I am a Hindu and I love nationalism
I am a Hindu. I have been worshipping Lord Ram, Krishna, Shiva and numerous other Gods and Goddesses since ages, or atleast since 1947. I mentioned that year since we often compare 2014 with earlier years. My worship was not questioned to that extent as it is being done now. Same is the case with my celebration of ‘Nationalism’. Suddenly I see many many Internet users, thinkers, liberals, leftists and intellectuals questioning my expression of my love to the religion or country. The love for both has been there since birth, but now I can express it in words, on Social media, in my political affiliation and related things. As long as it was inside me, it was fine with everyone. Not now.
So what has changed? Is it because we all 90s kids are now grown ups with individual thoughts? Or is it because of the excessive use of the readily available social media? Or is it because actually some groups are feeling threatened? The reason can be anything and I am not here to conclude.
But I am very well aware of one thing and that is the hypocrisy of the world. If I have now realised the importance and correctness of the Vedas, Sanskrit language, Hindu warriors and kings, Hindu texts and mythology and such related things, am I wrong? Dont I have any right and also responsiblity to preserve things that are innate to my country because this is where it started from? By no means I am debating on ‘superiority’ of a religion but I am very much debating on which came first. I am proud to say I am from the oldest religions of the world, so naturally I will take pride in it. Wasn’t the same pride shown and expressed by Swami Vivekananda, who is respected by all in the world? Wasn’t the same expressed by Mahatma Gandhi who is respected by all in the world? Then what is the problem with me? If I demean any other religion, you have the full right to say so that I am wrong.
You may make trolls and joke about Ayurveda or Cow Urine. Of course I do not impose or preach about these for any particular cure but I do believe that these were the sacred things of the past which healed people. I had universities in my country which had ancient texts rich with human science and they were destroyed by the invaders. Ayurveda is not just some plant leaf but is a decades study by our sages. Even till this date, my own family members and many other people practice Ayurveda and consume cow urine, a spoon maybe daily. And that is because it has always had health benefits. That is the reason we worship our cow like a Goddess. There are numerous benefits of cow related products which I dont want to delve into now. But I do not accept you ridiculing me for Ayurveda or Cow Urine. You are totally okay not to accept it, but you cannot ridicule it.
Yoga, another important study of the inner human body, given to the world by my religion is my proud feeling. If I preach it, what is wrong in it? What is wrong in recommending Surya Namaskar which is just stretching of our body to make you feel refresh from within? If you dont like it, dont do it, but you cannot troll or ridicule it. The world isnt mad to follow it religiously.
There are hundreds of countries in the world. Christianity is the dominant religion followed by Islam. Both of them originated from a country that is outside India. They have their beliefs, ideologies, symbolic structures preserved and cherished. Be it Jerusalem or Mecca/Medina. For me, I have those only in India. So by all means I will preserve it. I have faith in some places that have been their since centuries. Am I wrong to call that place my Mecca? I don’t think so.
Also, the world is in a protectionist mode and there is wave of nationalism everywhere. If I celebrate something that is perceived good for my country, why cannot I cherish it? What problems do you have me celebrating Rafele for just a few days? If I demean Pakistan, I demean that country because of its unruly and inhuman behavior since the beginning. Why do you take my angst against a religon and not a country? And yes, now I do not like the other neighbour as well. So I will celebrate Rafele. I will celebrate all such things that bring my countrymen to a common goal and focus. If world needs nationalism, then so does India. By what means is it pro Hindu or against any religion?
I was appalled by the questioning of politicians and journalists about the Ram Janmabhoomi. The verdict was given in 2019 by the Supreme Court of India. It was accepted by all. If you, intellectual, were not okay with it, you should have written your so called editorials then. Why this urge of expressing your desire now, after 8 months? Why suddenly you realise that Ram is everywhere and not confined to Temple? Shall I assume this for other religion also? Will you accept it? Do you have the guts to say that Jesus and Mohammed are everywhere and hence we do not need Churches and Mosques? No, you dont. The reason being is that your outrage can only be against Hindus since you know that they are accommodating, accepting and non revolting. Just because after thousands of years, Hindus have started to revolt, you suddenly want to bring up terms like Hindu Terror? That is just ridiculous.
I am not trying to debate on the goods and bads of a particular verdict or arms deal or territorial matters or anything else. All I am trying to say is that do not consider my expression to my religion or beliefs as something that is against anyone else. No it is not. I respect all religions but I love my religion and I will do everything to preserve it.
