Interview with P. Parameshwaran

Interview with P। Parameshwaran

For the media in Kerala, P. Parameshwaran is the director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendra and a ‘senior RSS ideologue’. But to those who have had a chance to
interact with him, Parameshwarji is much more than that.
Parameshwarji is an original thinker, organizer, author and also a poet. It was the genius of Parameshwarji, coupled with the organized work of RSS that firmly established Hindutva thinking and ideology in Kerala’s society. Parameshwarji has made the most significant contribution to the development of Hindutva thinking in the twentieth century in Kerala.
He is a keen observer of happenings around and his words of wisdom and sometimes warnings on various issues concerning our Nation and nationalism have often proved to be prophetic.
And to the Hindu organizations all over the world, Parameshwarji remains an eternal source of inspiration.
Born at Cherthala village in Alappuzha district in the year 1927, Parameshwarji completed his education in SB College Changanassery and University College Thiruvananthapuram. He came into contact with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh during his student days, was also a favorite disciple of Agamananda Swamiji.
Parameshwarji became RSS Pracharak in 1950.He took over as organizing secretary of Jan Sangh in 1957.Jailed during Emergency. Parameshwarji worked as director of Deendayal Research Institute in New Delhi after coming out of prison.
Parameshwarji is presently carrying out his mission as the Director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendra and as the President of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. He also keeps his close association with Sri Ramakrishna Mutt and Advaita Ashram, Kalady.
Parameshwarji has won many awards and recognitions. In 2004,the Indian President conferred ‘Padma Sri’ upon him as recognition of his valuable contributions to the society.
He has authored many books in Malayalam and English. ”Beyond all isms to Humanism” is one of the famous works. His books on Maharishi Aurobindo , Chatrapathi Shivaji and Swami Vivekananda’s teachings are well acclaimed.Parameshwarji’s words are today considered as the authentic voice of Hindu nationalist forces. In this exclusive and candid interview to ‘Haindava Keralam,’ Parameshwarji speaks on a wide range of subjects concerning the state of our nation, politics and challenges faced by Hindutva.
Q: Parameshwarji, The Hindu community in Kerala is today facing a lot of discrimination, neglect and adverse situations. The latest example being the recently convened special session of the state legislature to discuss Mullaperiyar dam issue. While this session found time to unanimously pass a resolution demanding Abdul Nazer Madani’s (accused in Coimbatore serial bomb blast) freedom, no one in the Assembly demanded a discussion on the Marad Commission report that probed into the slaughter of 8 Hindus on Marad beach 3 years ago. How do you react to this double standard?
A: Marad is a symbol. Godhra was another. In Godhra, a very serious terrorist act took place and the government appointed a commission to enquire into the incident. In between, the Railway Ministry also set up a commission of enquiry. The final reports from both the commissions are yet to be submitted. However a gist of an interim enquiry report was announced in a press conference and suddenly even the Parliament geared up to discuss this interim report. At last the Gujarat High Court had to intervene to stop this anti-constitutional move.
On the other hand, the Kerala government is today in possession of Marad enquiry final report, submitted by Justice Mohandas Commission after conducting a detailed investigation into the gruesome massacre. But the state government had not bothered even to let out a gist of the probe report. And no one is demanding it!
The two issues are glaring examples of double standards adopted by the so-called secular parties towards Hindu community all over the country. And Kerala is no exception. Today our state is witnessing a historic evolution (if you can call it that way). Kerala is fast losing it’s traditional Hindu characteristics. Hindus, who form 56% of the population, have become insignificant in all spheres of life. On the other hand, the minorities are tightening their grip on the society. Political parties belonging to both the United Democratic Front and Left Democratic Front are responsible for the marginalization of Hindus in Kerala.
No one speaks about this discrimination, no one is bothered. On the contrary, if there is any move for Hindu unity, political conspirators overtly and covertly, try to torpedo such initiatives as it happened in the case of S.N.D.P- N.S.S sponsored Hindu unity efforts.
But this same bunch of politicians go out of the way to satisfy the just and unjust demands made by political parties or organizations with minority support base.
Q: Do you see any Hindu backlash in the next assembly polls to this marginalization of the community?
A: See, there is a growing realization among Hindus, belonging to various political parties that the community is being marginalized and neglected in the state. They also agree that this could lead to other serious repercussion and Kerala could become another Kashmir sooner or later.
But always, the problem that Hindus face is, the lack of a strong leadership to unify Hindus to take forward the community and face the challenges.
Q: If I say that even the B.J.P, a party that sees Hindu community as it’s support base, has failed in taking the lead for the Hindus, how would you react to that, especially in Kerala’s context?
A: The B.J.P in Kerala will have no future if they do not take into account the aspirations and needs of Hindus, because they are depend on Hindu nationalist power for support. If they neglect this support base, their existence itself would become irrelevant.The B.J.P should get this message right. They should not only understand this, but also show pragmatism to win the confidence of Hindus and ability to face the challenges for them.
Q: Parameshwarji, you know that recent Hindu unity efforts initiated by the N.S.S and S.N.D.P. ran into rough weather and how do you analyze this?
A: It is history repeating. The Hindu Mahamandalam set up in 1950’s had raised much hope. However political schemers saw to it that the move failed. The recent unity move also faced the same fate due to the same reasons. This is the bad fate of Hindu community.
