Hindu, Muslim & Christian views on PM-to-be Modi; Teaching of common core human values of all/most religions in Indian schools & colleges

Last updated on May 26th 2014

I found it interesting to read Hindu, Muslim and Christian views on PM-designate Modi in the Deccan Chronicle today. Some of the views are somewhat sensitive - so please feel free to skip reading the linked articles.

The Hindu view by Ram Madhav: From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Madhav, "Ram Madhav Varanasi is a member of the national executive and also in charge of the media and public relations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh." Here's his article, Time has come: Modi’s tough balancing act,http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140525/commentary-op-ed/article/time-has-come-modi%E2%80%99s-tough-balancing-act.

The Muslim view by Asaduddin Owaisi. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asaduddin_Owaisi, "Asaduddin Owaisi (13 May 1969 Hyderabad) is an Indian politician, who is the President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. He is a three-time Member of Parliament (MP), representing the Hyderabad constituency in Lok Sabha, the Lower House of the Indian Parliament. He was honoured with Sansad Ratna Award for overall best performance in 15th Lok Sabha in 2014." Here's his article, We must have an umbrella Muslim outfit,http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140525/commentary-op-ed/article/we-must-have-umbrella-muslim-outfit.

The Christian view by Ninan Koshy. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninan_Koshy, "Ninan Koshy is a noted political thinker, foreign affairs expert, theologian and social analyst. Former director of the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs." Here's his article, Test for Modi: Ram temple, Article 370, http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140525/commentary-op-ed/article/test-modi-ram-temple-article-370

One of my interest areas is teaching of core religious values of all/most religions in India's schools and colleges, as I think that will instill the common core human values of all/most religions like Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love (love expressed, in some part at least, as service to the family & the community) as well as an understanding of the core belief regarding good results for good actions and bad results for bad actions dispensed by an all-knowing Divine power commonly referred to as God (Formless and all-pervasive God as against deities with paranormal powers; From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deity, "In religious belief, a deity is a supernatural being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred. Some religions have one supreme deity, while others have multiple deities of various ranks."). If atheists & agnostics in India have a humanist set of values with a not-insignificant following then that too could be included in these common core human values teaching. In any case suitable human values of/for non-religious groups should also be considered/included. I think that such teachings (of all/most religions and non-religious groups) will produce better holistically educated people who will then contribute to more happiness, peace and joy in society.

[In my mind, there is no doubt whatsoever that something seems to be amiss with regards to human/moral/religious values teachings in typical Western education models. The latest college student shooter incident in the USA drives it home unmistakably, California gunman who killed six was Hollywood director's son, http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140525/world-americas/article/california-gunman-who-killed-six-was-directors-son. I just saw what is supposedly the shooter's video message to his community/world (taken prior to the shooting) - it is quite chilling and a case of a completely lost college 'kid' from a human/moral/religious values point of view. It is pretty harsh and has some explicit/direct language (related to violence & sex), so many readers may want to skip it. But if you do want to view it, here it is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQUW3Km01BM, 6 min. 56 secs., published on May 24th 2014. Update: Here's a transcript of the video on CNN website: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/24/us/elliot-rodger-video-transcript/index.html. Here are a couple of New York Times articles: About the parents' nightmare, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/26/us/parents-nightmare-failed-race-to-stop-killings.html, and about the rampage victims, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/26/us/shooting-victims-drawn-to-california-campus-from-near-and-from-far.html.

My humble view is that if this young man had participated in a mainstream religious youth group's activities, like a youth group in one of the churches and organizations listed on UCSB website here: http://kiosk.sa.ucsb.edu/Citizenship/religiouslife.aspx, he would not have lost it the way he did, and six young and innocent people would be alive and kicking today, and the wounded would not have to suffer. The soothing balm provided to human failings like jealousy and anger by mainstream and moderate interpretations and practice of great religions of the world should be easily and freely accessible to students of schools and colleges worldwide. [Practice by/within a peer group that a person can relate to, is the critical part, even if the practice has some flaws but is decent overall.] Further, students should be encouraged to associate with these religious organizations (of their choice) but there should be no compulsion. For confirmed atheists and agnostics there could perhaps be suitable humanist organization(s) that they could associate with.

BTW I have visited UCSB campus (at least) once in the early 90s when I was on assignment for a month or two in Goleta, a small town/city close to Santa Barbara city, and very close to Isla Vista and UCSB. I don't recall clearly whether I visited Isla Vista though. Anyway, this tragedy does not seem like a distant one to me - I can, in some sense, relate to the pain and suffering the UCSB, Isla Vista and surrounding Santa Barbara community must be going through.]

In one of the above articles there is a concern about saffronisation of education. But I think if it is teaching of (common core of) all/most religions then it, in all probability, will be acceptable to all the three authors, and perhaps to most of the country.