Difference between Congress and BJP

BJP the Center-Right "Hindu Nationalist" Party and the Congress Center-Left "Secular Nationalist" Party constantly try and prove to Indians that they are parallel tracks that would never converge at any point. For Congress, BJP is a RSS sponsored Religious party with roots into Upper Caste Hindu's. BJP rarely speaks of Congress party genesis. However, Congress considers itself sole protector of the Secular India.

Half way between the Left and Right, we see the Center. Here is the common ground for both the parties.

Every party while in the opposition benches talks for Poor, downtrodden, vulnerable, farmers, minority religions and then minorities with in the Religions. In a nutshell, to get back the political power, this class of the citizens are their core vote banks. Politicians far exceed Mathematicians and Physicists to invent n-dimensional world where in they can group vote banks en-mass into various dimensions.  BJP in New Delhi and Congress in Gujarat apply the same principle - divide and attract the vote banks. And then cultivate them with the false promises.

Once in the power, Congress or BJP get into the hands of Power brokers and lobbyists. The right wing, Hindutva BJP despite being in the power for close to a decade could not build the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. If BJP wants, building the temple is not difficult. Yet, BJP knew very well that Ram Mandir and Lord Rama are their trump cards to come in handy while in opposition. Without these, for BJP leadership there are no Rathyatras.

On to the corruption, BJP leadership thinks that, there are no A.Raja's in their backyard and hence they are holy and a clean party. But, their own RSS child Yeddiyurappa in Bangalore and Reddy brothers are symbols and results of their power and brokerages respectively. Despite all the talk on Bofors and huge parliamentary debates, BJP could not unearth anything on the mother of all Indian scams. Naturally, while in power - both would drift to Center and mutual interests have to be protected. In essence, despite all the talk of corruption in the Government, once they swap their benches both Congress and BJP tactically protect each other.

Congress unlike BJP does not suffer from the symbolic leadership. Unless Rahul Gandhi remains bachelor, Gandhi tag is good enough to see Congress through for some decades to come. But, Utter Pradesh elections would confirm the best and worst of Rahul "the Prince" Gandhi. For BJP, the serious issue is - no one is fitting into the shoes of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Narendra Modi, despite hugely successful, remains with in Gujarat for now. Advani at best is a failure to lead from the front and rest of the Delhi bridge are spin doctors.

Congress projects itself Secular. The unfortunate Babri Masjid issue is nothing to do with Congress (PV Narasimha Rao is the culprit though the commission investigated this demolition absolved him completely). But anti-Sikh riots of 1984 (Rajiv Gandhi), atrocities during emergency (Indira Gandhi) and partition of British India (Nehru) still goes into the Congress Party account. Yet, Narendrabhai Modi is the biggest sinner of all time for Godhra. BJP genesis with in the Upper Caste Hindu's took a beating in Utter Pradesh where Mayawati proved smarter and merged this vote bank into her dalit vote.

Despite all the opposition to the Economic liberalisation of 1990's by Congress, Vajpayee Government was miles ahead with FDI and opening up the economy than Manmohan Singh government of past 7 years. BJP track record in this space is lot better thanks to Mahajan's and Jaitley's. But interestingly though, these (including Vajpayee and Advani) are hard core nationalists born from grassroots of RSS

Looking at BJP and Congress since 1990, I think both are simply other side of the coin. Switching the roles while out of power and then, implementing the same policies once in power. Center-Right and Center-Left are simply notional and hypothetical stand to appeal to their core vote bank. In the end, both of them love America, happily work with lobbyists, criticise Pakistan in the similar tone, open up the economy and give a false image "India Shining".

Lokpal bill is neither on Left nor on Right. It is on the Center and hence, both BJP and Congress together ensured that Anna Hazare and in turn Citizens of India are defeated in the name of democracy.  

Chinna Jeeyar Swami is Correct - But TTD is not at fault

Most Hindus and devotees of Lord Sri Venkateswara would agree with recent comments of Sri Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami at Vizianagaram on Tirumala Temple Sanctity. Swamiji compared Tirumala with Vatican purely in the context of the religiously conducive environment. The key question is, would a pilgrimage / visit to Tirumala today would enlighten the devotees and instill the faith in the Hindu religion?

