“We are shrinking into a Hindu monoculture: Nayantara Sehgal


New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS): At a time when the nation is witnessing rising violence, lynchings and the silencing of rationalists, noted author and Sahitya Akademi Award winner Nayantara Sehgal believes that the country is shrinking into a Hindu monoculture.

"What is projected today as Hinduism is a travesty of Hinduism. Hindutva is a distortion of Hinduism and that is what we are shrinking into; that's what is taking place today," the author added.

Sehgal was in conversation with Githa Hariharan during a Facebook live chat organised by Indian Writers Forum. Her latest book, "When the Moon Shines by Day " published by Speaking Tiger.

Sehgal went into discussing the changing times that she has witnessed -- from Independence in 1947 to the present era.

"The fact is in the emergency of 1975, we knew we were in dictatorship; the opposition was put in jail, all debate had been crushed, the constitution had been amended to take away our right to life and liberty, we knew the situation we were in," the author pointed out.

"But today, the situation is much more dangerous, because all that is happening under the light of democracy, incidents like mob lynching, killing of the journalists and rationalists, making the situation much worse than ever it have been," Sehgal added.

She also mentioned that the rise in intolerance is particularly targeted towards the Muslim community and not the other minority communities.

"The idea that Hindutva maintains is that India is a land that belongs only to the Hindus. Christians, Buddhists and Sikhs will be tolerated and Muslims are considered enemies. Their attitude is Muslims are to be told where their place is if they are going to live in this country," Sehgal said.

However, the author emphasised that despite so much of violence, there is a rise of protests coming from different groups of the society, from the film stars and intellectuals to the Dalits.

"This gives a ray of hope and courage to people who have suffered. The class we call artists and authors is a very obstinate bunch of people, they will not keep quiet, they will speak at every opportunity. We are going to keep doing what has to be done," Sehgal noted.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Abdul Aleem Faroqui, UAE

    Wed, Sep 20 2017

    Mob lynching, intolerance, hatred among different communities etc were not unseen or unheard before. Hinduism is not to blame. Communities lived in harmony in the past and they are still living peacefully largely. Yet there are some isolated incidents supported by very few for political gains. The current government came to power unopposed with huge majority. Had our PM voiced and acted strictly against the incidents and fringe elements things would had been far more better. Political parties and some selfish politicians are the real cause for fear among the communities not Hinduism. People who incite communal flare up should be booked and punished with stringent applicable laws.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'luru / Kwt

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    This so called monoculture is not confined to our country alone. In fact what is happening in our country is a fraction of what had happened in our neighbouring countries under different guises. What is happening now in India are the repercussions of events happened around the world, and is bound to continue until things are set right. There is no point in blaming any party or government.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Swamy, Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    She is upright real Hindu in all form unlike others here using this great Hindu religion tag for thier selfish goals and doing everything against it behind the scene and insulting.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • subhodh, kallianpur

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    I don't want to become a intellectual by blaming any religion or organisation.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • pircki, panchanabettu

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    now a days, blaming Hindus/Hinduism is a fashion. why the same people are not talking about others? there could be some benefit for these people for blame game. one thing I agree that now a days the NGO's foreign funds are being monitored hence they are worried.

    DisAgree [20] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • perchu, pervaje

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    I am really surprised for selected version of lynching. the same intellectuals talking about equality in the society but when the murder happens then they dont like equality instead they talk about the selected incident only. why these people are quiet about West Bengal/Kerala incidents where the Hindus are sufferer. these people only dividing the society.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arshad kadli, Bhatkal/Alkhobar

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    These never ending debate between these so called nationalists and rationalists will divert the focus of common man from the main issue affecting entire populace which is price rise.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    Hinduism itself is not a monoculture. Hinduism has varies beleifs. There are spirit worshippers, tribals etc in its fold. Therefore it is a way of life. There is no rule book for Hindus. As they are no strict do and donts, Hindus can be cajoled and coerced into change with changing times. according to me if there is a demograhic change in India and hindu numbers shrink. India will disintegrate.

    Hindus can coexist with others as they can play romans in rome. But for few abberations which happens due to skin colour or the attire. Hindus who have moved outside the country are not targetted as it happens to some other religion.

    Best thing about hinduism is they do not beleive in Rizk i.e guarenteed provision from God for every soul born. as they do not beleive in this. they can be persuaded into having a rational population. However, there is a risk of getting outnumbered and along with that the destruction of their culture .

    Nayantara clearly knows which religion says that the whole world should conform to their religion. does she not have any problem with that?. Can she be vocal on this as well as it is a precipe for destruction of other cultures. Hope she sees other dangers as well.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Richard, Shirva/Dubai

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    How come these writer Nayantara Sehgal getting the prizes!!
    Let this writes see the rest of world where each country dominated with their faith and only India is exception !!
    this bad mouth writer should be put behind bar for creating 'intolerance among people'
    these intellectual thugs are hired by missionaries to defame good 'way of Life'

    DisAgree [26] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    I am now getting worried for Nayantara Sehgal ...

    DisAgree [21] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shetty, Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    Surely pay cheques from overseas in the name of NGOs are shrinking & this is causing lot of intolerance for few...

    By the way do you have any more awards left to be returned ? Please return once for all everything.

    DisAgree [21] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suresh, Moodbidri

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    Real problem is minority appeasment for vote bank politics because of these people started raising thier voice then he become communal and now this guy started new word Hindu monuculture...

    DisAgree [12] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anirudh P, Bengaluru

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    Guys, this is the best way to sell your books.

    Once you are ready to release the books in market, just call press conference and blame Hindus.

    Your book will get sold like a hot golibaje !!!

    Declaimer: Now I will be termed as communal / sanghi bla bla bla for using word golibaje instead of cake :-)

    Jai Hind

    DisAgree [23] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Swamy, Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    Thank you for creating the opportunity and atmosphere to write and market her book. If you see anything contradicting in her book you can sue her in SC and get her vindicated.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • santosh prabhu, udupi / mangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    we should give one more chance to all people in subcontinent to relocate to pakistan or bangladesh or India and see the result before branding our country as intolerant. This was the idea behind the partition right

    DisAgree [16] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • AndhBhakth, Pandora

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    hence u proved what she said .

    DisAgree [11] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • ANIKETH, MUMBAI

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    this person is too biased.
    in kolkatta too much happening against hindus,even in kerala too.
    no comments on this.
    if anyone wants to speak be impartial n speak.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stephen, Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    I Agree with him 100 %, Because look around us, the hatred we have against each other. What a shame on us. Modi came to power with all sorts of promises, but tell me something, other than dividing people and creating hatred among our fellow citizens, what else has he achieved. United India will be prosperous.

    DisAgree [36] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed K.C., Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    She may require security now.

    DisAgree [24] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kiran D Souza, Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    It clearly says that these so called communal intellectuals (biased) not getting their free perks, monthly emoluments for doing nothing anymore.

    These so called intellectuals only job is creating rift in the Society in one or the other way & live their lavish life by tax payer money.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh, Dubai

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    if you are intelectual try to unite hindu muslim dont try to divide for your publisity gimik..

    DisAgree [9] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • L n T, Mumbai

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    Well said sir
    Whole India shrinking in communal Governance

    DisAgree [43] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anirudh P, Bengaluru

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    L n T, Mumbai

    I can understand your enthusiasm moment you saw the news against Hindus.

    I suppose you confused this so called buddi jeevi for Baba Sehgal and addressed her as Sir.
    But She is Nayantara Sehgal.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse


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