Ashok Malik’s excellent piece on the Ram Sethu controversy and related secular antics. It is a must-read to understand how far we’ve been pitted against ourselves. Reproduced from the Pioneer in full.
Faith, fact and fiction
Ashok Malik
Ram is make-believe, Dwarka did not exist, the Saraswati is a myth. But how much have the Archaeological Survey of India and its political collaborators done to honestly excavate India’s antiquity?
Tags: Commentary, History, Indian Politics, Pseudo Secularism Hall of Shame, Society & CultureFor an entity contemplating an early election, the UPA Government’s propensity to create controversies is remarkable. In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has insisted that there is no “historical record” to validate the Ramayan and, as such, Ram is a fictional character.
The case commenced after a petition filed by Mr Subramanian Swamy, the Janata Party president, seeking curbs on the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project. It argued that the project would cut and destroy the ‘Ram Setu’, saying it was an ancient monument revered by Hindus as the bridge Ram built to journey to Lanka.
It is important to note the Government’s affidavit represented a shift in the debate. The ASI could have stopped at saying that the Ram Setu was a naturally occurring formation, not man-made. Yet, it crossed its brief and labelled Ram himself as fictional. This upset even those who were not necessarily adherents of the Ram Setu.
There are three issues that flow from the affidavit. First, the familiar bunch of Jawaharlal Nehru University alumni and Delhi editorial writers has defended the ASI’s affidavit as a citation of “science”. Actually, this unifocal attack on the faith-based aspect of the anti-Sethusamudram protests suits the establishment just fine.
The Government has never quite explained the environmental imbalance that can be caused by smashing an ancient (natural) structure. Christian fishermen off the coast of Tamil Nadu — who have no reason to venerate Ram’s bridge — already fear for their livelihood.
That aside, projections have been made about the economic non-viability of Sethusamudram. It is possible that all of these are wrong, but the Government has not bothered to politically sell the issue. Instead, the overriding reasons for pushing ahead seem to be granting lucrative dredging contracts to flunkies of the DMK and its Ministers.
Second, while the Prince of Ayodhya did not live 1.7 million years ago — as some have claimed — is the Ram story all myth? Granted, an oral story-telling tradition has ample scope for exaggeration; Ram probably did not fly back from Lanka on an airplane called the Pushpak Viman. Yet, is there no kernel of truth or historicity to his legend?
Consider a Greek analogy. For centuries, the Illiad and the saga of the Trojan War were dismissed as Homer’s imagination. The Greeks, under foreign rule, were told the cherished epics they raised their children on were nonsense; to borrow from the ASI’s affidavit, they “cannot be said to be historical record to incontrovertibly prove the existence of the characters or the occurrence of the events depicted therein”.
It took Heinrich Schliemann, a classical history buff and amateur archaeologist, 20 years of excavation in the 1870s and 1880s to establish that Achilles and Hector did actually fight to the death outside the gates of Troy. Where are India’s Schliemanns? Not in the ASI.
Professional integrity demands archaeologists and historians attempt to authenticate popular legends. From the life of Jesus to the times of David and Moses, the Bible has lent itself to such endeavour in the Christian and Judaic worlds. In Britain, identifying the real King Arthur and mapping his kingdom has been an honest intellectual pursuit. What is the ASI’s record?
A serious, rigorous archaeological expedition that attempts to cross-verify the story as told in the Ramayan will take years, perhaps decades. The ASI has not even begun the task. Nevertheless it is happy to announce Ram is a fabrication. The case of India’s other great folk hero, Krishna, is illuminating. Even after evidence is available of a city submerged off the coast of Gujarat — roughly corresponding to scriptural accounts of the destruction of Dwarka by a tsunami-like wave — attempts are made to undermine the findings. There is cussed insistence that the “underwater city” is not, in fact, Krishna’s capital. It may not be; but how do the Culture Ministry’s bureaucrats know?
Third, is it correct to see the past only as a backward extension of present prejudices? Over the centuries, rivers have changed course and deserts have shifted sands. In the process, they have rendered cities derelict, effaced whole civilisations. From north Africa to western China, the exploration of these ‘lost histories’ is a subject of intense national pride.
In contrast, what has India done with the quest for the Saraswati civilisation? In December 2004, the UPA Government told Parliament it was abandoning the Saraswati River Heritage Project. The project was meant to carry out excavations and trace the route the Saraswati took before it dried up. Its budget was a mere Rs 4.98 crore. Yet, the Culture Minister announced it was being shut down; the search for the Saraswati was not worth it.
In the Rajya Sabha, a CPI(M) MP, Mr Nilotpal Basu, demanded to know who had formulated the Saraswati Heritage Project. Obviously, he was seeking to target individuals in the previous NDA Government.
Many Hindus remember the Saraswati in their daily prayers. Even so, the search for the river is as much a secular imperative as a faith-based one. The Saraswati and the societies and cultures that grew and fell by its side are a part of our legacy; a forensic examination of these, if possible, would tell us how our ancestors lived and worked, ate and entertained. This should be a national enterprise, with ample resources and time dedicated to it; it should not be a political football.
