With all humility:
In response to:
Highly improbable, possibly as fake as the millions of other internet forwards, but fascinating nevertheless!
Just a few points, in case it is true:
- It is being maintained with more dignity than many other ancient Hindu temples, which are maintained according to the amount of "donations" collected there. Of course, where the "commission" goes is anybody's guess! I am not saying that 100% temples don't give anything back to the community.
- It is one of the rare examples of a Hindu temple where people of all religions are allowed inside happily, where they can be in awe of, and be inspired by the majesty of the building. I don't think "God" cares whether people are giving "Him" enough credit. That ego is the pride of humans only! I am personally ashamed of the fact that I can enter any dargah/church/gurudwara given that I'm attired properly, but most temples wouldn't allow people from other faiths!
- It is a rare example of a "temple" where people of all "castes" (that 13th century curse which shamefully exists even today!) are allowed to enter as equals. I can fall to the feet of a "gora saaheb" but can't treat my own fellow country-man well just because his race/colour/creed is different! It is probably a curse of gigantic proportions: "Jaati usey kehte hain jo jaati nahi hai" [Caste is what doesn't go!]
- No one can stop my mother or sister from entering the "temple", because they are supposedly the "inferior" sex, like some temples do!
- There are no so called "agents of Gods"/pandaas to try and fleece us there!
No so-called "Hindu" scripture mentions a "Hindu religion"! There is only one definition of Hinduism, which is a noble way of life, pursued by very people today. It allows us to be a melting pot of civilizations, protectors of the weak, and honest and fair traders, but, due to our new-found fascination with building temples, expanding them, and then breaking some ancient monument to bring up some old temple which lay underneath, the gentle and tolerant Hindu way of life has given way to a fanatic version of it! God doesn't demand that we break each other's heads in His name! Hinduism doesn't stand for dowry, Sati [Yes, it exists even today!], rituals, rioting, or honour killings of eloping children [apparently it is only the privilege of Gods and kings!!]!
More important than spreading this message about an ancient temple that lies below a beautiful monument built by a person not belonging to the majority community, is to spread the message that we need to become more intolerant, but to intolerance itself!
If there is a true Hindu reading this, I request him/her to try and spread the message and spirit of Hinduism! An all-powerful God is also all-present! He doesn't need a monument of stone to be shown respect!
One more thing. The current generation, as it comes out of schools, will not know what is the difference between castes and religions! May I humbly request that you don't teach them their meaning. Teach them to become a "Good Hindu" with all your might, but please keep the emphasis on GOOD, and he/she'll become a true HINDU automatically! Yes, we are a weak generation, we can't hold the weight of a centuries old monolith of tradition, orthodoxy and rituals, which is so infallible that we can't question it, simply because it makes no sense! Please spare us! Yes, if you take us back to the true roots of Hinduism and show us the beauty in it, I'm sure more of my generation will be attracted to it! Make it relevant to today and we'll accept it!
A "civilization" that is so weak that it can be destroyed by celebrating Valentine's Day [It comes to my mind first not because I and my generation are fixated by it! I have never even seen a celebration! But, because today's "true" Hindus are over-zealous in preventing it!], or by allowing women to drink [If people can't dare to stop your sons from drinking, at least they shouldn't allow people to bash their daughters on their behalf!], or by allowing some ancient monument to stand over the remains of one of our own, may I suggest that it is already crumbling, and we start looking for a stronger base!
Yes, one should be inspired by history, learn from it, and of course try to re-invent our glorious past, but there are some petty quarrels which were left un-resolved centuries back, and should be left at that!
If anyone reading this disagrees with me, he/she is welcome to do so, but request you not to propagate such faith any further, because, much as it might be nostalgic to re-live those past centuries, it's a different world today!
- When Babri masjid was demolished by some our own "true" Hindu representatives, the ripples were felt in Mumbai, 1993 [Another group of chosen few!]! Things were not perfect before, but it has been very difficult to reconcile the 2 communities, and it's never been the same again! Mumbai itself has never been the same again!
- Now, the ripples are just felt faster! What happened in Vienna 4 days ago has been felt in Punjab and Haryana wrecking havoc and causing massive damage of human life for the last 2-3 days!
- India was forced to indignantly defend itself when the issue of caste was raked up at a summit in Europe. This is the shame our sons/daughters will be forced to face when they step out of the shell of our houses! Let's not let the next generation hang it's head in shame!
Hence, for the sake of human life, human dignity, and prudence itself, may this research never see the light of day! Maybe some people think that maintaining the monuments of religion are more important than the sanctity of their teachings, may I request them to look at their children and tell them what kind of future world/country are they about to give them! Much damage has been done, it doesn't need to be repeated!
I am assuming that since at least all of use have access to email, etc, we're few of the well off people in our country, maybe some of us have significant status in society, and enough influence on at least a few people so that you can teach them the true message of Hinduism. Yes, there will be opposition, but our own "Bhagwat Gita" preaches that if you have to defend what is right, you may need to fight your own brothers! Please don't kill them mortally [:)]! Just don't give up! The least that can be done is that we don't propagate the wrong interpretation to others! That in itself would be a service to humanity!
I'm not an expert on Hinduism, hence, there might be someone inspired to reply to me with some strong words and against what I've just said. Yes, I might be wrong in some facts and interpretations, but, please take the general message.
If there is someone still wishing to continue this division, I request them to stop being opportunistic and follow what their heart says. Stop interacting with people of different faiths, even if it means monetary loss. Stop driving German vehicles, stop sending their kids to schools and colleges belonging to the government, or to another community! For eg, person belonging to XYZ community should only go to "XYZ Public School", "XYZ College" and when he/she dies, please look for the piece of land made by their God which was made for the "XYZ" community!
Most importantly, please stop eating, because what you're eating might be laced with the sweat of a hard working farmer not belonging to XYZ community! Request you to at least be true to your thoughts, and then decide to justify the classifications that divide me from my own fellow countryman with whom I played in my childhood, went to school together, and interact with on a daily basis!
To put it in probably the most base terms, the idea of India itself was not based on religion. The world doesn't need another Pakistan! Let's not make India one! Let's change what is wrong and stop cribbing about it!
Apologies for wasting your time but even if one person gets the message, I've earned my peaceful sleep for tonight!
