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| The
Hindu Phenomenon |
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RETREAT
AND RAGE
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The central issue that arises out of developments
connected with the demolition of the Babri Masjid in
Ayodhya on 6 December 1992 is whether the question
relating to the civilizational base of the Indian state
has finally been put firmly on the agenda, or whether it
can again be put off, as it was after the First World War
when Mahatma Gandhi took over the leadership of the
nationalist movement from Lokmanya Tilak, who soon passed
away. In the perspective of history, the answer has to be
in the affirmative. The failure of the Marxist ideology
in all its manifestations in practice, the collapse of
most communist regimes all over the world and the
disintegration of the Soviet Union itself have together
created conditions in which Indian nationalism can no
longer be presented effectively in anti-colonial and
civilization-neutral terms. Its civilizational base,
structure and character cannot now be kept covered up for
long by an ideological shroud. I am aware that a number
of assumptions are implicit in these statements. These
shall be substantiated as we proceed.
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