This is puerile
Too many people on the H-Right think of "conservative" as a bad word
Much of Dharma stems from an instinct to "conserve". Even its etymology is linked to "sustenance / holding"
Dharmic codes emphasize sustainability as opposed to merely sounding fair/just
Too many people on the H-Right think of "conservative" as a bad word
Much of Dharma stems from an instinct to "conserve". Even its etymology is linked to "sustenance / holding"
Dharmic codes emphasize sustainability as opposed to merely sounding fair/just
Having said that there have always been streaks of radicalism in Indian thought
Radicalism in Religion. In social outlook
Usually these have emerged in opposition to brahminical thinking
But sometimes even within brahminical fold
Radicalism in Religion. In social outlook
Usually these have emerged in opposition to brahminical thinking
But sometimes even within brahminical fold
E.g. Ramanuja's views were somewhat radical relative to the prevailing Vedantic climate of his day.
Though we don't use the term "radical" to describe either him or his sampradAya today
Though we don't use the term "radical" to describe either him or his sampradAya today
We have to embrace these tensions within Indian thought. Instead of positioning Hindu thought as a monolith
Even if you had no "Abrahamic influences" on Indian civ whatsoever, it doesn't mean "Politics" would not have existed in India
Politics is inherent in the human condition
Even if you had no "Abrahamic influences" on Indian civ whatsoever, it doesn't mean "Politics" would not have existed in India
Politics is inherent in the human condition
Even in the India of 1000 CE, you'd have had conservatives, progressives
As is the case in India today
As is the case in India today
One thing that worries me about H-RIght is that there is a dream for a Post-political future
A future where a Hindu monarch reigns like Shri Ramachandra. Everyone is happy
And there are no political parties! Those messy corrupt entities
A future where a Hindu monarch reigns like Shri Ramachandra. Everyone is happy
And there are no political parties! Those messy corrupt entities
Political parties are honorable entities! They're not factions driven by "interest" necessarily, but often entities driven by loyalty to principles
Even in ancient India, there were ideological differences, which would've manifest as Parties (if you had an electoral system)
Even in ancient India, there were ideological differences, which would've manifest as Parties (if you had an electoral system)
The Left vs Right divide (or for that matter - radical vs conservative, aristocratic vs populist) is not something wrought by modernity
Such divides exist in every age
Such divides exist in every age
