Baba
Gandhi started
Namaskar,
Baba places great importance on the study of history as it enables both individuals and communities to learn from past mistakes and thereby progress. Failing that, without the study of history, people commit the same old blunders over and over again. In which case, they remain shackled by the crimes of the past and are unable to advance. So the review of history holds a unique place for the progress of any society.
As Ananda Margiis, we must know the history of Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS). In particular, this piece explores the rampant abuse and neglect at the hands of the civil obedience movement. Please read this below letter historical account which was first posted in September 2017 on one of our related networks.
In Him,
Dr. Gopal
Ananda Marga Universal Moderators
Note: This below letter was first posted in September 2017.
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Namaskar,
The following letter is a discussion related with a tradition of violent protests in Indian cities and towns over the past approximately 90 years: What is the history behind how it started, who has created it, how it has spread around, and how this problem can be resolved.
Recurring issue
The violence in Haryana can be termed as Satyágraha (civil disobedience), which is known in India and people here are very familiar. Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society. For example people are going by bus or train, and protesters come and block the road, block the moving bus or train because they have a demand which is not fulfilled; so this is a way to draw the attention of the government.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Consider another example: In a village there is an accident, or a theft; then in response, to draw attention of the government, protesters place big logs of wood on the train line, or loosen the screws of bridge deck or activities which are even more extreme leading to loss of lives of innocents who are not even involved in the original incident. Such a process of creating disturbances by using violent actions to draw attention of the government and hurting innocent people and public goods is termed Satyágraha (civil disobedience). Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society.
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “What are humanistic appeals, or satyágraha [civil disobedience]? They are simply a special means of using violence to create circumstantial pressure.” (1)
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
Example of violent protest as expression of ‘Civil Disobedience’
Here below, followers of XYZ have banded together in protest and started wantonly burning vehicles of the common public in the street.
Why do people do this civil disobedience?
There are two primary reasons: (1) To catch the attention of the government, and (2) To get publicity around the country by burning cars, buses, trains, buildings, hurting by throwing stones or by other means those people who are not even involved in any way with the protesters’ problems. Throwing stones is very common in India, and is termed as “pathrao”. Wherever protesters grab stones from the streets and throw them at passing by buses and trains, thus harming people who are completely unrelated to the incident. Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society; before Gandhi’s time, violent protests were not there.
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
Why are people involved in 'civil disobedience' and who are they?
Question: Are people involved in violent protests such as Satyágraha (civil disobedience) (सत्याग्रह), terrorists, or general people?
Take for example, teachers of the city are unhappy with their demands not being fulfilled, then they will create such violence to draw attention.
These protests are created by mostly educated people, in towns. In villages it happens also but not so frequently. In villages for example, there is a traffic crash, and someone died, then people are going to block a road, and then burn a few vehicles passing by that road. Even in some instances, a person whose vehicle is involved in an accident, that person may get beaten or even be killed.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
So such types of violence are very dangerous, and can be traced in history to violent events which started in the period of Indian independence movement and Gandhian era. Another name of Satyágraha (civil disobedience) is ándolan (protest, आन्दोलन). In protests anything can happen such as police vehicles get burnt, other goods get burnt etc., and these are normal consequences. Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society; before Gandhi’s time, violent protests were not there.
Civil disobedience brings all types of misery
Prout is against Satyágraha. In Satyágraha (civil disobedience) there is not Satya nor ágraha. The consequences lead to loss of lives, public property, national economy, and increased consumer taxes. Life becomes very difficult during such protests. For instance, violent protests are made by all political parties in India. Political parties call violent events as “band” (बन्द). During political party band everything remains closed for certain period of time (such as a day or half day); but whose loss is it when the offices, industries, and businesses remain closed? Low income group people who need daily wage to sustain their lives do not get a chance to work on such days leading to failure in their lives to meet the basic needs. Further, when the situation worsens military action also may be one of the options for the government, and during curfew it is only a loss of local and national economy along with harder struggle of people to obtain basic needs. Also during curfew agitated people may create further violence leading to loss of more lives either of military personnel or of general public. Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society.
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
Sikh genocide by civil disobedience followers, 8000 killed
Another example is the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, when congress party people started to kill Sikhs, their businesses, and even whoever were supporting Sikhs. History will tell about 8,000 people killed during those protests. Violent types of protests are not done by thieves or vandals, but rather are done by educated people.
“The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, also known as the 1984 Sikh Massacre and the 1984 genocide of Sikhs, was a series of pogroms against Sikhs in India by anti-Sikh mobs (notably Congress Party members) in response to the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.
Deaths: (official) 2,800; (unofficial) 8,000.
