RSS opposes caste-based census

24/05/2010 07:31:26 PTI

NAGPUR: RSS on Sunday said nationality should be the basis in the ongoing national census and not caste.

"The RSS is following the principles of late Dalit leader B R Ambedkar. Right from the beginning, RSS is in favour of a casteless society and any attempt to dilute it will hurt the sentiments of people," RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi told reporters here.

RSS has been striving to build a casteless society, he said.

"There is no provision for identifying and separating illegal migrants in the country while preparing the National Population Register (NPR). This will prove to be a threat to the national security and integrity," he said.

According to him, preparation of a multi-utility identity card on the basis of NPR will be incorrect. "Therefore, RSS demands that identity cards be issued only after verification of nationality and the nationality provision should be the basis for NPR," Joshi said.

He said government should fix some criteria for giving reservation to other backward communities (OBCs). "There should not be any hurry and government should initiate a national debate on it. There needs to be a dialogue with various social groups in this regard," he said.

When his attention was drawn towards BJP's demand for inclusion of a provision of OBC category in the national census records to identify OBC population, Joshi evaded a direct reply saying it was for the BJP to decide.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had recently said that the Cabinet will shortly take a decision on whether caste-based census should be undertaken or not.

Karthik
25/05/2010 02:57:30 Kudos to RSS
I fully endorse Sri. Venugopal Ji's sugestions. RSS's stand is cent / cent correct. Vande Matarm

K.Venugopal
24/05/2010 08:04:10

Dissolve caste organisations and form Hindu Front.
The Hindus of various castes who are today benefiting from reservations are living in fool's paradise by imagining that caste census will give them a greater proportion of reservations. Muslims and Christians are also going to enroll themselves under various castes and then they, being more organized than the short-sighted Hindu caste leaders, will corner the major chunk of all reservations. On top of it they will also get special minority rights, which Hindus of no caste are going to get. So it is better for Hindus of all persuasions to reject caste census. Instead they have to be united as Hindus and demand special rights as the majority. What political, economic or social powers have the two largest Hindu castes of Kerala today - the Ezhavas and Nairs? If they unite under the Hindu banner, wouldn't they be running Kerala? Why is it we lack even this minimal common sense?

http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=11153&SKIN=B

Caste in the Census

10/05/2010 11:08:54 Organiser Editorial

The demand for a caste-based census is being strongly advanced by the prominent OBC parties, while it is being opposed by the Home Ministry as fraught with numerous hindrances.

The Parliament was repeatedly thrown to uproarious scenes by the senior leaders demanding an amendment in the format for the questionnaire for census enumeration. Within the ruling UPA , in the Congress Party itself there is no unanimity on the issue with the union cabinet divided down the middle supporting and opposing the caste-based census. Only the Home Ministry, which is overseeing the census work is clear that the demand is dangerous and difficult to accomplish.

The supporters of the caste-based census have their reasons. Their politics in the first place hinges on caste. But they woke up too late. The census exercise for 2011 is well in progress. It is now too late for the enumerators to go back and repeat the process all over again. A caste-based census will help the OBC parties have a better idea of the constituency profile for making their political moves. It will also give them more opportunities to make fresh caste based reservation demands. Afterall caste is a sensitive issue. People kill each other in the name of caste. Even parents resort to honour killings of their children to protect the caste purity. Caste is thicker than blood! Inter-caste marriages are still rare and with every passing day people are getting more and more caste conscious. This often undermines a collective Hindu personality. And the government policies, reservation benefits and economic interests have perpetuated the caste system. There is also political profit in the caste. The Congress Party recently announced its list of office bearers for Bihar prominently announcing the caste tag of each individual. Other parties are not far behind when it comes to finalising the candidates’ list and ministerial berth. The other day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi claimed that the tainted union Communications Minister A Raja cannot be removed because he is a dalit. So even for taking action against corruption one has to consider caste. This is the travesty of our times.

For four decades after independence national leaders taught us to forget caste, religion, language and provincialism to develop a national psyche. India is one. Indians are one. Our only identity is that Indian nationality. But in the last two decades the politicians have revived casteism and now it has become a political agenda. There are many ways of listing the caste. A comprehensive survey by the National Commission of Backward Classes and or the state Commissions of Backward Classes could generate reasonably authentic data on castes. The Anthropological Survey has listed 65,000 castes. The Government of India has officially recognised 6000 castes and sub-castes under the OBC. Unlike the SC-ST category which has a uniform central list of 1885 notified castes, the OBC lists are different for the state and centre.

