In the vast tapestry of Bharatiya history, the Sanatan Dharma, rooted in the Vedic tradition, has been a beacon of individuality, freedom, and spiritual progress. For centuries, it has allowed each person the liberty to chart their own spiritual journey, a hallmark of the profound respect for personal freedom inherent in the culture. Yet, in this age of rapid change and external pressures, the very essence of this freedom is under threat. The time has come for Hindus-Dharmists, devotees, and every individual who cherishes this ancient heritage – to recognise the urgency of uniting for a common cause: the preservation and protection of their culture, traditions, and the individual freedoms that are so intrinsic to their way of life.
Across Bharat, various religious communities – Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists have organised themselves into cohesive groups that work tirelessly to protect their rights, traditions, and religious practices. They have learned the power of unity, often voting as a bloc to support politicians who advocate for their interests. When their beliefs or institutions are threatened, they raise their voices in protest, sometimes even resorting to demonstrations or riots to ensure their concerns are addressed. This collective action has often yielded results, forcing others to consider the consequences of infringing on their rights.
The best example here is the 2024 Lok Sabha polls; the BJP suffered a major shock in Uttar Pradesh’s Faizabad constituency, which includes Ayodhya. The Samajwadi Party’s Awadhesh Prasad defeated two-time BJP MP Lallu Singh by over 55,000 votes. BJP lost the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency where Ayodhya Ram Mandir is situated.
The Hindu community, despite being the majority in Bharat, has often been marked by apathy in this regard. Although there is a growing awareness and awakening among Hindus about the importance of making their voices heard, many still allow their influence and the power of their numbers to slip away. This apathy is a disservice to Dharma and society, allowing the needs of the Dharmic community to go unnoticed. If Hindus do not take responsibility for their own future, no one else will. There are forces that count on this apathy, exploiting it to further their agendas, often at the expense of the majority Hindu population.
Those who argue that Sanatana Dharma is eternal and will survive without intervention fail to grasp the lessons of history. While it is true that Sanatana Dharma has persisted for thousands of years, this does not guarantee its survival if we allow it to fade into obscurity. The Bhagavad-gita offers a profound lesson in this regard. Arjuna, faced with the prospect of war, initially hesitates, preferring to retreat into the forest to meditate. But Bhagwan Krishna rebukes him, urging him to fight – not for the sake of violence, but to uphold Dharma, the righteous principles that the Kauravas sought to destroy.
This is a crucial reminder: While the divine may support us, we must also do our part. Dharma requires defenders, and if we do not act to protect it, we risk losing the very freedoms that allow us to practice it. Vedic culture has been under attack for the last 1200 years, and it was the courage and sacrifices of countless Bharatiya heroes and ordinary Hindus that kept it alive. To let these sacrifices go in vain would be a grave dishonour. We must be vigilant and recognise the warning signs around us. For Example, Muslims target Hindu pilgrims participating in the Kanwar Yatra.
According to reports, the attackers spit on the pilgrims, threw dirty water, and disrupted their religious yatra.
With the growing Muslim population in Bharat, there is a real risk that Hindu Dharma could be severely diminished within the next century. The high birth rate among Muslims is steadily increasing their presence in Bharat, and history shows that once a Muslim population becomes significant, it often seeks to impose its own laws and customs, sometimes at the expense of other communities. In regions where Muslims have gained political power, non-Muslims have often faced persecution, restrictions on their religious practices, and even violence. This pattern is evident in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, where the non-Muslim population has dwindled due to systematic discrimination and violence.
In Pakistan, the Hindu population is decreasing at an alarming rate as they are forced to convert to Islam. The Hindu girls are abducted, raped and forcibly converted to Islam.
The situation is equally bad in Bangladesh; recent incidents prove how Hindus are treated in the neighbouring country. The situation became so bad that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to run for her life and took shelter in India.
Even within Bharat, the displacement of over 400,000 Hindu Pandits from Kashmir serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inaction. The situation in Assam, mirrors the events in Kashmir. If this trend continues unchecked, Bharat could lose more of its cultural and religious heritage. Various reports claim that in major crimes like rape, murder, dacoity, molestation, Muslims are involved.
The infamous Delhi’s Rohini area Sakshi Dixit’s murder case, where Sahil Khan was the main accused, raises urgent questions about women’s safety, the complexities of interfaith relationships, and the broader societal environment that enables such crimes against Hindus and humanity. It challenges us to confront these issues to prevent further tragedies. Measures are being taken, but more is required; even Bollywood is understanding the gravity and making movies like ‘The Kashmir Files’, which shows how the Kashmiri Muslims persecuted and forced out Hindus from the region in 1990 during the Kashmiri insurgency.
Another film, ‘The Kerala Story,’ claims that 32,000 Hindu girls were converted to Islam and trafficked to ISIS camps in Syria. Films like ’72 Hoorain’ show how Muslim terrorists are driven by extremism and promises of virgins after martyrdom in paradise.
Films like ‘Farhana’ in which the main character, a Hijab-clad woman is a sex worker.
The time for action is now. Hindus must recognise the gravity of the situation and take decisive steps to ensure the survival of their culture and traditions. Here are some critical changes that need to take place:
Political unity: Hindus must vote as a bloc in elections to support candidates who respect and protect Sanatan Dharma. Every election is crucial, and Hindus can no longer afford to be complacent.
Political involvement: Hindus should actively participate in politics to influence government policies and actions. By engaging in the political process, they can help steer the country in a direction that safeguards their interests.
Strong leadership: Bharat needs younger, dynamic leaders who understand the challenges facing the country and are willing to take a strong stance against those who seek to undermine it. A stronger military defence is also essential to protect the nation from external threats.
Unity among Hindus: Hindus must work to unite all Dharmists, raising awareness about the importance of collective action. This unity should transcend ethnic and class distinctions, bringing everyone together under the common cause of preserving their culture and traditions.
Spiritual outreach: Spiritual leaders and Acharyas should reach out to people of all classes, making them feel welcome and valued in the Dharmic tradition. This will help build a stronger sense of community and belonging among Hindus. The current generation should be made aware of the importance and greatness of the Sanatan Dharma, our culture and traditions.
Social responsibility: Bharatiya Hindus must take care of their own people, particularly the poor and disadvantaged. If they do not, others will step in, often with the intent of converting them to other religions. Providing for the material and spiritual needs of these individuals will help prevent such conversions.
Cultural education: All Dharmists must be educated in their own culture, philosophy, and traditions. By understanding the profound nature of Vedic Dharma, they will be less likely to convert to other religions and more capable of passing on this knowledge to future generations.
Media accountability: Whenever Vedic culture is depicted in a poor light in the media, or when politicians denigrate Hinduism, there must be an immediate and strong response. This will make others think twice before attacking or misrepresenting Hindu Dharma.
Temple programmes: Regular educational programs should be held at temples to spread Vedic spiritual knowledge far and wide. Book distribution and other outreach efforts should be part of this initiative.
Cultural revolution: A cultural revolution is needed to promote the true understanding of Vedic Dharma. This can attract people from all walks of life, including Westerners, who are increasingly drawn to the beauty and wisdom of this spiritual path.
Service to the community: Hindus must actively serve their temples and communities, taking care of everyone and preserving their religious institutions. This service is crucial for maintaining the right to peacefully observe the Vedic ways.
The future of Vedic Dharma lies in the hands of those who practice it. If Hindus remain apathetic and inactive, they risk losing everything – certainly the freedom to choose their spiritual path. However, if they unite, stand strong for Dharma, and work together, they can ensure that Sanatana Dharma remains a living tradition for future generations.
The choice is clear: act now to preserve this ancient and profound tradition, or risk seeing it become a relic of the past. The future of Bharat and the legacy of Vedic Dharma depend on the decisions and actions taken today. Let us rise to the occasion, just as Arjuna did, and fight for what is right, for the preservation of our culture, our freedom, and our way of life.