Q: How do you react to the growing extremist activities in the state and government apathy and insensitiveness towards this trend?
A: The laxity on government’s part and insensitiveness of political parties towards the growing extremist activities in the state can be only attributed to vote bank politics. But they do not realize that Kerala could become another Kashmir tomorrow and the same political parties could be at the receiving end.
Even today in places like Kannur ,the CPI (M), which has a long history of helping Muslim extremist groups, is facing the music from them. This could repeat everywhere tomorrow. The political organizations helping Muslim extremism for petty political gains may be doing this at their peril.
Q: Coming to the national scene, do you feel that the UPA government has failed in protecting national interests vis-à-vis our international commitments?
A: I don’t think the UPA government is today formulating and implementing a foreign policy based on a perspective to protect our national interest. Many prominent personalities in our national polity and governance owe their allegiance to western countries and their institutions where they were educated. Their western mindset is bound to contaminate on policies formulated by them. This ruling elite has their submissive mentality towards western culture on one side. On the other hand they have to pamper the Muslim nations to win over the sizable Muslim community in the country. See, who was the chief guest in this year’s Republic day parade? The head of a Muslim theocratic state like Saudi Arabia was invited by the largest democratic nation to witness its Republic day celebrations!
Q: Recently when there were violent protests in the Muslim world over prophet Mohammed’s cartoon, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf called it a war of civilizations. How do we protect our national interest in this emerging conflict?
A: US thinker Samuel P Huntington first put the idea of clash of civilizations forward. On one side, are the Muslim nations and on the other side are the western countries, most of them officially Christian nations. The clash has been continuing for ages. President Bush today even calls his aggressions as Crusades.
European nations are today a worried lot. They are much concerned about the fast growing Muslim population in the western world. According to a recent scientific study, at least 20% of the European population would be Muslim by the year 2025.
The fact that the percentage of youngsters in the non-Muslim population in Europe is fast declining and among the Muslims it shows the reverse trend, adds a new dimension to the whole issue. Today Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.
Q: How do we protect our national interest in this delicate and difficult scenario?
A: We need not depend on anybody to safeguard our national interest. We need to build up a nation based on our cultural heritage that is militarily, economically and socially strong. Considering our human and national resources, taking our own history and resilience into account this is not a difficult task. But we need to have strong political will to achieve this task.
Q: But Parameshwarji, far from achieving this, today we are not able to create an atmosphere that suits our national interest even in the neighboring Nepal?
A: Our Nepal policy is neither conducive of India’s interests or that country’s. We should understand that the Maoists are behind today’s imbalance in Nepal, though the struggle is in the name of ‘restoration of democracy’. When you say Maoists their Chinese connection is amply clear. Maoists are terrorists and have never stood for democracy.
With China’s support Maoists have today successfully established a ‘red corridor’ starting from Nepal, running through Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Hence, if Maoist struggle in Nepal succeeds in toppling the present regime, the repercussions would be seen here too. The Naxalites in India will overcome their major hurdle-the inability to receive arms support directly from China.
At the same time, a Muslim corridor, starting from Assam, cutting across northern India extending up to Pakistan, is also emerging. This is another planned attempt. If we do not rise to the occasion and face these challenges, India may be moving towards another civil war and partition.
Q: Parameshwarji, coming back to Kerala, you had earlier mentioned about growing extremist activities in the state. Other than vote bank politics, what are the other reasons that can be attributed to their growing threat?
A: The growing pan-Islamic movement and their agents have a free run in our state especially our sea-shores. weapons and other contraband items are being smuggled in through our shores without much hindrance.
Secondly the young generation among the Muslims is today attracted towards extremism. They also have strong infrastructure to promote and propagate their ideology. The free flow of funds from abroad is another major attraction.
This is true regarding Christian institutions too. Though they do not show an overt leniency towards extreme political moves, Christians are today dominating all spheres of life in the state including political power and economy. They also have an unhindered and unchecked flow of funds to achieve their goals. Q: While this has been continuing on one side, the Hindu movement seems to have weakened in the state. The resurgence of Hindu pride that we saw in 80’s and 90’s appears to have lost their momentum?
A: That is not true. Hindu organizations are continuing their work in the state in a systematic manner. And they have not weakened. But the onslaught from Muslims and Christians coupled with our problems like lack of unity among various sections and lack of financial strength are creating difficulty for Hindu society.
Q: Parameshwarji, since most of our readers are NRI s, what would like to say as a message to them?
A: My message to Hindus living abroad are to keep their traditions, culture, and belief intact in foreign lands and cultivate these qualities in their younger generation born and brought up there. Be proud to be a Hindu.
Secondly they should also keep a close watch on the developments in the country and the state and on the threats faced by the Hindu society today. They should keep a close association with Hindu organizations and help in whatever way they can.
Q: Finally two questions, you have devoted your entire life to the Hindu cause. What is your greatest regret or worry in life?
A: No regret personally…(laughs).
My greatest worry is about the lack of an effective and bold leadership among Hindus in Kerala capable to stand up and fight against the threats faced by the society. But I am confident that it will emerge very soon.
Q: And what is the greatest achievement or something that has given you a sense of fulfillment in life?
A: My greatest achievement? It is of course the opportunity that I got to associate and work for an organization like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Without the Sangh and its activities spread over all spheres of social life today, I dread to think what would have been the state of our society today.
Interviewed by Ajith Gopal