A note prepared by the Home Ministry listed a number of practical difficulties for the enumerators and also raised certain fundamental objections on the politician’s obsession with caste based census. "Operational difficulties", in carrying out caste-based census would overshadow the basic objective of the census itself, according to the Home Ministry.

The Ministry is right. The last caste-based census was done in 1931 under the British, and the national leaders afterwards opposed a caste census as divisive. There is no doubt the caste-based census could become misleading and can lead to double counting. Further, there is no religious sanction for the Christians and the Muslims to declare their caste though majority of them enjoy the benefits of caste reservation both at the state and central level. The biggest fear, expressed by the Home Ministry is that a caste census could result in "motivated returns through organised and surreptitious means to project higher numbers of a particular caste". If that happens the sanctity of the census will become suspect.

K.Venugopal
11/05/2010 05:52:20 Caste - NIL
Caste, whatever its merit in holding together the Hindu society may have been in the past, has today become a fissiparous tendency against Hindu identity. Strengthening caste would only ensure the invalidation of Hindu identity. At least the BJP should have been against caste census, which would only help to strengthen caste identities. I have personally decided to declare my nationality as Hindu, my religion as Advaita and caste as NIL.

http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=11047&SKIN=B

Non-Muslim women can’t marry Muslims: Alld HC

12/05/2010 14:41:28 PTI - http://www.zeenews.com/news625911.html

Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has held that a Muslim man's marriage to a woman of another religion shall be considered void and against the tenets of Islam if he fails to get her converted to the religion before wedlock.

In its order, a division bench comprising Justices Vinod Prasad and Rajesh Chandra also ruled that remarriage of a Muslim man shall be held void if he abandons his first wife without divorcing her and fails to treat children born of the marriage in a fair and just manner.

The order was passed yesterday when the bench dismissed a writ petition of one Dilbar Habib Siddiqui, a resident of Allahabad, who had married a Hindu girl named Khushboo on December 29, last year.

Siddiqui had moved the court with the plea to quash the FIR lodged against him by Khushboo's mother Sunita Jaiswal alleging that he had kidnapped her daughter, a minor at that time, and had compelled her to marry him.

Refuting the charges levelled against him in the FIR, Siddiqui produced a copy of Khushboo's high school certificate to prove that she was a major at the time of marriage and her (Khushboo's) representations to higher authorities, upon learning about the FIR, that the marriage was a result of mutual consent.

While holding that having more than one wife is permissible under Islam, the court, however, took strong note of the fact that before tying the knot with Khushboo, Siddiqui had not disclosed to her that he was already married and was the father of three children.

His first wife had appeared before the court during the course of the hearing and alleged that Siddiqui had abandoned her and their three children, compelling them to "live like destitute".

The court noted that Siddiqui "albeit married, had deceived Khushboo Jaiswal, who did not intimate us that she was in the knowledge of the petitioner's first marriage".

"For a valid Muslim marriage, both the spouses have to be Muslim. In the present writ petition, this condition is not satisfied", the court remarked and quoted from a verse in the Holy Quran which says, "Do not marry unbelieving women until they believe... Nor marry your girls to unbelievers until they believe".

Besides, the petitioner's marriage to Khushboo without divorcing his first wife and not dealing with his three children in a fair and just manner was "against the tenets of the Holy Quran" and hence "cannot be legally sanctified", the court said.

The bench quoted the following verse from the holy book while making the above observation - "Marry woman of your choice, two, three or four; But if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one... that would be more suitable to prevent you from doing injustice".

Dismissing the petition, the court directed that investigations in the impugned FIR be conducted expeditiously and authorities of the Nari Niketan, where Khushboo is currently housed, hand her over to her parents.

Vijayalakshmi
13/05/2010 06:16:27 Ban marriage conversions
I endorse the views of Sri venugopal.

