Defending 'God-Men'

There are many things that I find difficult to understand - from linear algebra to quantum computing to  a busy dog.  One of them is the hatred for the 'God-men' by the smart people with Hindutva ideology.  In spite of their superior intelligence, they have not convinced me with their reasons for their hatred.

Since I know a bit about their objects of hatred, I would like to present my case.  

I do not like the term 'God-Man' for the negative connotation it carries, thanks to the English media.  I would like to use a simpler term like 'Guruji' to refer to them.  They may belong to a traditional mutt or self-made.  I would like to focus on the self-made Gurujis.  The Swamis of traditional mutts are hated for different reasons.  That is for another day to dissect.

The haters prefer to compare them from a pick-pocket to a scheming con man.  Ideally they are comparable to a CEO or a founder CEO.  These founder CEOs have a bright idea and they truly believe that others could benefit from it.  In the process they also earn some money.  A self-made Guruji is nearly the same.  He gets an experience or an insight about a higher truth or divinity and wants to share his approach with others.  Remember Ramalinga Swamy who said - கடை விரித்தேன் கொள்வாரில்லை.  In a way I am happy for Ramalinga Swamy that he did not have to live these days for the purists to misinterpret his statement.

Coming back to the parallel between the founder CEO and Guruji - Guruji has a circle of friends, family or acquaintances who want to benefit from the insight he gained. The congregation starts with just a few people with Satsangs and Bhajans.  There isn't much money involved in this phase.  Some of the the attendees get their issues addressed, wishes fulfilled, questions answered or just they have a peaceful time spent in a good company.  By word of mouth, the news spreads.  More people come for the Satsangs.  Now it needs to be more organized.  There is a need for space to seat people.  If people come from afar, they need place to stay and so on.  Then money enters the game.  There are contractors from constructing buildings to serving food to maintaining a car parking.  With the increased crowd, the Satsang expands to a movement. At this stage, they get noticed by the governments and other forces.  Hindutva ideologues aren't triggered till this point.  Then the game starts.

Depending on the crowd the Guruji attracts, an insecure government would try its best to stop its expansion.  Remember Falun Gong and the Chinese government.  Similar things have happened in India too.  There are other elements like the evangelical groups that would be insecure.  They try their best to besmirch the movement.  Since the movement has gained momentum, there will be enough people to gain from within.  Some may gain and those who weren't fortunate become the pawns of the evangelical forces.  Simple dissatisfaction can be turned as a hatred toward the Guruji.  The media will be roped in and now the stage is set for the Hindutva intellectuals to opine.

With inimical forces outside and inexperienced staff inside, the movement is bound to make big mistakes.  If the Guruji has not got any followers from the ruling political or administration class, he is bound to end up disgraced.

Initially we began comparing the Guruji and a founder CEO.  There are differences.  These differences are the ones that take a Guruji from being adored to complete hatred.  

• The Guruji will not get funding to expand his Satsangs through proper channels like bank loans or investors.  He has to depend on people's contribution.  There are opportunities for corruption by associated people, potential followers may not like the money part of the relationship.
• The CEO gets to hire experienced staff to run the business.  The Guruji himself has no experience in running a business and all that he could get are his friends and family who aren't professionals but just a bunch of good fellows who want to help.  In the absences of a clear hierarchy or pay structure some can work against the setup. 
• With the help of a smart auditor, the CEO may get tax breaks.  With inexperienced local auditor, the Guruji will get tax raids.  Hindu institutions don't get tax benefits for just lecturing about Hinduism or conducting programs on Yoga or mediation.  

To be fair to the Guruji:

• He does not call his followers to plant bombs or conduct jihads.
• He does not abuse other Gods; in fact, he might be naive to accept other Gods hoping that people of other religions would join his movement.
• He does not call for cessation from India.
• He is an important defense of Hindu culture against the onslaught of evangelical religions.
• For every negative news in the media about the Guruji there are thousands of unreported positive changes in the followers' lives.

One of the complaints about some of the Gurujis is their morality or the lack of it is a setback for Hindu unity.  We should remember that Hindus don't learn morality from external sources.  They are expected to learn it from their family.  The Gurujis may be able to address psychological, ethical or spiritual needs.  That is why people throng to them though the odds are stacked against Hindu Gurus.  

The so-called ignorant masses are more discerning than the intellectuals.  They know what they want and they don't hesitate to experiment with an approach.