Online petition to have Subramanian Swamy and Rajiv Malhotra at Oxford

[Satyamavejayanti]

Brothers and Sisters,

Namaste,

For those concerned and interested about our Dharmah, please show your support for Ravij Malhotra and Subramanian Swami to attend Oxford Uni “Dharma Rising” 2015 Hindu Scholars Conference", 3rd to 6th April Easter weekend.

Apparently some people do not wish these voices to be heard.

From the petition website:

Some group of people have expressed anguish at the invitation extended to Subramnian Swamy and Rajiv Malhotra by the Oxford India Society and have started the online petition to ‘Reconsider Invitation to Swamy and Malhotra’ to urge reconsideration of the invitation extended to Subramanian Swamy and Rajiv Malhotra to speak at the University of Oxford.

Here is the link, please show your support.

Support Invitation to Dr. Swamy and Rajiv Malhotra for 2015 Hindu Scholars Conference at Oxford - Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

Petition · Oxford India Society, Oxford Students: Celebrate Dr. Subramaniam Swamy and Rajiv Malhotra · Change.org

 

[Vinayaka]

I signed it, Satya. Thanks for the info.

 

[तत्त्वप्रह्व]

Signed it too & hope ~2900 votes make a difference, thank you for the reference.

श्रीकृष्णार्पणमस्तु ।

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Forgive my ignorance: can someone explain to me in brief who they are?

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

Forgive my ignorance: can someone explain to me in brief who they are?

OMG...you don't know them!!!

Google it mate, and then sign the petition

 

[Aupmanyav]

Sorry, I will not sign because of Subramaniyam Swami. He is a loose cannon and one does not know what he may say.
Rajiv Malhotra may have a point.

 

[Shantanu]

I do not support people who do not engage in discussions freely: that is my experience of contacts with Rajiv Malholtra and Subramanyian Swamy on Twitter. I do not wish India to be represented by their versions of dharma, which is divisive and non accommodative. So I am not signing the petition.

 

[Vinayaka]

I'm not exactly sure, but as I understand it, Oxford invited the pair to give a few talks on Hinduism, and Hindu revival, or whatever. Their Hindu studies department invites many guests to give such talks, from a wide range of scholars and opinions.

Then ... somebody in the department figured they were too radical. (Remember when Modi was refused entry to the US, based on similar feelings.) So whomever this was started a petition to refuse them, or stop them from coming to present their POV. What we are signing is a petition to allow them, just as practically any speaker would be allowed.

Now if it was an ISIS speaker coming on campus with the sole purpose of recruitment, I'd see the problem. But someone who takes a strong stance intellectually, a defender of the faith, well that's quite different. But that's what we need. The time for condescending ridicule of Hindu culture by western scholars is over.

But maybe I misunderstood it too.

 

[ShivaFan]

Universty level dialogue, conferences, world culture events and so on are today too PC and often straightjacket free speech. I think I will sign as a balance to counter PCism.

 

[Vinayaka]

Swamy was instrumental in helping the Deek****ars regain control of Chidambaram. Here is an article that illustrates the depth of the problem of government control of temples.

What really happens to your money in Temple Hundi? | World Hindu News

I'm always totally amazed at this. It has to be one of the clearest cases of massive discrimination against a religious majority that has ever existed.

 

[Aupmanyav]

That is true, Vinayaka. Till now we had Congress government at Center and another in Karnataka (sometimes headed by a Christian), there was no way the injustice against Hindus could be addressed. And that is why Hindus like me rejoice at the victory of Narendra Modi. For example, N. Dharam Singh was a Christian. Similarly, Y/S. Rajasekhara Reddy in Andhra Pradesh was a Christian. Dharam Singh ruled for two years, Reddy ruled for full five years. To act against Hindu interests was a well-thoughtout policy of the former Congress government.

 

[Vinayaka]

Yes of course. Only in India can you donate to a Hindu temple and have your money help the Christians evangelise. Totally insane. Can you imagine the cultural performances, the beauty of the Hindu temples, the general upliftment of the people, and much much more, had all those original donations gone to where they should have?

In America if a Mormon for example, gave money to his church only to later find out it went to the Catholic Church or an atheist organisation, I can't imagine the uproar.