K.Venugopal
12/05/2010 23:28:03 Ban marriage conversions.
While we, as Indians, are free to abide by our own social and religious beliefs in matters pertaining to marriage, as codified in the Marriage Acts of different religions, the constitution also validates any marriage under Special Marriage Act. Furthermore, all Indians have the choice to be governed either by their respective religious Marriage Acts or the Special Marriage Act. This being so, the condition that a Hindu girl converts to Islam before being eligible to marry a Muslim would not be binding if the couple decides to marry under the Special Marriage Act. Therefore, since Islam does not permit inter-religious marriages, there should be a law prohibiting a Muslim man from marrying a Hindu girl except under the Special Marriage Act so that the Hindu girl does not have to convert. We should start a campaign for the passing of such a law.

http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=11063&SKIN=B

New British PM David Cameron, Extols 'Hindu way of life'

11/05/2010 12:51:30

David Cameron, leader of Conservative party has been elected as the new Prime Minister of United Kingdom today. Following PTI report highlights his views about India and Hinduism. For the whole world Indian way of life is ‘Hindu way of life’ .

Britain's PM-to-be wants special ties with India
PTI

David Cameron, the man most likely to take over as the next Prime Minister of Britain, has promised to forge a "new special relationship" with India and support India's bid for a seat in the UN Security council.

Cameron, who made his first overseas visit as leader of the Conservative party to India in 2006, has been in close touch with the Indian community, extolling the 'Hindu way of life'.

He has often addressed large gatherings of Indian spiritual leader Morari Bapu in Britain.

At 43, he will join the ranks of Tony Blair who was also 43 when he became the Prime Minister in 1997. Blair was the youngest person to hold the apex office since Lord Liverpool in 1812, at the age of 42.

His party's manifesto says that the party will "work to establish a new special relationship with India, the world's largest democracy".

It also commits the party to "work towards greater stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan" and support India's bid for a seat in the UN Security Council.

Speaking at a recent 'Ram Katha' event addressed by Morari Bapu in Wembley, Cameron said the Hindus' commitment to hard work, family values and patriotism found resonance in the "British way of life".

He addressed a similar Morari Bapu event in Leicester some time ago.

Wembley has a large Hindu population, and in 2008 Britain's state-funded Hindu school was established in the London borough.

Britain's Hindus constitute the third largest religious group after Christianity and Islam.

Heaping praise on British Hindus, he said members of the community, "don't just contribute to our society. You shine a light on how we must live".

Cameron said: "Hindus are the most family-orientated community in Britain. You are more likely to stay married, keep your families together and especially look after your elderly".

"While maintaining their religious and cultural traditions, British Hindus have consistently shown, through their service, their patriotism, their contribution to our society, that they are truly British too".

Picking on research conducted by the respected Runnymede Trust titled "Connecting British Hindus", Cameron supported the growing demand that Hindus in Britain should be called "British Hindus" or "British Indians" and not "British Asians".

The Tory leader also stressed the importance of role models within the community.

Although there have been moves to remove barriers of race and ethnicity, more needed to be done to encourage minorities to take up careers in politics, law and the armed forces, Cameron said.

"I want to see more people from your and other minority communities playing their rightful role in helping to run our country to make it a better place for us all to live in.

"The Hindu community is a shining example of the can-do, will-do attitude we need in our country," he said.

K.Venugopal
11/05/2010 13:10:48 Politicians know the art of appeasing.
Being a politician in the hunt for votes, he would have equally extolled the 'Islamic way of life'.

Karthik
12/05/2010 20:58:59 Jeswins
India itself is a meaningless name and thus anyone wants to be proud by calling himself Indian First is suiciding himself. Hindustan is our identity. It is a country of those who are Hindus and those who were Hindus. With the issue over EVMs burning hot as a debate, anyone who comments on BJPs failure is premature. It is upto X ians whether to praise Mohanlal for wearing a cross or giving a virgin birth. Christian names and symbols are as alien to Bharat/Hindustan as the British PM is. But one should congratulate the British PM for atleast acknowledging Hindu (Bharathiya) way of life which Mother Teresa failed to do during her entire life.

jeswin
12/05/2010 23:17:48 No right to critisize Mother Theresa
How can you criticize Mother Theresa?
Did you know the good work she had done India?Even thousands of 'Matha Amithanandamayis' lives in India,Mother Theresa's name will stand seperate.All the blessings that India enjoying nowadays ,main part is because of her prayer for India.

