Nietzsche
Since BJP-led alliance started to rule at the Centre, commencing from A.B. Vajpayee’s tenure, till the current Narendra Modi’s regime from 2014, deliberate distortions are being attempted under the guise of rewriting history. When Aryan invasion from outside that upheld Vedic culture in this land have been aptly proved by many eminent historians, archaeologists and anthropologists, attempts are being made to project the Vedic culture as indigenous. Generally history is being written with strong evidences linking the archaeological excavations, the literatures of the various languages of the country.
But the saffron rulers are trying to write new history with the evidence of mythologies. Mythology can never be history. The Indus-Valley civilization was predicted as one related to Dravidian civilization. The Mohenjo daro – Harappan archaeological excavations that were done in the British India had ample proof that it was an indigenous civilization on par with other civilizations prevailed in other countries.
But saffron forces tried to project it as Aryan civilization. For that during the regime of A.B. Vajpayee as prime minister of the country, the symbols/icon of OX that were excavated in Mohenjo daro – Harappan sites were projected as the symbols/icons of horse figuratively. During the period of Mohenja daro – Harappan civilization the horse was to be domesticated. The available artefacts of ox were very much relevant to Dravidian civilization. The silent distortion by changing the figure of ox into horse was opposed by historians and historical organisations. The saffron regime could not sustain the projection of symbol of horse in Dravidian civilization.
Starting from the school curriculum and the academic syllabi of higher educational institutions, the inclusion of Aryan, Vedic details were started. Undue importance and coverage were given at the cost of many indigenous culture that have to be taught to and known by students. Under the guise of educationists and scholars many saffron outfits were appointed as the heads of many research and academic institutions.
When the BJP- led alliance won the general elections held in 2019, securing brutal majority, the BJP started its ‘distorting’ exercises openly. Whatever that affects the unity and integrity of pluralistic Indian sub-continent, are highlighted in the circle of BJP’s ideologue wing viz. RSS as their political campaigning. Even after assuming the ruling power by taking oath to abide by the provisions of Indian Constitution, the saffron people holding government posts and position are talking the contrary. In a country that comprises of citizens believing and possessing varied and distinct cultural attributes like language, dressing style, food and eating habits and other routine practices, the ruling authorities are advocating one language, one culture, one religion and many such ‘ones’. The entire propaganda and official insistence are anathema for pluralistic nature of the country. The movement founded by the social revolutionary Thanthai Periyar and presently led by Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani had rightly asked, “will the saffron forces advocate ‘one caste’ for all the people in the country?” The ideas, adhered by the saffron outfits are diagonally opposite to the claim of DK’s leader – the reason being the saffron outfits may advocate equality apparently but if their ideological roots are searched, it would be known they are the strong believers, supporters and propagandists of Manusmriti that props the evil caste system which divided the people of the land with graded inequalities. The basic advocacy of RSS is known, the modes of propagating its ideology by its various functional wings including the BJP would be understood properly.
The pre-planned and practical propaganda of BJP-RSS combine has been manifested in the form of constituting 16 expert-members committee by the Ministry of culture, Government of India. The work entrusted to the committee is harassing the 12000 years history of Vedic culture. The constitution of the committee, its members and the task assigned are contrary to the Constitutional provisions of the country.
How can a secular government form a committee pertaining to explore the culture related to one sect? The composition of the committee comprises experts who are north India based and Sanskrit knowing persons. Can it be construed that Vedic culture is not relevant to South India? An organisation that is not governmental may form such a committee. Can an elected government, voted by all the adult citizens of the country, possessing different cultures, different languages form such a committee?
What is the basis to explore details of Vedic culture related to the period 12000 years back? Will it be possible? Renowned historians and archaeologists say the exact details about a culture can be traced back to a maximum of 5000 years and that also would not be 100 per cent accurate. Exploration of details 12000 years back is not possible. It is once again the exercise, relying on mythologies like idhikasas, puranas etc. The ideas of saffron forces continue to remain the same; only the strategy changes.
In mythology, Treta Yuga (the second one that fell in the sequence of four Yugas) is said to have endured for 12.96 lakh years as per the idhikasa, Ramayana. The entire episode of Ramayana took place in the Treta Yuga. The same Ramayana says, King Ravana ruled his kingdom for 50.00 lakh years. This is the veracity of mathematical interpretation of mythical quoting. Can it be imagined? Will it be possible? If it is possible then exploring the Vedic culture of 12000 years would also be possible!
When the entire country and its economy is struggling and suffering to survive due to COVID pandemic, the rulers at the Centre are particular about the propagation and propping of their belief and culture. What message does the formation of the committee and the composition of its members convey? The rulers are not for the patronisation of pluralistic culture of the country. The undue preference and significance given to one culture i.e. Vedic culture is not proper for a democratically elected government. The saffron rulers think that they can do anything with the brutal majority available to them in the Parliament. It is not the numerical majority, secured in the election but representing the interests of the people possessing and practising different culture is important. Can we expect the BJP rulers at the Centre dissolve the expert-committee formed, as a sign of their true representation of the pluralistic cultured people of the country?
