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The column of mine describing a Narkasur spotting evening in Panjim got the
response below from a (Indian origin) friend of a cousin of mine based in
the USA. I asked his permission to post his views here. He wishes to remain
anonymous. Comment most welcome.
---------
Good to hear from you. Your cousin's article was very interesting indeed
with a wonderful, affectionate tone which was really appealing.
However, here are a few critical comments about the overall content:
1. I am afraid I do not share your optimism about religious harmony nor
your cousin's aspirations about a benevolent universal religion.
2. Your cousin's relatively benign attitude towards Hinduism reflects
current political realities in India. The Hindus are hopelessly divided,
and the more cohesive Christian and Islamic minorities - strengthened by
foreign missionary funding - are in a position to make or break governments
at both the national and provincial levels. Keep in mind that the real
ruler of India, Sonia Gandhi, is a Catholic who has surrounded herself with
Muslim and Christian advisors with a sprinkling of Hindu women in tow.
She has carefully kept Hindu men at bay, realizing quite correctly that
they represent the most serious threat to her dynastic ambitions.
3. Since the Hindu majority is no longer a serious threat to the
minorities, the latter can indulge in two contradictory approaches. The
more liberal Christians and Muslims can afford to be graciously benevolent,
if a touch condescending, especially towards the more colorful, whimsical
manifestations of Hinduisim. The hardliners, on the other hand, smelling
blood in Hindu disarray, have stepped up their vicious attacks as can be
seen every day on numerous websites masquerading as "Dalit" enterprises!
4. It is not clear how all this will play out. But I am afraid the worst
possible outcome, namely a Muslim majority in India, is not the least
probable, and may even be on the cards if current demographic trends
continue unabated. If and when that happens, the remaining beleagured
Christians of India will surely be nostalgic for the glory days of a
divided Hindu majority. But it will be too late then, and, unfortunately,
there will be no Hindus left to gloat over their discomfiture!
5. Your cousin repeats conventional secular Indian wisdom about Akbar's Din
Illahi. However, in my opinion, it is impossible to cherry pick the "good"
things in every religion in order to construct a new super religion. The
good things of a religion are so closely connected to its bad aspects that
the two cannot be pried apart. The "egalitarianism" of Islam comes with its
totalitarianism and intolerance. Christian charity is impossible without
vicious missionary zeal. The diversity and pluralism of the Hindu tradition
inevitably leads to caste hierarchies and political fragmentation. The gods
and demons of each religion are available only as a package deal. It is for
this reason that the Din Illahi perished with its founder. It would be far
better to dump all existing religions and start fresh with an ethical,
spiritual system based on scientific insights.
6. Denouncing all politicians as your cousin does is very tempting but also
very dangerous. All politicians may be equally evil, but at any given
political conjuncture they are not all equally powerful. It is important,
therefore, to oppose those who are entrenched in the government even if it
means taking the temporary help of equally wicked politicians in the
wilderness! At the present moment we need to worry particularly about
global Islamic fundamentalism engorged as it is on petrodollars. Not
singling out this ideology for special treatment would be a tragic mistake
even in the short run.
----------
I am posting his views here as I feel they are worthy of further discussion.
Cheers!
Cecil
====
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