K.Venugopal
13/05/2010 05:08:36 Poothana Theresa
It is tragic when people suffer due to poverty and the best of people have always come forward to contribute their mite towards poverty alleviation. Many have of course exploited the poor. Among the most "successful" exploiters of the poor has been Mother Theresa. It is well documented that all the poor people whom Mother Theresa saved from the streets were housed and provided with bare necessities while she built a financial empire out of their poverty. And she used that fund for her "harvesting of souls" activities. Her successor was not someone from the street but a person from a rich and elite family. You can't compare her with Mata Amritanandamayi, who has not exploited the poor but liberated many from poverty to the higher art of living. Mother Theresa is no mother. She is the modern avtar of Poothana who tried to poison Krishna. In Greek mythology there is a witch called Circe, who transformed her enemies into animals. This is what the so-called Mother Theresa did - transforming her enemy Hindus into Christians.

http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=11053&SKIN=W

Salman Rushdie Not Competent to Judge Hinduism

19/03/2010 20:48:09 Dr Vijaya Rajiva

Salman Rushdie, the novelist, is now Distinguished Writer in Residence at an American university, Emory University.

After a long stint at writing and the publicity that went with the fatwa on his head after writing Satanic Verses, Rushdie has shown both that he is a skilful writer and a determined outlaster
of fatwas. One should admire him for both and wish him all success in his present avatar .

But is he competent to be an authoritative judge on Hinduism?

Clearly not. He knows next to nothing on the subject, not only because he is not well informed, but also as a Muslim growing up in India, he did not absorb anything of the religion, even by osmosis, as even a non practicing Hindu would. He simply does not know the tradition or its scripture and philosophy or its practice. Yes, he learnt a lot from Wendy Doniger’s book The Hindus: An Alternative History.

What other source did he have ?

Therefore, his pronouncement on Doniger’s book is embarassing to say the least. His further admission that he found her writing an invaluable resource, is a naïve expression of his own ignorance of Hinduism. This is what he had to say in India Today (March 14, 2010):


“ She is the most eminent scholar in the field. She is not a fly-by-night operator. I have read her and found her writing an invaluable resource,” said Rushdie, adding , “Ninety- nine point nine per cent of those who call themselves Hindus would learn and value her colossal work.”

He, Salman Rushdie, is overawed by the quantitative length of the book (as Ms. Doniger merrily and scurrilously goes along!) and is truly overwhelmed by his own ignorance of the subject . Is it any surprise that he has been taken for a ride ?

Doniger’s translations from Sanskrit have been critiqued by many scholars (both Hindu and non Hindu, Indian and Western). There are gross factual errors in the book. Does
Rushdie think he can identify them or that he is a Sankritist who can testify to the authenticity of her translations from the Sanskrit ? Does he know the Hindu tradition at all ?And although he grew up in India does he have any knowledge of Hinduism’s daily practices ?

Rushdie, buoyed by his new found successes has rushed in (no pun intended!) to evaluate an ancient civilisational religion of which he knows next to nothing. In Satanic verses, he can claim
some knowledge and understanding since it is his own faith. He is writing as an insider, so to speak. But with Hinduism, his endorsement of a fraudulent (in many people’s opinion) author’s views leaves one wondering what his motives are.


More importantly, the ninety nine point nine per cent of Hindus that Rushdie is referring to are the majority of practicing everyday Hindus who do not need his misplaced advice on what Hinduism is, thank you.

This pronouncement of Rushdie’s is an indication of the arrogance/stupidity of literary

artists who assume that success in their chosen field, automatically guarantees that they are experts and gurus in other fields.

Having read the book and reviewed the comments and criticism of Doniger’s scholarship by qualified experts, the present writer is of the opinion that Doniger’s claim to fame and name as an expert on Hinduism, is fraudulent. The NBCC (National Book Critics Circle) in
the U.S., it is believed , withdrew her name from a potential book award, after receiving criticisms and complaints about the poor quality of her scholarship.

