Indian Army News and Discussions
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Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
So ? Nobody is forcing anyone to post or not to post on any of these.
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Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
I thought the initial objective was to have gdf here. Not that I have any issue apart from the fact that it doesn't open in office...
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Highly inspiring:
"Major Gaurav Arya At Pune's Paraplegic Rehabilitation Center | Patriot"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_8z7ntN31I
"Major Gaurav Arya At Pune's Paraplegic Rehabilitation Center | Patriot"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_8z7ntN31I
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Why not think of it as a back up of BRF too ? All eggs in one basket and all that.ArjunPandit wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2017 4:26 pmI thought the initial objective was to have gdf here. Not that I have any issue apart from the fact that it doesn't open in office...
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
"2 Bullets cannot kill a Commando"
- Captain Jaidev Dangi, Kirti Chakra, Special Forces
On the evening of 19 June 2014, Rashtriya Rifles received intelligence about presence of three terrorists in Buts village of Pulwama district of J&K. A joint operation of RashtriyaRifles and PARA (SF) was launched. Captain Jaidev swung into action and rushed with a small team of seven to seek a contact.
While deploying, Captain Jaidev saw movement of three suspected terrorists 15 meters ahead, who on being challenged opened indiscriminate fire injuring the officer and his buddy grievously. Seeing that his buddy, who had killed a terrorist, was losing blood fast, the officer dragged him to safety. Undeterred by the injuries in the leg and chest and bleeding profusely, Captain Jaidev in an audacious display of raw courage, displaying conspicuous gallantry and bold fighting spirit, closed in on remaining terrorists under heavy fire and shot them at close quarters. The dying terrorist again fired at Captain Dangi, injuring him in the face. Despite his near fatal injuries, the officer refused to be evacuated till the termination of operations. In the operation, Captain Dangi personally neutralised two senior and WANTED terrorist commanders.
Captain Jaidev displayed dauntless courage and extraordinary valour under heavy fire from close quarters in face of certain death.
![Image](https://scontent.fdel8-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22489952_425272661203145_5504225794208716767_n.jpg?oh=e21bfa6f78bfa3a5e97b763454d253e8&oe=5A39EA3E)
- Captain Jaidev Dangi, Kirti Chakra, Special Forces
On the evening of 19 June 2014, Rashtriya Rifles received intelligence about presence of three terrorists in Buts village of Pulwama district of J&K. A joint operation of RashtriyaRifles and PARA (SF) was launched. Captain Jaidev swung into action and rushed with a small team of seven to seek a contact.
While deploying, Captain Jaidev saw movement of three suspected terrorists 15 meters ahead, who on being challenged opened indiscriminate fire injuring the officer and his buddy grievously. Seeing that his buddy, who had killed a terrorist, was losing blood fast, the officer dragged him to safety. Undeterred by the injuries in the leg and chest and bleeding profusely, Captain Jaidev in an audacious display of raw courage, displaying conspicuous gallantry and bold fighting spirit, closed in on remaining terrorists under heavy fire and shot them at close quarters. The dying terrorist again fired at Captain Dangi, injuring him in the face. Despite his near fatal injuries, the officer refused to be evacuated till the termination of operations. In the operation, Captain Dangi personally neutralised two senior and WANTED terrorist commanders.
Captain Jaidev displayed dauntless courage and extraordinary valour under heavy fire from close quarters in face of certain death.
![Image](https://scontent.fdel8-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22489952_425272661203145_5504225794208716767_n.jpg?oh=e21bfa6f78bfa3a5e97b763454d253e8&oe=5A39EA3E)
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... s?from=mdr
Calls at Re 1/minute: Government's 'Diwali gift' for soldiers
Calls at Re 1/minute: Government's 'Diwali gift' for soldiers
The Ministry of Communications on Wednesday announced a "Diwali gift" for the armed and para-military forces, in the form of reduced call rates on Digital Satellite Phone Terminal (DSPT), to ensure that they can speak to their loved ones for "longer durations."
"It's a Diwali gift from the ministry to soldiers. They can now talk to their families for longer durations without worrying about the charges,"Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said.
Earlier, soldiers paid a monthly sum of Rs 500 and Rs 5 per minute as call charges on most connections on DSPT.
The government's move drastically reduces call rates, from Rs 5 to Re 1 per minute.
"Starting tomorrow, the monthly charge on DSPT will be completely discarded. For phone calls, instead of Rs 5 per minute, soldiers will now have to pay Re 1 per minute," the minister added.
देश की विभिन्न सेना के जवानों और अधिकारियों द्वारा उपयोग की जाने वाली डीएसपीटी सेवा(Satellite सेवा) पर कोई भी मासिक... https://t.co/e8TVQ3eY8p
— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinhabjp) 1508324423000
Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan said the move will cost the government Rs 3-4 crore per annum.
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
To those musically inclined!
A musical tribute to our forces:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPVJ5Bs ... outu.be&a=
https://twitter.com/nsitharaman/status/ ... 2381058048
A musical tribute to our forces:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPVJ5Bs ... outu.be&a=
https://twitter.com/nsitharaman/status/ ... 2381058048
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Guys, I don't know if you have read Rachna Bisht Rawat's books but she writes with a great sense of humour and pride for our armed forces. She is married to a serving Indian Army officer too. A refreshing change from the usual Shobhaa De & Arundhoti Roy type trash most English language authors churn out in India today.
