No God Is a Brahmin: Why We Must Heed the Bold Observations of JNU's VC

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 24 August 2022 Our Prehistoric Tribalism Gave Birth to a Host of Gods ----- Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is an Indian academic and the current Vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University ---- Kudos to the VC of JNU, Santishree Pandit, who has the gumption to assert in these god and religio-centric times that no god is a Brahmin. She recently explained the anthropological origins of gods in Hindu pantheon and said that Shiva and Jagannath were tribal gods, rather deities as deities are quasi-gods. She went on to call Manusmriti, a blatantly gender-biased book. That she's a woman who talks of god's ( socio-religious) status is really commendable because being genetically programmed to believe in god and religion, women often prefer to keep mum on these hair-splitting theological issues. Her example must be emulated and Hindus as well as Muslims should reassess and re-interpret their religious beliefs and biases. I'm not employing Intentional Fallacy in this regard but it seems that the VC has an agnostic or questioning mind-set, which is a very good sign. To analyse gods from anthropological perspective is a refreshing diversion in such religiously volatile times. Whether the Allah of Muslims or the gods of Hindus or any other faith, it's our anthropological perceptions that have been imposed upon our 'divine' concoctions. God is a reminder of our tribal past. It's a sustained manifestation and protector of early humans' survival instincts and fears. We created god after our own image, not the other way round. Our prehistoric tribalism gave birth to a host of gods. The VC also added that when Hinduism is a way of life, why should we fear criticism and not condemn discrimination? Muslims also claim that their Islam is Mukammal Zaabita-e-Hayaat. If it's also a way of life, why so much violence and bloodshed? Will anyone from Muslim community dare say that Islam's books are also gender-specified and discriminatory and Allah is a human manifestation or imposition, if NOT an outright fabrication? I'm not an absolute person. Nor do I believe in absolutism. I'm open to accepting and refuting my own beliefs if one can shut my mouth with his/her incontrovertible arguments, but not with guns! So, I may believe with you that there could be some power that pervades and permeates the whole universe. But, why should we kill anyone for the sake of that transcendental power and why should anthropomorphise that spirit? It's time for all humans to browse through their scriptures and re-check their own beliefs like this intrepid VC and create a new world order where even your god is on an even keel with you. To quote Urdu poet Jameel Mazhari, known as Shaan-e-Bihar, " Jhukaya Tu Ne, Jhuke Hum Barabari Na Rahi/ Ye Bandagi Hui Ae Dost, Aashiqi Na Rahi " (You forced us into submission and we succumbed/ This is worship, my friend, not love). ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/god-brahmin-observations-jnu-vc/d/127782 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism