A story narrated by Shri. Dharampal in his Collected Works come to my mind, in this hour of complexity.
Once Dharampal-ji was going in a train. He met a group of Yatris who were on a major tour. They had been to Rameshwaram and then were on the way to Haridwar via Delhi.
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Once Dharampal-ji was going in a train. He met a group of Yatris who were on a major tour. They had been to Rameshwaram and then were on the way to Haridwar via Delhi.
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Out of Curiosity Shri. Dharampal asked “All of you must belong to the same Jati”. But they said “No”.
A puzzled Dharampal, like us, asked them. “How are you then sitting next to each other, sharing food and eating together”.
Our perspective of Caste System - you see!
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A puzzled Dharampal, like us, asked them. “How are you then sitting next to each other, sharing food and eating together”.
Our perspective of Caste System - you see!
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What followed changed Dhampal-ji’s life. “Shrimaan, in a Yatra, there is no Jati” said those Villagers.
They belonged to various Jati. But, for the purpose of a Yatra, they could set aside their Jati customs, rules - acquire another set of customs and return back once done.
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They belonged to various Jati. But, for the purpose of a Yatra, they could set aside their Jati customs, rules - acquire another set of customs and return back once done.
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In this process, none of them compromised their identity. They did not drop their identity. They merely dropped certain external observations and rules, partially loosened their identity for a brief period and returned back to their original observations, rules and identity.
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Thus, Bharateeya Parampara was adept in creating these temporal secular spaces.
We do not need Secularism - even the honest one. We just need Special Purpose Temporal Secular Spaces.
This comes easy when you share a common philosophical universe and purpose.
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We do not need Secularism - even the honest one. We just need Special Purpose Temporal Secular Spaces.
This comes easy when you share a common philosophical universe and purpose.
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But if we want to create such Secular Spaces, then the setting aside of one’s identity/customs/rules is universal and common. One cannot seek exception, exclusion, special privilege and so on. If you value a Secular Space, then you ought to value it fully without politics.
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If that is not possible, the only other option is Equality for all in those Common Spaces. Thus the Common Spaces are no more Secular but one occupied by each in their full might of their identity.
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Thus, the Common Space cannot have any Transcendental Purpose such as a Yatra.
It will only become a Space for demonstration of one’s Political Might and Insecurity.
Its Unfortunate that the Liberals have ignited such a Process in India.
END
It will only become a Space for demonstration of one’s Political Might and Insecurity.
Its Unfortunate that the Liberals have ignited such a Process in India.
END
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