Editor,
I must begin by thanking Albert Thyrniang for his interesting write-up “Is religion essentially exclusive” (ST Aug 18,2020). I am not aware of his background, but I can see that he has a fair knowledge of theology. The writer has woven his argument based largely on his knowledge and perception. However, his sweeping statement that smaller religious entities were assimilated into Hinduism needs to be rebutted.
Firstly, Thyrniang has not given even one example to buttress his argument. Perhaps, that’s more his perception than factual. No case will have legs without incontrovertible facts.
Let’s look at the most active Hindu missionary activities in the country. Rama Krishna Mission and Bharat Seva Ashram Sangha have been in operation for over a century and over 75 years respectively. Both these organisations have been serving the marginalised communities and in the remotest of areas. If we look at their areas of focus, we will find a common thread of Education, Health-care, Relief to those affected by natural disasters which make for their principal areas of focus. These organisations have been serving in different parts of the country and abroad with great missionary zeal. But have we heard of any instance of these organisations assimilating smaller religious entities into Hinduism? The answer can only be in the negative.
If we simply turn our attention to Rama Krishna Mission’s presence in the Northeastern States like Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh etc, it will be seen that this mission has never deviated from its professed path of providing altruistic Service without being concerned about the religious identities of the beneficiaries. In Meghalaya alone, as far as my knowledge goes, RK Mission has been in operation for nearly 90 years or so but they have never “converted” anybody to Hinduism. True to Lord Rama Krishna’s teachings, the missionaries have been serving the people in need regardless of their caste, creed or religion. That’s why, today in Meghalaya, RK Mission schools have an enrolment of over 10,000 tribal boys and girls who obtain quality education through character building discipline and devotion to duty, thus enabling them to become worthy citizens without having to sink their religious entity.
Even in Arunachal Pradesh, RK Mission has been in operation in the remotest areas where no other service organisations exist. The Arunachalis have never had the occasion to surrender their indigenous religious belief of “Donyi Polo” to Hinduism. Today, if Donyi Polo is under the threat of diminishing drastically, the “fault” cannot be left at the doorsteps of the Hindu monks.
I would be curious to know from Thyrniang who is benefitting from the rapidly declining number of the followers of this indigenous faith? I think, he should also introspect how the indigenous faith of the Garo tribes—“Songsarek”—has gone into oblivion. Which religion has “assimilated” these “smaller entities”? Can he apportion the “blame” on Hinduism or would he be changing his perception about the philosophy and practice of the Hindus? In fine, drawing an analogy from what has currently been happening in Beirut where liberal Christians have been reduced to a minority and are being constantly persecuted by an aggressive religious group, I have to submit that any form of religious hegemony may bring short term gains, but it is bound to leave human beings fiercely divided over the battle for religious supremacy in complete disrespect to the basic tenets of all religions—-God is one and we are all His children.
Yours etc.,
Ajit Prasad Singh,
Via email
Tribal only on paper
Editor,
We the members of the Pariat Clan wish to express our appreciation to the KHNAM Youth Wing under the leadership of Mr. Thomas Passah. The KHNAM had petitioned the Khasi Hill Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on the adoption of Khasi surname by one Shri. Vinu Shishupal Rampal, the proprietor of Colonel Shishupal Security and Service(CSSC), Upper New Colony, Shillong. In its petition vide KHNAM(SYW)/2019-20/KHADC-LA-1997/MEMO dated 30.1.2020 and KHNAM(SYW)/2019-21/KHADC-LA-1997/MEMO dated 10.6.2020, the party had questioned the tribal status of Mr Rampal.
In response to the petition, the Registration Authority of KHADC had to summon Rampal to appear for statement and hearing along with documentary proof before the Authority on 3rd July 2020. We, the members of the Pariat clan are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the hearing which to date neither the KHADC nor the KHNAM have informed the general public.
How did Mr Rampal obtain the Schedule Tribe Certificate? Did he obtain the ST status by declaring himself as tribal through affidavit? Did the Deputy Commissioner issue ST Certificate to Rampal based on the sworn affidavit? The practice of declaring oneself as Scheduled Tribe, through an affidavit, was found wanting as such practice threatens the very concept of identifying Schedule Tribes as listed in the Constitution of India. This practice is against the social and cultural norms of our tribal society. It is for the sole purpose of deriving benefits and depriving the indigenous tribal of the privileges due to them.
We request the KHADC and the ST Certificate issuing authority to take necessary action and rectify the lacunae in accordance with the tenets of natural justice. We also appeal to the KHNAM to take up the issue in an earnest manner.
Yours etc.,
Sasa I. Pariat &
Korda O. Pariat
Shillong
More questions than answers
Editor,
It is bewildering that the entire The Shillong Times media was shut down when some of its staff got infected with the coronavirus. By the same rules, the UK Parliament or the Prime Minister’s Office should have been fully suspended when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested COVID positive. I don’t think the Ministry of Home Affairs ever stopped its administrative activities when Home Minister Amit Shah himself tested positive for coronavirus. Other alternative options should have been explored before calling a complete halt to media operations. This case has raised more questions than answers.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Good wishes
Editor,
Greetings from Aibor! I saw the situation of your building(ST)being declared as a Containment Zone for Covid19. I hope and pray that your collaborators may recover soon. Thanks for the service and will deeply miss your paper for the time being. Being a Christian I pray to God for the speedy recovery of your collaborators so that you can resume the work soon.
Praying for you all.
Yours etc.,
Aiborlang Nongsiej
Sacred Heart Theological College , Shillong-8