To verify what Swamiji said, someone need not visit Vatican or St Peters basilica, the holiest place for the Catholics. One can go to a local mosque, local church or a local Gurudwara to understand the fundamental difference. I had an opportunity to visit Vatican during the Easter which was considered one of the holiest periods of the Christian Calender. Christians and visitors across the world are congregating for the papal speech. With all the lengthy queues, there were none pushing anyone, nor anyone pulling the frail shoulders of elders. Everyone queueing into the St Peters basilica were in silent prayer. Trying to reconnect with God. There was no noise per se. Everyone have had the opportunity to see, touch or seek the blessings. I for one could not believe after finishing the journey inside, how it could be possible? The instant thought was about Tirumala. Even if you ever visit a local Church or a masjid or even Golden Temple at Amritsar, I am sure the visitor or devotee experience is no different.


Then what is the problem so unique with Tirumala or any Hindu temple. It all comes down to three important things - Hierarchy, Money and Governance. A Hindu while on a visit to any temple would be automatically put on a hierarchy based on their position. A Politician, a wealthy businessman or a powerful bureaucrat would be in the top slot. Secondly,. every devotee is given an option based on Money purchasing power (Darshans - called, special, speedy or extra special based on the sevas they buy).  Finally, the Governance. Unlike any other Religion, Government actively interferes with the functioning of the Hindu Temples in the name of Endowments and sometimes, syphons the money meant for the temples into the Government budgets. As a result, in any Hindu temple we experience little about religion / God. It is always about authority, power, display of wealth.

Today, most Hindu's have come to a point of buying God and HIS blessings. How intellectual is once faith,  to believe that God would always bless some one who would put Crores of rupees in Hundi's or by donating a share ill gotten wealth by the name of ornaments? Order of the day or faith is centered around "Higher the sin in the material world, to be sinless offer huge donations". In Bhagavat Gita Lord Krishna said "You offer a fruit, flower or even water to seek my blessings but what is neeed is chastity of mind". But, it is no more possible to believe this gospel truth in this highly commercialised Hindu Temples.

Over the decades this kind of faith has been inculcated into the Hindu's by the Government, Politicians, psuedo-Hindu party like  BJP , the Temple Priests and fake Swamijis (it is ironic to note that none of these classes have any credibility). Today TTD is simply Government Department. The Executive Officers and TTD employees at every level need to be loyal to their bosses - but not Lord Srinivasa. All these employees simply work for their living but not for Serving the God or God's children.

Occasional note of discontentment from Chinna Jeeyar Swami does not help to correct the fundamental and deep rooted issues. We cannot blame TTD either since, Government always have the power to change the officers at their will. The only solution is - fundamental change in thinking and mindset of every Hindu & if every Hindu parent inculcate the essence of the religion. Until that happens and extends into the community there is no hope to correct this materialistic and commercial elements of the Hinduism. Let's hope, it would happen one day!

Satya Saibaba - Human, God or Something?

Like millions across the world, I too know Satya Saibaba. I am neither devotee nor follower of the Satya Saibaba. I have heard some of HIS speeches in chaste Telugu. I have heard HIS bajans and mesmerised by his voice. I have also read about HIS development work. In my childhood, we used to have Satyasai baba photos in our house as well - and not the least, I used admire HIS hairstyle.

Baba got millions of followers across the world. Equally, HE got thousands of critics. There are thousands like me, who would selectively admire him but not necessarily HIS critics for all the rumours coming out of gossips mills.

But above all, one thing is for sure - Satya Saibaba posses immense power. The power, that HE always used always for the positive good. If Muthuvel Karunanidhi a known atheist all his life (as many of the Dravidian leaders) - becomes Baba devotee (not officially acknowledged) and invites to his residence in Chennai - for one thing it proves Baba power to change the mindset of an atheist. Turning a perennially drought stricken Anantapur District with water resources is a testimony of his social work. Free education, free medical care and above all, HE created an environment to sustain and propagate Hindu values and Sanatana Dharma reflects HIS fundamental principles of teachings. Just visit a family of a Saibaba devotee, you will spot the difference.

