the meaning of this to test if you have the basis knowledge of Hinduism or not. But, I will give you a hint. This sloka ensures that Hindus never create “other”.
In the end, I want the following
- Either Mr Dutta come up with an apology or prove me any thing that I have said is wrong
- Government of India should raise a formal protest with Government of NZ for the allowing its institution for spreading lies about India, especially the following
- Using the word “state sponsored disenfranchisement of Muslims under NRC and CAA
- Using the word “Terrorist Organization” for Vishwa Hindu Parishad ( VHP)
[1] Berti, D. Jaou, N., Kanungo, P. Cultural Entrenchment of Hindutva: Local Mediation and forms of convergence
[2] Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory – Wikipedia
[3] Babaji, Yogi-Christ of Modern India | Self-Realization Fellowship (yogananda.org)
[4] Role of Babaji, Jesus & Yogananda – Inner Path Outreach
[5] “Ayam nijah paroveti ganana laghuchetasam, udaracharitanantu vasudhaiva kutumbakam.” Obama mentions this Sanskrit shloka, of course as an English translation, in his address to Indian Parliament. – Times of India (indiatimes.com)