In the end, whether it is the historicity of Ram, of Dwarka or of the Saraswati age, it is not so much a matter of what we know — but of what we care to find out. Is this religious mumbo jumbo or is it racial memory? That compelling question determines any view of the ASI’s affidavit.
On 09.15.07 M says:
Sandeep,
Thanks for reproducing this article.
Least motivated, highly ineffective and easily controllable people at ASI and intellectually corrupt governments will one day make sure that Indian rich culture and heritage are totally forgotten.
This is the time for Indians to wake up and help restore pride in our past.
I just hope from some private agency or group of people fund this effort(and government allow them to work)
-M
On 09.16.07 kaangeya says:
How about subscribing to The Pioneer instead of that poodle rag from Mount Road, Madras?
On 09.16.07 KL says:
The only thing to be said in the defence of Hindu is they are trying to balance tamil nationalism with the claims of indian nationalism.The Hindu is based in madras.
On 09.16.07 KL says:
The Hindu has to balance tamil nationalism with the claims of indian nationalism on the tamil people.This has to be seen in the background of pervasive tamil nationalism in tamil public life/letters/media/journalism.
On 09.17.07 Palahalli says:
KL: Are we saying Tamils are subversive? Moreover, The Hindu has a strong base amongst the “Hindus”. Particularly the Upper Caste Orthodox, in South India.
The Rama Setu debate has already been vitiated. As always, it seems that “money” matters. And of course, a chance for the Togadias and the Katiyars to spring out of their wood-works!
I am hoping that the BJP, when it comes to power, will grant full autonomy to such bodies as the ASI.;)
That *wink* was a serious *wink*.
On 09.17.07 shadows says:
Ohh no, cant trace the Saraswati river. It will offend the minorities.. see we are so concerned.. sob sob sob….
On 09.17.07 Ot says:
Hello comrade Halli,
Welcome back. Have you been taking a break?
You said:
“The Rama Setu debate has already been vitiated”
True. But let us figure out who vitiated the “debate”.
Comrade, it is a matter of *belief* for you that the person you have known from your childhood as your “father” is indeed your “father”. You accepted this matter on faith, and you never demanded of your “father” that he produce DNA evidence, for example, to claim you as his son.
Should the rest of the world respect _your_ belief? So, suppose, when you introduce one Mr Halli Sr as your “father”, do you have to take offence when asked, “but where’s the evidence, mate? Is he the one that really sired you?”
Here’s my take: You SHOULD take offence at that question. And unless you’re a hypocrite on a gargantuan scale, you would, too.
Therefore, it should not be difficult for you to see that the ones who “vitiated” the Ram Setu “debate” are those people in this Communist-supported, Italian Catholic-led government who ridiculed, wholly unnecessarily and irrelevantly, the belief of millions of Hindus regarding Ram’s existence. Most of these Hindus have not even known about the Ram Setu controversy, till the said people, smug in their power-drunk arrogance, decided to ride roughshod over Hindu belief.
On 09.18.07 madhusudhan says:
That bitch Ambica Soni is dying now to preserve her minister post after doing dubmf***ing job to please her Italian mistress.
On 09.18.07 Palahalli says:
Ot: Glad to have you respond.
I was involved intimately, with the Rama Janmabhoomi movement in Karnataka.
So, I am fully aware of the rhetoric of “fatherhood”. Ours then…and yours today, this Hindutva leadership had vowed to die for “His” honor too. Many “children”, in fact did die. None amongst the great leaders..unfortunately.
Your very own Katiyar…I helped organize people for his speeches, I remember this fellow ready to lay down his life, for his “father’s” house. His “father” lives in a shed today…while the “son” is in and out of political favor.
Togadia was not yet “born” then. People had begun to “miss” him of late…and now, the wretch is back! I most certainly hope that these guys, for a start, vow to lay down their lives for the Setu. They might just redeem their worthless honor!
I too believed that Rama is my “father”…and every “Hindu’s” father.
Not until I saw a “Harijanara” Rama Mandira, did I realize that probably, his many children had not known their common “fatherhood”. Well, I have withdrawn from assorted humbug since then.
I have not questioned this “belief” of “fatherhood”. Moreover, on an even keel, we probably should stop questioning any belief.
But still, I figure it’s not the questioning that troubles..but the “who” and the “how”.
I had also asked if the BJP would be so kind as to grant complete autonomy to the ASI…when and if, they come to power. What do you think the chances are? Because, everything else is bullshit. So spare me.
Btw - Wonder what your opinion of Savarkar is…
On 09.18.07 Anon says:
Hello comrade Halli,
Welcome back. Have you been taking a break?
——————
He was not taking a break. He was buying time to forget us this:
——————————
Palahalli
Posted September 6, 2007 at 12:57 am | Permalink
Kumar - If I may, could you please let me know your points of disagreement with Dilip’s stance?
Also, please may I request a link to the false deposition you mentioned?
