Karan Thapar asks, 'who is a real Hindu?'

In the light of frequent callous and inhuman act of communal violence against the Christians and Muslims by the Hindu Fundamentalist groups like the BJP, RSS, VHP and the Bajarang Dal, the veteran journalist Karan Thapar asks, 'who is a real Hindu?' in his column 'Sunday Sentiments' in Hindustan Times. Dated: 31/08/08."DOES THE VHP have the right to speak for you or I? Do they reflect our views? Do we endorse their behaviour? They call themselves the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, but who says they represent all of us"? Asks Karan Thapar.He starts with the question of conversion saying, "I imagine there are hundreds of millions of Hindus who are peaceful, tolerant, devoted to their faith, but above all, happy to live alongside Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Jews. If any one of us were to change our faith how does it affect the next man or woman? And even if that happens with inducements, it can only prove that the forsaken faith had a tenuous and shallow hold. So why do the VHP and its unruly storm troopers, the Bajrang Dal, froth at the mouth if you, I or our neighbours convert? What is it to do with them?""If I want to sell my soul — and trade in my present gods for a new lot — why shouldn't I? Even if the act diminishes me in your eyes, it's my right to do so". Says Thapar bluntly.Thapar argues that, 'if thousands or even millions of Dalits, who have been despised and ostracized for generations, choose to become Christian, Buddhist or Muslim, either to escape the discrimination of their Hindu faith or because some other has lured them with food and cash, it's their right. Arguably you may believe you should ask them to reconsider, although I would call that interference, but you certainly have no duty or right to stop them. In fact, I doubt if you are morally correct in even seeking to place obstacles in their way. The so-called Freedom of Religion Acts, which aim to do just that, are, in fact, tantamount to obstruction of conversion laws and therefore, at the very least, questionable.' "However, what's even worse is how the VHP responds to this matter. Periodically they resort to violence including out right murder. What happened to Graham Staines in Orissa was not unique. Like it happened again in Kandhamal. Apart from the utter and contemptible criminality of such behaviour, is this how we Hindus wish to behave? Is this how we want our faith defended? Is this how we want to be seen? I have no doubt the answer is no. An unequivocal, unchanging and ever lasting NO! The only problem is it can't be heard". Says Thapar appallingly. Giving a wake up call to all peace loving and tolerant Hindus Thapar says, "I therefore believe the time has come for the silent majority of Hindus — both those who ardently practice their faith as well as those who were born into it but may not be overtly religious or devout — to speak out. We cannot accept the desecration of churches, the burning to death of innocent caretakers of orphanages, the storming of Christian and Muslim hamlets even if these acts are allegedly done in defense of our faith. Indeed, they do not defend but shame Hinduism. That's my central point.I'm sorry but when I read that the VHP has ransacked and killed I'm not just embarrassed, I feel ashamed. Never of being Hindu but of what some Hindus do in our shared faith's name."