The Abuse Of Adi Shankara By Communist Minister In Kerala Is Only The Tip Of ‘Anti-Hindu’ Attitude Of The Left
Recently, Communist leader and Minister MB Rajesh has stirred a controversy with his distasteful and derogatory remarks against Adi Shankaracharya. Speaking at an inaugural event of an organisational meeting linked to the Sivagiri Pilgrimage Rajesh said Shankaracharya was not the Acharya of Kerala as he “preserved caste system and varnashrama system”. This remark by the left leader stems from not only from his ignorance of history but also from a continuous patter adopted by leftist government in Kerala in maligning Hindu icons and traditions. In this context this article will look in to the remarks made by the Minister and also examine as to why this remark represents only the tip of ‘Anti-Hindu’ attitude of the Left in Kerala.
Distasteful comment and ignorance of History
In his statement, Rajesh claimed that Shankaracharya preserved the caste system while Gurudeva (Sree Narayana Guru) worked on weeding it out from society. He added that Shankaracharya was the “implementer of the cruel caste system based on Manusmriti”. He claimed that the devotees realised by the teachings of Swami Chidanandapuri that Guru’s vision had nothing to do with other Indian Sanyasa Traditions. Before we delve more in to this statement, understanding the background in which the Minister made the statement becomes critical as it lifts the facade of secularism adorned by left in Kerala.
Some days ago, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Pandita Sannyasivaryan Chidanandapuri Swami recently noted the similarities in the works of Shankaracharya and Sree Narayana Gurudeva and stated they both are the same. Their statement seemingly angered the left, leading to the statement by Rajesh. In response to this, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan condemned Rajesh’s statement and said both Adi Shankara, the Vedanta Philosopher and Sree Narayana Guru, the saint and social reformer, belonged to the same ascetic linage of the country. He added that Rajesh’s attempt to create a division in Hindu dharma and his statement should be condemned. He added that his statement showed the intolerance of the communists towards ancient Indian traditions and philosophy. The insecurities of left also came out in open through this comment by the Minister as there is a visible fear for the Communist regarding unification of Hindus as it will badly hurt vote bank of left in Kerala.
The distasteful comments also trace its roots to utter ignorance of history by the Minister, who is a representative of ruling dispensation in Kerala. Adi Shankaracharya was born in Kerala and he propounded ‘Doctrine of Advaita’ (Monoism). Advaita articulates a philosophical position of radical nondualism, a revisionary worldview which it derives from the ancient Upanishadic texts. According to Advaita Vedantins, the Upanishads reveal a fundamental principle of nonduality termed ‘brahman’, which is the reality of all things. The philosophy propounded by Adi Shankaracharya thus clearly seeks to annihilate divisions in the society in favour of looking everything as an embodiment of universal soul, this teaching is similar to teachings of Sri Narayana Guru, who taught that there is ‘only one caste, one religion and one god’ for humans. The rejection of duality and acceptance of radical non duality are the common threads which runs through teachings of both godly men. The Minister while making the derogatory comments intentionally ignored this as his statement traces its origin not towards history or facts but towards the pattern of ‘anti-Hindu’ agenda for vote bank followed by the left in the state.
Anti-Hindu Left in Kerala
The ‘anti-Hindu’ nature of left in Kerala is anchored on two prime beliefs, one is that, unification of Hindu’s for their own cause will shatter vote base of Communist in the state and second is that, constant anti-Hindu stance might secure them vote of minorities which are alluding the left. But, in both of these scenario Hindu’s are taken for granted as mere rubber stamps who will vote for the party in the state. (More than 50% of left vote in Kerala are Hindus). If we look back in to the two terms of current Pinarayi Vijayan government, the pattern of constant ‘Anti-Hindu’- ‘Minority appeasement’ policy measures are visible.
During the first term of Pinarayi Vijayan government, there was a diktat against government employees using office hours for Onam celebrations and PWD minister at that time G. Sudhakaran’s also stated that lighting of ‘Nilavilakku’ (tradional lamp) and religious prayer should be avoided at government functions. In both these matters, was following the lines of the Muslim League which views ‘Nilavilakku’ and ‘Pookalam’ (flower rangoli) as a religious symbol. One must understand that, in traditions and customs of Kerala, both views ‘Nilavilakku’ and ‘Pookalam’ have an indispensable role as it represents good luck for conducting any fuctions. Onam and ‘Nilavilaku’ has always been considered more as symbol of Kerala rather than symbol of religions. By issuing the diktat the CM toed the line of extremist Islamic fringe groups. Later after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Sabarimala issue, the left in Kerala took a stance on entry of women into Sabarimala temple, which was also against the Hindu beliefs and traditions. Meanwhile, in issues of Muslims in the state, the left always had taken a softer approach. In early 2022, during the event of “Jana Maha Sammelanam”, organised by the Popular Front of India (PFI), the mob assembled warned Hindus and Christians of dire consequences if they did not live peacefully in the country. Most shocking incident was slogans raised by a little boy in the event. The boy shouted, “Be ready for your death rituals if you won’t live in our land quietly. Be ready with rice flakes to fill your mouth, if you won’t live quietly (For Hindus). Be ready to burn amber in your home if you won’t live quietly (For Christians). Because we are coming, we are your death. We won’t go to Pakistan or Bangladesh, you have to live here as we say, or else we know how to make you live quietly, we will kill you even if we are attacked. We take pride in being a martyr, we salute them. If you won’t live quietly, we know how to ask for ‘Azadi’. Be prepared for your death,” the PFI members shouted in Malayalam. The left government in the state was slow to respond to this dangerous incident showcasing their nature of minority appeasement. One must also not forget when The Kerala government vouched for the legal and Constitutional validity of the Shariat law by holding it as the “real expression of the Prophet” upholding its significance in all aspects of the Muslim Personal Law, especially on law of inheritance. The state appeased minorities by upholding an archaic law which is being rejected even by the Muslims itself.
These instances are just tip of an iceberg; the pattern adopted by Communist government in the state is clear. It is based on appeasement of minorities and ‘anti-Hindu’ agenda. The left should not be left alone to do as they please, the hypocrisy of party must be exposed and Hindus in the state must understand how they are being manipulated and divided by those in power.
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Is Jagan Jittered?
The undemocratic, dictatorial style of Andhra C.M, Jagan Reddy has yet again been criticized by all opposition parties. Jagan, who has become infamous for “banning”, refusing permission to opposition parties for holding rallies, meetings or walkathons had himself used these mediums to interact with the masses and come to power in the last Andhra Pradesh state elections.
Recent stampedes and about a dozen deaths resulting from them at the Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) meetings in Nellore and Guntur, have given Jagan Reddy just the excuse he needed to impose a blanket ban on all political gatherings in Andhra Pradesh. The people and all opposition parties ask, why he himself continues to speak at large meetings.
Political observers are of the opinion that Jagan Reddy, who is a chief minister out on bail over as many as 31 pending cases, is extremely nervous about the renewed popularity of Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and the growing presence of Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP), both of which look forward to an alliance with the BJP in the state elections scheduled for mid-2024. The previous TDP regime (2014-2019) was in an alliance with the BJP till 2019 when it lost elections to the YSRCP party. Currently, the BJP receives outside support from the incumbent YSRCP party led by Jagan Reddy.
The prohibitory order on public meetings/rallies was issued under sections 30, 30A and 31 of the Police Act, 1861, which calls for regulation of assembly of people and processions on public roads, streets, road margins. Although the right to conduct public meetings is a fundamental right under the Constitution, the state police are also empowered under law to regulate such activity in public interest per the Police Act of 1861. The opposition argues that the archaic Police Act of 1861 created under British Colonial rule, is rarely used in present times as it was clearly enacted before India’s independence with the intent to serve unfair interests of the then British empire.
The recent government order also states that such meetings may be held at alternative locations like public grounds and private places, which the opposition parties argue is not practical and in many locations, impossible, given the massive crowds that the opposition rallies have been attracting since last year. The opposition claims that the state police has not been effective in helping with meeting arrangements and security and that the police department is being deliberately withheld by the autocratic Reddy and his YSRCP government, from discharging their Law & Order duties.
