Attacks on Hindutva, its beliefs, followers and temples began 12 centuries ago. But the most malicious attacks are happening in independent India in the name of secularism and minority rights. Governments, judiciary, bureaucracy, Historians, media and intelligentsia. All of them have a single punching bag in Hinduism. Hundreds of “reforms” have been enforced on Hinduism through awareness and legislation over the years. The Indian state has been inherently hostile to Hindus, ignoring glaring evils in other religions, especially Islam. Today, most Hindu festivals are under intensified attacks from all corners.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Centuries-old Hindu festival. Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav was started in 1892 by Shriman Babusaheb Rangari trust. Lokamanya Tilak popularised it to ignite nationalistic feelings among people. Everything about Ganeshotsav was nature friendly. Today, Ganeshotsav is a hugely popular festival providing livelihoods to lakhs. Hence secularists want to curb everything from size of the idol to religious rituals.
Krishna Janmashtami: Birthday of the most loved deity of Hindus. Dahi Handi is an extremely popular physically challenging activity during Janmashtami. Curbs on heights of Dahi Handi is how Courts interfere with this festival.
Dussehra: A glorious festival celebrating nine divine feminine forms on nine nights followed by the victory of Prabhu Ram over Ravana on Vijaya Dashami. No other culture celebrates women like Hindutva. But liberals have to tarnish another Hindu festival by rattling out slogans about crimes against women.
Deepawali: Biggest festival in most parts of India celebrates victory of good over evil. Naraka Chaturdashi commemorates Narakasura Vadh by Krishna. Bali Pratipada is remembering Vamana’s conquest over Mahabali. Lakshmi Pooja is part of Deepawali for Hindu traders. Cow is the lifeline of Indian farmers. Hence Gau Pooja is integral to Deepawali in agrarian communities. Diwali culminates in victorious Rama returning to Ayodhya. The entire liberal world wakes up to air pollution only during Deepawali by banning firecrackers. Deepawali is the most vilified festival in the world today.
Holi: Angered by son Prahlada’s devotion to Vishnu, Hiranya Kashyapa tells his sister Holika to burn the boy in the fire. Holika carries the boon of protection from fire. Hence she sits on a pyre with Prahlada tightly gripped in her lap. But his devotion saves him, and Holika gets burned. Once again, good triumphing over evil is celebrated with colours, fun and frolic. Holi gets sullied as misogynistic. Sermons to play waterless Holi flow thick and far. Holika is glorified as Dalit victim of Brahminical Patriarchy.
Makara Sankranti: Also known as Uttarayan or Sankranti or Maghi is celebration of Sun entering the Makara (Capricorn) Rashi. This ancient Indian festival finds mention in Mahabharata. Bhishma attained Moksha on this day. Kumbha Mela, the largest religious congregation globally, is celebrated at Prayag Raj during Sankranti once in 12 years. Ceremonial flying of kites is inalienable part of Sankranti. PETA and all animal lovers mourn for birds and demand a ban on kites only during Sankranti.
These are some examples of selective Hindu festival shaming. Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj are condemned as patriarchal. Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu gets banned for cruelty to animals. Onam in Kerala was originally the celebration of Vamana Jayanti. Anti-Hindu forces have systematically erased Vamana and turned it into appropriation of Mahabali. Persistent efforts to divide Hindus by distortion is rampant. Mahishasura, Ravana, Holika and Mahabali are demons from Hindu Purana. They are rebranded as Dalit or Dravidian victims of Brahminical or Aryan oppression.
World’s oldest and most liberal civilisation will be wiped off, if Hindus don’t unite and fight against these multi-pronged attacks. To save our civilisation, we must save our beautiful and vibrant festivals along with our temples.
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