Amid his gruelling schedule, Prime Minister Modi visited Belur Math and decided to stay there overnight. He addressed a gathering, consisting of mostly monks and the locals where he pitched for his CAA and lamented on its opposition by misinformed youth. He could have well avoided any reference to CAA at all at a religious and revered place. The face of Hinduism, which Rama Krishna Math propagates, is more inclusive and does not differentiate between other sects and religions.
The Chief of the Math extended the welcome to Modi, a devotee of Swami Vivekananda. Modi Ji extensively quotes Vivekananda in his speeches as well. Saffron colour donned by the monks at the Belur does not symbolize any hardcore Hindutva, seen around today. They, on the contrary, are real symbols of engaging with all other religions like Christianity and Islam, and scholars from these faiths frequently stay at the Mission to learn about our religion and vice versa. The Chief of the sect distanced the Math from any political leanings from PM Modi’s speech.
Hindus do not proselytize, not converting members of other faiths to their own. Hinduism firmly believes in, ‘Ekam Sat, viprah bahuda vadanti,’ meaning ‘Truth is one, sages describe it variously.’ Despite being given various names, Hinduism recognizes the Supreme Spirit as one, despite different names. Swami Vivekananda also quoted from Shiva Mahima Stotra as:
साङ्ख्यं योगः पशुपतिमतं वैष्णवमिति
प्रभिन्ने प्रस्थाने परमिदमदः पथ्यमिति च।
रुचीनां वैचित्र्यादृजुकुटिल नानापथजुषां
नृणामेको गम्यस्त्वमसि पयसामर्णव इव॥ ७॥
Translation: The different practices based on the three Vedas, SaMkhya, Yoga, Pashupata-mata, VaishhNava-mata etc., are merely different paths (to reach to the Greatest Truth) and people on account of their various aptitude choose from them whatever they think best and deserving to be accepted. But as the sea is the final resting place for all types of streams, you are the only destination for all people whichever path, straight or curved, they may accept.
There seems to be a significant distortion attempted between Hinduism, its avowed tolerance, and the new assertive Hindutva, often running amok like a rudderless ship. The hardened image can be contained better by understanding real and inclusive Hinduism, which is but a way of life and cannot hold wholly as a religion.
India has been a country, the way of lives of its citizens a wonder and amazement to many later born and evolved religions. The scholars visited our pundits and held meaningful debates, to understand each other better.
Coming back to the perils of conversion, often with financial or political sops, by other religions should end. Such provocations result in harsher responses. However, it is time that we eschew Manusmriti of casteism, intimately bonded with our ethos, if our country has to grow.
Hon’ble PM Modi Ji would do well to respect the sanctity of the Math and desist using such platforms to justify his government’s action, good or bad. He must understand the difference between being a political party leader, a Prime Minister of a nation, a leader of all its citizens and above all, a statesman!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
