After my regular reading, I was overwhelmed with the urge to convey my reflections on the subject. Though authors like Prof. Arvind Sharma present their facts with authentic historical evidence and persuade readers to agree with them, I still feel something within me that prevents me from fully agreeing. As an Indian, I am proud of all the great achievements of India, but the present reality of failures in so many areas challenges that pride. Rampant corruption, failures in ethical and moral areas, lack of social justice, the alarming rise of abuse against women, and religious fundamentalism often challenge human rights.
For instance, T.M. Krishna’s music program was canceled in Delhi, and I had a big argument over it with a close relative who justified it. He was once a great fan of T.M.K but suddenly found fault with him as he is now a supporter of Hindutva ideology. I argued that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands and that human rights cannot be violated at any cost. My relative even accused Krishna of helping Christians to convert Hindus, which shocked me because he knows well that Krishna is not doing that. Merely singing songs about other religious deities does not mean Krishna is propagating that religion. Krishna always aims to promote Carnatic music, and he is right in doing so. I stand with T.M.K. If others feel that Krishna is doing anything against the Constitution, they should go to court and not resort to violence against him or anyone. Later, Krishna courted many other controversies, and his own music fraternity began to oppose him, particularly when the Music Academy Award was announced for him. Several leading artists strongly opposed it, some with genuine reasons, as Krishna, in opposing Hindutva, went overboard and hurt the sentiments of Hindus, particularly music fraternity. They even announced a boycott of the program and canceled their own programs with the Music Academy for 2024. Both sides have their points of view, but instead of using physical violence to stop Krishna’s program, boycotting is the right Gandhian way to register their opposition. In this way, the music fraternity set an example for both pro and anti-Hindutva camps. Krishna should also learn from the than hurting unnecessarily others.
Though I want to share my views, I find it difficult to express them properly in writing. Above all, whenever I want to write anything negative about any issue or person, I feel sorry for myself. My lack of perfection often comes to mind when I try to write anything with which I cannot agree.
As I reflected on the points I read today in “The Rulers’ Gaze” by Sharma [Sharma, Arvind. The Ruler’s Gaze: A study of British Rule over India from a Saidian Perspective, Noida, HarperCollins Publishers, 2017] , unable to convey my reflections, I felt overwhelmed. Then I thought it might be better for me to stop reading too many books. That is why I deliberately avoid all kinds of group messages now. When I read something with which I cannot agree, I immediately feel compelled to write my response, which demands too much time and energy. At the same time, running away from challenges instead of facing them is also not good for anyone. Such escapism won’t bring the longed-for peace of mind. Rather, facing challenges head-on and, if necessary, confronting them is important. Whether you win or lose is not important, but why, how, and what you have done to face the challenges is. In this retirement life, I am not enjoying such writings. Then, closing my reflection, I silently sought the Lord for a solution. At that time, I said to the Lord: What is my present need in life? You know better than me; guide me accordingly. Then I wrote this poem as part of that meditation.
Revised, 11-6-2024
After my regular reading, I was overwhelmed with the urge to convey my reflections on the subject. Though authors like Prof. Arvind Sharma present their facts with authentic historical evidence and persuade readers to agree with them, I still feel something within me that prevents me from fully agreeing. As an Indian, I am proud of all the great achievements of India, but the present reality of failures in so many areas challenges that pride. Rampant corruption, failures in ethical and moral areas, lack of social justice, the alarming rise of abuse against women, and religious fundamentalism often challenge human rights.
For instance, T.M. Krishna’s music program was canceled in Delhi, and I had a big argument over it with a close relative who justified it. He was once a great fan of T.M.K but suddenly found fault with him as he is now a supporter of Hindutva ideology. I argued that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands and that human rights cannot be violated at any cost. My relative even accused Krishna of helping Christians to convert Hindus, which shocked me because he knows well that Krishna is not doing that. Merely singing songs about other religious deities does not mean Krishna is propagating that religion. Krishna always aims to promote Carnatic music, and he is right in doing so. I stand with T.M.K. If others feel that Krishna is doing anything against the Constitution, they should go to court and not resort to violence against him or anyone. Later, Krishna courted many other controversies, and his own music fraternity began to oppose him, particularly when the Music Academy Award was announced for him. Several leading artists strongly opposed it, some with genuine reasons, as Krishna, in opposing Hindutva, went overboard and hurt the sentiments of Hindus, particularly music fraternity. They even announced a boycott of the program and canceled their own programs with the Music Academy for 2024. Both sides have their points of view, but instead of using physical violence to stop Krishna’s program, boycotting is the right Gandhian way to register their opposition. In this way, the music fraternity set an example for both pro and anti-Hindutva camps. Krishna should also learn from the than hurting unnecessarily others.
Though I want to share my views, I find it difficult to express them properly in writing. Above all, whenever I want to write anything negative about any issue or person, I feel sorry for myself. My lack of perfection often comes to mind when I try to write anything with which I cannot agree.
As I reflected on the points I read today in “The Rulers’ Gaze” by Sharma [Sharma, Arvind. The Ruler’s Gaze: A study of British Rule over India from a Saidian Perspective, Noida, HarperCollins Publishers, 2017] , unable to convey my reflections, I felt overwhelmed. Then I thought it might be better for me to stop reading too many books. That is why I deliberately avoid all kinds of group messages now. When I read something with which I cannot agree, I immediately feel compelled to write my response, which demands too much time and energy. At the same time, running away from challenges instead of facing them is also not good for anyone. Such escapism won’t bring the longed-for peace of mind. Rather, facing challenges head-on and, if necessary, confronting them is important. Whether you win or lose is not important, but why, how, and what you have done to face the challenges is. In this retirement life, I am not enjoying such writings. Then, closing my reflection, I silently sought the Lord for a solution. At that time, I said to the Lord: What is my present need in life? You know better than me; guide me accordingly. Then I wrote this poem as part of that meditation.
Revised, 11-6-2024
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