Defence of Hindu Society by Sita Ram Goel - Book Review

Defence of Hindu Society by Sita Ram Goel

Genre: Nonfiction 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: To the point and informative; gave me more than what I expected 

*****

Sita Ram Goel was a communist-turned-anti-communist who wrote a series of books about the centuries of damage done to the Indian subcontinent and culture by several Islamic and European invasions. This book deals with an important theme of how native Hindus should stop being submissive (or ashamed of their identity) and learn to connect to their roots and understand their pagan heritage. 

There’s no fluff or needless commentary in this 110-page book. It is crisp, informative, and thought-provoking. The first chapter deals with biased media reporting, pseudo-activism in the name of caste and religion, and the mindless aping of the West without realizing the core differences in both societies. 

Polytheism is a recurring theme in the book and helps us understand why there is absolutely no reason to ignore it or try to fit Hinduism into the monotheism category. After all, all pagan and neopagan cultures followed polytheism and idolatry. The book also distinguishes between mysticism in terms of spirituality and mysticism in terms of theology. The clash of spirituality and theology presents an interesting discussion and encourages further reading. 

He also mentions the importance of symbolism and how appropriating the symbols or misusing them could take us further away from spirituality. This is 100% spot on, and the proof lies in the various yoga offerings (from beer yoga to gun yoga, naked yoga, and whatevercrap they come up with to commercialize a spiritual process) and the way some people throw around ‘your heart chakra is blocked’ in random comments. This particular point about separating symbolism from its core religion and spiritual roots applies to many ancient symbols that are now used to appear cool/ rebellious/ etc. 

The author also points out how saying ‘all religions are the same’ causes more harm than good. Wouldn’t it be better if we acknowledge that each religion is different and can be respected for what it is? Why not celebrate the diversity of religions instead of trying to chop and twist them into predetermined parameters? In an Abrahamic world, why should pagans go on the defensive to follow their cultural heritage? 

The international media loves to target a supposedly Hindu majoritarian India, but why don’t we see anyone writing about Islamic domination or Christian authority? No articles about non-Muslims as young as 9 being kidnapped, raped, converted, and married to men thrice their age (that too, as third and fourth wives) in Pakistan. There’s one case every week (sometimes more), but no one bats an eyelid. The great Ms. Malala doesn’t think these young girls deserve even a tweet of protest. How many Western media outlets covered the attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh? Why does no one talk about the minorities in Afghanistan or Baluchistan? Why is there hardly any protest about the grooming gangs in the UK? Don’t children deserve to be safe? 

Hindus are a global minority, and there isn’t a single official Hindu country (India is secular). The answer lies in many factors: 

• India is a third-world country 

• India has browns who are active Hindus (pagans or idolators or kufrs) 

The longer Hindus lie dormant or stay on the defensive, it easier it is to rule them (so what if the colonizers have left. They have created enough brown sepoys to take over). Read Krishen Kak’s experience when he wanted to research American life for his Ph.D. Was it easy for a brown Indian Hindu to show a mirror to the White West? You probably know the answer. 

Racism is real and active, especially in academics. Quote from the blog:

“Prof Klor de Alva: “Who are you to write this about us? Can this be written about your country too?”

Prof Boon: “Your behaviour is uncharacteristic of Hindu behavior”

Across the table it went, around those two statements of theirs I’ve never forgotten. Cutting, insulting, snubbing. K de A saying that all that was needed was to replace the title page with one saying “India”, and what’s the difference. Boon’s statement suggesting that Hindu (not Indian, mind you, but Hindu) behaviour is characteristically one of humility, of abject and grateful servility.” 

The book highlights the difference in the indoctrinated structure of monotheism and polytheism. When there’s only one god, one book, and one goal, it eliminates the space for others to exist. There is no acceptance of other/ different when ‘one’ is the central point. This may seem nothing when considered from an individual’s perspective. However, this resulted in wiping out civilizations and cultures over the centuries when masses denied the existence of anything other than their ‘one god’. 

The book doesn’t just work for Hindu awareness but also for self-awareness and for people to realize that their roots and spiritual well-being could have a common link. Exploring one could create a path to achieve the other and find their inner self. Those who can read it with a balanced mind will see how it could help a person to look beyond the basic constraints/ rules defined by religion and consider things from a spiritual and overarching perspective. 

The last chapter sums up the book in neat pointers and provides more information to deal with Hinduphobia. The intent is to have a thirst for native cultural history, go back to the basics, and learn with an open mind.