Her books on Amazon:
Shoot, Dive, Fly: Stories of Grit and Adventure from The Indian Army
The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories
1965 Stories From the Second Indo-Pakistan War
Some of her other articles which reminds me of Brigadier Raychowdhury's writings on the BRF & Rum, Bum and Mouthorgan forum:
Down Dzuko valley, with a Naga headhunter
Hey! You're married to the Army now
Her books on Amazon:
Shoot, Dive, Fly: Stories of Grit and Adventure from The Indian Army
The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories
1965 Stories From the Second Indo-Pakistan War
Some of her other articles which reminds me of Brigadier Raychowdhury's writings on the BRF & Rum, Bum and Mouthorgan forum:
Down Dzuko valley, with a Naga headhunter
Hey! You're married to the Army now
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Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
अपनी वीरता के लिए भारत के पहले महावीर चक्र से सम्मानित ब्रिगेडीयर राजिंद्र सिंह को उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर शत शत प्रणाम.
Brigadier Rajindra Singh, Chief Of Military Staff, J&K State Forces, laid down his life while fighting to defend J&K from paki invaders on 26th October, 1947. He was awarded independent India's first Mahavir Chakra posthumously.
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DNDDa3oUIAAMc4d.jpg:large)
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Brigadier Rajindra Singh, Chief Of Military Staff, J&K State Forces, laid down his life while fighting to defend J&K from paki invaders on 26th October, 1947. He was awarded independent India's first Mahavir Chakra posthumously.
![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DNDDa3oUIAAMc4d.jpg:large)
![Image](https://scontent.fdel10-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22780374_754132948107420_7386582479908535265_n.jpg?oh=15a6645f92b2cc41f7e341dd132941df&oe=5A650680)
![Image](https://scontent.fdel10-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22688884_754133014774080_8030662746307036262_n.jpg?oh=5426bb1eea377a7d3f942e5181807d50&oe=5A6F03F1)
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![Image](https://scontent.fdel10-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22780126_754133071440741_5616166130618363100_n.jpg?oh=71ca6ebaf3e1df2da09d8f21c466bd82&oe=5A74DC06)
![Image](https://scontent.fdel10-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22728667_754133081440740_3824733126511514949_n.jpg?oh=2d478fe1d799cb1f1a7a836901ea0bb6&oe=5A7327D0)
![Image](https://scontent.fdel10-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22815255_754133101440738_5235703965117479318_n.jpg?oh=426833e30c497ebcaa74c4388ed7cbf7&oe=5A66C999)
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
https://twitter.com/delhidefence/status ... 6993082368
India's Ministry of Defence signed a contract for 1746 commander's thermal imaging sights for the Indian Army's T-72 MBTs in August 2017.
Bharat Electronics Limited is the supplier.
India's Ministry of Defence signed a contract for 1746 commander's thermal imaging sights for the Indian Army's T-72 MBTs in August 2017.
Bharat Electronics Limited is the supplier.
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Integration Philosophy for the Indian Armed Forces https://1drv.ms/w/s!AsPFrDUcGBSKhzfTQB0CbYKjKgb6
Lt Gen A K Singh,Retd
Erstwhile GOC in C Southern Command
And Lt Governor Andaman Nicobar Islands & Puducherry
https://twitter.com/AK7CAV/status/924198074297212928
Lt Gen A K Singh,Retd
Erstwhile GOC in C Southern Command
And Lt Governor Andaman Nicobar Islands & Puducherry
https://twitter.com/AK7CAV/status/924198074297212928
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 318602.cms
Army finalises mega Rs 40,000 crore procurement plan to replace ageing weapons
Army finalises mega Rs 40,000 crore procurement plan to replace ageing weapons
The Army has finalised one of its biggest procurement plans for infantry modernisation under which a large number of light machine guns, battle carbines and assault rifles are being purchased at a cost of nearly Rs 40,000 crore to replace its ageing and obsolete weapons.
The broad process to acquire around 7 lakh rifles, 44,000 light machine guns (LMGs) and nearly 44,600 carbines has been finalised and the defence ministry is on the same page with the Army in moving ahead with the procurement, official sources told.
The world's second largest standing Army has been pressing for fast-tracking the procurement of various weapons systems considering the evolving security threats including along India's borders with Pakistan and China.
Apart from kick-starting the procurement process, the government has also sent a message to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to expedite its work on various small arms, particularly on an LMG.
The sources said a fresh RFI (request for information) to procure the LMGs will be issued in the next few days, months after the defence ministry scrapped the tender for the 7.62 calibre guns as there was only one vendor left after a series of field trials. The plan is to initially procure around 10,000 LMGs.
The Army has also finalised the specifications for a new 7.62 mm assault rifle and the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the defence ministry's highest decision making body on procurement, is expected to give the go-ahead for the much- needed procurement soon.
"The General Service Quality Requirements (GSQR) for the new assault rifle has been finalised. The procurement plan will soon be placed before the DAC for approval," said a senior official, who is part of the acquisition process.
In June, the Army had rejected an assault rifle built by the state-run Rifle Factory, Ishapore, after the guns miserably failed the firing tests.
The procurement of assault rifles has witnessed significant delays due to a variety of reasons including the Army's failure to finalise the specifications for it. The Army needs around 7 lakh 7.62x51 mm assault guns to replace its INSAS rifles.
The Army had issued RFI for the rifles in September last year and around 20 firms responded to it. An RFI is a process whose purpose is to collect information about capabilities of various vendors.
In June, the Army had kick-started the initial process to procure around 44,600 carbines, nearly eight months after a tender for it was retracted, also due to single-vendor situation. Around half a dozen firms including a few global arms manufacturers have responded to the RFI.
Army sources said various specifications for the LMGs and battle carbines were tweaked to ensure that the problem of single vendor does not recur.
The combined cost of the LMGs, assault rifles and carbines will be in excess of Rs 40,000 crore, said an official.
On DRDO missing a number of deadlines in finalising the LMG, an official said the defence secretary has called a meeting this week of all stakeholders to discuss the project.
"The infantry modernisation plan is a major initiative of the Army and it will significantly bolster the overall capability of the foot soldiers," said a senior army official.
