'Fashionable' Hindus and their statements
Namaste members,
It is agreed a few minority Hindu extremists do exist. However, have you come across those Hindus who are ready to 'label' other Hindus as 'Hindutwa brigade' for their simple beliefs - such as faith in some customs, Orthodoxy, etc?
These are some of the arguments put forth by those who make such claims:
1. Saying that those Hindus who believe Hinduism to be the best among religions are 'narrow-minded' and lacking in brotherhood.
2. Saying that all our simple beliefs and customs such as not donating curd (anything White for that matter) after Sunset, not cutting hair and nails on Tuesdays and Fridays, etc are mere 'superstitions' and ridiculing those others who believe in such simple customs.
3. Saying that people have the right to tattoo Hindu gods images all over their body/anywhere including calf muscles, and it is wrong for anyone to point it out.
4. Saying that 'excessive' spirituality is like taking a boat to get across an ocean, but 'not getting down' even after reaching the shore - ridiculing others for their spiritual sentiments and calling repeatedly they are doing it just for 'favors' from god.
5. Saying that it is the 'birth right' of every woman to visit a famous temple or see the heads of mutts during menstruation and call those who believe otherwise as 'lacking in self-respect'.
6. Associating spirituality itself with 'extremism' and 'intolerance' of other religions.
7. If you are 'Brahmin' (an upper class under 'Varna' system of castes), and look for a bride or groom within the same class, you are a 'traitor'! To be considered 'truly spiritual' you should prepare to make alliance with other varnas.
Any perhaps many more such instances...
The problem is, such people holding contrary beliefs as stated above, 'brand' other Orthodox Hindus as 'Hindutwa', 'intolerant', 'lacking in brotherly spirit', 'lacking in self-respect', etc... How is it fair?
By saying the above, it seems such people making these claims are trying to sound 'cool', 'broad-minded', 'most tolerant', 'brotherly', etc, but why do it at the expense of another innocent, Orthodox Hindu who is toiling everyday to cling to his/her customs, traditions and beliefs to get close to his/her chosen deva/devi?
Please Note: Being a very tolerant person, I am not saying anyone should not hold contrary beliefs - including visiting temples during menstruation, disbelief in customs, intercaste marriage, etc, but why brand others who believe in Orthodox values? Why label them? Why not 'live and let live'?
So the above is the reason I have placed this topic under 'Hot Topics' forum. If you encounter any more of such 'fashion' statements, please post here.
Thanks,
Viraja
jai hanuman gyan gun sagar jai kapis tihu lok ujagar
Bookmarks