Regards,
#
Kumar
Posted September 7, 2007 at 12:48 am | Permalink
Palahalli,
The points are way too many to list - I will contribute to a thread/blog if someone sets up one exclusively on this issue. BarbarIndian has at times listed some, spend sometime there.
Varsha B on Rediff (God bless her soul where ever she is)
http://www.rediff.com/news/mar/21varsha.htm
Let me see, wasn’t it your father, Mr J B D’Souza, who, when interrogated by advocate Adhik Shirodkar for the Srikrishna Commission, said that he didn’t know where Jogeshwari was and had never been to Behrampada? That wouldn’t have been funny – had he not wanted to carry the case of the genocide of Behrampada’s Muslims to the UN.
————————-
When the heat is too much for this guy to handle, he does the disappearing act.
On 09.18.07 Palahalli says:
Anon - “When the heat is too much for this guy to handle, he does the disappearing act.”
- I think you could not be more wrong. Kumar requested a seperate thread to discuss Dilip’s views. I am not able to provide that thread here. However, I don’t see why you cannot carry on from where Kumar left off. I will discuss with you.
I had asked Kumar for the “false deposition” that JB D’souza is supposed to have made.
Also, let’s discuss any point where I feel Dilip is correct and your think otherwise. That would be Barbarindian’s list that Kumar’s refers to. I have not been able to access that list. Please provide if you can.
I am not running away. I am here.
On 09.19.07 Anon says:
There is one link for the “false deposition”. Why don’t you read that? And “teach” us something. WE ARE ALL SITTING HERE AT YOUR FEET, READY TO WORSHIP YOU LIKE A “BRAHMAN”.
On 09.19.07 Palahalli says:
“when interrogated by advocate Adhik Shirodkar for the Srikrishna Commission, said that he didn’t know where Jogeshwari was and had never been to Behrampada?” - Is this it? Is this a FALSE deposition? Or are you referring to someting else?
And I assumed you would “learn” from a BRAHMAN…not worship him/her. Must be habit. tch tch
On 09.19.07 Anon says:
Yes, you are the GREATEST BRAHMAN HERE. OK SO BIG GUY START TEACHING. WE ARE READY TO LEARN. But for that you have to unlearn whatever you have spoon fed ane BE ORIGINAL (Whatever till now you are “trying” to teach is bombarded on us by MSM) Only then you will be able to teach and we to learn from the greatest Brahman Shri Shri Palahalli.
On 09.19.07 Anon says:
Yes, you are the GREATEST BRAHMAN HERE. OK SO BIG GUY START TEACHING. WE ARE READY TO LEARN. But for that you have to unlearn whatever you have spoon fed and BE ORIGINAL (Whatever till now you are “trying” to teach is bombarded on us by MSM) Only then you will be able to teach and we to learn from the greatest Brahman Shri Shri Palahalli.
On 09.19.07 Palahalli says:
Ok.
Lesson No. 1 - Don’t assume. Back up your charges with facts.
When I am sure you’ve learnt this lesson, I will teach you some more.
On 09.19.07 Anon says:
No I am following you. When facts are presented, close your eyes and replace the issue with one of your liking and give “self adoring” facts.
On 09.21.07 Anonymous says:
Message to stupid UPA Govt : “Vinasha kale, viparita buddhi”. JAI SHREE RAM.
On 09.21.07 Kumar says:
Er… my name being taken in vain.
Pallahalliji, please go into the depth the case regarding dcubed’s dad and you’ll find more meat. What was provided was just tip of the iceberg. You’d think that someone who went to UN with plight of muslims in Bherampada/Jogeshwari stating he’s worked with them personally AND REPEATED it court would know as to where in hell is Bherampada/Jogeshwari.
Not going to debate you on that, others lurkers can make up their own mind.
[i] had also asked if the BJP would be so kind as to grant complete autonomy to the ASI…when and if, they come to power[/i]
What does automony to ASI provide? Could you list it please.
On 09.22.07 Palahalli says:
Kumar, I agree that was a pretty sloppy lie.
On autonomy with constitutional gurantees I might add, for the ASI, I am expecting that this will make that body more professional and less amenable to political pressure.
On 09.23.07 Sanjay says:
Guys, there is an excellent video on YouTube (www.youtube.com) entitled, “Congres Govt Questions Existence of Lord Ram Ramayan & Sethu” - this is a “must watch” video.(once you are on the YouTube website, just copy and paste this video title in the “search” box or type “existence of Ram” in the “search” box)…….victory to Lord Ram.
On 12.03.07 Shyam says:
Recently I visited Israel and Jerusalem. I was impressed by the great excavations and studies done by Israelis to understand and analyze the different aspects of the history and find their roots. Here we are trying to destroy our heritage for some petty political points. Invaders did that to us and to Jerusalem, but we are spitting on our own faces with this Sethusamudram nonsense in the name of scientific study. In fact geologists have been kept out of the panel constituted to look into this. So have the Navy. So this is really a way for politicians to line their pockets and keep hindus divided and suppressed. Wake up and smell the seas.