A Disgruntled Minority

February 8, 2015


I am an Indian and I am proud to be one. My early childhood was spent in a middle class area in Bangalore. Being a Catholic I was sent to a Convent, my neighbours were all Hindus and we were the only Catholic family in the midst of Hindu homes. It was an advantage since we were invited and would enthusiastically participate during Diwali, Yugadi, Ayudh pooja, Holi, Krishna Janmashtami, Ramnavami. During Christmas my job was to distribute cake among all our neigbours. We were Indians first.

My immediate neighbor was a Telugu Naidu. Through him I got introduced to Ramayan, Mahabharat, tales of Dasahavathar. My heroes have always been Karna and Lord Krishna since then and even today. I have read many English versions of Mahabharat since then. I still keep a copy for myself including the Gita. Later as I grew up I became very interested in Swami Vivekanand and Sri Rama Krishna Paramahamsa and learnt that all religions are only different ways to achieve the final destination towards God. Today, my best friends, all these years since adolescent through my college, have been both Hindus one a Reddy and another an Iyer Brahmin. We had no sense of a feeling that we are from a different religion then and even today.

I have always maintained that Hinduism is a very flexible culture and can absorb and evolve further stronger. Many westerners from various religions have always been attracted towards this culture. Many have converted in Europe and US. But this trend will end soon, thanks to the so called the proponents of Hindutva, who are bent on making this great culture rigid and fascist in nature. This organization has finally tasted political power though they had tried during Shri Vajpayee's time, but could not proceed further as he was a true follower of the Raj Dharma. Today we see elements completely controlling the Government machinery be it to belittle Christmas day through a circular or prop up the so called “Fringe” elements to instill a sense of fear thrrough attacks on churches and then Ghar Wapsi campaign. They claim that they have no control over these elements. Please do not take all of us to be that naïve as it is all too obvious.

Hindu culture has survived the onslaught of Muslim rulers and the British or Christian rulers so you may call. The reason I reiterate is the flexible nature and greatness of this culture able to absorb the tenets of all religions into one. Why do these so called safeguards of this great culture want to create a fear psychosis about conversions? If still as the survey suggests 80% of the nation is Hindus then in that case the missionaries of other religions have done a dreadful job. Today the flexible and soft nature of Hinduism which has been showcased to the entire world by Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Prabhupada and later ISKCON, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Sri Sri Ravishankar is being subjected to attempted hijack by the so-called rigid and so called protectors of Hindu culture when in reality Hindu culture does not need such protection. Shame on such elements that use such saints to discredit and stem the growth of this great culture.

The ploy of accusing Christians that we are converting people does not hold any water. During my schooling in Convent and later higher studies and college in a Catholic run institution the majority of my classmates were Hindus, say 70 percent. And I vouch fore saying none of them have been induced to convert as claimed by attackers of the Catholic church who speak of using inducements to convert. This is a big lie theory propagated by the Nazis namely Josef Goebbels to commit atrocities against the Jews. I do not contest that there are elements within who claim to be the renewed Christians who are definitely doing this, for that matter they are also trying to convert Christians part of the organized church. The radical elements know this very well yet they pretend to be naïve. They very well know this but act as if they are ignorant. Ignorance is bliss my friends, but remember you are on the verge of dismembering this great nation and its tenets.

You cannot achieve your goals by desecrating the Holy Sacrament. Will you tolerate if someone does the same to the inner Sanctum of any Temple. I am also appalled by many of our Hindu brethren who should have provided a moral support to the miniscule minority today who runs educational institutions and hospitals for the benefit of many. But they are silent. I was one of those who vociferously supported Narendra Modi to be the PM. However his silence is haunting. It indicates unfortunately that there is a tacit understanding with some elements who I am afraid are controlling the functioning of the Government. The industrialists must remember that development and growth cannot be achieved when a part of the society feels insecured and targeted.

