 |
| Makarand Paranjape |
Makarand Paranjape is a scared
man, apparently. His article in today’s New Indian Express [Hatred
of Hindutva may lead to Hindumisia] reveals him as a man with wobbling
knees. He is scared to his solar plexus that the whole world is smitten by
hatred of Hindus so much so that soon India will have to face Hinducide.
Hindumisia is
a new word for me, the only thing I learnt from Paranjape’s article. Paranjape
claims to be a scholar, academician, and a poet, “with a track-record of over
40 years of university teaching all over the world”. I read some of his poems three
decades ago as part of a literature course. He didn’t strike me then as a poet
worth reading except for completing the course. I never read him once the
course was over until his occasional articles in the above-mentioned newspaper
began to disturb me.
I don’t know
why this old man should be scared to his bones just because some unknown outfit
is organising a conference on Hindutva somewhere in America. Though he says
that he couldn’t find out who the organisers of this conference are, he
mentions that “some Departments and Centres from over 45 top universities in
America” are cosponsoring it.
Well, if so
many illustrious academic institutions have taken interest in Hindutva and its
terror, there must be something about it, na? Paranjape thinks otherwise. He
thinks that the whole world out there is turning against India and Hindus. What
is the solution?
Let me quote
this great academician-poet’s words from the above article: “My answer is
simple: Let those targeted, which includes the BJP, RSS and its affiliates, hit
back. They have the means and the reach to do so.” His article concludes on the
ominous note that “If we [Hindus] do not do so [hit back violently], we will be
complicit in our sliding down the slippery slope in which Hinduphobia
progressing to Hindumisia might … lead to Hinducide.”
O My God!
I learnt one
thing at least. My youthful judgment of this man as an inferior poet was right.
He is not only an inferior poet but also an inferior human being who advocates mindless
violence.
Anyone who
follows what has been happening in India from 2014 ought to know better. Who is
facing threats from whom? Who are being lynched on waysides for frivolous
reasons? Who have become targets of all kinds of propaganda and assaults most
of which have explicit or implicit sanction from the union government itself?
Mr Paranjape
should question himself first. Does he have any right to claim to be an
academician, a teacher, and a poet? He comes out as a rabble-rouser in his
article, that too a shit-scared one. An academician and poet would advocate
peaceful solutions to problems, seek to replace hatred and violence with
civilisation if not love and harmony.
In one of Paranjape’s
poems, Duryodhana lies dying, “his thighs and testes smashed”, when
Ashwatthama makes an apparition and informs him “how he stole into / Pandava
tents after dusk / putting to the sword / every man, woman and child”. Dying
Duryodhana is mighty pleased. He says, “Good, good, good.” Having read
Paranjape’s article, I looked at the author’s photo given with the byline. Did Paranjape’s
toothy smile remind me of his Duryodhana?
Why are publications approving such articles? Surely freedom of speech does not include inciting violence!
ReplyDeleteA paper like IE should have reconsidered their decision to publish stuff like this.
DeleteWe are on a slippery slope, indeed. This rabble rousing has slashed the very idea of India to pieces. I hope we can steady ourselves before it's too late...but so far, the situation looks grim to me.
ReplyDeleteshinjinim.com
If people of this social status advocate retaliation then we are indeed on a slippery slope.
DeleteIt seems Mr. Paranjape doesn't know anything about Hindu. As per my understanding of the Duryodhana incidence mentioned in the post, Duryodhana didn't approve Ashwatthama's act.
ReplyDeleteI think association of Duryodhana's name with him would be an insult of Duryodhana. In my opinion, he's more like Indra who easily gets frightened even from the tapasya of innocent kids like Dhruva.
It's surprising that a learned person who has lectured in many countries writes such loathsome stuff. He's a disgrace to the teaching fraternity.
Deleteblog was good : thanks from Real Estate Agency Miami
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteGolly, lots to unravel here. I know your post is specific to this man's potentially inciting violence, which I agree is deplorable, but I have concerns. Let me first mention that 'misia' is Greek for 'hatred' - though this is the first time I have seen it tagged together with Hindu. I chose to read that article prior to reading your post so as to form my own opinion. (An aside re publication - the article is clearly noted as being the author's personal opinion, so not necessarily agreed with by the publisher - the pros and cons of that are for other debates.) Like yourself, I have come away from it disturbed, but not neccessarily for the same reasons. (Another aside - this short video indicates a slippery mind!)
Clearly this fellow is very right-leaning. When he points out that the organised conference under scrutiny seeks to split Hinduism from Hindutva, he is absolutely correct. His issue seems to be that this is not to be done. Wrong! I have myself argued - entirely from my own observation until now - that Hindutva is a danger to all who identify as Hindu.
However, I am actually also concerned about the DGA 'conference,' first as Paranjape says, there is no definition of who the "we" are in respect to organising, and, second, it does not take much investigation to suspect it is the lady mentioned, a certain Audrey Truschke. I will say about her only this - there is a great deal to disagree with in her interpretation and usage of Indian history and texts. There would be a sound reason for her not wishing to be seen as one of, if not the instigator. Why does this matter? Well, as stated in that article, it turns out a number of institutions have been falsely claimed as supporting it and, though she does have some supporters (extreme left and Islamists) she is a highly contentious entity in academia; also, whilst I do believe there is need for the world to wake up to path of Indian current affairs, I am not at all convinced this academic wrangling is the way forward. And it does run the risk that is pointed out, due to being equally as fanatic.
Not every German was a Nazi, but for a long time, to be German was to be hated due to the actions of a certain dominant group. The HAF has encouraged students and other academics to write to the principles of their institutions to ascertain whether they did agree to support the DGH conf. It is also holding its own seminar on growing Hinduphobia. On that, to be frank, my own experience of it is more that in the west, many are ignorant of the difference between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims... but there is definitely a 'tarring with the same brush' tendency that has arisen.
I do not endorse that article, but one or two of the concerns are valid - if not for the reasons stated there. To suggest violent response is reprehensible... but the complacency of western governments in light of Afghanistan is surely a signal to those inclined to such acts... YAM xx
I'm blessed to have you as a reader here; you add so much more to the post. And I feel flattered to be taken so seriously. Thank you.
DeleteYes, I too think the motive behind organising a conference does matter. I also agree that there's no rationale for Hindu-bashing just because there is a rising number of Hindutva organizations. The two, Hinduism and Hindutva, are different. I certainly don't think every Hindu is a Hindutva ideologue. I know a lot of others. Even the comments above are enough proof.
What really disturbs me is when academics and poets join the wrong side. I can understand politicians and the riffraff picking up the cudgel for solving problems.