Karunanidhi, Jaggi Vasudev and Sankaracharya

Atheism, Religion and Politics of “Spirituality”: The attitude of Karunanidhi, a sworn atheist and surprisingly heading a State of
Secular India perplexes in any aspect – politically, socially, and psychologically. His mind-set towards Hindu religion, Hindu Gods and Goddesses, Hindu scriptures, Hindu rituals, rites and ceremony has been also intriguing, as he has been passing only sarcastic, caustic and venomous remarks, comments and criticism, whether it is warranted or wanton. The just-past events make Indians to view the inconsistencies, contradictions or inexplicable things crept into similar events but dealt with differently by various people, authorities and others involved. How and why the rulers behave with one group of religious believers in one particular way, whereas with other, they act differently? Is there any selective atheism that one should believe in one god but blaspheme other god? Is there any spirituality that trees [planted by one would grow and planted by others wither away?

Appeasement or expiation? He called the Grama-pujaris ( Village
Temple priests) as “Pandarams, Paradeshis” and so on, but participated in the Conference organized by VHP in
Madurai. After coming to power, ironically, he activated the Board for them (in early 2007), obviously to appease them, expiate or repent for the sins committed, if at all, he is believed in it. More irony is the “thanks-giving” functions organized by Gramapujarigal Peravai, a VHP affiliated organization. In fact, though the board was set up in 2001, it did not function in the last five years. S.Vedantham, the Managing Trustee of the Board, who met the Chief Minister (as reported by the Hindu 24-12-2006) brought this to the notice of the non-functioning and he agreed to do the needful.Hindu organisations, led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, had thus succeeded in getting the demands of lakhs of Grama Koil Poojaris (village temple priests) fulfilled at last when M. Karunanidhi cleared on January 13, 2007, the proposal to constitute a welfare board for village priests in the state. The board is a social security measure for priests of village temples not coming under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department that administers bigger temples. A few weeks before the state govrnment’s announcement, VHP leaders including its international vice president Shri. S. Vedantam and state youth wing organiser Shri. R.R. Gopaljee met the Chief Minister to press the VHP demand in favour of Grama Koil Poojaris.

The Arrest of Sankaracharya in 2004: On the Deepavali eve in November 2004, Sankarachary was arrested. Karunanidhi, the arrest in a murder case as an “honest and commendable action." He hoped that the law would be allowed to take its course without interference. Addressing a press conference here, he said though it could not be denied that the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government had “close links with the Sankara Mutt," its head was arrested. A fast, planned by the DMK and its allies at Kancheepuram demanding the arrest of the Sankaracharya, was not necessary, thanks to the police action, he said.  Karunanidhi said the arrest episode reminded him of the saying, “if a virtuous woman commits a sin she can cleanse herself by having a dip in the
Ganges but where will she go seeking atonement if the holy river itself is polluted?" The atheist and secular CM does not apply the same yardstick to all!

Karunanidhi kept quite when Jaggi Vasudev was charged with murder in 1997: The following is the Indian Express report as appearing on October 12, 1997 about Police registering a case of murder by Jaggi Vasudev:

But nothing is known to the Public or citizens of Tamilnadu or Karnatka. Incidentally, just after the arrest of Sanaracharya, a Catholic priest was arrested in Kanyakumari area for murder, rape etc., Though, initially reports appeared in newspapers, totally there was silence in the media. In fact, about Jaggi nothing came in any TV-Channel, as compared to wide, prolonged and repeated coverage of Sankarachrya. No eminent writer, actress or any other complained or gave interview in SUN or UDAY TV. And Karunanidhi – oh, it did not concern at all. He never comented after reading newspaper said the episode reminded him of the saying, “if a virtuous woman commits a sin she can cleanse herself by having a dip in the
Ganges but where will she go seeking atonement if the holy river itself is polluted?" Why, obviously. Because, Jaggi was not arrested! No agitation announced urging the government to arrest. On November 13, 2002, he said laws should be enacted to curb fake godmen mushrooming. Those who introduced such laws must have a progressive outlook and a commitment to rid society of superstition. Awareness should be created among the people to end frauds committed in the name of god, religion and spirituality. The heads of mutts should not misuse religious symbols to cover up their wrongdoings, he said. “We wish that the trial is conducted in a fair manner without any interference. Let us wait and see how things take their course" was his reply to a question on apprehensions raised, considering the Sankaracharya"s “political influence." On reports of persons holding high offices visiting the Mutt to show their proximity to the Sankaracharya, Mr. Karunanidhi said it was unfair that constitutional functionaries such as the President were made to stand before religious heads. How then, he accommodated a charge-sheeted and murder accused person, sat with him? Before Indian law also, like Karunanidhi, the Saints are discriminated by religion ad ideology? Can the Law and judiciary be ideologized? NYes, naturally, wjen atheist or Communist or Communalist Judges are appointed by the Politicians, how they would deliver judgments? 