I am against conversions and vocally advocate action against such elements. My sister is married to a Hindu and I am comfortable with that. She is very happy. But the recent actions seem to make things obvious that we are Christians first and then Indians. This unfortunately has made many like me that I am a Christian first and made me a fundamental Christian. Thanks to all the radical elements and if further you go ahead with your agenda, you will make many more like me!



Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed in the above article are those of the author alone.

 

 

Arun D'Souza Archives

By Arun A D'Souza, Doha
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Comment on this article

  • sam, world

    Sat, Feb 14 2015

    @Sandy - "And I am skeptical that these guys understood both faiths and then decided to leave their native faith.Not that I or majority of the Hindus have any issue with that."

    Sandy, you do have an issue with those who leave Hinduism for another belief. Why else why would you be skeptical? Do you not believe people can decide for themselves what they want?

    Allow me to clear some misconceptions:
    (a) Christianity is not propagated because of the 'toleration' or 'generosity' of people. Rather it is the people who hear the message of Christ and accept what Christ says and follow him. Christ did not require permission from non-believers for them to accept the truth.

    (b) Christianity is also being accepted by people in middle-east. One of the main reasons why Muslims (Mohammedans) cannot openly say they are Christian is because of the punishment of death for becoming apostate which is intrinsic to Islam.

    (c) Christianity can never be forced, because Christianity is based on LOVE. The love of Christ is not your Valentine day love, but love to the point of giving up your life to save a stranger. Following Christ means one has to pick up their own crosses and follow Christ just as he picked up the cross and gave his life for the redemption of mankind at Calvary.

  • Sandy, Udupi

    Sat, Feb 14 2015

    The educated Indians have not fallen for the cunning politicians, they have realised they cannot change the system, the entire spectrum is rotten and just try to choose the best of the devils and hope something good comes out. Most of the educated sensible guys anyway seem to have left the country.We celebrate Amartya Sen, Kalpana Chawla, etc because we have shortage of good role models here and are desperate for recognition somehow.The majority here are also sensible enough not to judge peoples' patriotism based on their religion.You should not base your opinion purely on comments that you see in DW.That represents a minuscule minority of India basically venting out their latent angst but are not going to do anything stupid in reality.A few fringe will react violently but that is not going to prevent this country from moving forward albeit lazily chaotically with all religions intact.

  • Sandy, Udupi

    Sat, Feb 14 2015

    Ashok, Christian missionaries are far too smarter than the Gharvapsi types to publicly evangelise in schools.Conversions do happen maybe not in Dk/Udupi, but in Kerala, TamilNadu(Kanyakumari dist), Andhra, Chattisgarh,Orissa it does happen. And I am skeptical that these guys understood both faiths and then decided to leave their native faith.Not that I or majority of the Hindus have any issue with that.In fact missionaries have been able to propagate christianity as Hindus have been tolerant and even supported them with land etc.Why doesnt evangelisation take place in the middle east?There is a extremist Hindu fringe which is mostly unemployed,given protection and financed by self serving politicians which unfortunately is increasingly resorting to violence perhaps emboldened by a BJP govt.But to tarnish the entire majority community with the same brush and push them into a corner is wrong.That is what the "secular" media is doing.
    The Hindu community voted for Modi not because they considered him as their messaih or savior but because between Rahul Gandhi and him, he seemed the far better choice for a developed India.But to vilify him, hound him, shout apocalypse for every stone thrown at a church(even before proving who did it) is simply ghettoising him into a communal Hindu leader. Give him 5yrs, if he does not perform he will be out just as what happened to Mr Yeddyurappa.He was thrown out by majority community itself...

