“We dont want christians like you in India and it is because of you that our India is being converted to Christianity. You missionaries must be put in fire and killed for all violence you are causing. India which lived in so much unity and our population also has reduced very much because of you and your church. We dont want you man! We RSS and Hindutva people will conduct more attacks on Christians, and we will also not leave without burning your conversion schools to protect our Hindu community. I will surely break your bones. This I promise in the name of my god. Leave us alone, we already saw what you did to our people in Goa and north east. Christians and Muslims do not belong in this nation. Getting all money from abroad and giving money and food and converting people here. It wont take long for us to find each of your members and bring them back to hindu fold. Await that day you satans.”

My dear anonymous brother, firstly I should tell you this that I refuse to believe you are a Hindu! Secondly, I refuse to believe you are protecting your Hindu community or you are a Hindu believer. Thirdly, I refuse to believe you know anything about Indian history, Hinduism or lets say your own organization  – RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh).

I think it is very important for me to appraise you that – this is not the first time I have got such an email. I had got an email from somebody who said he would send shoe-bombers and kill me. It has really not put me in an eerie emotional mode or has in anyways peeved me. While your email is a typical one exhibiting chauvinistic faith, I can also see the lilliputian mind of yours that has been bewitched by pseudo-Hindu ideologies. Be really wary of those people who are inculcating these ‘divisive’ thoughts into your mind.

RSS and Hindutva: My brother, you claim to be working with RSS, and I am very aware that the RSS has been waging war against Christians by engineering barbarous attacks against the church and the microscopic community. I am however curious with something. Do you know the roots of your organization or Hindutva that claims to be protecting Hinduism? The founder of RSS was an agnostic, do you know that? It was not started to protect Hinduism do you know at least this? Alright now about Hindutva, this word itself was coined by an atheist, do you know – Mr Savarkar?  He started the Hindutva movement to unite Hindus. And today, in the name of Religion – Hindutvadis are killing Christians and Muslims. All minorities seem enemies to them. Do you know who killed Gandhiji – the father of our nation? It was an RSS Hindu. Not a Christian or Muslim. Do you know they say Mr Savarkar was involved in Gandhi’s death. So what do you say about this? Leave the RSS and live like a good Hindu…don’t bring shame to your community.

Hinduism and Hindus: Like I said, you have no clue about your own religion. I consider the Hindu community to be the most peaceful among all others. Hinduism is the oldest religion in this world and it does have so many amazing things to communicate with us. Have you ever read Bhagwad Geeta? Or Ramayana at least? Trust me dude, its just so really beautiful. The stories just captivate you. You should really read the Vedas, Srila Sankara, etc. Here is one of the most beautiful passage I’ve liked. Not by the weak, not by the unearnest, Not by those who practice wrong disciplines Can the Self be realized. The Self reveals  Himself as the Lord of Love to the one  Who practices right disciplines – Mundaka Upanishad.

I am also sure you heard of the Gayatri mantra – Aum bhur bhuvah svah
Tat savitur varenyam Bhargo devasya dhimahi Dhiyo yo nah pracodayat. The meaning of this prayer is so beautiful. There are many such really inspiring teachings in Hinduism. Ive always liked it and wherever I go I share these really illuminating views with others. I am a patron of the Hindu society!!

Now, Hinduism surely doesn’t teach violence, hate and division. How will you understand your religion if you yourselves do not know its value? I can give you really nice books, resources for you to understand about Hinduism. So like I said, I refuse to believe you are a Hindu!!!

Conversion and Missionaries: Now this is another really hot topic that you have raised. You did mention that Christian missionaries are getting a lot of money and converting people. Christians are outsiders and bla bla..I don’t deny some of these. Have you ever tried to know about the history of Christianity? My brother, it’s not 100 or 200 years old. Its 2000 years old in India. It’s as old as Christianity itself. By now you should have seen only Christians in India, but ironically whats the Christian population? 2.7%. Doesn’t that amuse you? Tell me frankly, isn’t that funny? That the same 2.7% registered at 1950 census is the same even now. So where is the conversion happening? Christian missionaries does receive foreign funds, but that is to carry the mission they are doing for the Human society and not to the Christian society alone. Do you know which are the most popular hospitals, schools, colleges in India? Any idea? They are all run by Christians. I am sure somewhere you also received education in a Christian institution. Parents want to send their children to Christian institutions because of the quality of service. When you studied in your Christian school, did your teacher ever ask you to convert? I never noticed any when I studied. I should also ask the same question to Mr LK Advani – if his Christian school converted him

Every bit of money Christians are receiving in India is being monitored by the FCRA setup by the government of India. You surely can go there and ask them the report. VHP – the biggest Hindutva movement – has its own Chapters all over USA do you know that? Shouldn’t have USA – a Christian nation – disallowed it? Chapters all over, gosh that’s too much, and whats more? They are all being Tax-exempted. So more money from the Hindu community, including the VHP is flowing into India more than what missionaries are receiving. You really have no idea about what is happening around you brother. So naïve.  Ever heard of St Stephens college in Delhi? Checkout the Hall of Fame – and you will see all popular politicians, scientists, actors, educationalists are graduated from here. Ask them every if they were asked to convert to Christianity. These people never even are grateful to the Christian missionaries for offering them really good education. They rather backbite.

