Barrister Virchand Gandhi

The World Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago in 1893, was the beginning of the largest world religio-cultural movement of the nineteenth century. Scholars of every religion were invited from all over the world to discuss what principles would be helpful in at least mitigating the ignorance, misunderstanding, arrogance, and disdain towards other religions and creating brotherhood among all mankind. Great Jain scholar Barrister Virchand Gandhi was one of the invitees to represent the Jain religion in this Parliament of world religions.

However, some speakers in this parliament took pleasure in criticizing Hinduism in particular. Swami Vivekananda's speech was already over. Barrister Virchand Gandhi, a great scholar of Jainism and philosophy, was present there as a representative of Jainism. On September 25, 1893, he gave a speech on Jainism. But before he started talking about Jainism, he first took up the scholarly criticism of Hinduism. The records of the World Parliament of Religions states that his every sentence was met with applause and the critics were embarrassed. Reverend John Barrows, the organizer of the illustrious Parliament, in his speech concluded that "Even though the goal of the Parliament of World Religions was to reduce contempt for other religions, some scholars violated the main object by forgetting their own religious principles, but a young scholar, Barrister Virchand Gandhi, showed immense humanistic wisdom to pull the Parliament of World Religions back to its original mission." 

Not only this, he published Gandhi's speech on Jainism with an introduction. Impressed by this speech, Virchand Gandhi was invited to deliver the speech again at the closing ceremony of the Parliament. This impassioned speech became so popular that he had to give hundreds of speeches in America.

He was only 29 years old when he gave his speech in the Parliament. He was born on 25 August 1864 in Mahua village in Gujarat. He was the first barrister in the Jain community. Apart from his profound studies in Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, he acquired fourteen languages to understand the essence of other world religions and ancient philosophical currents from the original language. 

He also wrote extensively. The pluralistic philosophy of Jainism remained the subject of his contemplation and meditation. That is why he was able to look at the fundamental philosophies of other religions from the role of a sympathetic but critical physician. He had great respect for Emperor Akbar's attitude of treating all religions equally. Despite being a Jain himself, he was the first to advocate for Hinduism in the Parliament, which made Swami Vivekananda his friend. Even Mahatma Gandhi was influenced by his philosophy. The reason for this is Virchand Gandhi's Jain-based universal humanistic philosophy. Thus, it was of great help in fulfilling the mission of the World Parliament of Religions. And that is why his statue was later erected in Chicago. This is the glory of an Indian philosopher.

His lectures elsewhere in America led many Americans to study Jainism. In his 535 lectures in America, he explained how Lord Mahavira's non-violence is useful for the peaceful harmony of today's world. His admirer Herbert Warren not only converted to Jainism but also compiled a book of Virchand Gandhi's speeches and published it.

The life and philosophy of Jesus Christ was also a subject of his fascination. The early days of Jesus Christ are missing from Bible history. There was a lot of debate about where Jesus Christ might have spent this time. In it, a Russian scholar, Nikolai Notovitch, found an ancient manuscript in Tibet. Virchand Gandhi wrote a long scholarly introduction to the translation of this manuscript. In this preface he tries to prove how it is possible that Jesus Christ actually came to India and finally discussed with the Indian scholars in Kashmir and formulated his philosophy. He also showed how Jain principles influenced the philosophy of Jesus and the missionary organization that later developed into Christianity. This book created a lot of excitement at that time. Discussions about it are still going on.

His work was not limited to religion-philosophy. His attitude towards women was liberal. He also founded the Society for the Education of Women in India to provide them with modern education and made efforts for women's education throughout the country. He also took part in the Indian freedom movement. He participated in the 1895 Pune session of the Congress as a representative of the Bombay state. Gandhi also established Philosophical Council. This philosopher, who had a wide range of knowledge, died at the age of thirty-seven. But the allure of his work and philosophical outlook remains. A play "Gandhi Before Gandhi" was also released on his life. This play was performed more than two hundred shows across the country.

Zionist terrorism

 

Hitler was the blot on the humanity. Stalin too was no exception when it comes to the racial violence against Jews. The tormenting tortures that Jews had to suffer are a sad saga of human history. However, Germany and Russia were not only countries those were against the Jews. If we look back at the history, we can see the Jews have been engaged in constant strife with the others and also suffered humiliation and tortures since the inception of Jusaism across the European and Semitic countries.

