In this second & concluding part of this series, we shall see how Hindu Samaj can be united and what role individuals can play.
At an individual’s level; how Hindu unity works?
On a more individual level, fear can actually mimic or accelerate emotional intimacy. In psychology, there is a famous concept known as the misattribution of arousal. When your heart is racing and adrenaline is pumping due to a scary situation (like a turbulence-heavy flight or even a rollercoaster), your brain can misinterpret that physiological spike as a deep connection to or attraction toward the person next to you. That is why if there is a danger you rally around each other.
Invoking the historical trauma to remind of the dangers to the vulnerable group
Fear is rarely built from scratch; it is usually rekindled. To unite a group, a leader draws upon past collective traumas—historical defeats, massacres, or periods of subjugation.
Remind the tribe of what happened the last time they were divided or weak. By linking a current vulnerability to a painful historical memory, you create a powerful “never again” mindset that forces individuals to cling to the group for mutual protection. Preservation of a civilisation is what people respond to- they forget caste, creed, financial status and even internal difference to come together and fight the monster- whatever they feel can destroy them. This is exactly what happened in Bengal. This time it was open appeasement and crushing Hindu society beyond a limit of tolerance.
Now this tolerance needs to be watered down further- set a very low trigger level- red line.
Framing Unity as the Only Shield is the way out. It is emphasised that no single individual or sub faction (caste in Hinduism) can stop the coming tsunami. The narrative must clearly dictate that isolation equals destruction, and unity equals survival.
‘Batoge to katoge, ek rahoge to nek rahoge’: CM yogi call.
Accessible Knowledge is very important
Demystifying ancient texts (like the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the Epics) and making them accessible in modern languages and formats helps the younger generation connect with their roots. Though this has been tried time and again and did not succeed. With attention span reducing to few seconds, this a tall order today. But keep trying.
What should the Janta do?
Everything cannot be done by the government. While 90% cleaning up and administrative work and safety, security is done by the government, yet there are a few things a community/tribe needs to do. In this case demonstrating to the government as Hindu community that we stand united and we are with you always and every time. Exactly this is done by minorities in India- they fully support the opposition.
If Hindus do not demonstrate this, how do you expect people in power- who can be with you- to be with you to support you. It has to be a ‘reciprocative relation’ between a community and the government. If the government is extending a helping hand to Hindus, then as a community you must collectively extend a hand to the government- loud and clear. If Hindus just do one thing (no one expects any sacrifice or martyrdom) just vote the right people into governance- like West Bengal did.
Remember government has all the power and if it stands with you; you are safe. Whatever you do as Hindus, there will be a few in the community who will always criticise the government often going on an ‘intellectual tangent’. Or bribed individuals. They want to ‘show’ that they are the good guys who do not care about community. Hindus need to call them out loud and clear.
In contrast the minorities don’t. They may have different sects, differences in opinion, poverty, castes within but they stand united.
Hindus can be seen as three blobs. The first stands united and supports a ruling party that cares for their faith; the second are the uncomfortable liberals who have a philosophy of ‘oppose everything’. They feel they sit on a high horse and self-acclaimed intellectuals (they do have some academicians, who lectured through their lives, but never worked otherwise, and are happy to give global gyan to be ‘different’ from the down trodden’).
The third one is neither here nor there- they are literally literate fools. They neither try to understand or read/ watch ‘perverted’ content and are heavily biased. These are the most dangerous people. If you ask them to list five points, they are unable to substantiate and an informed person should not argue with them- he will raise his B.P. The quote of Churchill “I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.” Is perfect for this lot.
‘If you are politically wrong, you are actually right’.
The goodness problem with Hindus
We have been again and again told that we can accommodate murder, torture, rape as we are tolerant. Slap me on one cheek I will present the other one for you to slap again. Saints cannot run nations- they cannot negotiate, they are zero on diplomacy and international relations. If geopolitics has changed, the national political complexion has changed too. The local environment is also on the boil- domestic politics. We were guided by Pseudo saints from the beginning.
Fear of Karma– do not do anything wrong
Fear of karma is a deeply human, heavy burden to carry. It often manifests as a persistent, background anxiety—a feeling that the other shoe is always about to drop, or that a past mistake has permanently marked you for future punishment.
When people fear karma, they are usually viewing it through a lens of cosmic/Godly retribution—the idea that there is an invisible ledger keeper waiting to penalize us for our flaws especially wrong doing to others.
Too much goodness is dangerous
It really is. We are practically hardwired from childhood to believe that being “good” is the ultimate goal, (Beta don’t fight with any one, don’t even kill an ant) but history and psychology both show that carrying it to an extreme usually backfires.
When “goodness” morphs into toxic altruism, perpetual people-pleasing, or a total lack of boundaries, it ceases to be a virtue and becomes a liability.
Firstly, you become an easy target as opportunists exploit boundless generosity.
When you never say “no,” or ‘this much is enough’ or draw a red line you don’t teach people to respect your kindness; you teach them how far they can push you. Goodness and generosity essentially sanction other people’s bad behaviour. Being very good ‘goody goody boy’ you are inviting trouble. It can be in school, college, work place or a religion/nation.
When you constantly suppress your own needs, anger, or boundaries to keep the peace or remain the “good person,” It ferments into deep, bitter resentment. Eventually, the martyr snaps, or the stress manifests physically. But Hindus have conditioned Hindus to tolerate ‘infinite bullshit’ under the choga of ‘we are the best, and most righteous people’. We will bear the cross.
Always saving the day, cleaning up everyone else’s messes, and playing the saint can actually disable the people around you. By protecting them from the consequences of their actions, you prevent them from growing, learning resilience, or developing their own problem-solving skills. Particularly work place. Even in a religion especially amongst Hindus the feeling of ‘Anyway someone else will do’ is the feeling which made Hindus who they today are and condition they have brought themselves into.
The blame rests with them entirely- they keep crying ‘what has the government done for us?’ But if the government asks ‘what have you done for us to be in power, so we can mend things’ they have no answer. Hindus will always bring out ten grievances, but never support those who can remedy them- think of this seriously. You have never condemned appeasement by others ‘collectively’.
Mark the word ‘collectively’ you need to forget your personal biases, your caste, internal bickering and stand as collective wall- you will be the power as you give power to those who want to be with you- period.
If your entire identity is built around being the nice, accommodating one, you will never resist or fight for your rights? People who are “too good” often lose touch with their authentic opinions, because they are too busy tuning into what everyone else expects of them. Too busy looking too good. You then give a right to others to walk all over you.
‘A tribe always moves as a tribe’
A small anecdote below illustrates this.
‘A citizen who is not sophisticated, slips on a banana peel and falls badly on the road, thrown by someone and starts abusing and telling people, I want to punish the guy who did it and ten people see him in rage and torn clothes. He is abusive.
After that a professor, highly qualified slips on same banana peel, but gets up quickly to see around wondering if ‘has any one seen me?’ he is more bothered about his reputation as a good man so he cannot show rage or abuse.
If you take goodness up to 100%, it burns you out. But if you keep it at a healthy, level—say, a solid 75%—you leave 25% for self-preservation, even selfishness and firm boundaries things will work perfectly.
A balanced goodness requires a backbone. It means being kind by choice, not out of fear of conflict. Hindus need to develop a strong backbone and spunk (spirited, gutsy, and resilient attitude a mix of courage and “never-give-up” determination.)
“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted… that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” — Haile Selassie
A tiny nation called Israel- the world needs to learn from them
What gives strength and unity to Jews in Israel is something worth looking at.
The strength and unity of the Jewish population in Israel stems out of deep historical roots, shared cultural traditions, societal structures, and a collective sense of purpose -Hindus and Sanatan too claims much more than that. Rather than a single factor, it is driven by several reinforcing pillars. Above all; collective suffering of centuries- Hindus too suffered. Indian historian K.S. Lal, in his book Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India, controversially estimated that the Hindu population declined or stagnated by roughly 60 to 80 million people between 1000 AD and 1525 AD due to wars, massacres, and famines.
Popularly called as the “Tiger of Mysore,” Tipu Sultan was in fact a fanatic dictator who killed 160,000 Hindus.
The most recent mass murder of six million Jews by Hitler and his cronies known as holocaust was systematically and ruthlessly carried out on those who were peaceful, minding their own business (good boys). As a culture and tradition, Judaism deeply values peace, community responsibility, and doing good for others.
In Jewish culture, peace is not just the absence of conflict; it is a core positive value. The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom, comes from a root word meaning “whole” or “complete. One of the most defining values in modern Jewish life is the concept of Tikkun Olam, which translates to “repairing the world.”
Yet the world hated them and some factions still hate them. The hatred and persecution of Jewish people—collectively known as antisemitism—is one of the oldest and most persistent forms of prejudice in human history.
The roots of antisemitism began in the ancient Mediterranean world and intensified with the rise of Christianity and Islam.
The Jewish insistence on worshipping only one God and refusing to participate in state pagan rituals made them targets of suspicion and political friction.
As Christianity grew in the Roman Empire, a narrative developed blaming the Jewish people as a whole for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (known as deicide, or “killing God”). This religious accusation fuelled deep-rooted hostility in medieval Europe for centuries.
Because Jewish communities strongly maintained their distinct religious practices, and refused to convert they were seen as outsiders and stubborn.
What keeps them united?
At the core of Jewish unity in Israel is a profound, collective memory of both trauma and triumph. The existential threat- as the entire world- Christianity and Islam- were against them was a major glue that got them together. Hindus went through the same trajectory but did not learn a lesson.
Facing persistent external security threats creates a “rally round the flag” or the nation effect. In times of crisis, internal political or cultural differences are frequently set aside in Favor of collective survival. This shared destiny is a powerful unifying force. Even in a highly secularized society, Jewish culture provides a shared rhythm to daily life.
There is a deeply embedded cultural ethos of mutual accountability, often traced back to the Talmudic phrase “Kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh” (All Israelis are responsible for one another).
They have an open-door policy for welcoming all jews coming from any part of the world to Israel.
The Law of Return (Chok HaShvut) passed by the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) on July 5, 1950, this law turns the ideological concept of Israel as a safe haven and homeland for global Jewry into a concrete legal framework.
Israeli society is also highly pluralistic; yet cultural rhythms—typically ensure that underneath internal friction lies a robust framework of national solidarity.
Can we see some similarities in Jews and Hindus as people? Yes, you can.
They learnt from their past but Hindus did not. Hindus are still blinded with ‘I am the most righteous’ syndrome.
Slogans are important and we must have them
Must be simple and repeated again and again to get into the blood of population.
Slogans like “Hindu Hindu Bhai Bhai” aim to create a pan-Hindu identity that transcends traditional internal divisions, such as caste, regional language, and sectarian practices, by emphasizing a shared cultural and religious heritage.
Collective Charity helps to build solidarity
Mobilizing communities around Seva (selfless service)—such as building schools, running hospitals, organizing disaster relief, and supporting underprivileged segments of society—creates a strong sense of collective purpose. Sikh religion is famous for guru ka ‘Langar’; they provide for people to eat a meal. They connect it to their god their identity and religion by calling it ‘prasad’.
The power of Symbolism
A flag is not only a piece of cloth splashed with some colours and symbols but something people are ready to give their life for. For instance, Stars and Stripes of American flag and Union Jack of England is pride of their people. After World War Two when senior officers of defeated German Army (close to fifty of them) refused to salute the American flag when anthem was played and in defiance gave a Nazi salute – even after losing the war- General Patton made them strip to their undergarments to make them realise the mistake they made and they finally had to obey him. The discourse is much bigger.
The most universally recognized and powerful symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism today is the Star of David, known in Hebrew as the Magen David (Shield of David). This is also on their flag.
Relevance and power of Saffron as a symbol
The most powerful symbol of Hinduism is saffron colour and sign of aum.
The Sacred Flame – Saffron as the Eternal Symbol of Sanatan Dharma
In the vast tapestry of Hindu culture, philosophy, and spirituality, no colour holds a more profound or sacred status than saffron—known traditionally as Bhagwa, Gerua, or Kesari. Far more than a mere aesthetic choice, saffron is the visual anchor of Sanatan Dharma. It symbolizes the eternal values of renunciation, cosmic order, and the ultimate pursuit of spiritual liberation (Moksha).
The deep spiritual resonance of saffron within Hinduism can be understood through its elemental origins, historical weight, and philosophical depth.
Within Sanatan Dharma, saffron is not merely a colour; it is a philosophy in itself. It is a visual representation of the verse from the Isavasya Upanishad.
The Bhagwa Dhwaj (flag) is Symbol of Sovereignty and Protection. Stay united is the message in this colour.
The saffron flag, known as the Bhagwa Dhwaj, has flown over temples, ashrams, and kingdoms for millennia as a symbol of righteousness (Dharma).
Shield of Righteousness: Historically, the flag served as a rallying cry for the protection of culture, spirituality, and sovereignty. Great leaders and warriors, such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, adopted the Bhagwa flag to signify that their rule was not for personal glory, but was dedicated entirely to the service of Dharma
It stands as a timeless reminder of the transient nature of the material world and the eternal, self-luminous reality of the soul. Whether fluttering atop an ancient temple spire or wrapped around a meditating sage, saffron remains the ultimate symbol of a civilization dedicated to the pursuit of truth, light, and liberation.
Saffron is a part of daily Rituals
Saffron transcends abstract philosophy to find a physical place in the daily life of a practicing Hindu:
The Tilak- A mark made of saffron paste (Kesar) or vermilion is applied to the Ajna Chakra (the third eye space between the eyebrows) during worship. This acts as a reminder to focus on inner vision and divine wisdom.
Deity Worship- High-grade saffron threads are used to prepare holy water (Charanamrit) or mixed into sandalwood paste to anoint the murtis of deities, symbolizing the offering of the most precious elements of nature to the Divine.
The narrative of saffron stretches back over 3,500 years, intertwining with the rise and fall of ancient empires. Historical and botanical accounts trace its early presence to the Mediterranean shores of Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Greece, and ancient Persia (Wenger, 2022). Ancient texts document Saffron’s use as a culinary condiment during the reign of Hammurabi, while archaeological evidence demonstrates its application in prehistoric cave paintings and royal textiles (Wenger, 2022). In Hindi known as Kesar, it is used in Bharat’s exotic foods like Biryani, rice and even kulfi.
Throughout antiquity, saffron was inextricably linked to wealth, divinity, and high status.
And some Hindus, journalists, academia, youth so-called influencers and activists mock Bhagwa or Saffron color. It has become fashionable amongst Hindus to say the nation has been Saffronized after BJP came to power- give me a break, will you.
Other visible Symbols
American side cap
Indian side cap
A stylish kalawa
They have a problem wearing a symbol of Om whereas all Christians wear a cross as a necklace, the Muslims wear a skull cap, women use Burka and Israelis’ wear a tiny skull cap called a kippah and Sikhs wear a Turban and a ‘Kada’ proudly.
How many Hindus proudly wear a Hindu wrist thread—most commonly called a Kalawa, Mauli, or Raksha Sutra—is a sacred cotton string tied around the wrist? Not many. Hindu women wear a Bindi? Not many.
Redesigning or altering image of Hindus
One can make traditions more fashionable- especially symbolism. It can be most importantly appealing to youth- the Gen Z etc. Catch them young. Wearing a nice looking Rudraksha mala or a single one as pendent can be a fashion statement. A ‘Bodi’ or ‘Choti’ on a boy or a young man may look odd- but you can make a smart out of the box nice looking thin pony tail. There are hundreds of ways to keep identity alive.
Purpose of Choti for men
Cultural and Religious Identity: It is historically worn by Hindu practitioners to mark their lineage and commitment to dharma. For example, Chanakya had a prominent choti- they didn’t have hair stylists back then.
Choti as a Spiritual Antenna: In Hindu philosophy, the spot where the choti is grown sits directly above the Sahasrara (crown chakra). The tuft is believed to absorb cosmic energy and help channel spiritual focus during meditation and prayer.
Long and short of this is that Choti is a symbol of Hinduism. Modify it, make it stylish and a style statement. This will serve twin purpose- style and substance.
Have a smart side cap like what PM Modi often wears or CM of some states don it. Good cloth, good fit and some simple symbol like an army outfit makes it as a perfect kit. Indian army offices wear different side caps and are proud of it. So are Americans.
Short pony tail looks fashionable and Hindus can grow this style as a traditional ‘Choti’
Inter-Regional Celebrations are very important
Actively celebrating diverse regional festivals across different geographies (e.g., celebrating Tamil New Year in North India, or Durga Puja in Western India) fosters mutual appreciation.
Call For action
Wear your religion on your sleeve. Why not?
Vote Collectively
Just do one thing. As a Hindu You do not have to get involved in any demonstrations, Dharna or protest- peaceful or otherwise. You have to understand which political party will support you in crisis and then forget your caste, financial status, political leanings, earlier grievances or any other weird ideas planted by others into your head. the operative word is ‘COLLECTIVELY’. You should be a voting island and demonstrate to every one that you are together- let people call you a ‘vote bank’. Yes, you are a ‘mega vote bank- A federal reserve’.
Your attire
This is your identity. If a Sikh can wear turban and a ‘Kada’, why can’t a Hindu sear Kalawa and a small Chandan Teeka? Enthusiasts can wear a side cap and a tiny pony tail. Pick or mix your symbols to your delight.
Do not be cowed down by anyone
Be proud to be a Hindu nationalist. Do not hesitate to say what is in your heart and mind.
Be Proud to give a shut-up call- never hesitate
If some one ridicules your religion, your traditions, your culture your heritage- call out right away- it could be an influencer, a journalist, academician or a politician.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” – Aesop
