Theft of Hindu symbols and practices

Post by Shri Gopal R. Krishna in Yahoo groups
Dear All,
Hindu symbols, practices and terminology is being stolen and used by christians as part of their evangelical work. Most of you may be aware of it and some of you must be witness to it.
Should that theft contiue? How is safeguarding our personal property different from safeguarding our cultural identity? What should be done? Should any thing be done at all? Is this a fight against the church? Or is it a dialouge to prevent theft? How would you all respond to this theft?
Traditionally it is said that brahmins shy away from confrontation.

But through out history it is brahmins who have provided leadership and initiative in India.
How would brahmins of this community respond to this theft? would you be comfortable in providing back up support if someone takes the initiative?
Regards
Gopal.R.Krishna

1 thought on “Theft of Hindu symbols and practices”

Sivasubramanian Perinkulam

July 5, 2009

Dear Sri Goplal R. Krishnaji,
While I understand your anxiety in preserving the identity of the Hindu symbols and system, I fail to understand whether there is a need for that fear or is it really possible for us if someone copy our systems and practices. you do not have a copy right for your Kodimaram or Deepstahambam, flag post or lamp stands in the temple. Do you?
I tried to hug my cousin ( male of course) when I met him after a long time, with a real feeling of affection and regard . Elder to me and steeped in orthodoxy, he disliked my attempted expression of cordiality and dismissed me with these words: “Poda, po- get out; don’t bring your Hyderabadi habits here”
His wife who was of my age appeared, donning a night gown and his daughter wearing a chudidar, to pacify him and offer a hot cup of kappi. The align culture had altered entered his house much before me!
Imitation is inevitable and in fact helps in development. I may be wrong but not Ammalu, who prefers salwar kammeze to 9-yards, while flying or driving.
So if the other religious groups want to celebrate their X-mas or Muharam with elephant procession and ‘chendai’ melam join them and enjoy shaking your head to the hilarious tunes from the noisy instruments and the merry movement of the ears of the big animals.
And if you do not mind, call me to share your joy too- on one condtion of course- that you sould not mind my responding your phone call by a mono syllable ‘hallo’. I am sure that you are big enough to realise that such imitations are there everywhere.
When we meet, after the elephant procession, let us find out whether there are other ways to protect our religion from the invasion or intrusion.
With a lot of love and reagrds,
Siva