The issue was extensively discussed at the recently- concluded Army Commanders conference which felt modernisation of the Army must be in tune with the evolving security threat facing the country.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman conveyed to the Army during the conference that modernisation of the force was a priority for the government and all its "deficiencies" will be addressed to strengthen its combat capability.
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
A short documentary on the surrender by Pakis in Dacca, Dec. 1971 (with the focus on Maj. Gen. Jacob).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmOxCk3Y2EI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmOxCk3Y2EI
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Hopefully not posted here yet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mostly many of of you may have already read this.
Who is the REAL defence Minister? - Bharat Karnad
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Mostly many of of you may have already read this.
Who is the REAL defence Minister? - Bharat Karnad
When Nirmala Sitharaman, ex-JNU, ex-Price Waterhouse Cooper, ex-BBC, was appointed Defence Minister by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, some believed it to be an inspired choice. Others were more skeptical, aware that as a junior minister with not much to show as commerce minister, Sitharaman’s leapfrogging over senior BJP honchos to occupy the important ministerial slot was more symbolic than a substantive move and, so, alas, it has proved. She simply lacks the self-confidence and/or understanding and/or instinct/insight to do the right thing. But she’s up in sensing the extant political balance of power within the Modi cabinet where Arun Jaitley — the most powerful person in cabinet outside of Modi — rules the roost.
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Dragunov Era Ends For Indian Army: 5,719 Modern Snipers To Be Procured From US, Italy To Replace Russian Rifle
Dragunov Era Ends For Indian Army: 5,719 Modern Snipers To Be Procured From US, Italy To Replace Russian Rifle
by Swarajya Staff - Jan 15 2019,
Indian Army Marksman with SVD Dragunov (@indiandefence11/Twitter)
Indian will be getting 5,719 sniper rifles from different global vendors by January to replace its ageing Soviet-era Dragunov SVD rifles procured in the 1990s, Financial Express has reported.
“The Indian Army is getting sniper rifles from different vendors including Messers Beretta .338 Lapua Magmum Scorpio TGT of Italy and .50 Calibre Sniper Rifle M95 MS Barrett from the US. They are coming under the Buy Global category. The ammunition for these will be initially procured from abroad; subsequently it will be manufactured in India.” the report quoted sources as saying.
According to the report, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), in a deal worth $150 million, it had invited responses from global manufacturers last December to its request for proposals (RFP) for 5,719 number of 8.6 mm sniper rifles and 10.3 million rounds of ammunition for Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
The Russian Dragunov sniper rifle using 7.62x54-MMR catridge was acquired from Russia in early 1990s for the Indian Army. However, the rifles (800 m range) were not equipped with modern magnification and sight systems, bipod systems and their ammunition is very expensive.
Five million rounds of .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition will be license manufactured by India’s state owned ordinance factory board (OFB) and private sector manufacturers via transfer of technology.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, on Army day, had said that the northern command will soon be equipped with new sniper rifles from this month. “On January 20th the new snipers will come for the Northern Command.”
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Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
I read this in entirety and found this -gunjur wrote: ↑Mon Jan 01, 2018 10:00 amHopefully not posted here yet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mostly many of of you may have already read this.
Who is the REAL defence Minister? - Bharat Karnad
When Nirmala Sitharaman, ex-JNU, ex-Price Waterhouse Cooper, ex-BBC, was appointed Defence Minister by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, some believed it to be an inspired choice. Others were more skeptical, aware that as a junior minister with not much to show as commerce minister, Sitharaman’s leapfrogging over senior BJP honchos to occupy the important ministerial slot was more symbolic than a substantive move and, so, alas, it has proved. She simply lacks the self-confidence and/or understanding and/or instinct/insight to do the right thing. But she’s up in sensing the extant political balance of power within the Modi cabinet where Arun Jaitley — the most powerful person in cabinet outside of Modi — rules the roost.
It is this veto Jaitley has used to push his own — but more likely — the PM’s agenda to do with the politically sensitive matter of providing the Modi funders/friendlies, ahem,… favourite “crony capitalists” (whose names are well known) with zero defence industrial experience and near zero manufacturing wherewithal and workforce, the opportunity to get in on the lucrative “defence industry” business. The government may argue that this move creates many more defence industrial-capable entities in the economy. But it puts a spoke in the wheel of companies — Tata, Mahindra, L&T, etc, that had the commercial foresight to invest in, and be part of some of the most sensitive and advanced military projects, without any expectation of raking in the moolah by riding on the coattails of a friendly political dispensation in Delhi.
Karnad is implying that Modi is using policy to benefit his 'crony capitalist' friends. Not sure I buy that.So, where does Ms Sitharaman fit into this circus? Well, you heard of the “mukhota” (mask). In the previous BJP govt. Vajpayee was supposedly the mukhota and, depending on who was speaking, Advani or NSA Brajesh Mishra, was the arch manipulator. Where Sitharaman is concerned it is Jaitley at the MOD controls — she runs frequently across to the North Block, quite literally and, when this is inconvenient, telephonically, clearing virtually every defence decision with him.
In other words, Jaitley is the real Defence Minister who, in turn, defers to the great Wizard residing at 7, Race Course Road, and at the master control with the political override button. Except Modi — the ultimate “political animal” is mostly preoccupied with Amit Shah with winning the next slate of elections (state, 2019 general) and doesn’t do too much micro-managing, trusting that the guidelines verbally issued to Jaitley will be strictly followed.
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Chandragupta ji,
we seriously have to wonder whose mukhota bharat karnad actually is and who is "motivating" him to push this puff piece as well as a barely camouflaged hit job.
BTW, what exactly was the nature of "expertise" that ANY defence minister ever brought to the table during his/her tenure including Manohar Parrikar and indira gandhi??
Except for the PSUs, no one else of any consequence has "prior defence expertise".