  • Ashok, Australia

    Fri, Feb 13 2015

    cont.. process should always about the development of India. Religion should be kept away from politics just like in any developed countries. Imam asking voters to vote a party or Archbishop or a Swamy asking the same should not happen. It is different that if the religious places are attacked, the same religious leaders have the right to meet the political leaders and demand for a probe into that like what happened recently in Delhi or in Karnataka (remember 2 different parties run the govts there) Obama did not teach anything to India and he cant but it is we giving more important to him and giving a chance to point his finger to us.. we stop that and let us see what Obama would do. The problem lies with our thought process and we all have to change that. I knew a Muslim boy from Kerala when I was in the Middle east. We wanted to play cricket and found out that a Pakistani brings bat from Pakistan and sells it. Alright.. we set to go and bargain for the bat with that guy but Farooq stopped us ( one more Muslim, 2 Christians and 3 Hindus in our group)and said.. if you people want to go and get the bat, it's fine but I am not there. We looked at him and asked what?? If I have to play cricket from a Pakistani bat, I would rather play football he said.. and we did not played cricket!! Why I am telling this incident is because we cant judge someone's patriotism from their religion. We educated Indians should be strong enough not to fall inn the trap.

  • Ashok, Australia

    Fri, Feb 13 2015

    ..con.. irrespective of religion and order for enquire. he is silent about which is a bad sign for India itself. We don't need to worry what Obama says because we are giving a chance for him to talk. We can tell him to mind his own business but in first place can we keep our hand in heart and say.. we are not doing anything wrong? We in India give too much important to US and its politics, We should not even care about it but we should not allow others to point their fingers as well. If Modi opened his mouth, then I do not think even Obama would have been dare to open his. When Amaryta Sen got Nobel in Economics, we celebrated as if India got Nobel. Some people even put that Nobel in the list of India's Nobel prizes. Amartya Sen in an interview said that he is not India which is true, he is of Indian origin but not Indian. When Mother Teresa got Nobel, people of Yugoslavia said that she is Indian now. When Kalpana Chawla died for America on a NASA mission, wearing American colours, we had national mourning and even named a satellite after her. She never contributed anything to Inda's ISRO. Same accident killed an Israelite but Israel did not mourn for it. Why we Indians don't differentiate this. I am still holding an Indian passport and I guess I have the right to care for India. I am not telling we should not care at all about the people of Indian origin but there is a limit for it. We, educated Indians should stand up for this cunning politicians and our thought ..cont..

  • Ashok, Australia

    Fri, Feb 13 2015

    @ Sandy, Jayanth and Ramesh. You all had first hand experience by studying at Christian school. I am sure no one in your school days asked you to embrace their religion nor I have been asked by majority of Hindus. What I am telling is the ordinary but true Hindus are being dragged to the right wing mentality by these fringe groups by spreading rumours that Christian missionaries are converting every Hindus. Being the majority (80%) you should not feel like what Sandy said. (pushed Hindus to a corner has been effectively utilised by Hindu right wing to gain votes) Hindu religion is so ancient and it stood strong with all these invasions from Chengez Khan to Moghals, Alexander to British and still this is the country where 80% are Hindus. Do you educated people really believe in that rumours that right wing is spreading? It is just for political gains. That's why I gave example of Advani's Rath yatra. It is where the BJP realised they can get voted by polarising the society which they in fact learnt from Congress. By any means I am not supporting or defending Congress nor I am against to Modi in person. Congress did all the tricks to stick to the power and now you all know what they got finally. The problem is BJP is copying the same trick that congress did. I can understand as Indians we really don't have much choice when it comes to choose between political parties. What every Indians including you want from Modi now is to openly condemn violence against fellow Indians..con

  • JD, middle east

    Fri, Feb 13 2015

    My responses were to comments from Anonymous

  • JD, middle east

    Fri, Feb 13 2015

    Precisely. Many BJP friends felt bad PRIVATELY. They had compulsions which restricted them going public.
    This lack of backbone to protect right irrespective of the religion, has set the fear in.

    Pakistan did not become such in a day, it was gradual. If we let our attitude slide, there is nothing stopping us too.

    This is a grave matter and needs sharp addressing. Your optimism is rather misplaced.

  • Jayanth, Bangalore

    Fri, Feb 13 2015

    Ok..Obama came here preached to us and many of commentators whom Ashok does not want to mention like A S Mathew, Joesph Bannur , Jossey etc who wants US to punish india. Now watch the video on how a old man was assaulted by three hefty commandos just because he is brown. Also three innocent muslims were shot dead but this will not become a news unless it is vice versa.