Under Judaism, the Hebrew were united. Their expulsion from Egypt is said to be the main reason why Abraham formed a monotheist religion. The Old Testament provides various tenets of terrorism. rather it can be said that this is the first religion that sanctioned terrorism. The rise of terrorism amongst Jews was an outcome of their geopolitical conditions and a need to fight out powerful enemy tribes. They chose Yahweh as their supreme God from the existing pagan deities. The initial enmity between Egyptians and Jews took violent mode soon after the foundation of Judaism. Also, all the tribes that followed Paganism too became their enemies. Jews applied terrorism when they found that they cannot win their enemies on the battlefields. Suicide terrorism too was invented by Jews to assassinate powerful opponents. 

Israel, the holy land, according to the Old Testament, was gifted to the Jews by Yahweh. According to them, the first human race appearing on the earth was Jews, children of Adam. Rest of the human race was impure to them. Right from Hittite to Amorite tribes were inferior to the Jews and hence their temples were worth destroying. In fact, whatever we find in the Quran and blame it for the destructive commands, the root can be traced back to the Old Testament. You may check, for instance, Deuteronomy 7 and 20 for such inhuman terrorist commands.

Suicide terrorism was invented by the Jews and recently too we find the suicide squad of LTTE was trained by the MOSSAD.

Israel never ever was the land of peace. Jesus Christ was a Jew and died as a Jew, but his reforms were unwelcome to the Jews. Rather they chose to consent to his crucifixion instead of a robber called Barabbas. The land was attacked by Babylonians in 587 AD and the temple built by Solomon was destroyed. Right from the times of Alexander, Israel seldom enjoyed political freedom. The rise of Islam was another calamity for the Jews. We also know the era of the Crusades, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians fought vehemently over the ownership of Jerusalem. The entire episode of the Crusades is filled up with the bloodbath. The Jews dispersed across the globe for survival. The holy land slipped from their hands forcing them to live the life of banished.

Jew (and Israel) is the only community that possesses blind faith in their gifted holy land, race, and language. Wherever Jews might go in the world, their nation is only Israel. This is why Jews never ever could mingle with the other societies that sheltered them. The exiled people normally choose to trade and banking for life and the Jews were and yet are born experts in both. Hitler could direct attacks on the Jews because they were rich. Diverting the hatred of the pauper Germans towards them was easy for Hitler. Rather the Jews had become a despised community in the world. Not that the Jews were always at fault, but the lifestyle they chose was reasonably responsible for their being secluded and despised.

USA, after World War (II) chose to re-establish Israel. Till then the geopolitical and religious equations were drastically changed. In a way, Israel was forced on the Arab lands. However global sympathy was with the Jews after the horror stories of the brutalities exacted on them were out. Hence the initial protest was mild,. But Jews resorted to the terrorism even before the new Israel was established. On 2^nd July 1946,  IRGUN assassinated 91 people in King David hotel attack. Then appeared Stern gang. Dere Yasin massacre took place on 9^th April 1948 in which about 260 Arabs were brutally killed. Many more assaults were conducted by the Jew terrorist organizations and it was State-supported terrorism. In a way, Israel soon became a center of tension. In bold moves, Israel declared wars against many other surrounding countries, even claimed ownership over the Suez Canal.

Gaza Strip is under the encroachment of Israel. Palestine now is desperately trying to counter this encroachment.  It is the geopolitical need of the USA to keep the Middle East burning and Israel has become their weapon in doing so. Hardcore nationalism of the Jews is worshiped in India by some sections, but let us not forget that this nationalism is an outcome of racial pride and sheer vengeance. What Hitler or Stalin did is condemnable, but it doesn’t give sanction to Zionist terrorism.

While blaming Muslim terrorism, in the Middle East, we cannot segregate Jew terrorism. Both are the enemies of global society and peace. Zionist terrorism has an ancient history, rather it was the first religion to propagate terrorism. We have to consider all aspects of terrorism before blaming one or other religion! The role of the USA needs to be checked on this background.  

Are Independent countries really independent?

When we use a word “Independent country” (or Nation or State) what do we mean? Independent would naturally mean that a country is free from any outer interference in the matters of the State, the boundaries are well defined… no matter if there are disputes, the central governing system is made of the people of the Nation and is free to make laws felt suitable for the people and the governing body., whether elected or not. In short a nation would be entirely sovereign State and there would not be any pressures or interference in the affairs of the State.

In ideal condition independent State would mean as stated above. But we look carefully at the global affairs today, or even in the past, we can clearly see no country has been ever an independent State in real sense.