Karunanidhi urges ascetics to follow Jaggi Vasudev’s lead 2007: The nation and the world would be better off, if all the ascetics follow the path shown by Jaggi Vasudev, founder of Isha Foundation, in environmental protection, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on 24-09-2007. Addressing a function organised by the foundation to mark its 25th anniversary, he said he always held in high esteem the religious leaders such as Kundrakudi Adigal and his successor for their service to Tamil. He respected Sri Jaggi Vasudev for his effort at planting of saplings. He preferred ascetics who strove for social uplift to those who focused only on religion. Those who talked of religion alone issued fearsome threats and imprecation, the Chief Minister said, presiding over the launch of a campaign for planting of 2.5 crore saplings. http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/24/stories/2007092454470500.htmD.R. Karthikeyan, former Director, Central Bureau of Investigation, referred to the agrarian crisis in different parts of the country and said insurance cover and remunerative prices would solve the problems of farmers. Launching the green campaign, Kanimozhi, Member of Parliament, said religion was meant for elevating people, not to divide them. Sudha Raghunathan, musician and devotee of Sri Jaggi Vasudev, welcomed the gathering. They never cared for Jaggi’s involvement.The speech of Karunanidhi during the Silver jubilee function of Isha Yoga Maiyam held at the grounds of Anna
University on 23rd September had been interesting to note, as on the same day so many other things were going on. This is given, because, “The Hindu” had given only edited version. “The tree-planting activity has been going on and I get an opportunity to participate. I can understand the love of people in the service of tree plantation who have come from hamlets and villages, which is possible because of the hard work of Karttikeyan and efforts of  Sathguru. I can feel about the attraction of Sathguru"s advice and gracious words reaching hamlets. There have been many Turaviyar. I breathe out with emotion how this land, why any land would have grown with this type of hermits. I had immense regard for the great Hindu saint Kundrakkudi Adigalar. The reason is that he nurtured Tamil. As the present pontiff also works for the Tamil development, I have contact with him. Sathuguru does not grow religion. I love him because he grows trees. One may order to bring head, bring hand, bring tongue only, when he grows religion. But one can give excellent advice to people for good living, if he grows trees. Sathguru does that only. I was really taken aback that he could attract such a large gathering of  people. I feel happy also. It may appear very simple about planting trees now, but it would help for nation"s growth".Last year, on 16-10-2006, the same type of function was organized. http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/16/stories/2006101616890600.htm

