RSS - a danger to Hinduism

By Rajindar Sachar

TO SAY the RSS is a danger to Hinduism may sound paradoxical, but I am not saying it in levity but in all seriousness.

All progressive sections of the Hindu community blame the RSS for being anti-minorities. But have they paused even for a while to visualise the danger to Hinduism itself from the RSS? It is the same streak of Talibanisation, especially of the Afghanistan type, which is bringing a bad name to the spirituality of both Hinduism and Islam.

I have been pushed to this conclusion by the statement of Mr. Hari Gautam, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, that the UGC has finally approved the proposal for introducing astrology as a course at under-graduate and post-graduate levels in universities from the coming academic session.

Justifying this step, the UGC Chairman said all people were interested in knowing what the future held for them so they wanted to produce certified professional qualifications to secure the confidence and faith of the people.

That the UGC Chairman has not got consent from the council is a cause for concern. I have serious doubts about the legality of such a decision, considering that the universities are all publicly funded and the mandate of Article 51A of the Constitution dealing with fundamental duties directs that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India ``to develop the scientific temper, humanism and to preserve the rich heritage of our culture''.

I need not dwell on the unscientific nature of astrological predictions. I might share with Mr. Hari Gautam an immediate image which floated across my memory. It is about a movie ``Admi'', produced by V. Shantaram in the late Thirties. It was the story of a son born in a poor Hindu family. His parents had his future predicted by a family astrologer. The prediction was that the son would grow up to be so powerful that at wave of his hands people at the highest level would stop and seek his permission to move on. The predictions naturally made the parents happy. Unfortunately the son, being a straight and honest person, could not join politics, but had to be content with becoming a police constable, and naturally all traffic movement of cars of even the richest awaited the movement of his arms to move. I suppose many would insist that the astrological prediction had come true - the hand indication did control the movement of the richest. If such is the interpretation, could anything be more silly?

I concede that most of us do at some time indulge in this game of astrology, either out of curiosity or at a time of tragedy or at a family function or even out of bravado. To study astrology as a sideline in a private capacity is a different matter. It is well- known that many men and women consult professional clairvoyants, astrologers and tarot-card readers. The Cheiros Book on Palmistry is a common reading amongst the youth as an excuse to hand holding.

As for knowing the future, the UGC Chairman need not worry because he may wish to go by the predictions of Nostradamus, the renowned French astrologer who says that a King of Terror or anti-Christ was to descend on Earth in July, 1999, and whom he identifies as not belonging to Christianity, Islam or Judaism and who will be as ruthless as Genghis Khan, Of course, commentators are divided on the identity of this `King of Terror'. That leaves the field open to be filled up by hordes of RSS men who have destroyed a house of God - the Babri Masjid. But then, unfortunately, even their victory can be of no consolation, because again according to one commentator our planet will be invaded by beings from outer space who will destroy much of humanity. The saviour, after some time, will be Russia and America who may after some time be also dwarfed by the size of China. India is not mentioned and that might have persuaded the UGC to embark on this venture so as to obtain astrological predictions favouring the dominance of RSS ideology.

But, then, all these events were to start happening from 1997- 98, but fortunately for mankind nothing of the sort has happened. Mr. Gautam need not, however, feel dejected, but rather realise the watery base of all these predictions, including that of Vedic astrology.

I am surprised that Mr. Gautam has not given any justification for his step by taking the stand that as astrologers will be able to predict the results of elections, the political party which is to form a government and who is to be the Prime Minister, we could do away with elections to legislatures and instead adopt a pattern of paternalist Guru Sabha, as the RSS has openly advocated before the Constitutional Commission.

We could then even ban political parties because as the results are pre-ordained as predicted by astrologers, why permit such a huge waste of public money. Better still, why have a Cabinet of Ministers - rather, a body of UGC-trained professional astrologers could take decisions on whether it is beneficial to join the W.T.O. or talk to Pakistan, etc. Really, the sublime is becoming ludicrous.

I think the whole idea is not only ridiculous, but dangerous. In a country like India, where almost half the population is female, and 40 per cent of the rural population is illiterate and where all governments, including the present, have not honoured the direction given by the Supreme Court as far back as in 1993 holding that education is a fundamental right, we would be well- advised to divert funds to this need than to this doubtful venture by the UGC.

Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life. According to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the recognition of spirit in man is the essential feature of Hindu religion and in this respect all men are equal. But Hinduism has suffered over the centuries by illogical rituals, and worst of all by the disgrace of casteism. Reformers like Ram Mohan Roy and Dayanand (against idol worship) have worked towards restoring to the religion its pristine quality. Fundamentalist Hindus represented by bodies like the RSS, however, go on making attempts to put the clock back by burying it in ritualism. The attempt to introduce astrology in universities is the latest.

This is in line with the equally atrocious suggestions by the RSS Chief, Mr. K. Sudarshan, that Christians and Muslims prove their Indianness by refusing to respect the Vatican and Mecca, as these holy places are outside India.

A deliberately provocative statement, considering that the Vatican is the highest spiritual seat for millions of Christians. And Mecca is the holy place where Prophet Mohammad was born and considered sacred the way the RSS regards Ayodhya, because it is the birth place of Lord Rama. In fact, all these places are worthy of reverence by all communities.

But if being reverential to a holy place outside India is against Indianisation, will Mr. Sudarshan advise Hindus not to revere Kailash Mansarover (the abode of Lord Shiva) which is situated in Tibet, outside India. By the same logic, I take it that he would be advising Sikhs and Hindus not to go on a pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib (birth place of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji) which is now in foreign territory - i.e. Pakistan.

I feel that this attempt by the UGC needs to be resisted at all costs if our education is to fulfill the modern need of development in the country. A throwback to centuries-old superstitions, which we still have unfortunately not been able to shake off, is a poor service that the UGC Chairman is doing to the young generation.

(The writer is a retired Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court).

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