Author: Udayan Namboodiri
Publication: Orgnaniser
Date: September 12, 2004
URL: http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=40&page=15
Introduction: Actually, the aftermath
of May 13 has seen many new converts who are shocked by the day-in-day-out
abuse of the cherished national goals. The blood of patriotic Bharatvasis
is boiling more than ever before. We must treat the electoral reverses
as a temporary setback and rally the forces of cultural nationalism.
The 'challenges before Hindutva'
came up for some high-level contemplation at the informal inauguration
of India First Foundation's new office in New Delhi on August 29. The auspicious
occasion was graced by the presence of three scholars from the United States
who, being lifelong Swayamsevaks, have dedicated their careers to the propagation
of Hindutva among Indian Americans.
They were Dr Mahesh J. Mehta, Director
of the Hindu University of America, Dr Manohar Shinde, a renowed child
psychiatrist who is presently Director of the Eating Disorder Institute
of California, and Dr Ved P. Nanda, Director of International Legal Studies
Programme of the University of Denver College of Law. The visiting intellectuals
evoked respect not only by their deep knowledge of the politico-socio-economic
realities which render circumstances ideal for the resurrection of a Hindu
way of life in India, but also by their rich experience in working with
varied organisations at home and abroad.
In their forthright presen-tations,
all the three accepted that Hindutva is faced with a serious challenge
in the aftermath of the defeat of the BJP in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
The coming to power of the United Progressive Alliance has given the Marxist
mindset a new lease of life. Islamic fundamentalists have jumped on to
the bandwagon and are claiming legitimacy-indication of which is already
flowing in the form of steps to repeal POTA and overlook the dangers of
infiltration. The changing of history textbooks and the abuses heaped on
the memory of Veer Savarkar are but minor manifestations of the larger
crusade against Hindutva which is about to begin.
At this juncture, it is imperative
that Hindutva reasserts itself. But to reach the masses it needs vehicles.
Lacking political power, Hindutva suddenly finds itself on the defensive
and no longer is its advocates in a position to assume important positions
in academia and other institutions. The power of the media is now fully
oriented to blasting our ideals and way of life. Hardly a day passes without
the newspapers or TV channels making misinformed or downright calculated
attacks on Hindutva. More often than not, the media is itself the basis
of a disinformation campaign authored by the Stalinists.
Dr Mehta urged the Hindutva intellectuals
to be aware of contemporary scientific tools which could help counter this
pernicious campaign. "We need to market our point of view", he said. Much
the same resonated in the presentation made by Prof. Shinde. In terms of
making impact, Dr Nanda achieved the most. He made it amply clear that
while there is no doubt among anybody anywhere of the increased relevance
of Hindutva, there can be nothing achieved without 'articulation'. He gave
a ringing call to those upholding Hindutva to sharpen their communication
skills at this urgent hour.
True, there is quite a 'market'
for Hindutva in an age when the Government of India is controlled by the
twin evils of Marx and Macaulay. Cultural nationalism would find many takers,
in fact more now than the levels attained during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement
days, because India is in a situation where the old allies of the pseudo-secularists,
namely the communists and the Islamic fundamentalists, are no longer aiding
their benefactors from behind the scenes. They are in the open, capturing
institutions in education and culture, manipula-ting the economy, controlling
our national responses to terrorism and global developments. While earlier
the communists were satisfied with the few crumbs thrown to them by an
all-powerful Congress (like control over history academia and some universities),
the decline in the Grand Old Party's strength has led to the 'tail wagging
the dog', instead of the other way round. The communists are openly dictating
to a weak Sonia Gandhi-Manmohan Singh combine what they want done. And
they are getting it done. Resultantly, all the economic progress achieved
and national confidence gained through six years of BJP rule is already
frittered away. The excellent macro-economic indicators bequeathed to this
government by that of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee are now fast vanishing.
Our cultural sensitivities are under renewed attack. Our history is being
assaulted with new vigour. As for the madarsawallahs, they have already
succeeded in blunting our resolve to fight Islamic terrorism. With Muslim
Leaguer E. Ahmed as Minister of State for External Affairs, the country's
international image has taken a battering.
Under the circumstances, the field
is ripe for harvest. But the farmer has lost his implements while the locusts
are rapidly feeding on the ripe green produce. There is hardly an Indian
today who rues the 'lost opportunities' of the Vajpayee era. But I find
this defeatism unacceptable. It is my considered view that the present
scenario offers more hope for Hindutva than ever before. The intellectuals
must collect their wits and evolve strategies. They must keep two facts
uppermost on their minds. One, this is the 21st century-we must take advantage
of contemporary communication strategies which involve globalisation of
our campaign. Two, there must be appreciation of the fact that more than
half the population of India comprises people born less than two decades
back. They are still largely ideologically untouched and their responses
are based on media disinformation. Countering that should be easy if the
first fact is honoured. To touch them, we need to adopt tactics which appeal
to their youthful tastes.
Most importantly, ideology should
be at the heart of the BJP's new political initiative. Unfortunately, this
is yet to happen. The history textbooks issue did not receive the importance
it deserved from the tallest political leaders. The BJP should realise
that it has no right to call itself a party wedded to cultural nationalism
if it cannot defend its version of Indian history. It was sad to see the
'tainted ministers' issue receiving more attention than the excising of
NCERT textbooks by Arjun Singh and his communist backers. On August 18,
the government was put on the mat during a short-term discussion on the
textbook issue by the BJP. But it was tragic to see the half-empty benches.
This is a matter which is closest to the heart of the Sangh and one expected
to see the BJP's Upper House members turn out in full strength. Similarly,
the abuse to the memory of Veer Savarkar by Congress minister, Mani Shankar
Aiyar, a former communist himself, was allowed to pass. The Shiv Sena may
have more than made up by formulating a highly effective mass movement
on the streets of Maharashtra's cities, but the BJP's lackadaisical attitude
came across quite sharp. Being a national party with infinite resources,
it should have organised a Yatra to the Andamans with the resolve to restore
the plaque which a BJP minister, Ram Naik, had installed in the Cellular
Jail in the first place.
Those who talk of 'demoralisa-tion'
in the Hindutva camp are way off the mark. Actually, the aftermath of May
13 has seen many new converts who are shocked by the day-in-day-out abuse
of the cherished national goals. The blood of patriotic Bharatvasis is
boiling more than ever before. We must treat the electoral reverses as
a temporary setback and rally the forces of cultural nationalism. Hindutva
intellectuals must realise that few apart from the downright anti- national
needs are convincing about the truth contained in our ideals and vision.
What is, however, necessary is to evolve 'chew-size' messages which should
be dovetailed into a sharpened political counter-attack. (The author is
Senior Editor, The Pioneer, and national spokesman of Siksha Bachao Andolan.)