The so called and alleged cronies are people with the financial muscle, infrastructural wherewithal to start a new defence industry outside the govt sector, convince the foreign principals of their solidity, sustainability, long term viability, proven business acumen and the above all the demonstrated capability to safely navigate as well as survive the treacherous shoals of the red tape encrusted Indian bureaucracy and the ever rapacious politicos who like parasites are constantly on the lookout for new hosts to sustain their shady livelihoods.
IF IT WASN'T THIS PARTICULAR COMPANY, REST ASSURED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN IDENTICAL TWIN BUT WITH A DIFFERENT OWNER. A BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER, SO TO SAY.
THE OPERATIONAL DNAs OF ALL COMPANIES CHOSEN BY FOREIGN PRINCIPALS ARE/WILL BE IDENTICAL. THE FRENCH ARE CERTAINLY NOT FOOLS TO HAVE GOT THIS FAR IN SUCH A COMPETITIVE MARKET.
should/would a foreign principal choose some unknown joker to further its plans in India or go with someone with street smarts it knows will help it to further its business plans in India??
we seriously have to wonder whose mukhota bharat karnad actually is and who is "motivating" him to push this puff piece as well as a barely camouflaged hit job.
BTW, what exactly was the nature of "expertise" that ANY defence minister ever brought to the table during his/her tenure including Manohar Parrikar and indira gandhi??
Except for the PSUs, no one else of any consequence has "prior defence expertise".
The so called and alleged cronies are people with the financial muscle, infrastructural wherewithal to start a new defence industry outside the govt sector, convince the foreign principals of their solidity, sustainability, long term viability, proven business acumen and the above all the demonstrated capability to safely navigate as well as survive the treacherous shoals of the red tape encrusted Indian bureaucracy and the ever rapacious politicos who like parasites are constantly on the lookout for new hosts to sustain their shady livelihoods.
IF IT WASN'T THIS PARTICULAR COMPANY, REST ASSURED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN IDENTICAL TWIN BUT WITH A DIFFERENT OWNER. A BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER, SO TO SAY.
THE OPERATIONAL DNAs OF ALL COMPANIES CHOSEN BY FOREIGN PRINCIPALS ARE/WILL BE IDENTICAL. THE FRENCH ARE CERTAINLY NOT FOOLS TO HAVE GOT THIS FAR IN SUCH A COMPETITIVE MARKET.
should/would a foreign principal choose some unknown joker to further its plans in India or go with someone with street smarts it knows will help it to further its business plans in India??
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Sabarimala – A Tark Vitark
Sabarimala is not a random case. It has been carefully chosen to hit the Hindus where it hurts the most.
Sabarimala is not a random case. It has been carefully chosen to hit the Hindus where it hurts the most.
Sabarimala – A Tark Vitark
Sabarimala is not a random case. It has been carefully chosen to hit the Hindus where it hurts the most.
Atul Sinha
15-01-2019
The Sabarimala imbroglio has been framed as a gender discrimination issue. The side in favour of lifting restriction presents this as a clash between modern values and traditional patriarchy. My contention is that it hides really troubling issues thus requiring a clinical discussion bereft of emotion.
I will use our traditional format of Tark Vitark (debate): Purvapaksha, Khandan, Pramana and Uttarapaksha to discuss this issue. In this particular case this will mean I will first understand the arguments of the liberals (Purvapaksha) and follow that with a reasoned critique (Khandan). Then I will place Sabarimala in a larger Hindu context giving my rationale (Pramana) and finally I will give an alternate hypothesis of the issue (Uttarapaksha).
Purvapaksha
From discussions in social and main stream media, I have culled out the main arguments of those in favour of lifting the restriction. These are:
The practice of restriction is not ancient. It began in 1991. This is because there were some instances of entry of women, which a 1991 High Court judgement stopped.
Restriction of entry of women in the age band 10-50 is:
Gender discrimination
Associated with the unacceptable notion that menstruation is impure
Women rightly see themselves as equal to men in almost every field and ideas of discrimination and stigmatising female-specific biological processes have to end. Sabarimala is therefore seen from this perspective by liberals and feminists
Deities are divine and beyond human failings. Thus, the notion that they need shielding from sexual temptation does not stand to reason.
The Sabarimala temple is funded by the state and therefore, by law, the state cannot allow any discrimination.
Khandan
Restriction Began In 1991
There was a tradition from ancient times that women in the reproductive age group do not visit the temple. Men had to perform a forty one days vrata before visiting the temple. This tradition was followed willingly by devotees. A Sabarimala devotee, Mahendran, was disturbed by the Travancore Devosam Board violating this tradition by allowing female VIPs in the reproductive age group and male VIPs who had not followed the forty one days vrata into the temple. He filed a petition in the Kerala High Court. A Division bench, after much deliberation and consultation with stake holders, including women’s groups, ruled that temple tradition should be followed. The 1991 court judgement did not start the tradition, it stopped violation of the tradition. Hence the argument that pre 1991 women were allowed is not only false but it is deliberately mischievous.
Restriction Amounts to Gender Discrimination and is Associated with Menstruation
If the temple were to prove that the reason for the tradition has no nexus with either gender discrimination or the notion of menstrual impurity, then the onus of proving otherwise falls on those who have made this allegation. I will provide the temple’s point of view.
The deity has taken the vow of eternal celibacy. He is what is called in Hindu tradition Naishtika Brahmachari. How do we know this? Most ancient temples have a recorded history called Sthana Purana. The Sthana Purana of Sabarimala is called Bhootanatha Upakyanam. It is recorded in this scripture that the deity has revealed his character as Naisthtika Brahmachari.
The legend of Mahishi also indicates that Ayyappa is a Brahmachari. Mahishi was a dreaded Asura who Ayyappa bested. This released Mahishi from a curse.