  • Anonymous,

    Thu, Feb 12 2015

    ..continued

    panic button. There is no need to be fearful being christian in India. For me its privilege to be a Indian and Christian and I am very proud of it. Please come back whenever you wish to settle down and live the life in our country

    Long live India

  • Anonymous,

    Thu, Feb 12 2015

    Dear Friend,

    Being a christian I can tell you with confidence that you have exaggerated things little bit far and I will explain you why.
    First you mentioned about church attacks in Delhi. I do not know the ground reality of Delhi why who did it. But my friend I can give my own account from the church attacks happened in our own Mangalore. Churches were attacked and there was subsequent police brutality on Christians as well. But you should also know that all the non christian people whom I knoew whenever this topic came they were very sorry for it they were feeling it was very shameful act. And many of them were staunch supporters of BJP were condemning the attack privately. May be political compulsion will not allow them to express their views publicly.
    If you know non christian BJP supporters you can confirm what I said and majority of them will admit that church attack was wrong.

    Second thought about we becoming pakistan I can confidently say that we are not even 1% near to becoming pakistan and we will never become Pakistan. What we see today is few politically affiliated fringe elements raking up the religion for petty political gains. Whose number may not be even 10% of the population. And if you speak them privately 90% of them admit that its political stunt for vote bank and they view with utmost respect though you are christian. This nation and its great culture survived far worst turbulent time then these petty political stunts.

    So please stop pressing continued

  • Don , Mangalore

    Thu, Feb 12 2015

    In your article and in an overwhelming number of articles, editorials and opinions of people I see a constant mixing of two separate and completely different issues i.e An Ideology, and People. The problems in some parts of the world is an Ideology, whereas in other parts of the world it is the People.

    For example Christianity is an ideology, whereas Christians are people. Islam is an ideology, but Muslims are people. Similarly Hinduism is an ideology, and Hindus are people. Hence, if one has to understand the problem, and most importantly find a solution we first need to understand if the problem is the ideology or it is the people. When it is the people it is much easier to deal with, but when it is an ideology, then it becomes very difficult.

    The problem in India is not Hinduism as an ideology, but some people who claim to be speaking on behalf of their ideology, and worse they are spokespersons of their fellow religionists. It starts with an individual’s thoughts and they rope likeminded individuals who share their ideas, and soon groups form. These groups grow and have affiliates and political parties and people start giving them money. The agendas change, and so do their friends and foes, but the sole intention of all such people and the main cause of ALL the trouble in the world is just 2 things - Money & Power. Both go hand in hand and eventually they will abuse both their ideologies and those very same people whom they claim to be speaking on behalf.

  • jerardin dsouza, mangalore/bangalore

    Thu, Feb 12 2015

    So very sensitive humane article as well as the responses.With development we grow. life becomes easy. But, the narrowing of our outlook indicates we are disintegrating. Each individual has his Own growth. Actually we belong to NO religion. The accident of Birth , determines our Religion, BUT, How we live and interact is decided by us. Let us NOT blame any religion. Each one of us has an unique Life. We have to search for our peace. Its sad to see the divisions happening around us, on wrong criteria.On 7th, I organized a TALK by my chuddy buddy, Uday, who is a Director of the Top 5 of Fortune 500 company British Petroleum BP,China,.at St.Alosius MBA Institute.It was such a great success that everyone was thrilled. The Student who welcomed us was Abdul Rahman, I am the organizer, a catholic by birth, & my Friend classmate, Uday, A Brahmin, I had lunch at his place, with his mother & sister, who lives in UK, and then drove him to Beeri,Kotekar, where AIMIT, St.Aloysius is located. Just see the amalgamation of religions cultures! The Goal was to share Udays experience with our fellow St.Aloysians. Fr.Pradeep ,Administrator, welcomed us. Dean Ms.Wright & Ms.Sumathi Achar mobilized the Students. Just see the camaraderie,NO religion played a role. All gained. Let us Live the way we have been brought up.Mr.Ashok sharing the eating of Pork, Beef, by muslim , hindus, is all about growing. NO disrespect to anyone. Please LIKE the Facebook page of MAA-Mangalore Alzheimer's Association.