Perpetrators: Congress Party members.
Date: 31 October – 3 November 1984.” [courtesy wikipedia]
During emergency time in India, “In July 1975, famous political leader George Fernandes aimed at blowing up toilets in government offices and cause explosions near the venue of public meetings to be addressed by Indira Gandhi. A plan was hatched to blow up a dais four hours before Indira Gandhi was to address a meeting in Varanasi. The conspiracy later came to be known as the infamous Baroda dynamite case.” [courtesy wikipedia]
People in India feel that Satyágraha (civil disobedience) is normal, and nobody says anything against it. People believe that doing Satyágraha (civil disobedience) is legal, fine, and do not raise any objection. Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “What are humanistic appeals, or satyágraha [civil disobedience]? They are simply a special means of using violence to create circumstantial pressure.” (2)
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
Example of civil disobedience
In the case of XYZ, after his conviction, his followers killed many people, destroyed businesses, and the army was sent to establish peace in the region. The protesters were followers of XYZ; when he was convicted in a court case, they did all such violence. These protesters even killed many innocent people who were not even involved in any way with the incident. Similarly, many violent incidents happen to so many people who are travelling by train when they are on the receiving end of cruelty by protesters.
Violent types of protests are now accepted in Indian society. Prout goes against such types of protests. Prout guides us that people rather should be educated and be taught that violent protests should not be even thought of and never be done. People do not learn in the heat of the moment; rather people can understand when things are normal. So in schools and colleges such teachings should be incorporated. Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society.
Here below, followers of XYZ have banded together in protest and started wantonly burning vehicles of the common public in the street.
Above, followers of XYZ have banded together in protest and started wantonly burning innocent people’s vehicles in the street.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
What is the solution
So if Satyágraha (civil disobedience) is not the right way, what should be done? If something is not right, drawing attention, and protests can be done in a very peaceful manner, in an appropriate way. By doing violent protests people only harm themselves and others. It is quite obvious that right after some violent incidents occur, people come forward and say violent things should not be done. But no one says anything about it during normal situations e.g. when such an incident has not occurred. There should be proper education in schools so children understand that such acts should not be done as they do not benefit anyone. Doing violent protests is fundamentally wrong, and should not be encouraged.
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
PROUT solution of heinous act of civil disobedience
PROUT is against Satyágraha. Satyágraha (civil disobedience) says we should not obey rules, but PROUT says as long as rules are there we should follow. World operates on rules, even animals have their own set of rules of do’s and don’ts. Unlike animals, human beings have freedom whether to obey rules or not. If human beings do not obey rules then prakrti punishes them. For example, one knows that smoking is not good for health, and still violating rules, one smokes. Then the result is failure of lungs, cancer and other diseases. So going against the rule that one should not smoke, leads to the punishment of cancer.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
We should not disobey rules, rather change rules
One who does not follow rules, behaves like a mad dog. When a dog is affected by rabies, just wants to bite anyone it sees, and does not like to drink any liquid or eat food. So naturally, the result is death. So, we should not disobey rules, rather change rules in an appropriate and peaceful way.
Bring change by peaceful protest
Question: When Britishers were ruling in India, should their rules also have been obeyed during that time by people of India?
Yes, obey rules but try to bring change by peaceful protest showing placards, and doing public education about exploitation. Slowly with public education awareness comes, and things change. Things which are proper should be adopted by doing pracar and slowly logical ways are adopted by masses.
MK Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society; before Gandhi’s time, violent protests were not there. Even terrorism was not there, and it’s a result of Satyágraha. Followers of Gandhi, such as MLK started civil rights movement using the civil disobedience movement in the USA. In the US lot of people burn various things as a means of protest, these also can be termed as Satyágraha (civil disobedience). They learned to do these things from Mahatma Gandhi.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
Yearly hundreds of thousands of crores RS economic loss in India
So rules should not be broken; rather, we should try and see how to change rules. There is one chapter on Satyágraha in PROUT; people should read it. Society is ours, so it does not make sense to destroy public goods (burning cars, buses, and trains) and lives. In India alone, due to this there is hundreds of thousands of crores RS economic loss every year. As a result, taxes gets increased, fares on buses and trains get increased. So in the moment of tension, people involved in violence do not realize the consequences and pay the price after that. Mahatma Gandhi started the civil disobedience movement, which consisted of protesting by breaking the rules of society.
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “What are humanistic appeals, or satyágraha [civil disobedience]? They are simply a special means of using violence to create circumstantial pressure.” (3)
Violent protesters are sub-humans
So those who are doing violent protests are mad, do not understand anything; but those on the receiving end, their life is in danger as he/she is innocent. These things happen unannounced, and are uncertain.