Transformed, Mahishi expressed her wish to marry Ayyappa. Ayyappa revealed that he had taken the vow of Naishtika Brahmacharya. He however told her that the year no new devotee comes to him, he will end his vow and marry her. Till today she waits in her temple close to Sabarimala under the name Malikapurathu Amma and is revered by devotees. Respect for her sentiment is another reason why women refrain from Ayyappa’s darshan at Sabarimala temple. It must be noted that there are close to 1000 other temples dedicated to Ayyappa where women of all ages worship because the deity takes on forms other than that of a Brahmachari in these temples.
The iconography of Ayyappa with a band around his knees is a standard way of depicting a Brahmachari performing Yoga
The question arises that even if he is a Brahmachari, why does he have to stay away from women in a certain age group. Here again we refer to the scriptures. Shrimad Bhagwatam and Appasthamba Sutram list the eight rules of Naishtika Brahmacharya practice. One of them is to avoid contact with the opposite gender as much as possible. The eight rules apply to both men and women, to both Brahmacharis and Brahmacharinis. This demolishes the argument of gender discrimination. In fact, there are temples with Brahmacharini deities where men do not worship. I am listing five temples here, where men or a category of men do not worship. Attukal Bhagawati temple, Chakkulathukavu temple and Bhagati Maa temple all in Kerala, Brahma temple in Pushkar where married men do not worship and Mata temple in Muzzafarpur. This suggests that the Sabarimala case is not about gender discrimination but that there is a logic based on tradition or shastra.
It is clear that the restriction in Sabarimala has a nexus with women in the reproductive age group and no nexus with the notion that menstruation is impure. If this were the case then the temple would restrict women only on days they were menstruating.
Another argument is that girls may reach menarche before the age of 10 and many women do not reach menopause till after 50. Here the fact is that the temple traditionally did not specify an age band. The system worked on honour. Much later, the government specified the age band.
Isn’t the Deity Above Human Failings
This is a valid argument and needs to be looked at carefully. In Abrahamic faiths, God is above and separate from man. A man saying he is God is blasphemy. For saying ‘My father and I are one’, Jesus was crucified. Hence my argument is that the question itself comes from an Abrahamic mindset that we have all imbibed.
In this particular case, it stands to reason that we should evaluate it from a Hindu perspective. Unlike in Abrahamic faiths where God and man are separate, in Hindu faith God and man are one. Identifying with Mind-Body you are man. Transcend Mind-Body and you are God. God takes avatars as man. In the Hindu system, Gods have weaknesses too. Shiva could not resist the beauty of Mohini and thus Ayyappa was born. Krishna had 16000 partners. Indra is a serial offender. Thus, Gods have human flaws and follow guidelines just like humans do.
These are metaphysical arguments and the rational mind might brush them off as superstition. This is problematic on two counts.
Who is to mediate between faith and rationality. In the Christian faith, you must accept the virgin birth of Jesus to practice that faith. Who is to decide if it is superstition or not. If you have no skin in the game, who are you to stop Christians from believing in virgin birth.
How does it harm anybody if Christians believe in virgin birth or a majority of women believe in the Brahmacharya vows of Ayyappa. What right does anybody have to impose their view on another group that is minding its own business.
The Sabarimala restriction is conflated with other ills in Hindu society that needed reform, the entry of Dalits into temples for example. In the at least 5000 years of the existence of Hindu Dharma, no scripture discriminates against any group, including Dalits. The restriction was man made and a social blight. In the case of Sabarimala, I have already shown that the restriction has no link with gender discrimination or the notion of menstrual impurity. If the practice does not resonate with your rational mind, then let the irrational people follow their belief. As long as they are not hurting anyone you have no right to hurt their sentiments.
Legally, you have the right to profess any faith. However, once you adopt that faith, you have to follow the rules of that faith. If you bring it down to individual rights, we are on a slippery slope. If I say I have a right to pray to any deity by my rules, it will destroy the faith and will tread upon the rights of believers in the rules of that institution. The rights of those who question the very character of the institution and still claim the right to be a part of it has to be questioned critically.
Further, three Supreme Court judgements (1925,1969,1973) have held that once a deity is consecrated, It becomes a legal entity and has Rights. Thus, Sabarimala temple is the abode of Ayyappa. When we go there we defer to his wishes just like we would to the wishes of any other host.
The Government Funds Sabarimala And Therefore Cannot Allow Discrimination by Law
This is a misconception. In 1922, the princely state of Travancore acquired the land owned by the temple and in return agreed to give it a sum of Rs 51 lakh every year. In 1947, when Travancore was absorbed into the Indian Union, its liabilities were assumed by the Indian state. Hence Sabarimala does not get government funding. They get rent. The law is also clear as in the Shiroor Math judgement of 1954 that the state will be responsible for only the administrative aspects, leaving the religious aspects in the hands of the temple and it’s devotees.
Sabarimala exemplifies the tremendous diversity in Hindu Dharma. It celebrates Brahmacharya. There are other temples that celebrate Grihasta. Still others that celebrate Kshatriyata. There is a whole ecosystem of devotion surrounding the character of Sabarimala. By framing the issue as discriminatory we are destroying a very delicate Hindu system based on the premise of Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda Vadanti and hollowing its very core. ‘Every point of view having a right to exist without forcing itself on others’ is a timeless liberal value. If liberals were to not brush aside Dharma, they will find a very evolved liberalism there. By imposing your values, you are attacking the pluralistic foundation of Hinduism. This could have very dangerous consequences.
Pramana
With deracination, most of us do not know the character of Hindu temples. Placing Sabarimala in this context will strengthen the temple’s counter to the liberal argument that modern values need to replace an unreasoned tradition. To do this I will locate the temple in the larger Hindu cosmology. Some people may reject the metaphysics involved in understanding this aspect. To them I say that you do not challenge the weirdness of Quantum Physics because you accept the authority of Einstein and Hawking and their epistemology of observation. Well, Rishis Vishwamitra and Vasishta were also scientists. They too set out in the quest for truth. Their epistemology was experience and they laid down a process for anybody to have that same experience. So, I urge you to open your mind and, if you cannot, then at least try and understand the Hindu point of view. Without this understanding, a productive Tark Vitark is not possible.
