Sethusamudaram Map

The government’s affidavit, filed by the Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI), has kept the nation on tenterhooks. Such a prejudiced observation is indicative of the intellectual bankruptcy of the caretakers of this nation. The demand for “incontrovertible proof” to confirm the existence of Lord Ram not only makes mockery of the Hindu sentiments but also brings in light the so-called secular brigade’s half-baked understanding of the concept of religion. The matters of faith have always been governed by attributes falling beyond the ambit of human understanding. Going by the stand of government, the enlightenment of Buddha, the Prophethood of Mohammed, the resurrection of Christ and other divine phenomenons, resting on the pedestal of indefensible and mysterious factors, are all bogus happenings. The government’s stand also undermines Gandhi’s supreme association with Lord Ram. Ironically, Gandhi stated that Lord is unseen power ‘which makes itself feel and yet defies all proof because it is so unlike all that I perceive from my senses. It is not proved by any extraneous substance.’ Lastly, what’s the need to go ahead with Sethusamudram project when it’s threatening for the marine ecology and absence of Ram Setu could magnify the intensity of Tsunami?

Mark Tully has rightly stated that there should be no space for “aggressive secularism” which does not believe in expansion of religion in India. Considering the fact that religion has been the essence of India since time immemorial, it would be a great blunder to “draw an absolute, hard and fast line, between the role of faith in private and public life “. Probably, this is why our Constitution grants both people as well as institutions total freedom to pursue and expand religion of their choice. What’s the merit in raising hue and cry over Hinduism based institutions to carve a way in both social and political domain? Taking cue from the ancient governance system, it’s time for our present rulers to form policies based on constructive and progressive elements of religion. Remember, any attempt to block the extension of religion is going to destabalise the very spirit of India.

The government’s error in not honouring the cultural significance of Ram Setu “flowered from the mindset of insensivity that deems Hinduism and Hinduism alone, an impediment to modernity, development and cosmopolitanism.” In fact, it has become order of the day, all under the veneer of so-called secular values, to assault the attributes of Hinduism. Over the years, minorityism has sown seeds of frustration and divisiveness among the Hindu groups, struggling hard to uphold the tenets of Hinduism against all odds. Perhaps it is for all these reasons Hindu organizations, symbols and sentiments, associated with Hinduism, are being needlessly targeted. On the other hand, Muslim fundamentalists have been given free hand to execute their nefarious designs since it ensures a strong vote-bank. It appears to be a macabre temptation when it comes to question the intentions and means of Muslim organizations.

At the other end of spectrum, the nude pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses are treated as extension of creative freedom, the demand for substantial proof of Lord Ram’s existence is projected as scientific temper and well-planned destruction of Hindu beliefs as an attempt to move with the times! The double standards, prevailing in the name of secularism, need to be curbed to prevent mockery of the Hindu ideals.

Lastly, some people have totally failed to intercept the verdict delivered by the Allahabad High Court judge. They seem to be unaware of the perceptions laid down in the Bhagavad Gita, which lays emphasis on inner transformation of human beings. The Bhagavad Gita neither proclaims idol worship nor promotes life trapped in rituals. It’s simply a guiding star for a person wishing to live a balanced life, amid complexities of world, by striking an intimate bond with Impersonal God. Probably, this is why High Court’s judge was not hesitant in treating the Bhagavad Gita as National Religious Doctrine. Do they want us to ignore the role of the Bhagavad Gita in raising the consciousness of revolutionaries during Indian freedom movement? It’s hard to believe that recognition of Hindu symbols punctures the secular spirit of nation. Needless to state, mind soaked in borrowed ideals have blocked their ability to honour our ancient legacy or, for that matter, accept the judgment with proper bent of mind in all its totality!

Lord Rama Constructing Bridge With Help Of Monkeys

 Government’s affidavit

Sethusamudram project

Pic Two