12 July 2007

RSS, Part 4

Minorities (contd)

Hindutva is not anti-Islam or anti-Christianity. How can it be, when Hinduism believes in the principles of 'Sarva dharma sama bhava' (Equal respect for all religions) and 'Ekam sat vipra bahuda vadanti' (Truth is One; the wise say many things)?

The RSS is not anti-Muslim or anti-Christian. It regards all Indians as brothers and sisters, irrespective of the religion they practice. The RSS's campaign is against Islamic extremists (who are trying to destroy India) and Christian missionaries (who exploit poverty to convert Indians). The RSS has nothing against the majority of peaceful, law-abiding and patriotic Muslims and Christians. In fact, it invites them to join its struggle.

Caste

The RSS is anti-caste. It believes caste divides Hindus, and disunity has been the bane of Hindu society. The RSS seeks to unite all Hindus. The practice of untouchability is particularly heinous; it is a crime against man and God.

(This concludes my little series)

4 comments:

kculon said...

"Christian missionaries (who exploit poverty to convert Indians)" -- why is that a problem?

Indian said...

See stephen-knapp.com/mahatma_gandhi_on_conversion.htm

Anonymous said...

Here's a suggestion to the RSS. Instead of having Non-English messages such as "Sarva dharma sama bhava", which doesn't resonate with most of the younger generation today, it would help to communicate in English, if it hopes to reach out to the "urban youth". Sure, there are hundreds of millions of people who can't speak or understand English, but then, is there an English-version of RSS that the urban youth can relate to?

Indian said...

1. The whole point of the RSS is to make Indians proud of their culture and arouse in them national consciousness. If we use English instead of Indian languages then the basic purpose is defeated. At best English can only be the initial means to acquaint people with the RSS and its ideology.

2. Weekly shakhas ("IT milans") are held for software professionals in English. See
indianexpress.com/sunday/story/32611.html and
rediff.com/news/2007/nov/12vicky.htm