Hindu Cosmology
There exists an Infinite Consciousness that is changeless, unborn and deathless. It is the source of all consciousness in the universe. The material universe is a manifestation of this Infinite Consciousness. Just like waves rise from the ocean, are sustained in it and, after crashing on the rocks, dissolve in it, all creation too rises from Infinite Consciousness, are sustained in it and dissolves into it. Everything in this universe is a compound of the five elements, energised by a vital energy (Prana) and made conscious by the Infinite Consciousness. Hence, nature, man and God, in their essence, is One.
If the truth is that everything is one, then it stands to reason that there will be natural laws of living that create harmony in this seeming diversity in unity. It also stands to reason that the goal of life should be to realise that you are not separate from that Infinite Consciousness – Tat Twam Asi, which incidentally is the guiding mantra of Sabarimala. That natural law, as seen by the Rishis, is called Dharma. Dharma pervades socio-politics, individual behavior, relationship with nature, art, philosophy, relationship with God. In short, pretty much everything. Everything is, in essence, the Infinite Consciousness and thus sacred.
Now we need to locate the Temple in this cosmology.
Character of Hindu Temples
That everything, even solid matter, is energy was known to ancient Hindus. Quantum Physics agrees. A temple is meant to harness this macrocosmic energy to provide devotees with a higher experience. A temple is primarily an energy center, worship is secondary.
How is this energy materialised? Now we need to go into Agama Shastras. By the use of Tantric Vidya, a Yantra (Geometric pattern) is consecrated by the Prana of a Yogi. Once consecrated, the Yantra has an existence in time and space. Now the energy of the deity is invited to reside in the Yantra. The energy is channeled from the macrocosm and concentrated on to the top most point (Stupi) of the temple spire (Vimana). The spire is hollow inside and below it is the sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Griha). The energy flows down to the sanctum sanctorum. This is where the moorti of the deity is placed. It is thus a living energy form in time and space. As we saw, three Supreme Court judgements have ruled that a consecrated deity is a legal entity.
Simplistically speaking, there are two kinds of temples – Vedic and Tantric. Both are consecrated in the same way. The difference is that in Vedic temples, puja is performed while in Tantric temples there is no puja, only darshan. A devotee goes there to imbibe the deity’s energy in order to elevate his own. The deity too is energised by the purity of the devotees. Sabarimala is a Tantric temple. It is thus a place for darshan and not worship. This point needs to be understood by liberals.
To sum up, a temple is a microscopic form of the macrocosm. It is an energy center. All a temple does is amplify whatever bhava you go with. If you go with shradha and bhakti, it will amplify that. If you go with ego and skepticism, it will inflate those.
The whole idea of a temple is to purify yourself, to free yourself from ego and baser nature and prepare the mind to contemplate higher truth. Filled with passion, tossed between attachment and repulsion, afflicted with greed and anger, one cannot contemplate the higher truth. The role of a temple is to aid you to shed these qualities, to become pure so that the mind can concentrate on your true nature. The energy of the temple and your bhava are the two ingredients that help achieve the objective.
Sabarimala Temple
Each temple is unique and has a distinctive character. The deity resides in the temple in a certain form. This decides the character of the temple, its sentiment, feeling, energy and rules. The rules are dependent on the character of the deity. Sabarimala celebrates celibacy as a means for self-purification. The first eight of the eighteen steps symbolise the Ashtaragas – Desire, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Pride, Competitiveness, Jealousy, Boastfulness. By crossing the steps, the devotee is symbolically crossing these human afflictions and moving towards the realization of Tat Twam Asi.
There is an exchange of energy in the temple. The devotees’ energy further energises the temple and the temple raises the devotee’s energy. This is intuitively understood and respected by devotees. There are rules about how to maintain the sanctity of the temple’s energy. If the energy is disturbed, then there are rituals to rebalance the energy. The disturbance can be for any reason, by man or woman. Recently, the Shudhi rites carried out by the Tanthri at Sabarimala has been hysterically interpreted as cleansing the pollution caused by the visit of women with menstruating capability considered impure. This is not true. Any disturbance of energy, for any reason, by man, woman, child or faulty rituals, needs to be corrected by Shudhi.
With the assault on Sabarimala this sublime idea of a temple being an energy center is being destroyed. Its benefits accrue to the one who goes with shradha and not any misplaced idea of equality. What was amplified for the women who entered the temple by deceit and deception? Was is purity or was it ugliness. Contemplate on this question. A place where millions surrender their ego is being strangled by the egos of a handful.
A temple is an idea of beauty so sublime that it brings out the best in human nature. What will be achieved by overpowering this delicate idea by brute force. Think about it, our current world view is based on the ugliness of monotheism, the wound of Cartesian absolutism and the dreadful notion that nature is the slave of man. It has landed us in conflict, sickness of the individual psyche and destruction of nature. Dharma has always been there as a wise alternative with enlightened personal living, responsible social living and coexistence with nature. India is one of the last stubbornly surviving bastions. Why would you kill it with absolutist ideas. This assault on the temple is not something that liberals should gloat over.
Uttarapaksha
The liberal point of view, that this is a case of gender discrimination, is not a slam dunk. The traditionalist arguments are also meritorious. The feminists believe that it is high time discriminatory practices end. Equally, the Hindus believe that it is high time reverse discrimination against the majority ends too. What is needed is dialogue. Forcing a point of view can have dangerous consequences. However, what I am going to present here is that there is a bigger conspiracy and the liberals are being used as a screen. The real agenda is far more sinister. I will build my case based on facts.