The critics centre their allegations on his "magic" creations or "shady" events behind the doors. They were never proven. None of these effected anyone life nor anyone suffered.

At the same time, HIS positive good - changed many lives and moulded many Sai devotees into simple and good human beings. I know one family, who never believed in Baba. But, due to some circumstances they visited Puttaparthi and then, they had his darshan. They returned back after his one to one conversation - and since then, they became Saibaba devotees (& for ever).

The array of Prime Ministers, Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Top ranking officials to the common man who have been HIS devotees have faith in HIM. The faith comes out of HIS compassion, love and benevolence. Sai never went after anyone. Nor HE called any one to his abode. But, as years went on, the list of his devotees has been growing. For uninitiated, it looks blind faith without logic and for all those devotees, it has been part of their life journey.

Saibaba is also human being. He breathes, eats and sleeps. Between Saibaba the God and Saibaba the human being, the tragic fact is HIS wealth. Now the moment of Truth came. As Adisankara said in his the great Bhajagovindam slokas:

यावद्वित्तोपार्जनसक्त:,
तावन्निजपरिवारो रक्तः।
पश्चाज्जीवति जर्जरदेहे,
वार्तां कोऽपि न पृच्छति गेहे ॥५॥

As long as a man is fit and capable to earn money, everyone in the family show affection towards him. But after wards, when the body becomes weak no one enquires about him even during the talks. ॥5॥

For full English subtitle translation (as it is sung by - MS Amma) is a this video

Today Saibaba situation is no better than anyone else in this contemporary world. Saibaba is virtually powerless. 

To continue further, is Saibaba teaching all his devotees and everyone else (who have wisdom to understand) the consequences of immense wealth? Some of his critics may question, he is not God. Even today - many do not agree Lord Rama is Divine. But, for all those Hindu faithfuls - Lord Rama is a God. However the fact is, all his life - Rama endured suffering and still taught a lesson about righteousness. 

Money does not bring happiness, wealth does not bring security.  The perennial desires and lust in the process of acquiring this material wealth ruins humans solace and peace as they become fragile. Baba never wanted this wealth. It came to HIM. HE was never greedy. But yet, the law of wealth (as mentioned above) is still applicable (Let's understand, Baba does not have a family)

Saibaba still may be God - but because HE is born a human - HE cannot exit from the cycles of birth, death and rebirth. As he himself said, we will have to wait for Prema Sai!


Until then, for all the rest - there is a lesson from Saibaba life - love, compassion, benevolence and service. Perhaps limited prosperity for survival and rainy day. 

గోవిందా గోవిందా....Lord at Mercy of the TTD - 1

Tirumala temple, the abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara is in every day news for many wrong reasons. As the controversies are piling, it raises some fundamental questions on the Temple management.

Why Government involves with the decision making process of Hindu institutions?

According to wikipedia, for example in case of Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanams (TTD) the board that manages the Tirumala and host of other temples: "TTD was established in 1932 as a result of the TTD Act of 1932. According to the act, administration of the temple was vested to a committee of seven members and overseen by a paid commissioner as appointed by the Madras Government. Advising the committee were 2 advisory councils - one comprising of priests and temple administrators to aid the committee with the operations of the Tirumala temple and another comprising of farmers for advise on Tirumala's land and estate transactions. The Act was revolutionary in that no specific qualification for temple administration was laid for the commissioner and the committee members. However the act was limited in scope in temple fund generation and usage for religious purposes"

This is the genesis. First of all this a pre-independence British act. Looking at the above, there are two or three points that are perhaps the root of today's problems. First, there is no qualification for the temple administration both for the commissioner or committee members. Second, the act is primarily intended for temple fund generation and usage for the religious purposes. Third and most important, this is an act passed by a Government in Madras state assembly. It is a political decision "rubbed" on a religious institution.

