Frequently Asked Questions about ‘Hindu Rashtra’

Question :

Does the establishment of a ‘Hindu nation’ mean that the constitution will be changed? Will India still be secular? Or does the establishment of a Hindu Rashtra mean India will not be secular?

Answer :

‘धृ धारयति (Dhru Dharayati)’ means to bear, or to support. The word ‘Dharma’ (धर्म) has been derived from the root ‘dhru (धृ)’. ‘धरति लोकान् ध्रियते पुण्यात्मभिः इति वा धर्मः ।’ (Dharati lokan dhriyate punyatmabhihi iti va Dharma), meaning Dharma is that which sustains the people or that which is adopted by meritorious souls.

धारणाद्धर्म इत्याहुः धर्मेण विधृताः प्रजाः । यस्माद्धारयते सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ॥(Dharanaddharma ityahuh dharmen vidhrutaha prajaha | Yasmaddharayate sarvam traylokyam sacharacharam ||)

Meaning : Due to its quality of ‘dharan’ (To nurture), it acquired the term ‘Dharma’. Subjects are nurtured through Dharma. As a result, the entire universe containing the three regions is supported by Dharma.

The Hindu Rashtra will be guided by the Principles of Dharma, which will be beneficial to all of mankind.

So now the question arises who will be the residents of the Hindu Rashtra. To know the answer to this question it is necessary to know what one means by the word ‘Hindu’.

The Holy text Merutantra defines the origin of the word ‘Hindu’ (हिंदु) as ‘हीनान् गुणान् दूषयति इति हिंदुः ।’ (Hinaan Gunaan Dushayati Iti Hinduh) means that which destroys the mean and inferior Raja-Tama components. One who rejects the inferior Raja-Tama components and the resultant physical, verbal and mental inferior activities, and one who is engrossed in the Sattva predominant component and therefore, considers devotion unto God as the essence of life and thereby seeks God and further, strictly adheres to Karmayoga so as to guide the society, is to be termed ‘Hindu’. Such is the origin of the word Hindu and the term does not refer only to a religion.

Hence, the term ‘Hindu Rashtra’ does not have a parochial meaning such as ‘A Nation belonging to Hindus’. The ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not a religious term either. Synonyms of this term are ‘Divine Kingdom’, ‘Ramrajya’. The ‘Hindu Rashtra’ actually implies an ideal kingdom. Ramrajya, the kingdom of Deity Shriram and the ‘Hindavi Swarajya’ established by the great king Shivaji in Maharashtra state of India are well known for taking good care of their subjects. In the similar way, Hindu Rashtra which is based on Hindu values of ‘Vashudhaiv Kutumbakam’ (i.e. World is one Family) will be for the welfare of all, irrespective of caste and religion.

In the proposed ‘Hindu Rashtra’, all the subjects will be contented and secure. Additionally, it will facilitate propagation of Spirituality and spiritual practice. As a result, a Sattva predominant atmosphere, akin to the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ will prevail on earth, making the whole of mankind happy.

A strong foundation of Spirituality is required in the rulers and subjects to establish the Hindu Rashtra. People will appoint only worthy, appropriate and eligible representatives to rule the Nation. The rulers in Hindu Rashtra will be abiding by Dharma, they will be sattvik, striving for the welfare of their subjects, selfless and fatherly. They will make every effort to see that their subjects abide by Dharma. When majority of the population starts doing spiritual practice as per the basic principles it will result in an overall increase in the sattva component.

Note : Originally, the Constitution of India did not consist of the term ‘Secular’. Later in 1976, the term was added to the Constitution. As Hindu Rasthra will be for the welfare of whole mankind, it is immaterial whether the term ‘Secular’ exists in it or not.