In their path breaking book, Breaking India, Rajiv Malhotra and Aravindan Neelakandan have detailed the nexus between Western governments, academia, foundations, evangelical organisations, leftists and jihadists and their agenda to divide India along its fault lines, change its demography and prevent its rise. They execute their plan by creating a negative narrative of India, atrocity literature, subversion, evangelism and terrorism. A February 2004 Tehelka Expose by V S Shashikumar details Project Joshua which aims to Christianise India. The project has humongous funding and a breathtaking strategy that would make a military plan look amateurish. A more detailed discussion on this larger Breaking India agenda is beyond the scope of this article. The purpose here is to simply state that there is such an agenda. In this section, I will only focus on factually presenting the conspiracy against Sabarimala and make the point that the attack on Sabarimala is systematic and sustained.
The Communist Government
The Communist government in Kerala is taking cover behind the ruse that they are merely implementing the Supreme Court judgement. However, the manner in which they have forced women into the temple reveals their anti-Hindu stance:
They have desecrated the temple using deceit and deception. Do elected governments use deceit against their own people?
The kind of women they have conscripted to violate the temple are, by no stretch of imagination, devotees
They have used Muslim and Christian women and mandated that female government employees participate in the farcical government sponsored wall. I hope the irony of burqa clad Muslim women protesting Brahminical Patriarchy is not lost even on the most cynical. Do governments sponsor walls to hurt their own people?
They have picked on the Hindus for forceful implementation of a court judgement while sparing the Christians on a very similar issue: In the long standing dispute between the two factions of the Malankara church – Orthodox Syrian Church and Jacobite Syrian Church, the Supreme court ruling on July 3rd 2017, gave the Orthodox Church control over Jacobite churches. When the Jacobites prevented the Orthodox from entering their churches, a petition was filed by the Orthodox Church in a Kerala Court seeking police protection. The judge came down heavily on the administration and noted that they had a duty to implement the Supreme Court judgement. A review petition filed by the Jacobite Church was rejected by the Supreme Court on November 14th the same year. This makes the government equally duty bound to implement the court order. But this is what the Times of India reported about the government stance: “The government has said it is trying for an amicable solution as there has been continued escalation of tension between the two factions … resulting in law and order problem.” Can someone explain the difference between the case of Sabarimala and Malankara church as far is the need for ‘amicable solution’ and prevention of ‘law and order problem’ is concerned? Being kind to the Jacobites but using brute force, deception and non-devotees to desecrate Sabarimala, at the very least, reveals an attitude to assert superiority over Hinduism. It is no different from the attitude of invaders of the past.
Christian Conspiracy
On June 14th 1950, a temple employee found that the main temple, hall and store room of Sabarimala were gutted. Since the temple was closed after the pilgrimage season on May 20th 1950, it was not immediately known when the fire occurred. A police investigation later put the date of arson to 26-27th May. The incident was investigated by DIG, Special BranchKesava Menon. The investigation report is in the public domain. The report concluded:
There were violent cut marks on the door of the temple, the moorti had been decapitated and its left palm cut by an axe. The axe was recovered from the scene of crime. Since no valuables were missing, it was concluded that robbery was not the motive.
The investigation ruled out the role of any Hindu group since it was Christians that lived at the base of the Sabarimala hill and no outside group could have entered without being noticed.
Circumstantial evidence strongly pointed to local Christians.
The probable reasons were:
a) To intimidate the Hindus who considered the surrounding forest holy and objected to Christians hunting wild animals there.
b) Sabarimala did not discriminate on caste and this came in the way of the Christian plan to convert lower caste Hindus.
Congress minister C. Keshawan is on record saying that one temple down means so much of reduction in superstition.
Nilackal is on the route to Sabarimala and considered holy by the Hindus. In March 1983, the church claimed that they had found a 2000 year old wooden cross in Nilackal. They claimed it to be a St Thomas relic. They demanded and were given a land grant to build a church there. The Hindus led by K Rajashekharan, the present governor of Mizoram, protested. After six months of strong protest the land grant given by the Congress government was cancelled. However, 58 acres of reserved forest land was granted at a distance of 4 km from Nilackal. A church stands there today. It may be added, that when A.S.I. demanded that the cross be handed over to them for examination, the church refused, thus suggesting that the planting of the cross was a ploy.
In the year 2000 a lizard was found in a can of the holy Aravan Payasam. The matter was investigated by the High Court. Its report is clear that it was impossible for a lizard to come through the narrow tube from which the payasam is poured into cans. It concluded that it was a deliberate act and the church spread the canard to erode the sanctity of the Aravan Payasam.
In 2006, the Tanthri was abducted by Bechu Rahman, Shobha John and Biju Peters. Rahman belongs to the D company and Shobha is a sex worker. Obscene pictures were taken of him in Shobha’s house. Rahul Eshwar has exposed this joint Muslim-Christian conspiracy to defame Sabarimala.
We have seen how the government has favoured the Jacobites by not implementing the Supreme Court judgement. To return the favour, the Jacobite church instructed 100,000 of its women to join the government sponsored wall in January 2019. Fr. Varghese Kallappara is on record saying “It is the policy of Jacobite Church to lend support to those who help us in crisis.” At the flimsiest pretext the Christians shout persecution but have no qualms in hurting the sentiments of Hindus on an issue that has nothing to do with them.
The Christian objective is to break the monopoly of Hindus in one of their biggest pilgrimage centers, to establish a church near Sabarimala and ensure that the area becomes a center for Christianity.
The Muslim Angle
A narrative is being created that because of Vavar mosque, Muslims too have a claim to this place. Vavar was a friend of the prince of Pandalum. He became a devotee of Ayyappa and requested that he build a mosque for Ayyappa pilgrims to visit. In the spirit of Hindu inclusiveness, the prince agreed. Little did he know that centuries later the mosque will be used to claim Muslim rights to the area.