  • Sandy, Udupi

    Wed, Feb 11 2015

    (contd)What is happening in Dakshina Kannada(luckily Udupi seems to be mostly sane till now) is really sad. A bunch of unemployed,uneducated Hindu & Muslim youths with some latent angst have been brainwashed by the respective leaders and politicians and given protection to take law into their hands.Neither I nor the average educated Hindu approves or encourages this. That is why the minority religions do not have fear the Hindu extremist fringe.

  • Sandy, Udupi

    Wed, Feb 11 2015

    I thought I should reply because I am named here.
    Being born and raised in a Hindu family, by and large I am biased to Hinduism,though I dont actively practise it (as in going to temples or doing Pujas etc). I too went to Christian school,(protestant one though) was raised in a multicultural background. My neighbours were Catholics and I had Muslim friends from school and we never distinguished between each other.
    And I have no qualms eating beef or pork either.I still have close friends from every community.
    It is indeed sad that today VHP/BD/Ram Sene have become self appointed custodians of Hinduism and most of the educated tolerant Hindus are quiet about that. I too wondered about that and in my chats with my educated Hindu friends what I feel is that the so called secular politicians in their opportunism to gain votes have pushed Hindus to a corner which has been effectively utilised by Hindu right wing to gain votes to their side.As long as the political leadership provides benefits purely on community and caste basis, individuals will huddle into respective sects to avail the benefits. This leads to comparison and accusations of appeasement and clashes.This makes them huddle together even more for security(perceived) and overlook violences of their respective fringe elements. What is the solution? I feel the administration and political leadership should be blind to religion/caste and faithful only to law.

  • Ramesh S, mangalore

    Wed, Feb 11 2015

    just came a cross this article and found my name in your comment..felt really sad..i am a MODI fan (not a hardcore BJP supporter) what ever i write in DW its a politically motivated attack on Congress or sickular parties which project them selves as secular but do all sorts of communalism..i never celebrated church attack or mosque attack..i never written comments against religion, i am 100% sure on that..i am born & brought up in a village where nearly 80% are muslim, i gone school with them & played with them..all my childhood freinds are muslims, still i have freindly contact with him..first time i revealing to you that i even read 200 HADITH(compiled Islamic teaching) when i was going to college..But i can see dual treatment when it comes to religious sentiments in INDIA..its sickening to see AIB roast producers mocking religions, finally apologizing to Christians,but not Hindus..its compelling me to think some time that either i am soft target or minorities are radicals..if defending myself/my faith from propagandists if looks like communalism then i am sorry i cant help it..i cant be more diplomatic..

  • Ashok, Australia

    Tue, Feb 10 2015

    Dr. Stany Pinto, First of congratulations for the Doctorate which I perhaps did on Wilson's Face-book. I am from your place who moved to Naravi later part of High School. I am sure you know who am I now. I am settled in Australia finally after living in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ireland and England. I will be visiting Shambhur in May this year.

  • Ashok, Australia

    Tue, Feb 10 2015

    Dear Jayanth,

    Thanks for being a true India. Neither I think the church attacks carried out by Hindus. When you're talking about, here we're talking about that peace loving majority. It is those groups, those proclaim to be the custodians of the Hindu religion, that creates trouble. I remember LK Advani had Rath yatra each time there was an election and rath yatra brought its own benefit for BJP as you know (it started just before that election which VP Sigh formed the government)Since I was very close to Hindu community I remember that donations were raised as well bricks were collected to build the ram temple at Ayodhya. I am not sure what happened to that money and to those bricks now. By saying that I do not support Congress's vote bank politics either. I did voted to BJP as well but its ages ago. I see both Congress and BJP as two sides of the same coin. Both are doing vote bank politics, no one cares about corruption or the country. I do not have anything against you in person but what I mentioned that I hope educated people like you will grow up beyond religion and politics and learn from the developed countries to give personal space for each and everyone. I am sure we Indians grow immensely if we all work on this line. I spent few years in Gulf countries where the Indian Muslims (most of then are treated badly inside India by few groups) are upholding the spirit of India. I have salute you for taking that step to replying me which shows you care.

