Over two years back Hindu Voice UK posted this article. Now things have got better on the blog but there’s something still happening that still bugs me. Check the messages on our blogs, quite a few are negative and of a rather complaining nature.
I’ll have to hold my hands up here and admit I’ve been guilty of this too in the past. Something I’ve noticed is how easy it is to get caught up in all the negativity. However this is a serious problem after searching through and reading quite a few blogs and their comment sections, how the posts with a Hindu tinge were, for lack of better word, whiney. Is that the best reaction to anything Hindu related we can come up with, is just to complain about it?
Now this doesn’t just apply to anonymous folk on the web. Every other day you can expect a press release from Rajan Zed complaining/criticising/urging something whether it be telling celebrities to check their Sanskrit tattoos are accurate, about some below par film, some crappy game, somebody going to a Halloween party as Kali-Ma and just about anything and everything else.
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Tags: contemporary hinduism, defamation, Hindu, Hindu voice, Hinduism, Hindus, Protests, rajan zed, sages, spirituality
“And going over the top is probably a result of frustrations these people might have when seeing their inert Hindus.”
True, but thats only an explanation for their faults not an excuse.
“however these points should be raised directly with the whoever is concerned before such an article is open to the world view.”
I think that’s fair, but you’re forgetting the article is not just about HJS and Rajan Zed. It’s merely using them as an example. Just re-read the following quotes from the article:
“Check the messages on our blogs, quite a few are negative and of a rather complaining nature.”
“However this is a serious problem after searching through and reading quite a few blogs and their comment sections, how the posts with a Hindu tinge were, for lack of better word, whiney.”
The author is talking about Hindus in general.
“I do however feel that even those who could be called the “fringe” Rajan Zed or whoever, are atleast doing SOMETHING. There are millions of Hindus who could not care less.”
That’s true to some extent but the it can also be the reason why other Hindus don’t join in because of being embarrassed by being associated with HJS and the Rajan Zeds..I know many Hindus who do feel for their religion but sometimes get put off from doing anything because the types of leaders and spokespeople we have
“That’s true to some extent but the it can also be the reason why other Hindus don’t join in because of being embarrassed by being associated with HJS and the Rajan Zeds..I know many Hindus who do feel for their religion but sometimes get put off from doing anything because the types of leaders and spokespeople we have”
- So their duty is to put forth views and activities which are more nuanced. If Rajan Zed or whoever else can put Hinduism on the map, even if in a way that some find unappetising, then why can’t anyone else? “Buddhi” is a God-given.
“The author is talking about Hindus in general.”
-Then why take any name at all? Surely HIndu Voice readers are intelligent enough to pick-up innuendo.
“Check the messages on our blogs, quite a few are negative and of a rather complaining nature.”
- Who draws the line between complain and critique?
Let me reemphasise, I’m not against the argument of this article.
And I zip to do with anyone mentioned in it.
A Hindu self-critique is very very healthy and I for one appreciate it.
But there is a way to show it.
Self critique, self justification, earnest desire to put the world right by a lost, spineless and hypocritical race. I know it sounds very harsh. I have been reading, listening and myself pontificating fro the best part of 30 years and this is my conclusion. We quote from Veds, Upnishads, Purans with authority when we have not even read them ourselves. Most of what we think is there comes from listening to so called Gurus – holymen!! with websites with shopping carts and marketing to put multi-national in the shade. They are all bent on sorting out the West and turn a blind eye to what happens back at home.
Did you know that India is one of the largest if not the largest exporter of cowhide? Yes, I was shocked by this statement and sickened by this clip showing brutal treatment of ‘Holy Cow’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb8lZyRkoGg
If I was a Guru I would hold my head in shame but no chance of any guilt here.
I bet these Gurus with leather clad Rolls-Royces and Maybachs will somehow justify this, too.
Just to clarify my last post. Our scriptures are divine and light for whole humanity. My criticism is of the so called Sadhu, Sants, Mahatmas, Gurus and Jagadgurus. I am sure there are genuine ones but they are not on the web and do not take Visa or Amex. Sadly, they are eclipsed by the rogues who are bent on misleading all for their own little gain.
Have to say, the article doesnt feel right to me.
