Space for philosophy and metaphysics in order to address the scourge of terrorism

By Prof Sudhanshu Tripathi*
Does ancient Indian approach towards violence (sic terror) is esoteric and metaphysical? Yes it sounds so; but to say that these are futile is something ignoring the reality. As we know that this mundane world and human beings therein are the beautiful mix of the two – temporal and metaphysical, or matter and idea, just like as human body consists of soul and body. Without body, the soul is indeed worthless and vice-versa. In fact, both matter and idea are complementary and supplementary to each other. How can the existence of soul be negated just due to lack of scientific and verifiable knowledge to comprehend it? May be in future, we become capable enough to understand all those unknown phenomena that are today unverifiable and hence useless. Obviously any knowledge, in order to be complete and worthy to serve the humanity, needs this harmonious mix of both idea and matter.
In fact, it needs a thorough understanding of philosophy and metaphysics so as to explore the inner core of ancient Indian scholarship with inherent mysticism. Because our sages and seers in ancient India were the masters of the mysterious Universe due to their awakened knowledge about Truth, visible in the harmonious balance that Nature reflects around us. That sometimes disturbs as natural calamity due to unbearable human folly and knavery. But it is not that one day there will be the total destruction or complete devastation, if such brute and selfish exploitation of nature continues unabated. The recent Covid-19 or several earthquakes or tsunami in the past may be cited here to substantiate the argument.
It is, therefore, necessary that a space for the philosophy and metaphysics must be allowed in our temporal living and that we find in growing awareness in the West regarding benefits Yoga, Meditation, Heartfulness etc. to beat persisting mental stress and consequent corporal fatigue. It is this approach of the desired mix that can genuinely address the scourge of terrorism as well. Of course, it won’t result in immediate success but its continuous and consistent practice with patience will definitely show the expected result. However there won’t be a total terror-free society because both virtue and vice are primeval instincts and inherent parts of human nature; or five fingers in a human palm are not same.
Hence, psychic healing of terrorists along with awareness about life purpose and soul journey through education including constant vigil and alertness, prevention and post-terrorism management, apart from moral teachings and religious preaching, vegetarian diets and simple and sahaj (natural or spontaneous) living may be prescribed to remove the mental blockages lying therein in form of a-reason and pre-occupied rationalities or mind-based rationalities in terrorists as reasons of terror.
However all these prescriptions don’t ask for discontinuing preventive, deterrent and coercive measures against terrorism, until and unless the terror phenomenon really decimates to negligible, except oft-occurring petty quarrel or disputes. In a nutshell, state terror, mass-repression and retribution have their own limitations. Instead, the mix of both reformation and deterrence including alertness and preventive measures be practised to win over the menace of terrorism.
---
*MDPG College, Pratapgarh (UP)

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor* Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog