VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM—Part 2

VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM—Part 2

Reality of Aapan Jaat—Tribalism

Tribalism is not adherence to one’s tribe. That is fine. Tribalism is adherence to one’s tribe without allowing a place for other tribes. It is the marginalization, trivialization or subjugation of the other tribes.

I want to remind you that both these groups sprang from cultures that intrinsically adhered to the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam principle. We had tribes had long evolved out of tribalism. One of the best examples in Hindu history, which demonstrates how bereft of racism and/or tribalism and narrowness the Hindu mind was, is the pre-colonial arrival of Christians in Kerala, South India in the first century. Saint Thomas the Apostle came to Kerala and was welcomed by the Hindus. The social consciousness of the Hindu had already developed to embrace the “other.”

However, this great social paradigm now lies buried beneath the cancerous colonial conditioning in our minds! Years of dominance by colonial religions and ideology, which have colonialism built into them, have subverted the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam outlook from the minds of both Indians and Africans.

And colonialism did not come to an end with the departure of the European powers. In fact the British left only in body but their legacy continues in spirit through our clothes, religion, etiquette, economic order (capitalism), social and political behaviour, political institutions and the system of Governance (Parliamentary Democracy), enshrined in our constitution. The colonial mind has become so entrenched that it has become virtually impossible to see outside the restricted box of the colonial masters. Masters indeed they were to have inflicted such an indelible scar on the consciousness of these two “earth” civilizations that we now fight each other to defend the masters’ ideology!

The colonialists have no concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – that the entire earth is one big family. So if we are going to rediscover our oneness with each other and with the whole earth we have to embark on a revolutionary programme of de-colonization of our minds – both Indian and African. The colonialists still rule without their physical presence.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM AND VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM

First I must say that when, as a Hindu, I stand here and suggest ideas for constitutional reform, from my world view, you must understand that I am not resisting any one person. I am resisting the colonial mind that has taken us far away from our self. I am resisting the institutions and behaviour patterns set up by others to which I am subjected, against my will. I am resisting archaic world view that is set in divisiveness, oppression, subjugation and/or the obliteration of anything or anyone who is different.

I am also resisting a constitution that was foisted on the people and which certainly does not take into consideration the world views of all the people that constitute the nation. From this point of view it is not a constitution but a map drawn by former rulers for us to follow. While it is an insult to my intelligence, it is also a clear indication of the thoroughness of the job done by the former rulers.

A constitution should reflect the views and aspirations of the people who constitute the nation. You may say that our constitution was drawn up by our first Prime Minister. I am saying it was drawn up by one whose inside was dug out and replaced with British software. Independence should mean the right to determine my own destiny.

How can I determine my destiny if I am operating with your software program? In such a state it is even erroneous to say that I have rights because my rights are subject to the limitations imposed by a plan which you have worked out. Rights, mind you, are natural and inalienable. But again it is the ingenuity of the Massa to make me believe that I have rights when he has long gone but still calling the shots through his system of divisiveness.

Source: Feature address delivered by Pujya Swami Prakashanandaji at second Varsha Pratipada Sansad, 2013

Pujya Swami Prakashanandaji is a direct disciple of world renowned Swami Chinmayanandaji. He is the Head of Chinmaya Mission Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana with responsibility for the Chinmaya Mission’s works across the Caribbean and Latin America.