Varghese K. George, Resident Editor at The Hindu, has decided to blame Hindus abroad for the rising tide of Christian Nationalist bigotry against Indians. While he cited western concerns of foreign interference in domestic politics as the primary reason for the outrage over Hindu festivities, George conveniently avoided mentioning the Christian nationalist motivations behind it.
Instead, he relied on mainstream figures such as Bernie Sanders, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson to give Christian Nationalists a free pass. Indeed, the terms ‘White Nationalist’ and ‘Christian Nationalist’ do not appear once in the entire article.
The frivolousness of the article is emphasised when George mentions a Diwali firecracker accident that burnt two houses in Canada. In USA, there were multiple deaths and injuries due to the July 4th fireworks. It’s a regular feature on July the 4th. However, that has never led to the demonisation of July 4th celebrations as a whole.
The Hindu insinuates all Hindus are 5th Columns in western countries
George nefariously insinuates that all Hindus who celebrate Hindu festivals in western countries are Indian state assets. Somehow, he even manages to drag Hindutva into it. The article totally ignores the fact that a lot of the Hindus celebrating Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi in the West are citizens of those countries.
That, somehow, never finds a mention in the article. The issue here is Christian Nationalist bigotry against the Hindu Community. George, for whatever reason, does not deem it worthy enough to acknowledge.
George says, “A section of the diaspora has attracted attention for its display of faith and culture, stressing the limits of acceptable public behaviour in developed countries. The immersion of Ganapati statues in water bodies and the display of Deepavali fireworks in public places are examples.”
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Firstly, every country has public celebration of faith. Western countries are no exception. Celebrations do go out of hand sometimes but that is the nature of all festivities. Instead of questioning why Hindu festivals are being selectively targeted, George chooses to indulge in victim-blaming instead.
Secondly, he casts aspersions on the perfectly reasonable celebrations of the Hindu Community while excusing the racism that fuels hatred against it. Furthermore, the opposition against Ganesh Murti Visarjan was not triggered by environmental concerns. It was driven by Christian Nationalist opposition to Idolatry.
Thirdly, George is clearly active enough on social media to be aware about the opposition towards Diwali and Ganesh Puja. Then how on earth did he miss the Christian Nationalist hatred that is fuelling it? It is at this point that we have to conclude that he has malafide intentions.
Excusing Christian Nationalist hate puts Hindus abroad at risk
Through his article, George has justified the rising tide of racism against Hindus in western countries. By ignoring the racial and religious motivations behind the hatred, he is further jeopardising the safety and security of Hindus abroad.
He dangerously conflates Diwali with Nationalism. Diwali celebrations are an integral part of Hinduism, not Indian nationalism. Conflating the two risks identifying ordinary Hindus with state sponsored foreign influence operations.
George unwittingly, or intentionally perhaps, justifies the extraordinarily outrageous notion that celebrating Hindu festivals is reason enough to suspect someone of pursuing covert influence operations.
It was wrong when American authorities suspected anyone wearing a Skull Cap or a Turban of terrorism links. It was wrong when Europe suspected Jews of dual loyalty in the early 20th century due to their culture and traditions. When George implies celebrating Hindu festivals is good reason to suspect Hindus of dual loyalties, it is wrong too.
Does George want the world to return to an era where celebration of cultural heritage was reason enough to persecute people? He might deny it if someone asks him the question directly. But his article clearly carries that implication.
Disturbing trend among Indian liberals to excuse Christian Nationalist hate
Recently, TMC MP Mahua Moitra responded positively to a White Nationalist tweet spreading hate against Hindus. The White Nationalist said, “We’ve let braindead fucking Indians turn our beautiful Western countries into total shitholes with their retarded Diwali garbage that has zero to do with us.” Mahua Moitra said in her reply to the tweet, “i agree.”
She retracted her comment after a backlash. She came up with a bizarre excuse to claim it was a mistake. But her comment appears consistent with her past conduct. This is a disturbing trend among Indian liberals.
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They have found common cause with western racists and religious zealots. Both factions hate Indian culture from the bottom of their hearts. They do not realise that they are risking all Indians abroad, not just Hindus. Just like Sikhs suffered in the aftermath of 9/11 due to their turbans, so will Indian Christians and Muslims.
There is plenty evidence of that already. White Nationalists and Christian Nationalists in the West whether an Indian is Sikh or Muslim or Christian or Jain. They hate everyone equally. If liberals believe only Hindus will suffer, they need to reassess their assumptions immediately.
