Date: 25th October, 2024
Historically in India, various Hindu groups, like Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), have pushed for a more cohesive Hindu identity. They focus on fostering national unity and promoting Hindu cultural values while navigating the diverse regional and social nuances within the broader Hindu community. The level of unity among Hindu organizations is influenced by political and social factors. For example, as India approached the Lok Sabha elections, there was a growing call from some Hindu groups to work together to promote and protect Hindu interests. However, instead of merging all organizations into a single entity, many groups are choosing to collaborate on specific issues while keeping their unique identities and objectives intact. This approach allows them to address shared goals, like temple preservation or combating discrimination, while still respecting the diversity within the Hindu community.
The Catholic Church’s structure is hierarchical, based on a global network centralized around the Vatican in Rome. At the top sits the Pope, followed by Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. This hierarchy, which oversees the spiritual and administrative functions of the Church, helps maintain unity and standardized practices worldwide.
Each level has distinct responsibilities, Bishops govern dioceses (regions with several parishes), while Priests manage individual parishes or local churches. This structure enables each church or parish to stay connected to central Catholic teachings and policies via the hierarchy, though they operate autonomously on day-to-day matters. The Vatican coordinates these activities globally, ensuring a cohesive doctrine and centralized authority.
Furthermore, the Catholic Church uses various councils and conferences, such as the Synod of Bishops, to address regional and global issues. These assemblies allow for input from different areas while preserving adherence to Church doctrine. This organization structure fosters unity across the many parishes, creating a system where all levels report up to central Vatican leadership, but are also autonomous within the Church’s teachings and practices.
Creating a unified hierarchical structure for Hindu organizations globally would represent a transformative shift from the religion’s traditionally decentralized approach. This centralized framework might involve a Supreme Dharma Council composed of prominent spiritual leaders, philosophers, and scholars representing major Hindu sects like Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism. Below it, regional councils would facilitate religious guidance and oversee local activities, promoting Hindu principles in contextually appropriate ways. Temples and religious groups under this structure would continue their individual practices, but with guidance and logistical support from the upper levels, helping to coordinate large-scale initiatives like interfaith dialogue, educational programs, Shakhas across every ward of each village and humanitarian aid.
This structure would allow Hinduism a stronger, organized presence on global issues, creating a unified voice while preserving regional practices. However, Hinduism’s inherent diversity would require this hierarchy to be flexible and inclusive, ensuring all sects and traditions are respected and that local autonomy remains intact.
For generations, the Mahadev temple in Morombi-O-Grande of Merces, Goa, has stood as a sacred symbol of our rich heritage and unwavering faith. As the zalmi gaunkar, I carry the weight of this ancestral legacy, a role imbued with pride and profound responsibility. However, the temple has languished in a state of disrepair for nearly a century, silenced by political inertia and contentious land disputes between Gaunkars and wealthy families claiming Class I Occupancy over Communidade Property. When our community raised our voices between 2008 and 2010 to re-built temple, we encountered formidable obstacles. After a grueling ten-year investigation, the truth was finally revealed: the land belonged to the Communidade of Morombi-O-Grande, with our Mahadev temple holding the rightful title, affirming what we had always believed.
In 2024, the Swatch Mandir Abhiyaan revitalized our efforts, bringing together locals, Nitin Faldessai from the Antarashtriya Bajrang Dal, and our MLA, Rudolfo Fernandes, to clean the temple. The Pran Pratishtha ceremony marked a profound spiritual renewal, reaffirming our commitment to preserving this sacred site. Yet, our victory was short-lived. Almost immediately, land-grabbing family dispatched a ‘cadre of bouncers’ to assert control over the temple grounds. Some local police and the beat police sub-inspector appeared to be complicit with the bouncers. But with unwavering resolve, our community stood united and successfully repelled this encroachment. However, Land Grabbers son-in-law soon employed Unisource Security Services of Panjim Goa under the guise of “temple protection,” raising serious concerns about the true motives behind their presence. Despite our appeal for solidarity among various Other Hindu Organizations, many remained silent, shackled by political affiliations that hindered their response. This troubling reality stresses the pressing need for a cohesive, global Hindu network that can operate independently of political machinations, tirelessly safeguarding our sacred spaces from such threats.
Just as Christians have organized a robust religious structure, Hindus must unite as one global community, one sangh. Otherwise, those in power will continue to encroach upon our communal lands and sacred heritage, declaring them private. In my own experience, I lacked the connections to call upon bouncers or goons to remove the anti-elements from my temple. However, if someone like Law Mafia, Lawrence Bishnoi were entrusted with the central charge of protecting our temples, it would send a powerful global message: that Hindus can and will choose their leaders to safeguard our temples and our faith.
Only those who truly understand the ‘revolutionary spirit’ of Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose can grasp what it means to protect Hindu Dharma. In a world where our heritage faces challenges, it’s the fearless hearts inspired by these legends that will rise to safeguard our sacred identity. The concept of an organized syndicate feels out dated, reminiscent of the trends from the 1990s. What we truly need today is a syndicate focused on protecting our religious values. This requires the expertise of individuals who not only understand our faith but also possess legal knowledge.
Remember, as Sardar Bhagat Singh said, ‘They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas; they can crush my body, but my spirit will remain unyielded.‘ He also said that ‘bombs and pistols do not make a revolution; the true sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas.’
The merger of all Hindu organizations into One Globe, One Sangh aims to unite our ideas and collective efforts in protecting and promoting our rich heritage across the globe. I have personally initiated discussions at the village level, focusing on grassroots exchanges of ideas that will gradually ascend to broader platforms.