Black is not derogatory term in Indian social milieu: Ramesh Patange
Pune, June 26: Being Black is not considered derogatory in Indian social milieu. From a wider perspective, we are black. All the major deities of Hindu society like Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, and Mahadeva are black in complexion and are worshipped and revered by one and all. ‘Black is beautiful’ may be the US slogan, but it is in our practice, said Ramesh Patange, former editor of Vivek Weekly and famous social thinker and activist.
He pointed that though India had no relation whatsoever with the killing of George Floyd, a Black American, we nevertheless are pained with his death as we believe in the existence of the one supreme being manifest in each and every being – living and non-living.
But the leftists do not think so. They look at this incident as an opportunity to create an anti-Hindu, anti-India narrative and use it to hit at the social fabric of the Indian society. All the web portals like The Print, The Quint, and various newspapers and television channels are used by these leftist think tanks to create this divisive narrative and highlight that the Dalits, SCs, STs, and Muslims, etc. are being discriminated against in India. They are subjected to racial discrimination; these leftists say using incidents like this to substantiate their claim.
Indian philosophy does not recognize race. We believe that the entire cosmos is the manifestation of that one supreme reality which is called ‘Brahma’ since the Vedic period. We believe in the principle of ‘सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्मं’, ‘अहं ब्रह्मास्मि’ and ‘तत्वमसि’ that is one single reality is the cause of the creation of this cosmos.
We believe that we are the manifestations of that one great organic social entity that is why organically we are united and a whole. This integrated thought is further explained in the Upanishads and the Gita.
Later on, when various initiatives, schemes, and businesses were evolved, they categorized people into professional groups that further got corrupted into a caste system. There was no varna in the Vedic period, Patange said citing examples of Satyakam Jabal and other rishis.
It was Buddha who first raised his voice against this discrimination based on the castes/varnas stating emphatically that all are pious and no one is vile or sinner. This concept led to the deterioration in our social system and this cannot be justified by any logic.
He said that those Muslims who ruled the country came from out of India. They converted the Hindus here to Islam but during this period saints like Gyaneshwar, Tukaram, Ramdas, Kabir, Ravidas, and others saved the society, created awareness about unity and oneness of the society and untouchability does not have the sanction of the Dharma.
He said that Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirav Phule, and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar gave a relentless fight against untouchability and the underlying force that prompted them to take up this mission was the feeling of oneness and the sense of belonging.
The western thinkers construed Indian caste as race and it became convenient for the leftists. But this concept has no relation with the Indian thinking. Our society, as Dr. Ambedkar stated, is formed with the amalgamation of races. We are Indians first and last.
Dr. Ambedkar is the father of our constitution. He introduced the concept and values of liberty, equality, and fraternity and wanted to build a society based on these principles.
We have to create a nation-state from people to the nation. We are one, homogenous society and are have faith in the constitution given to us. This is constitutional nationalism, Patange said.
This awakening of constitutional nationalism is necessary to frustrate all the conspiracies of breaking India and defeat the narrative being projected by various portals, channels, and newspapers. We must study their thoughts and launch a logical counterattack on them, Patange suggested.
In his presidential address Dr.Kundan Singh, from Hindu University of America (HUA), Orlando, USA, said that discrimination existed in every society in the world. But India is accused of institutionalizing discrimination which is very unfortunate and far from the truth.
There have been efforts to create a society that is harmonious and sans discrimination. The central idea is that the entire cosmos has come from the one ‘Brahma’. It has manifested itself in all the diversity and plurality that we see in this world, he said.
The very realization of this idea brings the basic perspective in looking at the world. No two things are alike. Forest is multiplicity and plurality of trees.
Celebration of diversity is important and we Must recognize underlying unity supporting this diversity. This has been the part of our central ethos that comes from Vedantic ideas, he said.
He said that the propagation of this idea becomes crucial not only for India only but also for the entire world. The idea of one entity manifesting multiplicity and diversity is not an idea of faith, it is a matter of experience, he added.
Swami Vivekananda has emphasized it time and again. We require the upliftment of the society by propagating this central idea. As this comes to the fore, discrimination will cease to exist, he added.
Contemplation on this idea is the need of the hour. As it becomes a part of our consciousness our behavior will change, Dr. Singh said adding that with this psycho-spiritual transformation takes place.
Agreeing with the speaker, Dr. Singh said that the leftist challenge exists in our society and we need to counter it effectively.
Earlier, Dr. Sanjay Tambat made introductory remarks and introduced the guests. Harish Sovani, Director SSF proposed the vote of thanks.