Hindu Bashing in American Institute 
By Graydon Chiapetta
http://www.hindunet.org/alt_hindu_home/1994/msg00833.html

Beware Of Hindu-Bashing In American Institutions By GRAYDON CHIAPPETTA

Politically aware Indians have made much recently of the increasing strain between the U.S. administration and India over positions and statements on Kashmir. Those expressing this concern, however, may be unaware of a growing phenomenon currently taking place which has more profound and far-reaching implications; legitimization of Hindu-bashing in U.S. institutions.

Influenced and supported by noisy self-appointed Indian 'secularists,' many Western scholars and government officials are now taking a position on Hindu revivalism. With very few exceptions, this position is exceedingly negative. Though this phenomenon is now limited to those conversant with South Asia and has not yet influenced the general public's opinions, in time it will. Though there are many forums for Hindu-bashing currently being opened, I will reserve my comments here to two recent conferences, one sponsored by the U.S. State Department and one by the University of Wisconsin.

On July 16 of this year, the State Department held a conference entitled, 'Hindu Revivalism in India: Position, Prospects and Implications for the U.S.' Many highly placed individuals were present including former Congressman Stephen Solarz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia John Malott, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Analysis Phyllis Oakley and a wide range of U.S. government officials. Scholars were invited to make presentations on Hindu Revivalism. On the whole, the atmosphere was one of ridicule. There was a lot of finger pointing at Hindu revivalism as the source of India's current problems and of potential conflict with the U. S.

On November 5 to 7, at the Annual Conference on South Asia at Madison, Wisconsin, two panels and many individuals presentations were devoted to Hindu Nationalism. Every single presentation was negative towards Hindu Nationalism with remarkable statements being made that I never though I would hear in an academic institution.

I will detail the presentation of Lisa McKean of the University of Sydney because she was a featured speaker at both the University of Wisconsin and at the State Department conference. I will give a sampling of the statements made by other scholars. Though I have documented their statements as well, I will avoid references to the names in this essay.

Lisa McKean claims to have spent a lot of time with Vishwa Hindu Parishad, enough to make scholarly presentations, anyway. The basic thrust of her argument is that Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America is a fascist organization which remits funds to its illegal sister organization in India. Not mentioned, of course, is that the corrupt, opportunistic Congress party banned the VHP for its own political gain. Lisa describes VHP-sponsored groups in America as "front organizations" for a larger fascist cause. She refers to VHP activities, including Diwali celebrations and Swami Chinmayananda's spiritual camps as "covert operations" and to active members as   "militant activists." Lisa called the late Shri Chinmayananda a " master manipulator" and alleged that he initiated unwanted physical contact with women, including herself. Not content with merely bashing VHP, Lisa referred to the monthly magazine, Hinduism Today, as a front paper supporting militant activities.
Global Vision 2000 was targeted as a fascist assembly. She described Hindus moving into professional positions as "infiltrators" working for the cause of Hindu fundamentalism. Hindu Digest, Samskar and the Hindu Students Council did not escape her censure.
Perhaps, most appalling was the warm hand given to her at the end of her presentation in both conferences. Praised as a "bright, young progressive scholar," most of the audience accepted her statements as fact, particularly those progressive Indian 'secularists.' One even suggested that universities should ban Hindu Students Council of America. Lisa was certainly not alone and played to an appreciative audience. Scholars making presentations at the State Department conference were less concerned with facts than with making points. Many erroneous statements were made such as "the Sangh Parivar planned the execution of Mahatma Gandhi and will stop at nothing. " The misquoted statement of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray about Indian Muslims being like the Jews of Europe was used in making the authoritative statement that "Sangh Parivar underpinnings are just like those of Nazis." An example of how criticism of Sangha Parivar activities is extended to Hindus in general is the statement of a John Hopkins scholar that "Hindus in the U.S. are very sympathetic and supportive of fundamentalism.

"One scholar even justified discrimination against Hindus in India itself with the remarkable statement, "Equal rights for Hindus is equal to absolution of minority rights. " The scholar made this statement after echoing the hollow line started by Indian 'secularist' Romila Thapar that "there is in reality no such thing as Hinduism." The University of Wisconsin panels were truly pitiful and I will give only a few quotes from various presentations. One Indian 'secularist' suggested that India was an artificial entity which "requires fascism to maintain its existence. "

A scholar from Berkeley referred to the "dirty communal imprint" that Hindus leave on Indian society. Incredible as the assertions of these misguided 'intellectuals' are, there is a danger of an appearance of legitimization of these ideas thorough repetition. These unprincipled 'scholars' would leave no stone unturned to denigrate Hindu culture and world view. The complexity of Indian civilization simply overwhelms most Western scholars and apparently, Indian "secular" scholars as well. They do not, for the most part, understand that the rhythms of Hinduism beat in the heart of most "oppressed untouchables" and in the hearts of much of the minorities as well. One scholar, facing the complexity of increasing Harijan, Christian and Muslim sympathy for Hindutva, echoed the true feelings that most Western scholars have always exhibited towards India. Asked how he could analyze such a complex civilization, he replied: "When Hinduism dies, We'll do a better job."

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