The entire Mohan Bhagwat vs Mother Teresa Episode has left me a little perplexed.To begin with, I am not a supporter of RSS or their ideology but I just can't seem to understand the communal undertone being given to the entire episode. Yes, this country is a secular country and should remain so. But then, India is also a democratic country. And questioning established and popular "beliefs" is one of the founding principles of democracy. Or so I believe at least. And I think Mr Bhagwat was just exercising that right.
From what I have read, Mr Bhagwat did not condemn her work even once. He just emphasised on the fact that service with an intention to fulfill a personal goal ( whatever it may be ) loses it value. Ironically, it is very similar to what the Holy Bible says - " But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing ".
I think what Mr. Bhagwat did wrong was the he tried to question a popular belief. And that is something which this society has a huge problem with. This country is mired in its beliefs and traditions. We may not know the basis and the actual facts regarding them but we shall fight and protect them or at least get offended at the very thought of someone challenging them. And our society becomes even more antagonistic if the one to challenge the established setup is an Indian. We, somehow, aren't as offended by a documentary or by dozens of articles in leading western dailies which not only questioned her intentions but her very "charitable mission ".
I write this not to support Mr. Bhagwat, I write this fed up of the pseudo -intellectuals and pseudo- seculars of this country. I just wish to ask this coterie ( some of whom have never met her or even visited any of her charitable homes) that how exactly do they know about her intentions. After all, Barack Obama won a Nobel Peace Prize too. I don't deny the fact that she may have helped a lot of people. But then, they are many who have witnessed things contrary to the general perception. One man's revolutionary, can be another man's terrorist, right?
And let's not forget that the Roman Catholic Church held to that opinion that earth was the center of universe pretty vehemently till a certain Galileo questioned their belief.
I rest my case.
And let's not forget that the Roman Catholic Church held to that opinion that earth was the center of universe pretty vehemently till a certain Galileo questioned their belief.
I rest my case.