She claims to “love Hindus” but contradicts this by writing a lengthy book that trashes everything the everyday Hindu believes in and holds sacred. This may appeal to Mr.Rushdie since he is not a Hindu. The millions of every day Hindus have not heard of this woman, but surely would be shocked and scandalized by her outpourings on a tradition that she is not familiar with and at best, has only a distorted knowledge of.

Rushdie, in supporting her alleged scholarship and touting her book as an invaluable source, is not only revealing his own ignorance of Hinduism, but is also spitting on the everyday Hindu.

(Dr.Rajiva taught Political Philosophy at a Canadian university).



K.Venugopal
22/03/2010 09:26:35 Rushdie's favourable opinion would not transform fallacies into facts
In all discussions about anyone's viewpoint, whether supportive or condemnatory, the motive of the person holding a particular viewpoint is often a point of consideration. Unfortunately, we also often read motives into a person's viewpoint that may not have existed in the person's intention. I think it is somewhat perilous to read motives into any person's viewpoint. Therefore a viewpoint, methinks, would be best considered if it is considered on the face value of its expression. However, the question of going beyond motives in viewpoints is applicable only in works of art or opinion. Works claiming to be non-fiction should go solely on facts. While an expression of opinion may elicit contrary and contrarian opinions, a work claimed to be non-fiction should not elicit contrary opinions. Either the fact is right or wrong. And the onus of proving it right lies squarely on the author of the work. If Ms. Doniger's work falls short in proving the facts stated therein, that parts which fail to do so would be nothing less than trash. While no one is perfect and a margin of error in any claimed piece of non-fiction can be allowed for, an unproportional amount of error would qualify the whole work as trash. Since I have not read her book in question and may not be qualified to judge where she might have been liberal with truth, some of the errors pointed out by critiques seem to me to justify the questioning of her scholarship. Rushdie may have been impressed by her scholarship because he might not be otherwise knowledgeable of the subject and may not have subjected himself to reading her critiques. Rushdie is not known to be a Hinduism expert. Therefore his opinion of Ms. Doniger's book does not amount to much.

http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HkPage.aspx?PAGEID=10663&SKIN=W

Husain - A muslim ! So What?

15/04/2010 10:29:25

PRESS NOTE OF SANSKAR BHARATI ON CONTROVERSIAL PAINTINGS OF M.F. HUSAIN

Freedom of Expression:

Sanskar Bharati believes in the freedom of expression for creative persons and is determined to uphold the same at any cost. At the same time artists should be responsible of their social responsibilities. While availing of the freedom of creativity, it becomes their duty to ensure that they do not hurt the feelings of any section of society. In the recent controversy on the paintings of Hindu Goddesses like 'Durga', 'Sarasvati' and 'Sita' by Maqbool Fida Husain, Sanskar Bharati recognizes an artist's right to creative freedom but condemns the misuse of that freedom by him to hurt the religious feelings of a very large section of our society.


Hindu Gods/Goddesses by Husain.

Durga:

Husain has violated all norms of decency and artistic finesse while painting Goddess Durga. She is in fact not shown astride, but in sexual union with a tiger. In many paintings, Husain has taken up the theme of sex between animals and women. He has done paintings on sex between a horse and a woman, and a bull and a woman. But he has done the most abominable act by extending this series to portraying Goddess Durga.

Rescuing Sita:

Never in the history of Indian art, Goddess Sita or Hanuman have been depicted in stark nakedness. Sita was never rescued by Hanuman. Here Husain not only violates the principles of traditional iconography, but invents a new theme to denigrate Sita, the Goddess worshipped by millions of Hindus all over the world. Hanuman's tail as a phallic symbol crosses all limits of decency, which have been used in his Durga painting also.


Vishnu:

Lord Vishnu is mostly painted with four hands holding 'Shankh', 'Padma', 'Gada' and 'Chakra'. But hands of Vishnu that hold these attributes have been amputated in Husain's portrayal. His legs have also been cut off. Maimed, mutilated and exhausted Vishnu reclines on his spouse Lakshmi and 'Vahan - Garuda'. Should cutting of hands and legs of Vishnu be regarded as creative freedom or deliberate affront to Hindu sensibility?