There are subsequent acts enacted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh after formation of the state. All the acts did not change the original charter of 1932 and in fact, during the course of last 80 years Government got the iron grip on control of the the Temple and temple affairs. Let me quote some of the Endowment acts:

1951 act..... The act provided for the appointment of an Executive Officer (EO) who would be responsible for the properties and operations of TTD, custody of records of jewels, estate, money and funds of TTD, arrange and record collection of income and payment of expenses as well as execute activities beyond budget sanctioned by board of trustees if it involved pilgrim safety or service and later justify his actions and obtain approval for his actions. According to section 85 of the Act, TTD was to utilize the funds for maintenance and operations of the temples, educational institutes, hospitals, choultries and rest-houses, veterinary hospital under the devesthanam control. Also provisions for water supply, sanitary arrangements, roads and communications, lighting and electricity were also included. Power to acquire land and immovable property was also added, provided TTD had state government permission.

In a nutshell, all the funds and income that comes to Lord Sri Venkateswara is at the mercy of TTD. How to spend billions of rupees donated to the Lord Hundi is decided on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh - not by the devotees, or Hindu Religious heads. But, by the Government proxies -who have no religious qualification of any kind (it may be lawful but not rightful)

Now, the act of 1969 is even controversial "Board of Trustees was expanded from five to eleven (11) with compulsory representation from certain communities. Three members from state legislative assembly, one person belonging to the scheduled castes and one woman member was made mandatory in the board of eleven whose term was fixed at three years"

In a nut shell, the Government of Andhra Pradesh brought caste, politicians, gender into the temple management. But, no qualifications for the management. It is not faith in the God (Lord Shri Venkateswara) but the confidence of Lord (Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh), that bestows them all powerful position at the temple.

Finally in the 1989 act - "abolishment of hereditary rights of temple priests" was the biggest controversy. Since then temple priests position vis-a-vis their duties and standing in the temple hierarchy was questioned. This decision brought the politics into the grassroot levels.

Before going further, we need to understand why Endowments Department of Andhra Pradesh came into existence. According to the department website "... the people freely donated large extents of properties and munificent grants to the religious and charitable institutions, the beneficiaries of which are the public at large within the frame work and scheme as intended by the donors. Though, the Hindu scriptures repeatedly ordain for making donations, it may be stated that little are no procedure seems to have been laid down in the said texts for the administration of such religious and charitable institutions. However, the administration of these institutions for their proper up-keep and maintenance and for safeguarding their properties and also for the fulfillment of the objects for which they are intended or founded continued to be vested in the successive Governments and the first piece of legislation appeared in 1817 and subsequently several enactments followed and presently, the APC & HRI & E Act (Act 30/87) came into force on 28^th May 87 repealing the Act 17 of 1966 and thus the department supplies the supervisory agency in administering the affairs of the institutions and Endowments"

In the name of Endowments and their management, Government acquired rights and enacted acts to manage the temples and now the Religious affairs.

When we donate money in the Hundi or give endowments - every devotee has clear understanding - it is for the Lord and for the temple management.  The problem starts at the Hundi and ends at the Hundi. Once the money comes in, it must be managed. In the name of Lord, in the name of Temple and in the name of Religion all decisions have to be taken.

Now who is that authority? Is it:

Temple priest, who is the custodian of the sanctum sanctorum, and performs all the holy duties, and confirms to Religious traditions


Religious heads (of various Hindu Peethas) who maintain various traditions of Saivism or Vaishnavism?

Temple Management comprising of the respectable village community

Devotees, who have immense faith in the God and offers donations or endowments for temple up keep

Government of Andhra Pradesh

-------------------
.... To be continued in Part-II

Wonders at Tirumala Temple by TTD

According to IYR Krishna Rao IAS, Executive Officer of Tirumala Tirupathi Devastham (TTD) "In 18 hours TTD allowed 18,000 devotees to have the darshan of the Lord Shri Venkateswara.

Now getting into a bit of arithmetic, I wondered what it means to each one of those devotees who have slogged hard to get past the TTD employees high handedness.

90,000 in 18 hrs
5,000   in  1 hr
2,500   in  30 min
1,250   in  15 min
83 to 84 in 1 min

This means each devotee would have had the opportunity to see the Lord Shri Venkateswara for 0.72 seconds!

Let's get it right - it is not even 1 Sec in front of Lord.

No wonder, other day some filed a petition against TTD at National Human Rights Commission

Well done, TTD! (we will wait to see more)

New clipping is the courtesy of Sakshi Telugu Newspaper