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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