Sarasvati:

Sarasvati is regarded as Goddess of Knowledge, art and wisdom by all Hindus. They worship her as the one 'wrapped in white & pure garment' (Ya Shubhra Vastravruta). Showing this 'Goddess in white', as nude not only violates the iconographic tradition of thousands of years, but also outrages the Hindu psyche and sensibility.


Lakshmi:

Lakshmi is also stark naked, perched on the head of Lord Ganesh, a posture highlighting unmasked sexuality.


Hanuman - V

The tilte of the painting is Hanuman - V. It is done in water colour on paper. It shows a three faced Hanuman, and a nude couple (male & female). The identity of the woman is not in doubt. The erect genital of Hanuman is bent in the direction of the female. The obscenity is too obvious. Would it not injure the feelings of Hindus?


Hanuman - 13

It is one of the most obnoxious paintings. In sheer obscenity, it surpasses Husain's all other works. It shows stark naked Sita with not a thread on her body, sitting on the thigh of an equally naked Ravana, while a naked Hanuman is attacking the latter.


George Washington and Arjun on the Chariot:

Lord Krishna driving the chariot of Arjun in the Mahabharata is a theme depicted in all genre of visual arts, that adorn the walls of most Hindu homes. But Lord Krishna stands replaced in Husain's painting called 'George Washington and Arjun on the Chariot'. Why has Husain done so? In his eyes, Lord Krishna is no God and stands denigrated and reduced to the level of a mere human being - George Washington. Or, this painting is meant as a flattery to American sentiments, identifying him with an Indian God? Either way, it would amuse no Hindu.


Non-Hindu Subjects by Husain


Fatima - Prophet Mohammed's Daughter:

Husain's Fatima is the embodiment of serenity and grace. Clothed properly with a book in her hand, she is swathed in blue light. Why did Husain not take the same artistic liberty with Fatima's painting which he has taken in drawing the images of Sita, Lakshmi, Durga and Sarasvati? Is it because of the fear of Fatwas of Muslim clergy? Has he not misused the tolerance and catholicity of Hindus, and pushed them to retaliate?


Portraits of Husain's Daughter and Mother:

Husain has painted his daughter and mother with all their clothes on and covered from head to toe, as should normally be done. He has not disrobed them as he had done with the paintings/sketches of Hindu Goddesses - Durga, Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Sita. Why has he not availed artistic licence in painting his mother and daughter?


Mother Teresa:

Husain's 'Mother Teresa' is an outstanding piece of art. It brings out the compassion of Mother Teresa in relief, without unduly insulting her persona, as he had done with Hindu Goddesses.


The Dove of Peace:

Muslims believe that the number 786 symbolise's Allah's Grace. Husain paints the number along with a dove, symbolically making a statement that Allah grants peace, a very noble and commendable emotion. One wishes that Husain had painted the Gods and Goddesses of Hindu religion with the same emotion.


Deliberate and Maleovalent Act


Why Husain has painted Durga, Sita, Sarasvati, Lakshmi etc. in nude while he paints his step-mother 'Shirin', Prophet Mohammed's daughter 'Fatima', and his own daughter covered with garments all over? What artistic and aesthetic value has Husain acheived by disrobing Hindu Goddesses? Can an artistic assertion of freedom be partisan and effected by religious affiliations?

He has painted a panel depicting Einstein, Gandhi, Mao Tse Tung and Hitler, in which only Hitler is naked. It seems that Husain paints only those characters nude, against whom he feels hatred and repugnance. Does this explain his painting Hindu Goddesses in the nude and obscene?

Has it something to do with his being an admirer of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the separatist Muslim communalist who Partitioned India and created Pakistan? It is not surprising that Husain's biographer, Dhyaneshwar Nadkarni observed that - - - " three paintings, 'Muharram', 'Maulvi' and 'Duldul Horse' indicate the profound religious grooming that has been part of Husain since his youth. He has inculcated his religious streak both as an individual and as an artist".


Khajuraho and Konark Sculptures:

This is true that sculptures at Konark and Khajuraho are erotica, depicting the man-woman relationship in generic terms. These sculptures nowhere represent a God or Goddess generally or specifically. But Maqbool Fida Husain has made specific Goddesses as the subject of his obscene paintings.


Husain - A muslim ! So What?