The Jihadist angle came to light when 360 kgs of explosives were found in the forest close to the temple in December 2016. The plan was to blow up the temple on 6th December, anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. Alert forest guards discovered this and saved the temple.
Conclusion
Sabarimala is not a random case. It has been carefully chosen to hit the Hindus where it hurts the most. The next likely target is Khumb Mela, the largest gathering of Hindus with an unbroken tradition going back 8000 years. Rajiv Malhotra has investigated the Harvard Khumb Mela Project led by Diana Eck. Her real agenda was given away when she remarked that she missed seeing feminist NGOs at the Mela. The attack on Khumb Mela will be on expected lines. Demographic studies will map caste wise participation to look at inequality of facilities with an aim to create inter caste conflict. Feminists will write against Khumb Mela being a male bastion and highlight exploitation of women. Environmentalists will weigh in with the narrative of rituals causing pollution. Public Health experts will declare Khumb Mela a health hazard and Christian missionaries will infiltrate in the guise of providing food and water.
This is what Hindus are up against. Colonial era laws persist and are being used against them. In many instances, the state is against them, as can be seen from the history of Sabarimala. The monotheists and Marxists are not going to back down. The media is against Hindus too and will be the first to run down and even misrepresent their traditions as they are doing in the case of Sabarimala. Hindus will be provoked and, when they react, they will be labeled Hindu Taliban. This is just the way it is. Hindus need to unite behind issues like the assault on Sabarimala. To change a system that discriminates against the majority will take some doing. In a democracy this, will not happen unless the constituency backing these changes is large, united and consistent.
The communist government must have thought they could get away with their plan to break the Hindu hold over the Sabarimala geography and tradition and to turn a most holy place into a tourist jamboree. But they misread the rise of Hindu consciousness and have landed themselves in a huge mess. The blueprint on which a Hindu renaissance can be structured is a thing of great beauty and a tested system for everything the liberals yearn for. Liberals and Hindu revivalists can be allies, all they need is to talk to each other.
References
Sabarimala Temple Case Parts 1 & 2- News X discussion with J Sai Deepak, Iqbal Ansari and Tarun Nagpal, YouTube
Sabarimala Temple Arson Case- Enquiry Report by Shri K. Kesavan Menon, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Special Branch, C.I.D (On Special Duty)
Chiranjeevi Bhat, Is there a Christian conspiracy against Sabarimala, Indiafacts.org
Radhakrishna Kuthoor, Commissioner Suspects Foul Play, The Hindu, Dec 15, 2000
Mahir Haneef, Control over Orthodox Church: Will Try For Amicable Settlement, Government Tells HC, Times of India, July 18, 2018
T A Ameerudheen, A Century Old Church Dispute in Kerala Comes Up Again as Supreme Court Rejects Plea on Leadership, Scroll, Nov 19, 2018
Rajiv Malhotra, Why Khumb Mela is at Risk, Infinity Foundation
Atul Sinha founded and runs a leading Strategic Brand Design Company. His interest in Indic culture and history led him to pursue a PhD program at SVYASA, Bangalore. He writes on Vedanta and Indic Culture.
Re: Indian Army News and Discussions
Outside of BRF/BGF everyone buys that.Chandragupta wrote: ↑Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:06 pmI read this in entirety and found this -gunjur wrote: ↑Mon Jan 01, 2018 10:00 amHopefully not posted here yet.
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Mostly many of of you may have already read this.
Who is the REAL defence Minister? - Bharat Karnad
When Nirmala Sitharaman, ex-JNU, ex-Price Waterhouse Cooper, ex-BBC, was appointed Defence Minister by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, some believed it to be an inspired choice. Others were more skeptical, aware that as a junior minister with not much to show as commerce minister, Sitharaman’s leapfrogging over senior BJP honchos to occupy the important ministerial slot was more symbolic than a substantive move and, so, alas, it has proved. She simply lacks the self-confidence and/or understanding and/or instinct/insight to do the right thing. But she’s up in sensing the extant political balance of power within the Modi cabinet where Arun Jaitley — the most powerful person in cabinet outside of Modi — rules the roost.
It is this veto Jaitley has used to push his own — but more likely — the PM’s agenda to do with the politically sensitive matter of providing the Modi funders/friendlies, ahem,… favourite “crony capitalists” (whose names are well known) with zero defence industrial experience and near zero manufacturing wherewithal and workforce, the opportunity to get in on the lucrative “defence industry” business. The government may argue that this move creates many more defence industrial-capable entities in the economy. But it puts a spoke in the wheel of companies — Tata, Mahindra, L&T, etc, that had the commercial foresight to invest in, and be part of some of the most sensitive and advanced military projects, without any expectation of raking in the moolah by riding on the coattails of a friendly political dispensation in Delhi.Karnad is implying that Modi is using policy to benefit his 'crony capitalist' friends. Not sure I buy that.So, where does Ms Sitharaman fit into this circus? Well, you heard of the “mukhota” (mask). In the previous BJP govt. Vajpayee was supposedly the mukhota and, depending on who was speaking, Advani or NSA Brajesh Mishra, was the arch manipulator. Where Sitharaman is concerned it is Jaitley at the MOD controls — she runs frequently across to the North Block, quite literally and, when this is inconvenient, telephonically, clearing virtually every defence decision with him.
In other words, Jaitley is the real Defence Minister who, in turn, defers to the great Wizard residing at 7, Race Course Road, and at the master control with the political override button. Except Modi — the ultimate “political animal” is mostly preoccupied with Amit Shah with winning the next slate of elections (state, 2019 general) and doesn’t do too much micro-managing, trusting that the guidelines verbally issued to Jaitley will be strictly followed.
Ouch that hurts.