Jaggi reacts to Karunanidhi: On 29-09-2007, he reacted as follows on various subjects, including Ramasethu! “Only experts in ecology, heritage and economic aspects should decide what should happen there,” said Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha Foundation, about the Ramar Sethu issue. In an interview to The Hindu he said: “This is not just about Ramar Sethu. (So Karunanidhi asked him to talk like that or his belief did so?) We are doing this all the time. Whether it is the titanium plant in Tamil Nadu or the car unit in
Bengal, the SEZs somewhere else, we are trying to decide things on the streets. This is not the way to build a nation. These things must be decided by knowledgeable people, and those who are qualified to do that.”Religion and spirituality: Elaborating on the activities of the Foundation, he said its essential work was spiritual. “There is a very fundamental difference between religion and spirituality. When you say you belong to a certain religion, you naturally say that you are a believer. But the moment you say you are on a spiritual path, you are a seeker. A scientist is a seeker. In fact, they are in the same boat. One is seeking the outside realities. The other is seeking the inner realities.” Speaking on religion, Jaggi Vasudev said most religions probably started as a device for ultimate human well-being. “But these devices, over a period of time, are standing up like demons, ready to devour humanity. Whether they devour or not, they have definitely divided humanity. Unfortunately in a way you can’t unite, at least in the immediate span of time.”  Referring to the event held in Chennai recently, in which Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi participated, he points out that about 4.5 lakh people were present. “With no politics, no God, no enemy, you can’t gather so many people. But now, people are coming just to change their lives. We call it the silent revolution of self realisation.”  On the Foundation’s involvement with the Tamil Nadu Government, he said, “For me, this does not mean an alignment with the Tamil Nadu Government or a particular party. People have honoured somebody with leadership. I have no business not to honour that.”‘Ethos of our culture’: The spiritual sciences were woven into the cultural fabric of
India. And this science was expressed in the story form because
India is a dialectical culture. Somewhere along the way, a few generations dropped the science and carried just the stories. Stories without science get exaggerated to ridiculous levels, he said.  “People should dare to look at life through current intelligence. That has been the ethos of this culture. There is no one book, one belief system we should follow. People can create their own gods. The god-making industry exists only in
India and it’s fantastic. Nobody’s interested in God. People think God is a free ticket to well-being. People are interested in well-being.” 

How Reverence changes from Jaggi to Sankaracharya? The repeated addressing of Jaggi as “Jagathdguru” is interesting in the context, as everybody knows, generally, it refers to Sankaracharya. But he never showed any such reverence to any Sankaracharya. How then, his sudden reverence to “Jaggi”? Of course, he has explained his own yardstick of measuring and assessing Turavis and Samiyars. He can only assess and judge them. Therefore, a dangerous situation is created in Tamilnadu, where certain religious leaders or Gurus are set against other religious Gurus and heads. Here, the religious Heads and Gurus should ponder over what they are upto? Karunanidhi as a CM may threaten them with HR C " E Act for dire consequences. But, against the God, believers and scriptures, could they stoop down to such a mean level? Can they cheat their devotees and followers?  

Hindus are thieves, bandits, barbarians, etc: Some years back in 2002, Karunanidhi drew the ire of some sections when he called Hindus “thieves”. “Do Hindus have a religion? Who is a Hindu? If you ask some right thinking people they’ll say that Hindu actually means a thief. I do no consider that to be a despicable thief, but a thief who has stolen the hearts,” He had stated while addressing a public meeting in 2002 organised by Muslim and Christian outfits to protest the anti-conversion ordinance of the then Jayalalithaa Government. Later, he reportedly clarified that he had merely quoted from a Hindi Encyclopedia published from
Varanasi. “It had defined a Hindu as cruel, servant and bandit. Nevertheless, I chose to ignore that definition and softened it to mean as thieves of hearts,” he said - http://www.indianexpress.com/story/219610.html. He could call Hindus “thieves, bandits” and so on. He can call their God Rama a “drunkard” and so on. But none could question him. Even historians and religious heads could support his stand! What sort of secularism or spirituality is followed in
India? 

FIR filed against Karunanidhi, case registered against Karunanidhi, but case withdrawn by Karunanidhi: Indians may be having short memory, but what about Hindus? Perhaps, they do not bother about anything! Within five years, Karunanidhi wants to dispose off the case filed against him! What a great ruler! Read the following: 

October 24, 2002 – Karunanidhi talks nonsense about Hindus.  On November 14, 2003, the Government gave sanction to prosecute Karunanidhi. A chargesheet was also filed and the case was posted for trial. May 21, 2007- On verification on Balasubramaniam, an advocate came to know that on a memo filed by the Public Prosecutor based on a G.O the case had been withdrawn. 