You have a billion plus Hindus…………and we are expected to all express our anger/dismay in the same way?….in an articulate, educated manner?…..sorry, its not going to happen. I think thats what Navin was touching upon – Hindus are too diverse for us all to express ourselves in the way that i WISH we could do! In a perfect world sure we would all be Hindu scholars and we would all refrain from petty arguments complaining etc. But therein lies the difficulty….its not a perfect world and we will get people from all rungs of Hindu society – educated, not so, Indian…mauritian..white…wanting to voice their opinion. and to add to that what may seem “petty” to you (sheena and others who share her opinion) may genuinly hurt others. Paul Mertins take on India for example….lots of Hindus (on this website actually) said “who cares…noone listens to him anyway…”….yet it was I who had to endure overhearing work colleagues (yes, VERY smart people) discussing how they watched a really interesting programme about Hindus worshipping phalluses. See how ones person idea of pettiness on a PERSONAL level can provoke another persons ire? I was able to tell that person the actual meaning behind the Shiv Ling and did so in an articulate manner. However, does that mean that every Hindu in earshot of that conversation will be a “smart” Hindu able to address the issue with queens english?….nope. Does that mean people should refrain from making themselves heard DESPITE not being able to argue as well and as astutely?….nope. Not in my opinion.
Hindus have been sleeping. We have been mute for so long. Its only recently that Hindus are becoming more aware of their past…the atrocities we have faced and the continuing bashing we get in western (and eastern!) media. A part of the re-awakening of the Hindus voice will inevitably mean that people will pick at an array of issues…Hindus are diverse. We cant help that. Its going to be part of the process and we cant help it to a large extent. However we CAN arm Hindus with the RIGHT knowledge.
When We get bashed left right and centre sensitive people WILL react….when we sense that we are being continually harassed we WILL want to vent anger. We might not always do it in an appropriate manner but again, this isnt a Utopian situation….if it was i would LOVE for us all to master scholars perfectly adept at arguing and making our point.
But thats just not the case.
Hi DB8.
I don’t expect everyone to be a scholar. You don’t need to be a scholar of any sort to put yourself across with some thought.
What I’m saying is that when a Hindu puts her/himself across in a shrill and ill thought out way they end up putting off and alienating the very people they wish most to influence (other Hindus) and make even very reasonable causes seem extreme.
Dear Sheena,
I just wanted to express my support for the article you’ve written. I think such self-awareness and introspection is necessary for any community, and it’s refreshing to see this in a pro-Hindu forum, too. We have to strike the balance between upholding and defending dharma and not protesting every time our feelings get or could get hurt by the conduct of others.
We may complain, but we don’t act.
is it fair to say only hindus do this? i think ppl in general complain.
some muslims didn’t like cartoons of the prophet. christians in america are outraged that the word ‘christmas’ isn’t included in holiday sales from retail corporations. examples abound on silly little things that people complain about. there are stupid people in every population not just in the hindu community.
also it sounds to me like rajan zed isn’t even a real hindu. b/c of he was he’d be helping improve conditions for people in india or promoting vegetarianism, not focusing his efforts on materialistic endeavors like the tatoo industry (note, main hindu scriptures like the gita repeatedly ask devotees to focus on attaining liberation of the soul and not to worry about material wealth or accumalating possesions). so he shouldn’t be lumped into the hindu community, just like deepak chopra shouldn’t be.
sheena, you miss my point though. Theres a billion of us. Some less well argued points are BOUND to occur. In a perfect world we would be massively articulate (if not scholarly too).
I just feel that whilst i GET your point and understand what youre trying to say, youre overlooking the fact that its just not a possibility that we all make our points in a well thought out way. Yes we can URGE it..and i do urge it….I hate seeing forums full of Hindus spewing profanities all of which seems second nature to Muslims and some Sikhs.
But having said that I cant expect all Hindus to be as level headed as I am (or you perhaps). Whilst you may be able to articulate yourself well and argue a point, some other Hindu may not be able to do so. Though should that mean they remain mute?
Whilst the religions of the world dont care how their point is put across – just aslong as it is….us Hindus admonish each other for not putting our gripe across in the most impeccable way.
Its probably why we had Muslims rule parts of Bharat. Whilst they would go to any lengths to subdue us, we were too busy taking the moral highground and making grand gestures. Why are we Hindus expected to be so high and mighty and “above it all” so often?…it often doesnt work and history proves that by and large it doesnt.
and whilst you may think that Hindus are “whiney”…..we should put it into context – we are nowhere near as bad as Muslims and christians and this is despite the fact that they both get nowhere near as much of a bashing as us Hindus.
Anyways, the key is knowledge and forums like this help with this. The more we are armed with knowledge about our dharma, the more equipped we are to deal with critique….the more at ease we are with any perceived slighting of our religion and the better prepared Hindus will be (from all walks of life to) to adequately make their point. Up to that point though we will get people complaining about things that some others may not feel is worthy of complaint.
Good point by Aman. I think the emptiness of the complaints, without being able to back it up in the form of a structured campaign or follow up (whatever that may be) makes the complaining look pathetic.
I agree that some issues are not worth pursuing: for example, it was better to let “The Love Guru” die a natural death.
