Thiruvananthapuram: The concept of Hindu Rashtra and that of a theological state are not one and the same. Hindu Rashtra is a concept based on the principles of Dharma, said RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale. He was speaking at the inaugural session of ‘Blooming Bharat: Young Intellectual Meet’, organized at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, as part of Sangh Parivar’s centenary celebrations, on Tuesday.“Ours is an ancient rashtra. Some argue that it became a nation only after gaining independence in 1947,” Hosabale said, adding that the concept of a rashtra was not the same as the Western notion of a nation. Born in Karnataka, Kerala was a neighbouring state for him. Yet, it was unfortunate that the idea of the rashtra had to be presented in a foreign language before an audience in Kerala. No foreign language can fully represent the concept of a nation, its heritage, culture and philosophy. “Sanskrit is the foundation of the nation,” he said.“The name Hindu was derived from Sanskrit. Even during the British Raj, it was a Hindu nation. Its soul is spiritual. Though there may be differences in expression, the culture is one. Whether the music is Carnatic or Hindustani or any other form, the basis is the seven notes. What dance form exists without Radha, Krishna, Shiva, and Parvati? To signify the unity of Bharat, socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia cited Rama, who connected the north and south; Krishna, who connected the east and west; and Shiva, who influenced the entire nation,” Hosabale said.“During the Chinese invasion, DMK leader Annadurai, speaking vehemently against China in the Rajya Sabha, remarked that the Himalayas are Shiva’s abode. In a speech in Madurai, Pandit Nehru stated that he salutes the ancestors who unified Bharat through pilgrimages,” he said.The 12 Jyotirlingas, 52 Shakti Peethas, and the four monasteries established by Shankaracharya represent the nation’s culture. Bankim Chandra, who wrote Vande Mataram, referred to Bharat as Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga, symbolising knowledge, wealth and strength. “None of this is religious. Retired Justice Mohammed Karim Chagla declared himself a cultural Hindu for this reason. Indonesia changed its religion but not its ancestors. They cherish the Ramayana and Hinduism is a system of ethical and cultural values,” he said.NAAC director Ganeshan Kannanbiren, Kerala University VC Mohanan Kunnummal, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University VC Ciza Thomas and RSS south Kerala regional Sanghchalak M S Rameshan participated.
