prasad1
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At the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, several Hindu groups felt they were unfairly associated with India's contentious religious politics. These groups, however, have often linked themselves to these politics. The Parliament is a platform for addressing global religious concerns, not simply promoting harmony. The complaints reveal a divide in understanding Hindu identity.
There are two primary views of Hinduism:
The one tied to the ideology of V.D. Savarkar, known as Hindutva. Savarkar defined a Hindu by their citizenship in India, lineage, participation in Sanskrit culture, and viewing India as sacred. He included Jains, Sikhs, and Indian Buddhists as Hindus but excluded Muslims and Christians, seeing them as belonging to a different cultural unit. This blending of religious and national identities creates anxiety among those excluded, as it's linked to growing mistrust and violence. The idea diminishes Hinduism's universal claims. This view is evident in modern organizations and is symbolized by a portrait of Savarkar in the Indian Parliament.
The opposing view, also represented in Chicago, sees "Hindu" as a universally accessible religious identity that surpasses nationality and culture. These groups differentiate between being Hindu and being Indian. They celebrate the Hindu tradition's historical hospitality to religious diversity and advocate for equality and justice for all.
The relationship between Hinduism and the state has become a defining factor for many Hindus, especially in the U.S., and a clear understanding is essential. Mixing the teachings of Hinduism with the politics of the Indian state might limit the religion's global impact.
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There are two primary views of Hinduism:
The one tied to the ideology of V.D. Savarkar, known as Hindutva. Savarkar defined a Hindu by their citizenship in India, lineage, participation in Sanskrit culture, and viewing India as sacred. He included Jains, Sikhs, and Indian Buddhists as Hindus but excluded Muslims and Christians, seeing them as belonging to a different cultural unit. This blending of religious and national identities creates anxiety among those excluded, as it's linked to growing mistrust and violence. The idea diminishes Hinduism's universal claims. This view is evident in modern organizations and is symbolized by a portrait of Savarkar in the Indian Parliament.
The opposing view, also represented in Chicago, sees "Hindu" as a universally accessible religious identity that surpasses nationality and culture. These groups differentiate between being Hindu and being Indian. They celebrate the Hindu tradition's historical hospitality to religious diversity and advocate for equality and justice for all.
The relationship between Hinduism and the state has become a defining factor for many Hindus, especially in the U.S., and a clear understanding is essential. Mixing the teachings of Hinduism with the politics of the Indian state might limit the religion's global impact.
Inspired by following article:
