I want to share my story of growing up with my co-religionists. Now, you all must be wondering what is the need for such a story and why would readers be interested in knowing the story of a person who has made no extraordinary mark in life. It is precisely for this reason that I want to share the story of my life as I feel that my story could inspire many Hindus who have lived or are living the way I used to live.  This story is for those who are concerned about Hindus, but are dejected due to adverse atmosphere and hence unable to speak for Hindus.

I grew up hearing stories of valor and sacrifice of great Hindu warriors such as Chattrapati Shivaji, Rani Jhansi, Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan and many more. I also read about these heroes a bit in history books.

Like other children, I spent the early years of my childhood studying, playing cricket, swimming and watching television. Weekdays were spent at school, evenings were spent hearing spiritual discourse from my grandfather (my first teacher). My grandfather used to narrate various moral fables and also narrated legendary stories of Bhagwan Ram and Shri Krishna. Sundays were spent watching TV series of Mahabharat.

I just savored these stories without being able to decipher the subtle message these had for a common Hindu. At that time, I did not know that one day all of a sudden life would take a bitter turn and I would find myself in the midst of a situation in which our ancestors found themselves in. The exodus of Kashmiri Hindu community from the valley and the way Hindus of Bharat responded to the tragedy moved me beyond words. The tragedy in itself was painful, but what pained me more was the fact that I could see no Hindu warrior ready to fight for Dharma. I was pained to see the warring spirit of Hindus vanished from their blood.

I soon realized that the forces that once bled Bharat and tormented my ancestors are still alive and devising ways and means to destroy the last traces of Hindu Dharma. I wanted to do something for the community, but knew not what to do. I sought answers from spiritual gurus and educated elders. Unfortunately, none of them could provide a succor to the ailing mind. What they offered me were statements such as these: It is all in destiny. Perhaps, God wished things to go this way. Neither a single tree moves nor a single bird flies without His permission in this world. I refused to accept such statements as it amounted to saying God approved terrorism.

During my college and university days, some professors would impart moral lectures to students. They would propagate vague concepts such as all religions teach the same thing, all paths lead to God, terrorism is due to poverty & lack of employment, poverty in Bharat is due to the Hindu belief in Karma, non-alignment policy of Nehru is great etc. During one of the management lectures, a visiting faculty suddenly brought up the issue of the Gujarat riots and cursed BJP and other Hindus organizations for the same. I wondered what Marketing Management had to do with Gujarat riots. Though I wanted to bring this up honestly with the learned professors, I did not- partly for fear of ruining my career and partly for lacking the intellectual depth to argue about issues. I felt something was missing in their arguments, but lacked the ability to pinpoint the flaws.

It was only after finishing my higher studies, I started spending much of my time watching news, television debates, and reading newspapers. Most newspapers and news channels of repute dedicated most of their time deriding Hindus and projecting Muslims as victims. Media professionals seemed like sales professionals trying hard to sell products created by so-called secular political parties. I desperately longed to see a Hindu perspective on things, but it was absent. I finally reconciled to the situation and slowed down. I stopped making any further efforts to know the truth, to look for other perspectives. Whatever I did, wherever I went, with whomsoever I interacted, I got nothing, but only disappointment. Professional Hindu haters had won the battle as I joined the secular brigade, ashamed of flaunting my Hindu identity believing that only Hindus had no case and there was no Hindu perspective on things.

I stopped asking questions and seeking answers, but I could not suppress my feelings forever. After all, how long can a person defy one’s own nature? Whenever any act of violence or atrocity came to my notice, I fumed with anger like a river that roars when swelled by heavy rains. For the rest of the times, I showed no signs of life like a river that dries during the winter season. I lived through many cycles of degeneration and regeneration. There were moments when I decided to put an end to the confused struggle, but each time was pushed back by the behavior of professional Hindu haters who unfortunately are ubiquitous. I was pushed back by thoughts like these: Why should I speak for Hindus when many of them are careerists and are indifferent to Hindu pain? The biggest setback came from Hindus who opposed every action aimed to uplift Hindus. Most of the politicians, media professionals, intellectuals are Hindus, yet are not sympathetic to the Hindu cause. I said to myself, let them die if they are not interested in living a dignified life.