The fact that Husain is a Muslim is irrelevant. Had the artist been a Hindu, he too would have been similarly condemned for hurting the feelings of a section of the society. Art does not discriminate between man and man on the basis of one's religion.


Nudity and Nakedness:


Nudity and nakedness have a very thin dividing line. It is the same fine line that distinguishes an erotic piece of art from the obscene. Violating this dividing line, Husain has hurt the feelings of millions of people by his naked and obscene depictions.


Call for Peaceful Satyagraha:


Husain has deliberately and intentionally hurt the religious sensibilities of millions of people by his naked and obscene depiction of their Goddesses. He is guilty of creating a wedge and disharmony between Hindus and Muslims. He has not only hurt Hindus, but also Muslims who are working for communal harmony. He deserves to be condemned in the strongestterms.

Sanskar Bharati does not approve acts of vandalism committed by some misguided people recently to protest against Husain's controversial works. Instead, it calls people to registar thier protets through peaceful means.

They should persuade people to socially ostracise him, boycott his painting exhibitions, not to purchase or hang his works and picket peacefully and offer Satyagraha to get all his paintings removed from the offices and galleries where they are on display. People should not take the law into their hands. Let the law take its own course.

D.P. Sinha, I.A.S. (retd) for, Sanskar Bharati

Anil Balakrishnan
15/04/2010 22:55:26 Hussain
Dear Venugopalji,

Husain is worse than a Bastard - He should paint the nude picture of Mohammed having sex with his seven year old wife
KSV SUBRAMANIAN
15/04/2010 22:47:46 Freedom of expression to insult hindus ?
This is the selective freedom of expression. Why the same kind of freedom of expression is not extended to other religions ? Surely they, the cowards, are afraid of the consequences. Why don't those who support Hussain allow themselves and their family members to be painted the way he has painted our Gods and Goddesses?
K.Venugopal
15/04/2010 11:38:12 Please permit me my freedom of expression.
Reading this article, I request the liberty of those monitoring this forum to permit my freedom of expression. Assuming that I have been granted that freedom, I wish to express my feelings by calling M.F.Hussain a bastard.


http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HkPage.aspx?PAGEID=10850&SKIN=B

Are there such leaders still?

13/03/2010 12:31:04 R. Sajan

Dear HK readers,

Below is a true experience by an HK reader. Its an example to all how to serve our nation selflessly without any publicity....'Simple living and high thinking'.

HK
---------------------------------------------------------------------

I happened to meet Kummanam Rajasekharan last week. It was only our second meeting. On both occasions, we discussed Sabarimala matters; and he did not share my views on most things. But he suddenly asked me whether I would like to visit Thiruvannamalai with him. I agreed because he was after all, MD of a big newspaper, among other things; and it would be a posh trip. An AC car would be certain, security assistants would look after all movements.

The next day, I was shocked to find him and his companion CG Rajagopal, the Media Head of the VHP inviting me to join them in the Second Class compartment of a night train. Morning found us getting fresh in the Retiring Room of Erode Station, not even single room Hotel accommodation. In to Jolarpettai Passenger to Samalpatti, and two hours of ordinary bus from there to Thiruvannanmalai; Rajagopal helping both of us older men with our bags!

Lunch at the Aum Amma Ashram, of plain rice and a vegetable curry; but cooked and served benevolently by the Amma’s only Attendant and Manager, Swami Samahithananda, with us seated on the floor. Amma’s rare Darshan, though it was not a Darshan Day, and Kummanam arranges a simple garland and fruits beautifully on a steel plate, to offer it very reverently and gracefully to the Amma. Amma blesses us and we leave for the Town, me looking forward to a Hotel room with TV and amenities, preferably AC.

My friends take me instead to the District Kaaryaalay of the RSS. Smart RSS boys solicitously welcome us. The VIP Room is forced on me by Kummanam who sleeps on the floor without a bed along with the others in the Hall. The VIP Room has a cot, no bed! But I fall into sound sleep immediately.

Early morning and we go around the Town, to the Arunachala temple, Ramana Ashram etc. No AC Car to travel. There are three TVS 50s. Kamaraj, the District Karyavah, rides one with CG Rajagopal on the pillion; Sewa Pramukh for two States, Padmakumar carries Kummanam; and Pavendran carries me because I want to move slower. Midday meal at Ramanasram’s free food offer. Back to Kaaryaalay for a nap and into a Bus to Salem; and Second class again on a Train to Ernakulam. Kummanam carefully wakes me up at 3. 30 AM to get down at Aluva.