Christians who fall under the minority category are really the salt of India which has rendered stupendous contributions for nation-building. Although small, their presence is felt everywhere. I do regret for what happened in Goa – the Portugal inquisition – I myself being  a Christian condemn it. Conversion is the change or transformation of heart. It is not the transformation of religion. You should read this here – a nice piece of article by a famous Indian.

In case you feel somebody has forcefully been converted, just let me know, we shall together go and ask that person to reconvert to the Hindu fold. I will be the first to join you.

Northeast India conversions

You also mentioned that Christian missionaries converted all northeast India to Christianity. Firstly you should know this. Northeast Indians were not primarily Hindus . Secondly, If Christian missionaries had not arrived and shared the Gospel, these animists and some groups who were worster than cannibals would still be involved in headhunting and stuffs. IF you want them to return to their previous lifestyle, no problem, you will be the first to face the sword .

My Invitation

You should really call me and we can meet up sometimes. I can share with you about Christianity or if you prefer, then Hinduism too. I have no issues. I am located in the central of Delhi and my office is just behind the Indian Parliament. We can even take a walk around, I can show you some really beautiful places. So in case somebody wants to write more hate-letters like this to me, please avoid, and do take the chance to meet me. I would be more happy to welcome you and listen and learn from you. Let us live like good Hindus and good Indians.

Adios – SAM

It must be patently noted that people in this country care for each other and live without any differences – let it be based on caste, creed, color, faith…etc. This has been the life they led till date. I really would not dream to be born in any other country than India. Totally no to US, Europe and none of these physically luring countries have actually attracted me. I rather have hate towards them.

My love towards this country has brought in a great paradigm shift in my life by transforming me to a patriotic and this has further transformed me to a contributor who is concerned about my surrounding and the gradual development of my society. Patriotism or nationalism although is not a part of all Indians, it has been the part of majority Hindus. I profess a Christian faith and that does not make me love America more than my country – India. I would challenge anyone challenging India, its growth, economy or any of its progress. This is the extent of how ‘nationalism’ is entrenched in me.

While the spirituality of Hindus is really deep, it looks like history is going through some rough road these days as the country that lived in unity witnesses extreme division and violence. Problem? Chauvinistic beliefs have crept into the minds of nationalists or traditionalists.

Chauvinistic beliefs or jingoistic faith is dangerous. Jingoism is the next form after nationalism. This happens when you believe you can achieve what you want to achieve through violence, militancy etc. And the mayhem caused in Orissa’s Kandhamal where Christians were butchered is the product of this dangerous belief. This is noxious not only for the integrity of the country, but even it hampers the development by changing the attention of the government to religious communities and its protection that the real culprit which is – Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy…etc.

Christians have contributed largely to the nations development. It has been done in a holistic approach and not the biased type, which concerns only for the church people. The attack on Christians in fact has not led me to hate Hindus. The international media and the Christian media in India did portray Hindus in bad light..however, I am of an opinion that Hindus are the best religious community in the entire world. Hindus are more peaceful, hospitable and kind. However, the power-mongers who aim at the majority vote bank – need a reason to fight for. A reason to come to power. A reason to suit their vested interests. Their anti-minority and anti-human rhetoric have infact brought the upsurge of violence, even as more men, women, children are butchered in the name of religion. It has caused chaos and has given birth to the feeling of insecurity among Indians in worlds largest democracy.

These religious extremists are brainwashing fellow Hindus by instilling in them anger and hatred by claiming the decrease of Hindu population. They claim Christians are growing, and this on what basis? With no substantial proof. Christianity arrived India 2000 years back and by this time, the whole India should have been Christianized…which apparently has not occurred.
Religious extremism aims at dividing people to comfort their personal agendas. This must be opposed and the spirituality among people must grow in a positive manner by helping, loving and caring. The same goes to Hindus, Christians or others. The spirituality among Hindus must not be diluted by such ‘dividing’ views. This might not work with the modern youths of India – who apparently know the culprit behind such idiotic inculcation.

If really this country can live in harmony and peace, we can combat the evils of our society including the need to eradicate poverty, unemployment. With a united force we can even challenge countries of this world. If not now, then never. One India – United India.

God Bless this country!