  • sonam, udupi

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    In hinduism we worship different god and believe that all are different form of single god(what we call thatva or amsha). In Christianity Jesus is the son of god and in Muslims Prophet Mohammed is the follower of Allah. So God is one and the same and they way we worship is different. The dispute between religion comes because of the narrow minded people who fight for their own religion and the one who really dont know the depth of their holy books. No one knows the complete and satisfying answers to all the questions of god. So lets be happy thinking that God is one and the same. Lets respect all the culture and be happy.

  • Dr.Stany pinto, Shambur

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    I liked the article. Found it to be very apt and reflecting well the feelings of the minority to which i belong to. I went through all the coments written by many. what we need is "pro active" people...whether hindu or muslims and not " re active" people. Unfortunately we are tagged as minority and our number is decreasing in an increasing pace....May i know who is this " Ashok Australia" who studied in Sharada High School...Even i am a product of Sharada High School....wher are you from and which year were you in Sharada High School ?

  • jayanth, Bangalore

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    Dear Ashok
    Since you have named me,
    1. I never believe in Hindu Rastra and condemn mob mentality of BD/VHP/ABVP and the ugly safforn decoration they do on streets. Extreme anti-hindu thoughts by so called secular brigade provides food for them to exist.
    2. I Condemn church attacks, if done by any Hindu organization then shame on Hindu community itself including on ME.
    But at the same time we need to judge based on facts and proofs as we all know many temples are also vandalized with the sole aim of looting offerings or creating disturbances.
    3. I am not against any adult individual accepting any faith of his choice, but have expressed opinion against converting entire gullible families with some promise of miracle or aid. This includes ghar vapsi for ration card.
    4. I disagree with obama comments because what US preaches and practice is different.US always tries widen smaller cracks.

    Some comments are emotional counter charges to others which are equally acidic.But that should not be an excuse for us to be acidic.
    In the end, there are many noble thoughts in Upanishads and Vivekananda which talks about tolerance, acceptance of different paths to one true divine etc. If this education can be given to hindu children and youth this will help them to become a true secular and tolerant hindu. But such ideas are outright labelled as saffornisation.We have to despise everything originated in this land but can have illiad and odyseey Or shakespeare..they are also good

  • jacintha, middle east

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    Beautifully written and objective.
    But when a mind is clouded with jealousy / suspicion, objective reasoning is lost.

    I feel, all those 'neutral' Hindu brethren are more responsible. They support indirectly always and directly often. They do not read or reflect, for they are not threatened.

    Being a non-hindu is anti-national today. Corruption, rape, extortion, tax evasion these are not anti national. Many say that these are acts in the holy books too in some form, so what is wrong.

    I think we have got the idea of 'patriotic' 'Indian' totally wrong.

  • Hindu, USA/ Mangaluru

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    Arun,Like Jagdeesh I rarely read these articles as they have a slant and tone with a viewer response which is not to a caliber worth repeating.

    But you my friend have articulated this well and I feel your concern.

    I am a very traditional Hindu who went to a catholic school and have celebrated more Christmas and Easter . I Rooted for Modi too! Not because he was a Hindu but we needed a visionary and a non corrupt person to be almost dictatorial with democracy. Congress party has Destroyed the country. Caste and regional politics lead to anarchy. It probably would have led to Hindu Anarchy??
    Now let us give him a chance and see what happens - let us not forget that he will be out of power if he fails.

    Now as far as other minority religions- FEAR nor and do not fall for the secular propaganda- You cannot go to extremes in India coz India is centrist and educated enough with a taste of Capitalism- they do not want to lose that!