I have journey-ed with many VIPs and journalists, minor and big time. But this was an eye-opener adventure for me. What did I get out of the trip other than the spiritual glow? I usually take an Auto or Taxi to my house at Desam; or ask someone to bring the car. This time however, I wait at the Bus Stand till 5.30 for the Bus. At home, the wife rushes to make tea for me. I tell her to go back to sleep; tea can wait for the usual morning hour.

Prasad
14/03/2010 06:55:41 Pranamams Mahathma
My humble pranamams to this most noble leader. Kummanam ji, it is great leaders like you that Karyakarthas are able to carry on the great burdens without complaint. Your life is a lesson of true Hindu lifestyle. I wish sure all those higher up in the BJP will read this and start measuring up themselves upto the likes of Sri Kummanam.
K.Venugopal
14/03/2010 04:58:47 He takes everything in his stride.
In the late 80s I worked in Janmabhoomi for a brief period, staying in the Sangha karyalayam in the next compound. Rajatten of course was the editor at that time and was also staying in the karyalayam. On most days Rajatten would be in the office till 11 pm or even later and I would be with him, not because I also had work but because it was such a joy being in his company and I wished to accompany him back to the karyalayam. We would return to the karyalayam and our dinner would be waiting for us, with everyone else having gone to bed, including the cook. So it was self-service. However, there were many nights when there would be only little food left because there might have been unexpected guests at the karyalay. On days such as these, Rajatten would insist on me getting the bigger share and be satisfied with less. But on certain nights, when karyakarthas may have unexpectedly gone elsewhere, there would be ample food left and both of us would have hearty meals. He would say, we have the finish the whole thing. And he would repeat his favourite bhojan mantra - Ullappam Onam illathappam karkidakam! Did it ever cross his mind to complain when he had to starve? Never. He is a person who is able to take everything in his stride. No wonder swayamsevaks love him.
Krishnaraj
13/03/2010 23:15:01 True SwayamSevak
No wonder, he is a true SwayamSevak.
manoj nair
13/03/2010 22:14:27 simple living
dear all, Kummanam's life is an example for all. His way of living is much much simple than what stated hear. You can see him many times he is taking dinner at "Tattu Kada" alone. Due to non availability of transportation, he used to walk kilometers. there are many examples. we can write a big book about his life. His life is completely dedicated for the Hindu society.
shiv
13/03/2010 22:18:13 Leaders need to use the opportunity
This is a good article. Rajsekharan and Rajagopal have access to Amma and its manager.

Did they use the opportunity to tell Amma or amma's manager that Amma's TV is misused by commie management/infiltrators and they are carrying -ve propaganda against Hindus and Hindu culture..
pradeep
13/03/2010 22:06:27 We need more Kummanam
we need hundreds of Kummanam in kerala. i pray god for his long life to serve the hindu society in kerala
T.K. Manu
13/03/2010 22:00:32 Its really surprised!!!
Hi... I am really surprised to read this information. I saw Kummanam few occassions in TV only and the whole Keralites knows him since long time specially after Nilakkal movement. Being a state leader and the spokeperson of Kerala Hindus, I never thought his way living is like this. Because in our experience a small Panchayat member of also travelling in a/c car with 2-3 assistance.... thanks Mr. sajan and HK for sharing this great information....
uma
13/03/2010 15:11:30 yes this is their life
Yes.Kummanam is an example of the numerous dedicated hindus who are too simple and their motto is not their comfort,but comfort of all hindus .High in their posts,in the hindu social ladder,these men serve us with such dedication without paying any attention to their age or ailments.
I happened to know few of them.Padmanabha swamy of Chalakudy seems to me one of the same.His house is oppen for any one coming .You will certainly get a good simple meal with love and attendance.A place to rest and
freshen up and there you see the simplicity of a great man dedicated to hindu wellbeing. There are many many others.Most of the them endure such hardships with such motivation that aa a common person we start feeling so low in front of them.My little association I had with these people had been an eye opener for me