Dear friends, cadres and well-wishers, this event is being held today, a very special day for Muslim communities. On this day was born Prophet Muhammad Nabhi who was the beacon light for millions of people in the world. His prophecies had guided people to lead a righteous life. He strove for public welfare, equality and brotherhood. He was a scholar who advocated humanism, as an unparalleled religious leader.
Amazing invitation
I do not belong to Islamic religion. I am notoriously known to be anti-religion and an opponent of god. You solicited my presence at this event. Your invitation is surprising. What made you all invite me to deliver a speech on this occasion is infact puzzling. However, I am thankful to you for honouring me. I am sure, most people at this venue would be surprised by my presence and participation but let me make myself clear at the outset that I am not against any religion in particular. I am upset only by the atrocities and unjust activities happening under the garb of religion. I expect people to understand what I mean by true religion. On this occasion, my speech would therefore revolve around the thought provoking questions – which one could be hailed as true religion? What does ‘religion’ really imply? I should thank Islam for granting me this great opportunity to share my views with you.
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Generous and liberal
Islam has been generous and liberal at all times to its followers. It has been rendering all the essential services to its people and preaching them noble ideals. There are thousands of living beings on the earth but religion has been a requisite only for human species. I believe, that is because they do need it in the first place, since human beings are social animals, co-existing in harmony with all the fellow human beings.
Enigmatic word
People lead a life of co-habitation with an utmost sense of unity and brotherhood. Man is endowed by nature with an ability to think freely, using his reasoning power and rational outlook. Hence, human society needs a system of thought and a specific code of conduct. I believe people call it their religion. Muslims refer to it as Islamic Path, rather than naming it ‘religion’. Christians too treat Christianity as a path. Most of the Tamils prefer calling religion as a system or sect. Hence it is a moot point – how did the word ‘religion’ originate? Which language is its root of? Most of us find it really enigmatic.
Some people argue that religion links god and man like a chain. They say, it is a path that makes man reach god. I find such definitions crazy. Why should man alone have an access to the so called god? Do animals, birds and beasts not have the right to reach that god? Are they not created by the same god, if we are expected to believe that god created man? Can other living beings reach god without a religious path? Why does man alone need the path of religion to have an access to the so called god? These are all head-swirling questions.
Instigating people to sacrifice their life for religion is indeed barbaric. Noble religious leaders should infact preach love and tolerance instead of encouraging hate speech and rivalry. The believers keep saying – “God is love” and “Love is god” but fail to make people love their fellow human beings. How ridiculous this is!
Illusion and myth
I firmly believe that true religion is that which establishes an unbreakable link between one human being and another human being; not between one individual human being and the so called god. A religion which keeps humankind united is true religion in my opinion.
Crazy people babble that religion reserves a spot for us in heaven. This is, ridiculous. They call this world an ‘illusion’ and talk big about heaven, hell, salvation, sins, punishment and rebirth etc; — Infact these are all illusions and myths, not our existence in this world. A religion that takes people for a ride and promises them a prosperous re-birth is really humbug; a hoax! I am being criticised as anti-religion since I speak my mind without mincing words. I say what I mean and also mean what I say, but brickbats are hurled at me for expressing my views freely and fearlessly. I have been insisting on annihilating only those religions which keep our people gullible, soaked in superstitions and expired thoughts. I shall certainly commend a religion that moulds people as noble citizens but I don’t find such advocates of religion. Please think over and decide for yourself; do you find such religious leaders today? People who abuse me have not understood what I really mean.
The Hindu (Aryan) Religion
It approves all sorts of inhuman atrocities and misconduct. The ancient scriptures of the Aryans give a lenient view to the upper caste and denigrates people of lower rungs. How could this religion pave the way for the prosperity of people? If religions promote communal harmony why are there numerous crimes everywhere? Why does so much disorder exist all around us? When would religious extremism and communal fanaticism cease?
We find mutual recriminations between Hindus and Muslims; brahmins and non-brahmins; among the caste Hindus, lower sect Hindus; among the Sikhs, Parsis and many others. Where is universal brotherhood? Every religion expects the country to be ruled adhering to their own culture and tradition. How are we to tolerate religions soaked in injustice, disparities and dehumanisation? Do we need such religions that divide people with ulterior motives? Think over it deeply. I am glad over the fact that Dravidian ideology and Islam – both are in favour of equality in society and are against birth based discriminations.
Root cause of unrest
We hear about riots, lynching, unrest and disorder all around us because of some religious leaders who instigate people igniting religious fervour and affinity. Toxic forces are the root causes of violent incidents and crimes. Some religious fanatics provoke people to lay down their precious lives for the sake of their religion. This is an unpardonable evil. Self-appointed guardians of religions ignite animosity among people of other religions. There is blood-shed and unrest when one religious group clashes with another group. Why should such wicked religious leaders be tolerated?
Barbaric defence
Instigating people to sacrifice their life for religion is indeed barbaric. Noble religious leaders should infact preach love and tolerance instead of encouraging hate speech and rivalry. The believers keep saying – “God is love” and “Love is god” but fail to make people love their fellow human beings. How ridiculous this is!
We need a drastic change in our outlook and approach as far as religions are concerned. The purpose of a religion must be elucidated clearly to common men. I find discriminations even among the people of one and the same religion. This sounds funny. There are rifts and splits among Hindus, Muslims and Christians. There is mutual hatred. One looks at the other at all times as a rival. If there is no harmony and unity within a religion itself how can we expect tolerance from other religions? If there is disquiet in a family, what right does it have to bring order and peace in other families?
Indians and Hindus
People of Arabia are called Arabs; people of Russia are called Russians; there are many more examples of this sort. I believe Indians were called Hindus. I do not find any convincing fact to call it a religion. People may agree to disagree. This is a never ending controversy. Most scholars refuse to agree that the word ‘Hindu’ refers to a religion. When so much of confusion continues to exist even in this basic issue, do clashes, violence and unrest in the name of Hindu religion make any sense? I would rather say, ignore disputes over the roots of religions. Uproot all the religions themselves completely. The world would then become a quiet place to live in. Brahmins keep stressing that there is nothing exclusively called ‘Hindu religion’ and that Aryan principles and way of life are the sum total of Hindu religion. They boldly say that Aryan religion is Hindu religion.
All these head swirling arguments are indeed baffling. One simple solution is enough in my opinion. Annihilate religions! Let love, humanism, peace, harmony, social justice and universal brotherhood be the only religion of the entire humankind.
‘Kudi Arasu’ – 15.02.1947 & 22.02.1947
Translated by: M.R.Manohar
