How politicised are we, really?

[Vinayaka]

I read lamenting by fellow Hindus, especially in India, or from India, that Hinduism is becoming too political. I wonder if that's true, or is it more just that political Hindus make more noise, or that the media is far more likely to cover a political event than a religious event. There is a saying in the west that says 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease'.

What say you? Are we in danger of losing our religiosity to political forces?

 

[SomeRandom]

I read lamenting by fellow Hindus, especially in India, or from India, that Hinduism is becoming too political. I wonder if that's true, or is it more just that political Hindus make more noise, or that the media is far more likely to cover a political event than a religious event. There is a saying in the west that says 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease'.

What say you? Are we in danger of losing our religiosity to political forces?

Maybe. But I haven’t really heard of this

 

[Viraja]

I am not sure what are the implications of a 'political environment' as portrayed by Indian media. But in my understanding, it means going pseudo-secular for the sake of earning votes and/or appreciation by the masses. I agree with this observation. While Hinduism is gaining more and more support in the West, there are rather far too many criticizers within India, who born of Hinduism, are ready to criticize it at the drop of the hat for every shortcoming within India. But they would rather not speak ill of other religions, because they either want to appear cool being pseudo-secular or they are frightened of the backlash!

Other Indian Hindus generally keep quiet about people criticizing Hinduism and not are outspoken about their hurt feelings, unless the issue is too far blasphemous.

 

[Vinayaka]

I am not sure what are the implications of a 'political environment' as portrayed by Indian media. But in my understanding, it means going pseudo-secular for the sake of earning votes and/or appreciation by the masses. I agree with this observation. While Hinduism is gaining more and more support in the West, there are rather far too many criticizers within India, who born of Hinduism, are ready to criticize it at the drop of the hat for every shortcoming within India. But they would rather not speak ill of other religions, because they either want to appear cool being pseudo-secular or they are frightened of the backlash!

Other Indian Hindus generally keep quiet about people criticizing Hinduism and not are outspoken about their hurt feelings, unless the issue is too far blasphemous.

Thank you for your insights.

 

[Aupmanyav]

What say you? Are we in danger of losing our religiosity to political forces?

I would not worry about Hindu religiosity. It is alive and strong. Yeah, the political Hindus make a hew and cry, the so-called progressive socialist secular media takes it up, so also does the international media. Nobody gives a damn about BBC, Guardian, NYT or Amnesty International. They are irrelevant to India.

Only last month BJP increased its tally in Bengal (a state ruled for 34 years by Communists and the current ruling party for 10 years) from just 3 legislators to 77. The vote share increased from 10% to 38% as compared to 48% of the party which won. So the Hindu party is just 5% short of equaling its opposition.

 

[Vinayaka]

I would not worry about Hindu religiosity. It is alive and strong. Yeah, the political Hindus make a hew and cry, the so-called progressive socialist secular media takes it up, so also does the international media. Nobody goes by BBC, Guardian, NYT or Amnesty International. They are irrelevant to India.

Only last month BJP increased its tally in Bengal (a state ruled for 34 years by Communists) from just 3 legislators to 77. The vote share increased from 10% to 38% as compared to 48% of the party which won. So the Hindu party is just 5% short of equaling its opposition.

I've always understood we get a distorted view in the west. News isn't about accuracy, but about what the audience wants to hear, and the resulting money from that. Thanks for your insights, coming right from India itself. What on-line Indian newspapers would you say are 'in the middle' or accurate? I've found 'The Hindu' has an anti-Hindu slant.

 

[Aupmanyav]

"Times of India" at the moment is middle of the stream newspaper. For TV news, it is 'India Today'. Both have e-papers which (I think) you can join for free. 'The Hindu' is an important newspaper, it may not always align with my Hindu views, but I would not discount it.
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