There was a time when I too was a Hindu nationalist and for me being an 'Indian nationalist' was no different from being a 'Hindu nationalist'. That was the time when I grew up and the time was more than 15 years ago. Since I was 14-15 years old till I was about 21-22, I was a 'Hindu nationalist' or at least my thinking was inclined towards that. I can give examples.
I wrote letter to Time magazine and had made my name as "Anup Ram Sabat" instead of my actual name which is "Anup Kumar Sabat". What a childish way. I was under the 'Ram spell' and I had innocently thought that all 'Indian' people should have 'Ram' as middle name. This was about 20 years ago.
I used to say when I used to sleep "Chalo Bagwan ka naam leke so jaate hain and used to say -Ram naam satya hai" (Translation- 'lets chant the lords name before sleeping-the name Ram is the ultimate truth). Also during certain private moments I used to say the same thing. But I had not realised that this line people chant when they carry the dead bodies for cremation. My innocence again and this I used to do 15 years ago.
I stopped following the above almost immediately after 22-23. As I matured, my thinking changed and now I realise that being a Hindu nationalist is not the same thing as being an Indian nationalist.
Hindu nationalist is the same thing as being a 'Hindu fanatic'. Trust me people there is no 'middle path'. If you really consider yourself a 'true Hindu' then there is the path of 'extremism' and extremism only. You have 'shun other religions' and 'strictly follow rituals'.
I will tell that Hindus have a great sense of 'superiority' and they they think that their 'religion is the greatest'. They think their 'idols' are actual Gods and their temples are actual places where 'Gods live'.
But whether we admit it or not we have to realise two things. First is that we are human beings first and then whatever other tags that may come to be associated with us. And second is that every person or family or group should have 'freedom' to practice their own religion and they should not be 'targeted' based on their looks or food habits or practices.
Being pure Hindu will result in not following the above mentioned two things.
I wrote letter to Time magazine and had made my name as "Anup Ram Sabat" instead of my actual name which is "Anup Kumar Sabat". What a childish way. I was under the 'Ram spell' and I had innocently thought that all 'Indian' people should have 'Ram' as middle name. This was about 20 years ago.
I used to say when I used to sleep "Chalo Bagwan ka naam leke so jaate hain and used to say -Ram naam satya hai" (Translation- 'lets chant the lords name before sleeping-the name Ram is the ultimate truth). Also during certain private moments I used to say the same thing. But I had not realised that this line people chant when they carry the dead bodies for cremation. My innocence again and this I used to do 15 years ago.
I stopped following the above almost immediately after 22-23. As I matured, my thinking changed and now I realise that being a Hindu nationalist is not the same thing as being an Indian nationalist.
Hindu nationalist is the same thing as being a 'Hindu fanatic'. Trust me people there is no 'middle path'. If you really consider yourself a 'true Hindu' then there is the path of 'extremism' and extremism only. You have 'shun other religions' and 'strictly follow rituals'.
I will tell that Hindus have a great sense of 'superiority' and they they think that their 'religion is the greatest'. They think their 'idols' are actual Gods and their temples are actual places where 'Gods live'.
But whether we admit it or not we have to realise two things. First is that we are human beings first and then whatever other tags that may come to be associated with us. And second is that every person or family or group should have 'freedom' to practice their own religion and they should not be 'targeted' based on their looks or food habits or practices.
Being pure Hindu will result in not following the above mentioned two things.
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