On the second day of the World Hindu Congress, a significant declaration
was adopted advocating the term ‘Hindu-ness’ over ‘Hinduism’ when referring to
the faith in English.
The event kicked off in Thai capital Bangkok, drawing over 2,000
delegates from 61 countries.
The Congress adopted the declaration asserting that ‘Hinduism’
misrepresents the global Hindu community and their inherent goodness.
The declaration specifies that in the words ‘Hindu Dharma’, the first
word, ‘Hindu’, is ‘unbounded’, signifying all that his ‘Sanatan’, meaning
eternal.
“The word ‘Hindu’ is followed by ‘Dharma’, which means that which
sustains,” the declaration adds.
“Hindu Dharma, thus, signifies all that which eternally upholds
everything; an individual, a family, a community, a society, and even
nature–both animate and inanimate,” it states further.
“In contrast, Hinduism is totally different because it is suffixed with
an ‘ism’. The term ‘ism’ is defined as an oppressive and discriminatory
attitude or belief.
In the mid-nineteenth century, in United States of America, the phrase ‘the
isms’ was used to collectively refer to radical social reform movements and
various non-mainstream spiritual or religious movements in a derogatory manner.
The term ‘Hinduism’ should be understood in such a context,” the
declaration specifies.
“One should also note that the term ‘Hinduism’ was introduced in the
popular lexicon by Sir Monier-Monier Willimas via his handbook ‘Hinduism’. The
handbook was published in 1877 by the Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge.
This intellectually dishonest terminology is the seed behind the vicious
anti-Hindu narratives over the last 150 years,” it notes, adding, “It is for
these reasons that many of our elders preferred the term ‘Hindutva’ over
Hinduism, as the former is a more accurate term since it includes the gamut
(spectrum) of all that the word ‘Hindu’ implies. We agree with them and should
do the same.”
Hindutva is not a complicated word, it states, adding that it simply
means ‘Hindu-ness’.
“Others have used the alternative ‘Sanatan Dharma’, often abbreviated as ‘Sanatan’,”
it notes, adding, “However, in the present public discourse, many academicians
and intellectuals regularly portray Hindutva as the antithesis of Hindu Dharma,
ie, extremely negatively.
Some of them argue like that because of their ignorance. But most are
anti-Hindutva because of their visceral hatred and biases against Hindu Dharma.
Many politicians driven by political agendas and personal prejudices have
also joined that group and are criticising Sanatan Dharma, or Sanatan, with
increasing regularity and vitriol.”
The statement assumes significance as DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister
Udhayanidhi Stalin, addressing a seminar in Chennai, had ranted against ‘Sanatana’
or Sanatan Dharma, equating it with “fever, malaria, dengue, and corona” and
asking for it to be abolished.
The remark evoked outrage from the BJP and seers, who demanded that the
DMK leader take back his words and issue an unconditional apology.
“On behalf of the global Hindu community, the World Hindu Congress
declares that such malicious criticism of Hindutva, or Sanatan Dharma, or
Sanatan, or Hindu Dharma actually targets Hindu society and all that is
beautiful, just, good, and noble in it,” the declaration adds.
“In reality, these are attacks against goodness itself. The World Hindu
Congress strongly condemns such attacks and urges Hindus worldwide for
manifestation of Hindutva through organised global efforts and overcoming those
who are engaging in such anti-Hindu attacks and bigotry so that we are
victorious,” it states further.
ANI
