India already has a National Book – Constitution, says John Dayal
New Delhi, 09 Dec 2014: BJP leader and foreign affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's call for declaring Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita as the national scripture of the country has generated a hot debate among intellectuals and community leaders of different religions.
Eminent human rights activist and Christian leader John Dayal says India already has a National Book in the form of Constitution.
"There should be respect given to all books of faith…But our Constitution is our national book because I believe that it distils all the good the various books of faith contain in themselves – the sacredness and dignity of the human person from the womb to the end, the equality of all people, fundamental freedoms," says Dr John Dayal adding that erosion of the Constitution, which gives the country Rule of Law, has started.
"I fear that the erosion of our Constitution is taking place right before our eyes. In the past one month, government ministers and non-state actors have articulated their vision of an India of the future, and subtle but perceptible changes have already been brought about towards goal of a mono-cultural India which remains at odds with its vivid variety. This is a testing of waters for a more direct assault in the future. It could be a matter of time," says he in a post on his facebook page.
Speaking at 'Gita Prerna Mahotsav' event at the Red Fort in New Delhi on 7th Dec, Swaraj had asked the Centre to declare Bhagavad Gita as a 'Rashtriya Granth' (national scripture).
Dr Dayal, who has read holy books of several religions, says all should be respected, though personally, being a Christian, the Bible is the book of his faith.
"I have read the Bhagavad Gita many times in its English translation by the philosopher and second President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and hold it in high regard as I do the Holy Quran, the Zen Avesta, the Guru Granth Sahib and others, which I have read in parts over the years, also in their English translations. I wish I could have read in the wonderful languages they were written it. I studied Hebrew for a couple of years, but that was not enough to be proficient enough to read the Talmudic texts in the original. Knowing Urdu is absolutely no help in reading the Quran in its resonating Arabic. As a Christian, the Bible is the book of my faith, and holy for me. There should be respect given to all books of faith," says Dr. Dayal, former member of National Integration Council.
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