[+++Poguru+++]

On the eve of independance, some senior congress leaders requested Sri
Chandrasekharendra Swamigal to give two messages - one as blessings to
the people and the other as advice to the politicians and legislators. The
former was promptly released to the press and the latter was held back,
never to be published. Swamiji's advice to the politicians was not palatable
and did not suit their political ambitions.
Swamiji strongly advocated that 'Anti-conversion' law be enacted, pointing
out the conversion of Hindus to Christianity and Islamic religion by force.
Dissociation from religion is not secularism, Swamiji told them. On the contrary, the Government, while not associating with any one particular religion, must patronise all the religions uniformly and without any bias to
anyone particular religion. The Government must not extend special benefits
and concessions to anyone particular religion to the detriment of other
religions. This is what is meant by secularism, he told them.
Our Hinduism contains philosophy of self-realization, dharma sastras laying
down codes of conduct and various methods and forms of worship and
hence is full-fledged and all-embracing. We do not need any other
instructions from other religions. What we have is adequate to mould men
and to develop healthy minds. If we have good citizens, the work of the
Governement is minimised. Sanathana Dharma teaches the ways and
methods to cleanse our minds and more than that, it shows us the way
to self-realization or liberation or moksha.
Swamiji wanted the Government to patronise all the religions equally to
raise the quality of men. He wanted a law to be enacted to prevent
forced conversions and treat such conversions as serious crimes. Converting
by force, by offering money, by offering to construct hospitals and schools
etc are all termed as conversions by force. One can build a hospital or a
school with an intention to serve people , but that noble objective must
not be used to serve their mean objective of conversion !
But the men then in powers would have none of this !
In Tamil-Nadu , Selvi Jayalalitha enacted anti-conversion law, but this
was later withdrawn with the elections in mind. The central problem is
that Hinduism is associated with the Aryans ( Brahmins ). So, all except
brahmins join together to put down Hinduism. It is all the work of selfish
politicians to come to power and/or stay in power.
The famous ( infamous ! ) VP Singh ushered in Mandal-Masjid politics, and
the fire is still burning, oftentimes fuelled by the politicians.