This would be like saying that the 1930s and early 1940s "mindset" of Germany was a "Catholic" one. Yes, atrocities were also committed in the name of religion against other religions (Jews, for instance).
To mix up an extremist political ideology (Hindutva) with a religion (Hinduism) only helps the former in their goal of polarising people and claiming to speak out for a wide group of people. We know they are not representative. Otherwise, the political forces representing them wouldn't have been struggling to get 20% of the popular vote! In times of fanatic upsurges, everyone gets easily swayed. But it is not fair to tar an entire religion by the acts of fanatics claiming to speak in its name. Never mind that even the 'secular state' of India has been infiltrated effectively, specially its police, bureaucracy, education and media! We need to pay a tribute to those who recognise this for what it is -- not a fight between Hindus *and* minorities, but between those who want to claim hegemony over Hindu society by buildings threat-perceptions about the "minority threat". Of course, if there is no threat, it will have to be manufactured! FN >> Gabe, what exactly is "the Hindu mindset"? Isn't this as stereotypical >> a view as what the Hindu far right has of the "minorities"? --FN > .................... > > RESPONSE: It is not just the undeducated easily swayed, Hindu mindset. > We have so called educated Hindu's who also uphold the ideology of the > VHP Bajrang Dal and Hindutva brigade. We have seen the defence of this > ideology here on this forum. > > As Jason stated, those who at the drop of a hat are waiting for an > excuse to take up arms - the likes of what happened in Orissa, > Karnataka, Kerala and the carnage that took place in Gujarat. Okay, > although this does not constitute the majority of the Hindu > population, in a Country of a billion plus all you need is 10 percent > - this is more than enough. The 90 percent seem powerless, as seen in > Mumbai, with the Shiv Sena demanding shop signs in Marathi. The Judge > rightly asked who is in charge! -- FN * Independent Journalist http://fn.goa-india.org M: +91-9822122436 P: +91-832-2409490
