Stop Secular Talibanism

[Guest guest]

Title: Stop Secular Talibanism

Author: Tarun Vijay

Publication: India Today

March 25, 2002

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The temple reflects our vision of a prosperous and proud Bharat,

which sheltered all those driven out by fanatics of the world. Like

the Statue of Liberty. In the Ramayana, the chapter on Ayodhya gives

a majestic description of Ram Rajya, where peace, prosperity and

tranquillity reigned, for there was no one to challenge the seat of

Ayodhya, literally the land without wars. Ironically, Ayodhya is now

associated with struggle, anger and challenges abound. The Supreme

Court, whose supremacy we saw being challenged amidst full media

glare with the payment of a token fine of Rs 2,000, has stopped a

puja and pilgrims are banned from entering the birthplace of Ram. So

much hate has been heaped on the Ayodhya movement in the media that

the real issue has got totally drowned. The Marxist-Mullah combine

has used the media in a manner that a Hindu would feel ashamed at

the mention of Ayodhya and would say, how does it matter to me if no

temple is built there. Please maintain peace! A typical Hindu

reaction. How does it matter if the nation is partitioned and

Pakistan created amidst an unparalleled massacre of Hindus, if that

brings peace? How does it matter if a few terrorists are released to

bring air passengers home safe? How does it matter if Agra is

decorated and we get a little romantic with the villain of Kargil?

And how does it matter if we lie low and let peace prevail ... after

December 13 ... and after February 27? Now, if a large section of

Hindus decide that it really matters to say no to humiliation, they

are the hoodlums of Hindu society, known for its "tolerance". The

message is: as long as you continue to accept humiliation, you are a

good secular Hindu. But the moment you stand up for your dignity and

faith, you are bad. Defending Ayodhya is like defending Bharat.

Bruised, humiliated and condemned, we stand just for underlining

what we are and what we have been. The temple is a symbol of a

civilisation waking up. It stands for our vision of a glorified,

prosperous and proud Bharat, which sheltered all those driven out by

fanatical rulers the world over. Like the Statue of Liberty. It's

like unfurling the tricolour over the regained Tiger Hill. They ask

us to obey the court, and yet justify amending the law to stop

payment of Rs 25 a month to an old woman. All the big temples have

been taken over by the government and Hindu religious funds are

misused. Can it dare to even suggest taking over Haji Ali or St

Xavier's? Compare how the government treats Hajis and Hindu

pilgrims? Should we recall Meenakshipuram? The past 20 years have

seen more than 50,000 Hindus killed by Islamic jehadis and more than

2,00,000 driven out of their homes. And still, Hindus get sermons

to "keep restraint". Ayodhya is against this secular Talibanism