    Comparisons to early works on Nazi's is premature anxiety.
    Listen to Modi on you tube talking about other relegions and you will get an idea about what he is all about- Indians in India have become cynical about politicians and the system - let us give this a chance .

    You have to agree that India is one of the most religious tolerant country- Just look at 2000 yrs of history and Mother India and Hindus have been victimized and butchered coz of religion. I guess there was no internet and News media then for us to fight and cry about it.
    God Speed

  • Alphonsus, Manglore/Canada

    Mon, Feb 09 2015

    A very well written facts of the day. Being a staunch Indian first living in Canada, I can feel the pain of Arun A D'Souza. Today, Mangalore and whole of India has been tarnished due to communal tension and hatred - I had never seen this during my schooling, college days or my working days in Bombay. I had scores of Hindu friends and I still do. I sheltered 2 Hindu friends in my house while in Dubai as they could not afford to make a house. The religion never crossed our mind. We were Indians first. What is happening today? Why the educated Indians of all religion don't stand up and fight for our country to remain united and believe in Democracy? What are we learning in our schools? Looking at all these, I feel that I might have made the right choice of living in Canada. It hurts to see India slowly disintegrating under the shroud of communalism promoted by current political climate.

  • sam, world

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Arun, you say that you are a Catholic. Hence can you explain why did Jesus say:

    a) John 14:6 "Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me."

    b) Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."

  • jagdish, Mumbai, UAE

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Arun A D'Souza, Doha. Normally i dont read any article, because it is politically fabricated or different interest. Today i reluctantly i read one paragraph, then continued till end then i read comment from Ashok, Australia. I don't know i cried silently. Being a Hindu i got education in Catholic school, then story is similar to yours. My request to all, we will remain United though our belief is different. finally we all are Indians.

  • Ashok, Australia

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    continued from the last post..and its rich diverse culture.. Some said in this forum that Obama mentioned that bad things were done by the name of CHRIST... yes people yes.. that's the example he is giving that is past and should not happen in the name of God. If Indian's are not ready to unite and go forward, then they should forget about development. Even countries like Srilanka and Bangladesh have more united. I am following this forum for a couple of years now and holds myself back from commenting but when you see the comments of Mahendra Shetty, Lingappa,Jeeven, Ramesh S, Jayanth, Anatha, RN, Sandy, Shubha.. I really wonder whether these people really want to see a strong India or they are just like our politicians who do not care for our country and corrupted even defense sector. As you said, these people are making you feel the religion comes before your nation which is a dangerous sign for India. India cant handle the present crime rate and if they want to increase it.. god help them.. Jai Hind..Garv se kaho hum Bharatiya hei..

  • Ashok, Australia

    Sun, Feb 08 2015

    Well narrated mate. Being a catholic myself, I read Upanishats, Mahabharat and Ramayan more than common Hindus. I even tell stories of Ramayan and Mahabharat to my nephew when I go to India. Just like you, my sister married to a Hindu and when I go to India I still stay with them with whole family. I do not know anyone who was forced to convert to Christianity my any missionaries. I studied in private college that run my Konknis(SVS primary and Sharda High School)before going Govt college Mangalore. Every morning from College we used to to to Sharavu temple and my Hindu friends come with me to Attur (St. Lawrence) feast. I had Ashtami, Parba, Chowthi, Dasara, ayuda Pooje, Lashadeepa (panemangalore), ter (mainly mogarnad and car street)kankanady jatre, bhootada kola in friend's house and my friends including a Muslim in our group had Christmas and saant mari in my House. (It is a different story that Karim did eat pork and liked it but we had to hide it from his parents and Laxman, who is a Brahmin eat beef and drink beer and now serving the Indian army) We never had problems but now the things are different in my Mangalore. This is what perhaps Pakistan hoped to happen in India. If Indians cant live together like Indians rather than like tribes, then India will be busy spending all its resources to make India stable. The respect that India has now in the world will be the thing of past. Indians do get respect for the same reason you explained, secular and democratic.continued


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Title: A Disgruntled Minority



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