In the years when there has been a systematic effort to paint Hinduism in the colours of Hindutva and harden the lines between Sikhs and Hindus. Only Punjabi ethos can challenge aggressive & subjugating Hindutva, who otherwise have always co-existed with a liberal and syncretic approach towards each other’s faiths in Punjab, a new book seeks to answer many questions on identity of Punjabi Hindus and remind them of their glorious history in Punjab.
Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib Manish Tewari and Political Strategist Naresh Arora were sharing the dias when Vinayak Dutt, author of the book ‘Punjab: From Perspective of a Punjabi Hindu’ vowed that aggressive Hindutva can only be challenged by more progressive and accommodative religious philosophy, the Punjabi Hindutva.
Punjabi Hindutva is far closer to sufism than hardline and monolithic Hindutva that is being thrusted by the majoritarian regime. Rooted in the fertile soil of Sufism, it presents a more inclusive and syncretic face of Hinduism, one that resonates with the mystical verses of Bulleh Shah and Shahbaz Qalandar as much as with Vedic hymns.
Unlike the hardline, exclusionary narrative often associated with Hindutva, Punjabi Hindutva draws inspiration from the centuries-long co-existence and intermingling of Hindu and Muslim traditions in the Punjab region. This shared history manifests in folk songs sung in temples and dargahs alike, in the veneration of common Sufi saints by both communities, and in the shared culinary tapestry woven from spices and traditions passed down through generations.
“Original version of Ramayana that Rishi Valmiki penned down was written in Punjab, at a place called Ram Tirath, while Gita Sandesh was sermon in Kurukshetra which is also in Punjab and above Rigveda and other texts which form the base of Hindutva were written on banks of Ravi, a river flows through Punjab,” said Vinayak Dutt while presenting his version during a discussion on his book in New Delhi.
“There is ample of evidence to prove all these facts and many research papers have also highlighted however, the propaganda by Whatsapp university developed by country’s right-wing has superseded these facts,” he added asserting the genuine Hindutva has never been so regressive and violent.
The book covers the cultural, religious history of Hindu community from Punjab and their contribution to Punjab’s politics and economics in last two centuries.
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