FIR against Karunanidhi for anti-Hindu remarksPress Trust of
India http://www.expressindia.com/about/feedback.html?url=http://www.expressi\India.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=16802"title=FIR%20against%20Karunanid\hi%20for%20anti-Hindu%20remarksPosted online: Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 1151 hours ISTUpdated: Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 1357 hours IST Chennai, November 14: Chennai police have registered an FIR against DMK President M. Karunanidhi for his recent alleged remarks against the Hindu community, police said on Thursday. The 14th Metropolitan Magistrate Paramaraj had on Wednesday directed police to investigate the complaint filed by one R. Premnath alleging that certain remarks by Karunanidhi had “hurt the sentiments of the Hindus". The magistrate directed police to register a complaint and submit the preliminary investigation report within three weeks, police said.  Karunanidhi had allegedly made certain remarks against the Hindus at a conference organised in Chennai on October 24, 2002 by the Christian community to protest the anti-conversion law. Govt. withdraws case against Karunanidhi 

Chennai, August 9, 2007: The Madras High Court today admitted a petition, challenging a Tamil Nadu Government order, withdrawing a case  against Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, relating to his alleged remarks  against Hindus. A Division Bench of Justice P K Misra and Justice R Banumathi admitted  the Public Interest Litigation and ordered notice, returnable by eight weeks, to Secretary to Public Department and DMK President M  Karunanidhi. In his PIL,Balasubramanian, an advocate, contended that on October, 2002, Karunanidhi made the remarks at a meeting with “a deliberate and malicious intention to hurt the sentiments of Hindus." His client R Premnath, an advocate, filed a private complaint before a Metropolitan Magistrate. On November 14, 2003, the Government gave sanction to prosecute Karunanidhi. A chargesheet was also filed and the case was posted for trial. On  verification on May 21, 2007, he came to know that on a memo filed by  the Public Prosecutor based on a G.O the case had been withdrawn.  

Contending that Karunanidhi after becoming Chief Minister rescinded the previous G.O by the present one, he said Karunanidhi had no locus standi to withdraw his own case. (Agencies)http://chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B2634CDA5-AF7F-4E\FB-BCC2-ED7CCAA28ECF%7D"CATEGORYNAME=TAMIL+NADUhttp://chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B2634CDA5-AF7F-4\EFB-BCC2-ED7CCAA28ECF%7D"CATEGORYNAME=TAMIL+NADUhttp://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200707161970.htm 

It is said that no one should sit as a judge in his own case, but Karunanidhi does, because, he has been above Court, Act and rules. This has been a classical case proving that Karunanidhi does not respect law. So it is very dangerous to have such persons as rulers. Even Tiruvalluvar condemns such type of rulers. We do not know whether it is “Dravidian culture" or “Muslim culture", or “Christian culture" he is following. Robert Clive and Warren Hastings had done such frauds. So can we say Karunanidhi follows them? Sir Isaac Newton has done it in condemning his enemy Leibniz. So can we say Karunanidhi followed
Newton? Perhaps, that is why, he used to openly say and do it (We do what we say). No Court, no law nothing. Is it Hitlerism or otherwise? Or we call it “Karunanidhism" which may supercede all types fascism etc? When this is the position of a person occupying the highest chair, what would be the actions of his followers? Would they care for law or not? What would be position of people of Tamilnadu? 

Ideologization of Judiciary and courts: The above discussion makes to think about the clear ideologization of Indian Judiciary and courts by the vested interests of Politicians. Here also, typically, the atheist, Communist, so-called minorities have been ganged up against one group. The Judges, Solicitor Generals, Public Prosecutors, ACGSCs, Councils and others at State and Central government level are blatantly nominated by the ruling parties with political and that too ideological affiliations. How then, they could give judgments against Rulers or their appointed masters? Above all, their ideology works at various levels satisfying their psycho-somatic needs. Indians may have to come out of this type of situation. The more irony is that a ruler can withdraw cases filed against himself! If that is the case, what about the cases filed against others? Perhaps, it is very easy. If a CM wants, he can arrest and put in jail ant religious leader or he can share with him in a dias and appreciate his work as divine”! Long live “atheist spirituality”!  

VEDAPRAKASH13-11-2007 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Uncategorized, Blogging, Philosophy, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.