Let me add my $0.02 to this debate. 1) State and religious debates: While we hear repeated assertions from self-styled secularists about the need to separate religion and state, the same people endorse the ASI's refutation of the existence of Rama. They forget that while the corner stone of secularism, 'separation of church and state' implies that the state make no concession to any religion, the corollary necessarily means that it do not denounce any religion either (at least as long as public good is not jeopardized) - that is, it should stay away from debates on religion. Let private individuals do the debating. The state's only duty is to facilitate an atmosphere where private individuals can criticize any dogma without fear of retribution from any party. In this, successive governments in India have failed consistently. The ASI's sin is that it violated this cardinal rule. It exceeded its brief of determining the archaeological evidence by getting into the debate on Rama's existence. It is understandable if religious Hindus see the affidavit as an attack on their religion by a government that doesn't dare to question the beliefs of other religions. It was indeed possible to debunk the VHP's claims about a man made Ram Setu without getting into the debate on the existence or Rama in any way. It is very unlikely that any European government, far more secularist than any in our land, would have bulldozed its way through a site associated with Biblical mythology on the grounds of lack of falsifiable evidence. The sensibilities of the people regarding the Rama Setu is not 'manufactured' at all - there is a rich historical and literary tradition associated with the Setu. See the links at the end of this posting.
2) Mixing of myth and history 'If you read the Ramayana and Mahabharat as history, you will find lots of mythology. If you read them as mythology, you will find lots of history' - these are the words of the renowned historian A L Basham. The mixing of myth and history didn't originate with the VHP. It is an ancient tradition in the subcontinent. Nor is it done 'cynically'. It is an error to dismiss the mythology as of no value. There are archaeological treasures to be discovered around mythical sites, not because the myth itself is any true, but because many people valued those myths through the centuries. Biblical Archeology has led to many exciting discoveries without getting embroiled in the theological debate. No doubt the virgin birth, crucification and resurrection of Jesus Christ was as much a myth as the story of the slaying of the ten-headed Ravana. The ASI has consistently dismissed mythology (maybe to prove its secular credentials to the powers that be) and in the process, quite likely, missed many an archaeological coup. Nor should we overlook the conservation value of myths. During the reign of Regent Sethu Lakshmibai in Travancore, there was a proposal to lease out a huge tract of virgin forests in the areas surrounding Sabarimala to the Brooke Bond company. The proposed tracts quite likely included a large chunk of the present day Periyar Tiger Reserve, adjoining Goodrikkal Range and even parts of Achencoil division. The proposal was shot down because the pious opposed destroying Swami Ayyappan's 'Poonkavanam'. It is very unlikely that any other ecological arguments were considered back then, much less prevailed. Even the British might have realized it unwise to arm-twist the Rani considering the adverse public opinion. 3) The likely fallout The Sethusamudram project is inviable from an economic point of view and ecologically disastrous. It will destroy huge tracts of coral reefs, a Schedule - I species. The unfortunate posturing of the VHP will result in all self styled 'secular' forces joining hands and branding anybody opposing the project on ecological or economic grounds as Hindutva fanatics (unfortunately, this is how the secular, 'progressive' politics works in this country). The project will sail through to the detriment of the country brushing aside all opposition. Some differing views on the project (different from the PC view, that is): http://cynical-nerd.nationalinterest.in/?p=89 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/S_A_Aiyar_150-year_dream/articleshow/2393766.cms The DMK has, predictably, jumped into the fray with their regular bull crap about the 'imposed' Ramayana, the Aryan Rama's conquest of the lower caste Dravidian Ravana and such like. Ravana was a Sama Vedi Brahmin according to the Ramayana - Rama had to take penance to mitigate the sin of 'Brahmahatya', slaying of a brahmin, after his conquest of Lanka. Here is a view on the tradition of Rama in Tamil Nadu, that debunks Karunanidhi's claims: http://cynical-nerd.nationalinterest.in/?p=90 Best regards, Murali. On 9/22/07, Venugopalan K M <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Of course, I must agree to your point at a broader level; but the > manufactured 'issue' that is being floated by the BJP from a communal plank > cannot be ignored too. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