While I don’t agree with the tactics of Hindu Jagruti Samiti, I do agree with the objections to the crude portrayals of Hindu goddesses by painter (and sensationalist) M.F. Hussain. The New York Times published an article about M.F. Hussain, but treated Hindu objections as being puritanical about nudity. The Hindu American Foundation sought a response, but didn’t get any. The sad part is that the NYT article was written by an Indian with a Hindu name.
I agree with Koenraad Elst’s comments, but I think that the rubric “fascist” comes from journalists and writers who apparently take their cue from Indian journalists and scholars who negatively label any Hindu group that’s the least bit assertive: for example, calling the RSS “chauvinistic.” Wendy Doniger is a good example: I’m reading her latest book The Hindus: An Alternative History, which features these labels.
I agre with this article.
If you approach the average Hindu and want to get them on board it is impt to stick to battles that are woth fighting.
” SHREE GURUVEH NAMAHA ”
Namaskar Rajesh Patel Ji ( Editor),
Just read the article published by your esteemed writer Ms.Sheena Patel & found the same unjust in words as well as spirits.
We all Hindus stand out for a Cause.
Criticizing each other would result in showing people that Hindus are not united.
Hindus as of day in a treacherous condition everywhere whether it is in India or outside.
Frequently we hear of denigration of Hindu Deities all over, whether it is through paintings or through Media or any other means. If we Hindus do not oppose it, then it will obviously grow & try to suppress Hindu Dharma. If a small spark is not taken care of, then it will grow in fire.
Have you ever thought that why such denigration is there only for Hindu Deities & not for any other religion. It is because every religion is united & follows what is taught to them by their religious teachers. But when it comes to Hinduism, then everybody has its own whims & fancies. Everybody things that he is correct & the others are foolish. Don’t mind but this goes to your writer as well.
HJS is society which stands for protecting Hindu Dharma & opposes in a polite manner to the atrocities on Hindu Dharma. It does not go by fake vision but always have a logic & science in support of it. At least once you or your writer should have thoroughly visited the website & have deeply contemplated about the benefits that the society is trying to provide to our Hindu Dharma, then in I am sure that such comments should not have come in the minds of writer.
It is a human tendency of envy or grudge against someone which might be to your writer as well against Mr Rajan Zed & HJS, but when we stand for a common cause then people should forget their personal likes & dislikes, but stand unanimously. This makes our religion strong & definitely our Hindu Dharma will one again get its earlier repute.
With this I end my views to the article.
Once again request you to be united & also be a part of the movement started by HJS / Sanatan Sanstha / SSRF.
Shubhkamnaye
Thakur Singh
Living in democratic UK, it’s questionable itself that Sheena/HinduVoice questions the right of people to complain/utter their displeasure.
Do you people honestly want to put a lock on the mouth of Hindus?
My suggestion to Sheena/HinduVoice is: start explaining Bhagvad Gita to Hindus the proper way if you think that Hindus are bad Karma Yogis. Bhagvad Gita (Mahabharat War) is all about (ways of) protection of Dharma. If Dharma and its values are attacked and Hindus mock, then the challenge to you is to make Karma Yogis of these displeasured people.
The article in fact shows your shortcoming in this area for all these years!
Thakur, I understand what you’re saying but sometimes groups like HJS can sometimes do more damage than any good for the Hindu cause..Few weeks back they held a Dharma Sabha in london recently and what a joke that turned out to be with around only 40 people turning up..They were showing films on how to deal with exorcisms and how to use a pendulum backed by pseudo science.. Now what’s that got to do with saving Hinduism and uniting Hindus ? I think under the guise of protecting Hinduism HJS / Sanatan Sanstha / SSRF who are one group are only trying to promote themselves ..Lets not forget groups like Hindu human rights and others have been on the forefront of doing campaigns against abuse of Hindu deities or raising the human rights abuses of Hindus professionally on an international scale many years before HJS came on the scenes so its not some new movement started by HJS in the first place.
As far as Hindu activist groups are concerned, I feel more the better,but it would be better if the groups realise that they have to confirm to the high ideals that defines the Sanatana Dharma,but they go on mainstage disseminating occult imagine the image which is going to be created in the minds of lay Hindus or for that matter people who are interested in Hinduism.
So a question here ,does these groups do good for hinduism?
The problem with Hinduism is infighting.If we were united inthe past there would not have been two muslim mongol countries in midst of us,who were our kith and kin during 10th century but lost them because of our disunity and big mongol descendent population in Hindustan amongst us.All Hindu groups should unite in unison and fight the infidels from arab countries forced on us.Look at Israel,a small country in the midst of hostile countries nurturing hatred of jewish state and disseminating venomous propaganda.It is time for Hindustan to shed secular tag and become HINDU state to our people from mongolised infidels.