We need a united religious platform: Hindu leaders

SEVERAL eminent Hindu leaders from the US have come together to urge religious heads to form a united platform for the community to meet the challenges of the 21st century in a scientific and effective manner. In a joint letter to almost all the important Hindu leaders in India, these American Hindus have made a strong plea for formation of the United Hindu Dharma Sansthan that would work to change the face of India and the religion also.

The initiative for this mega Hindu organization has been taken by Prof T. R. Narasimha Rao, Francois Gautier, David Frawley, Dr Srinivas Kalyanaraman and Dr Ved Prakash Chaudhary. The letter has been addressed to Satya Sai Baba, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Ma Amritanand Mayi, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, Swami Ramdev, Gurumayi of Ganeshpuri, Swamy Dayaananda Saraswathi of Arsha Gurukulam, Gurujis of Chinmaya Mission, Sri Ganapathi Sacchidananda Swamiji, Pramukh Swaminarayan (BAPS), Sadhvi Ritambara, Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, Swami Chidanand Saraswathi Maharaj, Gurus of ISKCON, Swamis of Ramakrishna Mission and to all great Mathadhipathis, Mahamandaleswars and Dharmaacharyas.

India is under siege today by many forces, and many people do not even realize the gravity of the situation. The enemies of India are networked effectively bonded by their common animosity towards Hinduism,’’ the jointly signed letter said.

Terming the imprisonment of Sankarachrya of Kanchi Peetham and the recent controversy with Swami Ramdev, the letter continued: Hindu Acharyas should speak with one united voice. The Hindu dharma is crying for help.

Mass Christian conversions and the covert/overt support it receives from the secular political parties and media is very alarming, the letter added. In the guise of neo-liberalism, globalization has become the present-day mantra and westernization is eating at the very roots of Hindu society,’’ it said.

Observing that inimical forces have taken control of the media, Bollywood, and political parties, it said: The intellectuals of India and our politicians need your guidance to get out of the false glorification of the western ways of life and money as the measure of success. They have to be brought back to their age-old beautiful traditions of simple life and seva to the poor.

Stating that the enemy is more dangerous because the methods used are highly sophisticated and there is an invisible network of apparently divergent groups but united in undermining Hindu society, the six signatories said: We urgently need your combined leadership and guidance to unite all Indians against the enemy, for instances of disunity in our history, have resulted in weakening the national fabric and resolve. The signatories suggested that the coordination of UHDS could be rotated every year and so can the membership.