Reddy faced strong opposition and criticism when he went as far as to state that the TDP had deliberately caused the death of meeting attendees. The TDP and other opposition leaders questioned Jagan’s motives, his lack of decency and dared him to prove that his party known for its hooliganism was not behind the stampedes and the resulting deaths. The opposition asks the public to think for themselves logically – which party benefits most from the chaos, lack of police support, stampedes and stampede deaths occurring at an opposition party’s meetings? Certainly not the opposition party. Hence is it possible that Jagan’s party, the ruling party was involved in the unfortunate deaths of eager attendees?
The opposition chided Jagan on his childish, dictatorial, unsportive, revenge-seeking ways and reminded Reddy, that his family including himself were not prevented from their fundamental right to hold public meetings, rallies and walkathons in the past when he was an opposition leader. The opposition also reminded Jagan that there were as many as 8 reported deaths, during their own public meetings back in the 2017-2019 period when Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP was in power. An opposition leader questioned “just because there are road accidents, is road traffic or driving banned?” The BJP is closely watching the tense political situation in A.P and analysing political developments/ trends, while still playing it safe with the ruling YSRCP.
In October 2022, the YSRCP tried to stop a huge political rally in Vishakapatnam and nearby locales by Pawan Kalyan’s JSP party which led to several altercations and a public showdown between Pawan Kalyan and Jagan Reddy. The TDP extended its sympathies and support to the JSP while the BJP tacitly questioned the current Andhra Pradesh government’s law and order irregularities and the politically charged environment in the state. A few days after the altercation between Pawan and Jagan Reddy, Mr. Modi had invited Paaan Kalyan to a brief personal meeting in Vishakapatnam, which set off a series of rumours. Reddy has been on a spree of permission-denials for political meetings of opposition parties, including publicly expressing displeasure at Naidu’s and Pawan’s rallies/ meetings, to which it is reported that large numbers of people show up, without monetary incentives. Is this a possible indication of the rising sympathy and support for Andhra’s opposition parties among the people? This is said to be making Jagan Reddy anxious for his politcal future as well as his personal predicament if the numerous CBI cases against him, come back to haunt him, if and when he is no longer in power.
It is widely rumoured that the Andhra Pradesh police department is completely under the dictatorial control of YS Jagan Reddy and the YSRCP party’s senior leaders and that the police are instructed and deliberately prevented from doing their jobs during meetings held by opposition leaders. The general public is of the opinion that the two stampedes at the TDP’s meetings in Nellore and Guntur and the unfortunate deaths (8 and 3 respectively) could have been avoided if the local police had been allowed to do their jobs in the first place. The opposition parties and their supporters speculate the strange, uncommon instance of stampede deaths at an opposition rally within 4 days of each other (December 28, 2022 in Nellore and January 1, 2023 in Guntur), which they claim is fishy and suspect to be the sinister work of Jagan’s YSRCP party, in a bid to bring negative publicity to the opposition parties (TDP, JSP, BJP, CPI), which are all sympathetic to one another, claiming severe abuse of power and financial resources and the deteriorating law & order situation in Andhra under Reddy’s autocratic rule.
The TDP and JSP parties have consistently said that their crowd-pulling rallies are an indication of the people’s displeasure and loss of trust in the mis-rule of the YSRCP party and Jagan’s arrogance. YS Jagan Reddy’s stepped up ante against his opponents over their apparent success at being able to draw large crowds to their meetings, displays his nervousness around losing support from the common people and the lower classes whom he thinks will continue to be attracted to his numerous free/ welfare schemes and free money deposited into their accounts.
Will Jagan Reddy’s large variety of sops, his irresponsible, financially draining, free “welfare” schemes, continue to bring him the votes regardless of his performance and the state’s poor management? The answer to this question will be revealed in Andhra’s 2024 elections. In the meanwhile, all opposition parties are impacted by the current Andhra Pradesh government’s order of banning all meetings, rallies and padayatras (walkathons). Will a united opposition come together to fight the unreasonable blanket ban on public meetings and approach the courts for relief? The next 2-6 weeks may likely reveal the opposition’s response and strategy to the denial of their fundamental right to hold meetings with the necessary permissions and with duly assigned police assistance.
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