New Delhi: Swami Shantatmananda, head of Ramakrishna Mission, believes that the root cause behind rising incidents of violence across the world is the growing economic disparity.
In an exclusive conversation with indiatvnews.com, Swami Shantatmananda said, “It's largely because of huge economic disparity. Even a GDP growth of 10% hardly means anything. GDP is a grossly deceptive parameter. Are we able to ensure a better living condition for common people, the masses? What is happening is that with this kind of economic development only rich are becoming richer but we need to take everybody along.”
Swami ji rued the fact that the Multi-national companies (MNCs) and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were striving to make more and more money but are not paying enough attention to provide education and healthcare to the children of their employees.
“Growth and development should be planned with a great vision and it should be all inclusive. Today America is growing fast because they have made huge investment into education and we need to do the same. That's why Swami Vivekananda, 120 years ago, clearly said that education is the panacea for all evils. But he had also added that not mere academic education is needed , instead we need education that focuses on character building, man making and philanthropy. He called every man a traitor who after being educated at the expense of the masses does not pay any heed to them,” he added.
On the ongoing ‘intolerance' debate in the country, Swami Shantatmananda said that it's being blown over proportion. However, he blamed the politicians for creating sectarian rift in the society for the sake of power. He also took pot-shot at them for getting their salaries increased whimsically.
“ A few incidents here and there does not make the country intolerant. But the problem is that our politicians will ruin the country. They want power at any cost. They will divide the country on the basis of caste and religion. Everywhere they are increasing their salaries 10 times, 50 times or 100 times. What a joke! Sometime when we go and meet ministers, they are found devoid of any knowledge. How will they rule? Just with brute power? ” he further said.
Swami ji also objected to the double-standard of the writers and artists who were feeling agitated over the issue of intolerance. He wondered why nobody opened mouth when Kashmiri pundits were driven out of their homes.
“ No politician made a statement when more than a lakh of people were butchered in Kashmir. Where were they? What did they do? While I don't support any act of violence based on faith, I believe the reaction is also over hyped and again all this is being done with political considerations,” he added.
Swami Shantatmananda, however, expressed his sympathy for the Muslim community and pointed out that they are the worst lots in this country.
“Honestly speaking, Muslims in India have no fronts. They are the poorest. Who stands for them? Who cares for them? They live in such abysmal conditions. Nobody does anything for them. People come on television and speak just to get some mileage. Are they actually doing anything for them?” Swami ji asked.
At the same time, Swami Shantatmananda expressed his displeasure at the double-standard being practiced against Hindus in certain matters. He pointed out that this discrimination takes place because of vote politics.
“In this country, you can't run an educational institution freely if you are a Hindu. But a person from minority community can do that. They have all the facility, all powers. You can recruit; you will get all grants from the government. Nobody will say a word. But you can't run a Hindu institution in the same manner. Who will tolerate? Tell me. Is it a sin to belong to the majority community?” Swami ji asked.
Swami ji pointed out that all these incidents make Swami Vivekananda and his message more relevant for ensuring peace and harmony across the world in modern times.
“ There is a need for all of us to go back to Swami Vivekananda. He talked about enlightened self-interest. It means people who can afford should think about others, do something for them, take communities around. Do not just pay lip services during these inter-faith meetings in five-star hotels. It makes no sense. You need to go to grass-roots,” Swami Shantatmananda asserted.