What is the result of Satyágraha (civil disobedience)?
First, from a spiritual viewpoint such things are very wrong as people who do violent types of protests do not have control over their anger. Second, destroying one’s own properties is not a diligent practice. Examples are burning one’s own house, or pelting stones on one’s own body. Only oneself gets hurt.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In Him
Niraka’ra
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
Here below, followers of XYZ have banded together in protest and started wantonly burning vehicles of the common public in the street.
Above, followers of XYZ have banded together in protest and started wantonly burning innocent people’s vehicles in the street.
This above article contains four sections
1. When did MK Gandhi’s Satyágraha (civil disobedience) began?
2. Why people do this?
3. What are the consequences as a result (loss of private and public property)?
4. What is the teaching of PROUT regarding the civil disobedience movement? Prout teaches us that satyágraha (civil disobedience) is not right. We are to follow the rules of society; rather than breaking the rules, we should try to change them peaceably where needed.
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Civil disobedience movement leads to public’s own economic loss
"Based on inputs received from various industry stakeholders across the states, we estimate that these states may face Rs.34,000 crore loss of economic activity due to the Jat agitation during the last few days," PHD Chamber president Mahesh Gupta said in a statement. (Courtesy of NDTV, India)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, “What are humanistic appeals, or satyágraha [civil disobedience]? They are simply a special means of using violence to create circumstantial pressure.” (4)
Prout is against Satyágraha, also known as civil disobedience.
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell Volume 1 Part 3, Social Justice
2. Prout in a Nutshell Volume 1 Part 3, Social Justice
3. Prout in a Nutshell Volume 1 Part 3, Social Justice
4. Prout in a Nutshell Volume 1 Part 3, Social Justice
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
“Tumi nei kon kháne go, bolo more bolo more…” (Prabhát Samgiita #4537)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, please tell me where You are not - let me know where You do not reside. In which nook and corner are You not existing. Baba, You are everywhere. Wherever I look, I see You there - in all the ten directions. You reside in the rivers and ponds, at the bottom of the ocean, from the desert to the deep forest, and also on top of the highest mountain peak. You are all-pervading.
Supreme Entity, You are ever-present in fire, air, and in the far distant blue sky - You are in all places. You are also on the Earth, and at the same time in the remote galaxies and nebulae and roots of gigantic trees. You are in all places and directions. You are everywhere, ever-present in the burning desert, the vast ocean, and at the same time in green vegetation, savanna, all directions. Also You are in the most horrifying Cimmerian darkness - Parama Purusa Baba You are omnipresent. You never go anywhere because Your being is saturated within each and every particle of this entire creation. You made us realize this truth through Your various expressions, including reporting and dharma samiiksa.
Omnipresent Entity, in search of You, so many are moving around facing so much suffering, wandering from one tiirtha to another, both in their own land and in far away places. Every location, all around, they are uselessly searching You in the external world. Baba, some commemorate so-called mahaprayan and declare that You are no more. Unfortunately, they do not search You within - in the deep core of their heart. Instead they travel around from one spot to the next, even after facing various pains and tortures for their penance. They just waste their time searching You in the external world. Those who don't seek You within never get You. Only virtuous and dharmic persons find You within, inside their mind and heart through their sadhana, shravan, manan, nididhyásana, kiirtan, dhyána etc. Such bhaktas realise that You are always sitting inside - smiling.
Baba, You are ever-present at each place. You are Parama Purusa and Taraka Brahma. You never leave me - always I am on Your lap. It is Your grace...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Directly receiving boonAnanda Marga philosophy guides us, “Although the knowledge from the unconscious mind flows down to the subconscious only secondarily during the wakeful state, when it does flow down, in most cases it remains well-imprinted in the subconscious mind and thus easily enters the conscious mind from the subconscious. Many diseased or distressed persons, in order to gain the solutions for their sorrows, prostrate before the idols in the temples. In this situation, they are constantly thinking of their diseases and the remedies of their sufferings and the ways to remove them. This ultimately leads to the temporary concentration of the mind. When, after remaining in this state of concentration for a while, their minds ultimately become benumbed, then from the all-knowing unconscious mind the sought-after solution penetrates into their subconscious. Since such a state is a state neither of wakefulness nor of sleep nor of dream, the answer can easily penetrate the subconscious mind, and from the subconscious enter the conscious. People may think that the remedy to their distress was the boon of such-and-such god or goddess, but this was not actually the case at all.” (1)
Reference
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya: Disc: 16
== Section 4: Links ==
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