For the first time in the history of India, most of the heads of religious institutions and Ashrams throughout the country had come together under one umbrella organisation called the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha in 2003.
The third Conference of HDAS was held recently in the ancient Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Matha (near Bangalore) during February 9-11, 2008. On behalf of Hindu Voice, our Representatives Shri GP Srinivasan and Col. S.S. Rajan had handed over a list of suggestions for the kind consideration of the Sabha.
The HDAS has rightfully expressed its serious concern about the authorities not sufficiently addressing Hindu causes and grievances, giving unjust treatment to Hindus, their callous disregard of Hindu sentiments, carrying on adverse propaganda against Hindu society and Dharma, etc. The Sabha is also concerned at the appropriation of Hindu philosophy and practices by others, detaching them from their Hindu identity.
The Sabha has repledged itself to speak in a single united voice and act in a concerted manner to implement specific action plans to strengthen Hindu Dharma and Society, and counter the problems and threats Hindus face.
The decision of the HDAS will wholeheartedly be welcomed by all Hindus, who expect much more from the Sabha. HDAS should evolve itself into a Hindu Parliament and become the sole representative body of Hindus the world over. This is very imperative, especially when the country is treated as the asset of Minorities, and Hindus are treated as unwanted guests in their own country. For this purpose, the Sabha should be more broad-based, so as to include all Hindu Sadhus and Sants.
Today HDAS consists of only those Mutts and Ashrams which are 200-300 years old, many of which have meagre followers. The Sabha should co-opt many more Sadhus and Sants of recent origin, as a sizeable section of Hindus look to them for guidance and take spiritual inspiration from them.
For example, Sri Satyasai Baba has an estimated 20 crores devotees all over the world. His Samithis are extending to all parts of the world in 137 countries. He has supplied drinking water to the water-starved Chennai, with a population of about 80 lakhs. He is serving the Hindu Society since 1940. Mata Amirthanadamayee, known as the Hugging Saint all over the world, has some 3.5 to 4 crore devotees, and has branches in some 30 countries. Amma is about 52 years old. Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder of Art of Living, has a following of 1.5 to 2 crores devotees all over the world, including in some Arab countries. He visits all troubles-some spots of world including Israel and Iraq. He celebrated his Silver Jubilee in Feb. 2006. Swami Ram Dev has indeed created a revolution by promoting Yoga, Ayurved, Meditation, etc. Although a recent entrant, he has taken the world by storm by his Yog Shibirs. His lectures on Yoga, a proud Hindu practice, are even sought after by Professional Bodies and Business Houses.
There are many other Sadhus and Sants and organisations like Asaram Bapu, Murari Babu, Isha Yoga, Chinmaya Mission, Bangaru Adigalar, ISKON, Gayatri Parivar, Paavan Parivar, Arya Samaj, Nirankari, etc. who have a sizable amount of followers. There are many more Sadhus and Sants whose name we might not have mentioned. Any Sadhu or Organisation which proclaims him/her/it to be Hindu should be included in the Sabha. Further, established Hindu organisations such as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Sanatan Sanstha, etc. should also be included. In the absence of these organisations and Sants & Sadhus, who have a mass following and cadre, the constitution of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha would be incomplete.
Once it encompasses all Hindu Sants and Sadhus of every hue and Hindu organisations, HDAS will become a force to reckon with, and politicians will then be forced to listen to the Sabha. The Sabha should then issue ‘dictats’ on matters concerning Hindus.
The ultimate aim of HDAS should be to amend the constitution of India through a referendum and to acquire power to elect/select the President of India (Refer to page 17). (A constitution which talks of Equality in its Preamble but provides special privileges to minorities in the subsequent Articles without defining who are minorities is a fraud on majority Hindus). Such anomalies have to be set right. HDAS need not shy away saying that they are not interested in politics. Referendum and Selection of Rashtrapathi are not politics; it is a Rashtra Dharm. Further, President is above politics and electing such an important Constitutional head should not be left in the hands of crooked politicians. Many criminals and anti-Nationals have entered Parliament and State Assemblies, and leaving this power in their hands is dangerous for the unity and integrity of the nation.
Bharat is a land of Sants and Rishis. Many Gods and Rishis have taken avatar in this land - Raam, Krishna, Mahavir, Bhuddha, Adhi Shankara, Guru Nanak, etc. That is why it is called Devbhoomi, Punyabhoomi, etc.
It would therefore be in the fitness of things if we consider this Devbhoomi as the asset of Sadhus and Sants, and its destiny is entrusted to them. The Sadhus, Sants, Mahants, Dharmacharyas, etc. of all hues, along with established Hindu organisations, should form a Dharma Sansad (Hindu Parliament), which will meet once in five years, and elect the President. HDAS should be the forerunner for such a movement.
The beleaguered and unorganised Hindu society now looks to the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha with great hopes. Will the Acharyas take the lead in making Bharat in to a de jure Hindu Nation?
