Unapologetic Hindu

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The Historical Role of ‘Akhadās’ in The Indian Freedom Struggle (Published at The Jaipur Dialogues)

Akhadās ( अखाड़ा ), traditionally known for their role in physical training and wrestling, played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule. These institutions, originally formed for promoting physical fitness and martial arts, gradually transformed into centers of political and social awakening. Today, however, this history has been forgotten, so much so that even those training at these akhadās would rarely know about their important role in our freedom movement. Origins of Akhadās Historical Roots: Akhadās have a deep-rooted history in India, dating back to ancient times. They were initially established as centers for physical and spiritual training. The term "Akhada" refers to a place where wrestling and other forms of physical training are practiced. Cultural Significance: Akhadās were associated with different sects of Hinduism, including the Naga Sadhus and the various orders of sannyasis (ascetics). They played a crucial role i

Essential Religious Practises and The Evolution of Religions (Published at The Jaipur Dialogues)

What are Essential Religious Practices (ERPs)? The doctrine of ERPs governs which religious practises are to be protected under Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution. The concept of ERPs first came into being with the case: The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras v Shri Lakshmindar Tirtha Swamiyar of Shri Shirur Mutt (1954) wherein the Supreme Court had initially rejected the arguments of the Advocate General of Madras, who had suggested that the constitutional protection of religious practices be extended only to ERPs. However, by the time the judgement on the case Durgah Committee, Ajmer v Syed Hussain Ali (1961) was pronounced by the Supreme Court, the court opined that religious practices may sometimes include those that spring from ‘superstition’ or ‘unessential accretion’ and, hence, may not merit constitutional protection. Hinduism: Numerous Governing Texts Monotheistic religions often have one book that commands them as to how they may worship. Hindus, howe

Indian Polity, Entrenchment of Sanatan and Secularism (Published at The Jaipur Dialogues)

Indian Polity Without any doubt, the ‘India’ we live in is more than just India i.e. the nation-state. As the Article 1 of the Indian Constitution precisely surmises: ‘India, that is Bharat’, India derives its colour from Bharat, i.e. the civilisation of this land, thus transcending mere politics and geographical lines. Bharat is based on the lines of the Hindu civilisation i.e. it follows the Hindu way of life, without any shadow of doubt. The very ideals of equality and discourse that have been cherished throughout Bharatiya History, and that now find importance in the Indian state, have been derived from the vast practices within this Hindu dharma. It follows, thus, without doubt that the Indian state, based upon the premise of Bharat, is entrenched with the ideals of the Hindu way of life. More than just saying this, let us discuss examples on how these ideals actively shape the Indian state today and find way into machineries that drive policy-making and justice. Entrenchmen

Sati: Blatantly Whitewashed Facts to Guilt-trip the Civilisation

Every time that guns are brought out blazing against the Hindu way of life over television debates, the two usual topics stay the same: the first, casteism and the second, Sati Pratha. The first has been talked about in detail over various articles, showing that the caste-tribe network was an imposition on the prevailing Jati-Varna system, which existed with a much different purpose and in a much different manner, and led to the marginalization of these communities. The second of these, namely Sati Pratha , has not only not been decoded in such a great depth but also, more often than not, one is led to believe that it was a forceful practice meant to embolden patriarchy, that was only abolished by a chosen few messiahs with the cause of ending suffering for women, namely the Roy-Bentinck pair (implying special British help), without the will of the society at large, that suddenly completely wiped the practice out. None of these phrases in the last sentence, I emphasize none, are the

Interactions with the Middle-East: Misclassification of Bharatiya History

रोम रोम में रमे राम की जन्मभूमि पर नित रहते हैं फिर भी राघव के मंदिर को बाबर की मस्जिद कहते हैं -Sadhvi Ritambhara, on how a structure built by an outsider to the civilisation and an invader is being chosen over one of the most important deities of the civilisation, Ram, over whose temple it was built. What is Middle-Eastern Consciousness and How does it Differ from Western Consciousness? When we talk about Western Consciousness and Colonialism, Christianity is the point of focus. Similarly, the Middle-Eastern Consciousness is based on the culture and practices of Islam as practiced in the region. As it spread out to various regions, the OET of Islam being that of an expansionist ideology, it had certain common points wherever it went. While the Christian conversions weren’t any less bloody, in the context of Bharat, Islam exercised a particularly bloodier conquest to try to root out its consciousness and the Hindu dharma and religion native to