Wuhan Virus and Ram Temple

 Wuhan Virus and Ram Temple

I recently forwarded a WhatsApp message responding to the question, “Who’s running the world?” The message humorously listed several Indian CEOs leading major companies around the globe, concluding with the answer “INDIAN,” in response to an imaginary debate between Trump, Putin, and Xi. While this satire is fictional, the list of CEOs is accurate. However, neither Trump, Putin, nor Xi actually asked this question, nor did Modi give such a response.1

One Christian friend replied, saying, “Yes, I’m proud to be Indian, but in the midst of starvation, was the Ramjanmabhoomi issue necessary? I don’t see any wisdom in wasting money on unnecessary things when people don’t have jobs and can’t pay rent.” In response, I sent the following message:

“The government is not funding the Ram temple. When the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris burned down during the pandemic, billions of dollars were donated by wealthy individuals. No Hindu questioned it. The Ram temple is not merely a religious issue; it’s about justice for the wrongs done to Hindus. The reconstruction is not a waste but a celebration for all Indians.”

To this, she replied, “It’s just a building. Over ten crore Indians have lost their jobs. Every day someone comes to my house asking for rations.”

I responded: “No construction is just a building. Every structure tells a story and holds history for those who built it. Even a house isn’t just a building; it becomes a home for the family living there. Job losses due to the Wuhan virus are not unique to India.”

Her next reply was: “Governments in other countries are more helpful. So, you believe the Ram Mandir is good, and idols are good?”

It seems that once someone holds a different political ideology and agenda against the BJP, they oppose everything the government does, including its efforts to control the Wuhan virus pandemic. She believes only other governments are helping their citizens and that Modi’s government has let Indians down. In this context, the Ram Mandir construction is seen as a waste, promoting idol worship.

There’s a Tamil proverb: “For one who is scared, every dark place looks like a ghost” (அரண்டவன் கண்ணுக்கு இருண்டதெல்லாம் பேய்). For some Christians, anything related to Hinduism is viewed as idol worship. There’s no point in trying to change the minds of such individuals, as they are set in their prejudices. It’s better to let them live with their views rather than waste time trying to reform them. They see ghosts not only in dark places but in every aspect of Hinduism. For me, Ramjanmabhoomi is a legal and political issue, not about idol worship. Ram Lalla has been worshipped in a makeshift mandir for a long time. In fact, it was the pseudo-secularist Rajiv Gandhi who opened the so-called Babri Masjid for Ram Lalla worship for his political agenda, which has now been settled through the court of law.

As I mentioned earlier in my discussion on “Temple Politics,” politics, economy, and fame are involved behind every temple, and Ramjanmabhoomi is no exception. However, considering how this issue was amicably resolved in a secular country through a proper legal procedure, with a unanimous judgment, it has become a proud moment in our history for all Indians to celebrate, despite our political and religious differences. I even heard that unlike other judgments, no single judge was credited as the author of this one. Among the seven (or nine?) judges, there were even Muslim and Christian judges.

Ramjanmabhoomi has been a volatile communal issue, costing thousands of innocent lives and causing significant economic damage. It has also challenged our secular credentials. Now that the Bhumi Pooja has been performed, it has brought an end to this crucial issue. There’s no point in comparing the construction of the temple with other crises facing the world, particularly in India. The way our government has handled this pandemic is far better than many other countries.

Regarding the economic losses, she overlooked the fact that this construction provides employment opportunities for many people now and will promote the local economy in Ayodhya in the future. As it boosts religious tourism, not only will Hindus in Ayodhya benefit, but other minority communities living there will also welcome it, as it will enhance their businesses.

While this may put an end to the politicization of religion, it will continue to play a role in future elections.2 Every political party in India will need to reshape its agenda, as this resolution has disrupted their hidden agendas of keeping communal tensions alive for vote-bank politics. Some pseudo-secular parties didn’t want to see this matter settled amicably, as they preferred to warm their hands in the fire of temple politics.

Since the person who wrote that response is a Christian, let me use an illustration from her Bible. When a woman poured costly oil on the feet of the Lord, washed them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair during a dinner, some people present questioned why such expensive oil was wasted instead of being sold and the money given to the poor. In response, the Lord said, “The poor will always be with you, but this woman has prepared me for my burial, and her act will be remembered forever.” (In Jewish tradition, after death, the body was anointed and wrapped in cloth before being placed in a cave.)

In life, not every act can be measured solely by money and economy. I don’t want to accuse or question anyone, but even during this pandemic, people spend money on things that aren’t essential for survival. Many still find money for alcohol and entertainment. Though everyone is suffering, I haven’t heard of anyone dying from hunger in India. In fact, in Tamil Nadu, the government is providing excess rations. Many people receiving excess rice from the ration card system can’t sell it in bulk as they used to before. Now, with everyone receiving excess rice, some lament that there’s no demand for it.

I agree that sometimes benevolent acts by the government with good intentions can be abused. Recently, I heard a report on Gravitas (World in One News) that even in America, some people bought luxury cars, gadgets, and even sex toys using unemployment money provided by the government by manipulating information.

I truly feel sorry for those who approach every issue with prejudice. People from faiths other than Hinduism shouldn’t view every activity in a secular country through the lens of religion. Particularly in a secular democratic country where politicizing religion and communalizing politics has become the norm, sober and sensible people should be cautious before making political or religious statements on every issue.

Revised 5-9-2024

Notes

1″Who’s running the World?”

… Trump, Putin and Xi were arguing on … “Who’s in charge of the world?”… “US, Russia or China?”

Without arriving at any conclusion, they turned to “Modi” and asked him… “Who’s in charge of the world ?”

“Modi” replied…

  … “All I know is”:- ….

1. “Google” CEO is an… “Indian”.

2. “Microsoft” CEO is an… “Indian”.

3. “Citigroup” CEO was an… “Indian”.

4. “SoftBank Vision Fund” CEO is an… “Indian”.

5. “Adobe” CEO is an… “Indian”.

6. “NetApp” CEO is an… “Indian”.

7. “PepsiCo” CEO was an… “Indian”.

8. “Nokia” CEO is an… “Indian”.

9. “MasterCard” CEO is an… “Indian”.

10. “DBS” CEO is an… “Indian”.

11. “Cognizant” CEO was an… “Indian”.

12. “Novartis” CEO is an… “Indian”.

13. “Conduent” CEO was an… “Indian”.

14. “Diageo” CEO is an… “Indian”.

15. “SanDisk” CEO was an… “Indian”.

16. “Motorola” CEO was an… “Indian”.

17. “Harman” CEO is an… “Indian”.

18. “Micron” CEO is an… “Indian”.

19. “Palo Alto Networks” CEO is an… “Indian”.

20. “Reckitt Benckiser” CEO is an… “Indian”.

21. Now “IBM CEO” is also an… “Indian” origin guy.

22. “Britain’s Chancellor” is an… “Indian”.

23.  “Britain’s Home Secretary” is an… “Indian”.

24.  “Ireland’s Prime minister” is an “Indian”.

25. The “W H O chairman Dr . Harshvardhan”  is also an… “Indian”.

So…. “who’s running the World?”…🏻….Very interestingly… “an Indian” 

“Be PROUD to be an …”Indian”

If you are an Indian,…. keep Sharing it as much as you can.

  Vande Mataram

2 It is worth to note that BJP was defeated in 2024 Parliament election in the very same Ayodhya.