 

[तत्त्वप्रह्व]

Both Malhotra and Swamy understand the ground realities quite well, the former thru' academic inquisitiveness, and the latter thru' first-hand experience. I wonder why some hindus and are ashamed when someone speaks on their behalf! Why shouldn't those that highlight and protest against symbolic and actual cultural appropriation that is taking place be not given a chance to present their viewpoint?

For example: Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute - Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute

The symbolism of pool of lotus being cleansed by X is unmissable and unmistakeable, if that doesn't suffice, there is explanation with Guru and Shishya.

श्रीकृष्णार्पणमस्तु ।

 

[Vinayaka]

Old link from Maduri on the Oxford Center for Hindu Studies ... Recources, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies | ReligiousForums.com

Now I'm wondering just who opposed their presence? Satya, do you know?

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

Old link from Maduri on the Oxford Center for Hindu Studies ... Recources, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies | ReligiousForums.com

Now I'm wondering just who opposed their presence? Satya, do you know?

Namaste,

I don't really know who exactly, the HJS website claims "Oxfords Students", group started the petition to reconsider their invite. But i did not see anything on the Hindu council (UK) website about this, they are selling tickets so I assume they must not be too worried.

"Dharma Rising" British Hindu Scholars Conference

I will wait and see, and hopefully Rajiv and Swami both get a chance to speak.

 

[Vinayaka]

Yes, typically vague stuff. Sometimes it's just one or two people. But thanks anyway.

 

[Kalibhakta]

Both Malhotra and Swamy understand the ground realities quite well, the former thru' academic inquisitiveness, and the latter thru' first-hand experience. I wonder why some hindus and are ashamed when someone speaks on their behalf! Why shouldn't those that highlight and protest against symbolic and actual cultural appropriation that is taking place be not given a chance to present their viewpoint?

For example: Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute - Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute

The symbolism of pool of lotus being cleansed by X is unmissable and unmistakeable, if that doesn't suffice, there is explanation with Guru and Shishya.

श्रीकृष्णार्पणमस्तु ।

That is the most disgusting thing I have seen in my life. The lotus is pure, no matter what you do with it. Fascist Scum.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I wonder why some hindus and are ashamed when someone speaks on their behalf! Why shouldn't those that highlight and protest against symbolic and actual cultural appropriation that is taking place be not given a chance to present their viewpoint?

As I said, I do not know much about Malhotra. Swamy is a bit dicey. His Hindu love is recent. He is not a product of RSS or a long-time member of BJP. That is why I hesitate. That is where I put my faith.

For example: Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute - Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute.

Christians can go to any length to fool Hindus and others.

 

[तत्त्वप्रह्व]

Fascist Scum

The irony is, as i see it, those that highlight and protest - specifically in academic engagements - against such appropriations are the ones termed fascist here in India!

His Hindu love is recent. He is not a product of RSS or a long-time member of BJP. That is why I hesitate. That is where I put my faith.

I know Aup ji, i was not at all referring to your viewpoint when i said some hindus, but only those that are politically active and are keen on undermining integrity of our country. However, i don't believe that it is necessary to be associated with RSS/BJP to be a hindu or have a hindu outlook. I am not associated with either, though i do volunteer in chosen activities of the former and vote for a candidate from the latter if (s)he is worthy of it, yet consider myself as much and not anymore hindu than you are Aup ji. I don't agree with Swami's several ideas but then there are also many areas where his knowledge and experience is quite unique.

Christians can go to any length to fool Hindus and others.

Again my remorse is about hindu apathy/indifference than hatred/anger against those that are trying such things. The cultural buffer that helped perpetuate hindu thinking during and soon after brit imperialism is soon vanishing. Independent thinking is being replaced by significantly western ideologies which are often at odds with our socio-cultural practices.

नारायणायेतिसमर्पयामि ।

 

[Aupmanyav]

I don't agree with Swami's several ideas but then there are also many areas where his knowledge and experience is quite unique. .. Independent thinking is being replaced by significantly western ideologies which are often at odds with our socio-cultural practices.

Yes, Mr. Swamy has his uses. .. We have been through many rough patches and I am sure, we will traverse this also.