Unapologetic Hindu

An enduring scholarly discourse in recent years has revolved around the “manufactured” secessionist propensities in Southern India. Utilizing a term like “manufactured” is imperative, given that these secessionist inclinations are not indigenous to the region, having emerged only after the arrival of Christian missionaries. Every time parties such as the BJP, which are ascribed to be Hindu-nationalist parties, win in a Northern state and lose in a Southern one, various varieties of jibes are used to degrade Hindus and our culture. There is debate over migration and the rise of Hindutva politics, and more often than not, Hinduism comes under fire rather than the specific political parties whose ideals some may not conform to. The North, often seen as the Hindu bastion, becomes an object of enmity for many who conform to these secessionist ideals. The problem with this mindset is that it has been ingrained into the minds of many living in Southern Bharat over centuries. For several centu...

    The campaign against firecrackers will result in erosion of cultural values, traditions and the spirit of diversity.  It is high time we take pride in our festivals and protect our heritage. For centuries now, Bharat has been called a civilisational state that binds its people together with a shared consciousness, traditions and identity. In the backdrop of such an axiom, one can only guess the impact that the stoppage of traditions and festivals can have on the fabric of Indic identity. Diwali is one of the most-widely celebrated and hallowed festivals of India, the history of which can be traced back to the seventh century. One of the first mentions of the festival can be found in the  Skanda Purana , which mentions the lighting and holding of ‘ ulkas ’, which roughly translated into English would mean ‘firebrands’, ‘ diyas ’ or ‘fire falling out of the sky’.  This is of great significance to the interpretation of Diwali, since  ulka  fulfills al...