Intolerance in the air

परहित सरिस धर्म  नहिं  भाई 

पर पीड़ा सम नहीँ अधमाई 

(Sant Tulsidas Ramcharitra Manas: there is no bigger dharma that helping others, and no bigger sin than harming other)

The article by Sanal Edamaruku in the Indian Express got me thinking about another saying that i read recently "We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends". I dont think I can be silent anymore. 

Something has changed in the last few years, we are turning into a fractionalized, intolerant and marginalized society. When someone can be shot and killed for having a different opinion then we are truly in the dark ages. 

The painful bit is that the custodians of Hinduism don't even know or understand even a fraction of Hinduism (not that I claim to).The basic tenets of Hinduism are about non-violence and tolerance. Hinduism is one of the oldest belief system in existence and it has stayed so because of it flexibility and adaptability. The abolishment of Sati and widow remarriages are the greatest reforms in recent history and challenged the beliefs of the Hindu system. Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra VidyaSagar would probably have been killed in the current environment.

Those that believe that Hinduism is under threat, or that their perception of Hinduism is the only truth need to know that they are nothing but a Hindu version of the ISIS or Taliban. Those that support meat ban, beef ban, ban against public display of affection, Valentine's Day whatever are supporting a dumbed down version of what they believe is Hinduism. There are so many challenges in this country; hunger which makes suicide seem like a better alternative, a water scarcity making women travel miles to fetch any murky filthy water because thats the only water they have, education, sanitation... I can go on and on. 

Hinduism is under threat from Hindus, those that believe their version is the only one and everyone else is wrong and also from the moderate voices that chose to keep quiet rather than speak up and out these radicals.Hinduism will do just fine, it does not need protection, humans do!

#hindus #hinduism  #radicalisation #intolerence  

Utopian thots

Loads of people been coming up and telling me that supporting the bill may not be the brightest things and it may end up being even a bigger monster. So instead of explaining to each one I decided to put it down here. My guess is if you ask anyone what this bill constitutes, they wont have an idea-its the case with most mass campaigns and that's what happens with elections, create hungama and hysteria and you will have enough support. But in this case and I can atleast talk about myself, I support the movement because it tells the Government "I can't be taken for granted". I vote, but I still get idiots to "Govern" me, because the other idiots dont go and vote- I feel helpless. This is a platform for me to voice my opinion. Also, it atleast prevents the Government from passing a hogwash bill which is a bill "Of the Politcians, By the Politicians, For the Politicians".
The Jan LokPal bill is more vigilante in nature and it has it has drawbacks with serious repercussions. And protesting for it does not mean that it has to be accpeted in absolute. A bill to curb corruption does not have to be either that drafted by the Politcians or by the Civilians-it can be a middle ground.
I am surprised that people think it is either this way or that- I am sure even Anna Hazare would accept a solution of a bunch of people constituting the Government and the Junta sitting and drafting a truly effective and implementable bill.

The good thing here is that the people are not willing to take things as is.

Random thoughts

After years of contemplating on what form of Self defense to take up-opted for Krav Maga a few months ago. This was more to expend the excessive energy (or nervous energy, if I may be candid). Apart from increasing the fitness levels and the confidence to deal with unpleasant situation it has taught me to look at life differently and deal with it differently. While teaching, Sensei tell us ways and means to improve our execution and technique. But, what I realized that a lot of it when applied to life works beautifully. Business deals, dealing with people everything becomes simpler.
One of the key things is to understand that combat is spontaneous and you can’ predict what the opponent would do, all you can do is react. This is what happens in any situation, human behaviour cannot be gauged or pre-determined, happens only in novels and films . All you can do is react and that reaction can lead to just three outcomes…
• Release- you escape
• Overpower the opponent: You can either finish the opponent or maim him enough claim victory
• The opponent gets the better of you
Which is why it is essential to control your actions…never let the opponent’s moves intimidate you. Never let him come in the way of what you want to do. Look forward…not back at this movements. Most people try and intimidate by raising voices, using tough language and the overall body language. The idea is to hold your calm and not let them pierce through what your next move is. Your move should be to thwart the opponents move in your favor. Use his strength, his strength against him. Also, remember there are no rules in a fight, everything is justified…when in life and death…choose your life over his.
But one of the most important lesson is to walk away from conflict, unless essential…don’t spoil for a fight. And, remember you are your only true opponent, you know what you are going to do and you know how to thwart it.
Masakatsu Agatsu. (True victory over one’s self)