I would have wasted my whole life this way had I not stumbled upon an article written by an author about Hindu Dharma. I don’t clearly remember the article and its author, but it urged people to walk the path of Dharma. It seemed God had decided to put an end to my misery. Or one may say, we get what we seek if our search is sincere. I followed the trail. It led me to the works of patriotic Hindus who have written on the subject of Dharma. I realized my mistake and lamented about the wasted years. The works of Hindu patriots helped me come out of the vicious cycle of degeneration and regeneration. It is better late than never. I restarted my search for truth with renewed vigor. As I have restarted the process of asking questions and seeking answers, I interact with Hindus to know what they think about the happenings in Bharat and issues affecting them. The process of asking, reading, reflecting has enabled me to gain maturity.

Here, I would like to provide a sample of questions that I ask and the answers I get.

Question: Why don’t you do something to protect Dharma?

Answer: What can we do. We are less. They are more and very powerful.

My view: Pandavas too were also less. Kauravs were more. When Arjuna decided to walk the path of Dharma, his brothers and many others followed him. If you sincerely seek something, whole nature conspires to give it to you. If all of us think this way, then who will walk the path of Dharma? The number of good people is always less than bad ones.

Question: Why don’t you speak for Hindus?

Answer: We want to, but don’t as we are pained to see Hindus opposing Hindus.

My view: Treachery or deceit by own kith and kin is not new. Very few are able or choose to walk the path of Dharma. Rana Pratap, Shivaji and others too would have been pained to see Hindus siding with the Mughals, but that did not deter them to fight for oppressed Hindus. Arjuna too was reluctant to fight the war against own kith and kin. Not able to decide what to do, he rushed to Krishna’s feet and sought his guidance. Krishna motivated him to fight against those who were on the wrong side.

Question: What do you think about the frequent desecration of Murtis in temples?

Answers: What can we do? It seems our Gods too are weak like us.

My view: What a stupid statement to make. Murtis are visual objects that help us to comprehend the facts and the reality behind them. God wants Hindus to pay heed to the real Vedic message that forbids weakness, champions valour and attaches great importance to standing for Dharma. Vedic gods do not want cowards as devotees. They bless those who stand to protect their honour. God makes a man and endows him with free will. I think His duty ends there. It is up to man to become a brave man or a slave man.

Question: What don’t you fight evils like terrorism and conversion?

Answer: There is so much evil around that human beings can’t do anything. Only the next avatar of God would finish off these elements.

My view: Krishna did not fight the battle himself. He just motivated Arjuna to fight his battle. Once Pandavas decided to fight their battle, Krisha left no stone unturned to ensure their victory.

Many Hindus don’t speak against these evils as they believe that by doing so, they would be able to secure their near and dear ones. It is a gross mistake. When Hindus become a minority, they would be left with two options only: Convert or Perish. When Hindus were driven out earlier from Muslim majority areas, they were given three choices: Flee, Perish, or Convert. The option of fleeing would no longer be there as Bharat is the last land where Hindus are in majority. Where would Hindus go, if this land too loses its Hindu character?  Our generation or next generation or generation next to that generation will ultimately be forced to take a stand for Dharma. It is better our generation takes a stand as we are still free and a majority. Don’t leave all the doing for the future generations.

The stark truth is that enemy has penetrated the perimeter and is lurking among us.  The enemy may have changed its attire and artillery, but it has not changed its mercenary zeal. The enemy has moved from swords to guns and bombs and most of the Hindus are still embracing an outdated mindset to defend themselves against a very powerful enemy.

Slowing down isn’t an option if you want to survive and thrive. It does not matter if few Hindus are against you or if some Hindus are against or even if all Hindis are against you. If truth is on your side, it hardly matters if no one else is on your side.  People who are on a self-discovery mission would find the answers that they seek irrespective of the existence of this article. However, if this article assists anyone in anyway the objective of this article is fulfilled.

Did you like this article? We’re a non-profit. Make a donation and help pay for our journalism.