LONDON, ENGLAND, August 17, 2002: This opinion piece by Vijay Rana reads in part, “The first time I was forced to declare myself as a devout Hindu was when I approached one of the finest schools in London for the admission of my daughter. The priest lectured me on the advantages of regular temple visits. He reluctantly signed the form the school required on my religious practice, putting a tick in the last category of occasional visitors. That day a vital part of my Hinduism was taken away from me — my freedom to be a Hindu without going to the temple. Until now I had freedom to pray where I wanted. I had freedom to choose among the numerous Hindu gods. When rampaging mobs, chanting the name of my Lord Rama, kill innocent women and children. I say, “No! That’s not the Hinduism I was taught. My Hinduism promised to ensure freedom from fear, not for Hindus alone, but for all living being.” The Hinduism I knew was a compassionate creed, a set of values caring for all the living beings, including plants and animals. Gandhi’s tolerance was written on his heart. Benevolence, generosity, compassion were the central traits of his mental make up. That was the Hinduism I grew up with. Yes, I would welcome a Rama temple in Ayodhya, a temple of compassion and social harmony. I do not need a temple made with the shilas (bricks) of hatred, a temple that is cemented by communal intolerance. In a democratic, forward-looking, modern, 21st century India the hijacking of Hinduism must not be allowed. Let sane and sensible Hindus speak. Let us reclaim the real Hinduism.”
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