Indeed, the story is the same with most nations. Injustice will not go away; no matter how much we fake it, it builds up and is likely to erupt, engulfing everyone into its flames. In the end, everyone loses. The long-term security of a nation hinges on Justice and fairness (Dharma) to every Citizen.
As Indian Americans, we gripe about our limits in the society, and we do shout discrimination, we do scream when so many Indians were denied visas. We hate when a Guru, a student or a politician, is denied a visa to the United States. We have also carried huge discussions on Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley, believing that because they converted to Christianity, they made it, and there is resentment.
These issues are not going to go away; they sit with us, not with all of us, though, but if someone attacks those attitudes, whoever can speak out for us, we become fans of such person. When I attacked Senator Williams and Pastor Jeffress for their ignorant comments about Hindus, I got massive support. Similarly, if a Hindu speaks out for Justice to others, he or she will be liked as well.
In the United States, resentment was building up in the ’50s with Rosa Park, Selma, Montgomery, and other incidents. The black panthers came into being; the situation would have exploded had it not been for the civil rights and equal opportunity acts led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Americans together quickly cured the explosive situation.
As Indians, we have to bring closure to many of the unfinished issues. Our language has to be inclusive, we should all have empathy towards the plight of others. Another Modi’s famous dialogue comes to my mind, “Tumhara khoon, khoon, aur hamara khoon Pani??
I am glad; we are a pluralistic democracy rather than an autocratic, monarchic, or dictatorial system where critical issues take time to resolve through consensus rather than imposition. Because of the nature of our governance, we have piled up unresolved conflicts that will take time to heal. Among them are; Sikh Genocide, Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi, Kashmiri Pundits, Gujarat Genocide, misogyny, and discrimination against the minorities as well as the majorities in schools and jobs. There are other issues, but my focus is on social issues.
HISTORIC INDIA
The old wounds like the Somnath destruction, indiscriminate killing of Hindus, forced conversions, Jaziya, Ghazwa-e-Hind, Mosques built over Temples have been simmering on the psyche of Hindu Indians. It was expressed during Gujarat, to show Muslims their place and to show Sikhs their place during the Sikh Genocide of 1984. We have allowed resentment to flourish towards each other, and the politicians have used us to have their gains. Yes, you and I both. We need to face things squarely and find sustainable solutions.
There is a need for a severe national dialogue where Muslim Indians disown those freaky kings who wreaked havoc on fellow Indian Hindus. Muslims need to disown Aurangzeb and Ghazni continuously. I seriously doubt if there is any Indian today who is a descendent of them or has inherited their loot. Today’s Muslims are not responsible for what the kings did. Indeed, most kings, whether Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Budh, or otherwise, have done their business to annex the next land, rob the rich, steal from the temples, and fill their coffers. Hindus, on the other hand, need freedom from that pain, and they need to realize that Muslims have nothing to do with what those kings did. We need a national declaration from Hindus and Muslims releasing each other from the past and together forge a new future, and continuously guard ourselves against falling into the old pit.
INDEPENDENT INDIA
Our constitution has flaws, and we need to make some amendments seriously. The Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists are categorized as Hindus. Even here on my Radio show in Dallas in 2002, a friend said Jainism was an offshoot of Hinduism, and it was immediately objected to, it’s happened a few times. We need to learn to recognize the sovereignty of each faith and tradition and honor them for their distinct belief. If you don’t think it is a problem, wait until this happens to you.
Here is a real story, an American Christian said Salaam Alaikum to a Hindu, or Namaste to a Muslim –most of us smile, as we don’t see that as a problem. However, my Hindu friend and the Muslim friend were quick to point out the biggest mistake of that’s man’s life and spent time teaching them, fortunately neither were denigrating the other. Once I said Salaam to an Egyptian looking guy, he was ferocious and said, I am not a Muslim, no Salaam to me.
You may enjoy the following videos delivered to a gathering of 1200 Christians in the Chicago bible Study class that I attended. I sound like a preacher in it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo3a8wX6SXQ.
A benediction for Obama’s inauguration is here and hope you like it as well – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/president-obamas-ideal-inaugural-benediction_b_2481579.html#es_share_ended.
Most of us Indians meet and greet for a few minutes in a year, and want to keep it that way. Very few of us have a genuine interest in putting off sparks. If you do take the time, you will find what is going on in each Indian, the resentment towards fellow Indian is quietly simmering inside, and It needs to be addressed, not suppressed or do the typical Indian thing, “there is no problem.”
We need to dig deeper and remove such sparks for the long term good of the nation and each one of us. Hate towards the other eats us alive, and we need Mukti from it.
We need to dig deeper and remove such sparks for the long term good of the nation and each one of us. Hate towards the other eats us alive, and we need Mukti from it.
What happened to Sikhs was not an instant reaction; there was some unfinished business brewing among communities that erupted and resulted in the Genocide; the same goes for the Muslim Genocide in Gujarat. We cannot brush aside these issues, and the sparks were there. We need to dig up and find solutions; if not, this will happen again.
Indian Muslims should not be criticized for Pakistan either, they chose to stick with India, and any accusation should be shameful and condemned by every one of the 1.2 Billion Indians. We all need to jump on those Idiots who point their fingers at fellow Indians who are Muslims.
We should not dump these issues onto the next generation, and we are conquering the space, we can overcome our prejudices too, that is the greater Jihad (inner struggle) Lord Krishna and Prophet Muhammad had called for. The nation is moving forward cautiously, but unless we bring closure to the issues, we may not feel the goodness in our hearts. The problems will not go away by burying our heads in the sand.
We need to apologize, forgive, and restore Justice collectively
to the victims of such genocides.
Mike Ghouse is a former Board Member of the Dallas Peace Center with a lifetime commitment to the center and its work. Please visit DallasPeaceCenter.org for details.