Because of the global scenario, neo-imperialism of the stronger countries and cut-throat competition between the corporate to acquire more and more marketplaces in the second or third world, the superficially independent countries can be seen indirectly guided/governed by the powerful countries. The impact of such countries on internal and external affairs policy decisions of the weak countries is growing day after day. Even many a times internal affairs too are seen highly influenced by the major countries. There have been innumerable examples that will show that independence of a country is an illusion nourished by the citizens of the country.

The sovereignty just means independent right to make policy decisions for the wellbeing and development of the people of the country. Hypothetically there should not be any outside pressure or interference in the policy making of any such independent nation. United Nations Charter principle specificall states  Non interference in internal affairs of other countries. This is core principle to which each member nation is abided to. But in reality what does happen?

The moment any nation becomes powerful than neighboring countries start interfering in the affairs of the weak countries. Attempts are made to create dissatisfaction among some communities to bring instability in such country. A theory has been propagated to support such interference that the human rights are over sovereignty. Many successful attempts have been done to establish puppet governments in many countries since post World War II. In such attempts always has been USA, some European countries and now China. Inflicting wars, supporting wars or using the countries for their own benefit has been overall strategy that has been implemented and that will be implemented in future by the countries those emerge as powers of tomorrow.

Hence, it has become eternal strife for every Nation to maintain independence in the chaotic and brutal circumstances in which it is impossible to maintain ideal sovereignty for any Nation on this earth.

When we say our country is independent…is it a fact? One must study the circumstances around to ascertain the reality. In International power struggle, weak countries are always subject to bend their sovereignty. Some times to the humiliating conditions such as happened with Iraq and Afghanistan....the countries get destroyed. Freedom is granted after succeeding in motives and puppet governments are established. This is a normal practice. Today some country suffers from such destruction…someone else will be undergoing the same situation tomorrow. Some places this happens violently…many places it is worked out diplomatically.

Another thing we must not forget…what makes a nation powerful today?

In this era business empires keep their hold on the Nations. Superpower like USA too is not spared from this truth. Many laws, sanctions, decisions of the government are made out to satiate never-quenching money lust of the super-capitalists. This happens almost in every country. Actual rulers, as believed by us, are not the people but handful of money lords. Everybody knows this fact. In the era of the globalization such super-corporate houses keep on influencing not only their governments but foreign governments as well. This is of course done to acquire maximum market share. To attain this naturally destroying the indigenous markets is inevitable phenomenon. Thus people of the nation become dependent on the foreign supplies and themselves become faithful workers of such corporations. Though at one side sentiment of nationality is nurtured by the people is an illusionary situation, at the other side it mostly works against the interest of the people.

If this is considered to be inevitable in the modern system of the world, no government can be called Independent as such. And if being independent is a soul of the nation or country or State, isn’t the very soul weakened?

Why we need the system that has become unreliable and making every subject a indirect slave of the system, very value that has been preached by mankind…of freedom…encroached?

And if not, if such happenings are not treated or considered as loss of freedom or independence…then what is relevance of a very concept Nation?

Why cannot all corporate can open their factories or malls wherever they want without acting through the bribed governments? Can’t there be a free economy across the globe that will benefit the end consumer without any hassle? Yes…there can be such economy in which absolute freedom to the people if artificial boundaries are made non-existent. No separate entity called Nation, which anyway is not sovereign in its real sense, is wiped out and new order is introduced…political, social and economic system along with global judicial framework.


-Sanjay Sonawani

One World:One Nation

Hi friends,A decade ago I had started a movement "One World: One Nation!". Though people thought the concept is novel but were and I can see till now they are sceptical about this thought. I do not think this to be an impossible task though it might take a century to have the concept in practice.First of all the very concept of Nation is artificial. The so-called national feeling and pride have not long history. No boundaries of any nation has been permanent. Before rise of nationalism there used to be kingdoms and empires with ever changing boundaries. Also today, no nation is separate island. "Iron Curtain's" have already been broken. All mankind living on earth have become interdependent. No any national economy today is independent. We all are dependent on each other. Every nation's international policies are affected by importance of co-existence. Also today we can find how different cultures are influencing each other! In short we cannot live neglecting others. Theory of otherness has now no relevence. And still every nation is spending 10 to 15% of national income on army and armaments. Look at this whopping figure and you will find, there cannot be any powerty anywhere on this globe if those funds deployed for betterment of human being. We take pride to be only planet in the known universe where life is flourishing and yet we are upto destroy it moment after moment. We should feel ashamed.If we really are intelligent species in the known universe, we need to act like intelligent. And the final goal of such intelligence could be bring forward new global order: One World: One Nation.

-Sanjay Sonawani