NAVYA SASTRA VISION

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NAVYA SHASTRA VISION STATEMENT

 

 

 

 

Hinduism is facing a great many challenges, both external and internal. On the outside, ill-wishers are trying to malign and dismantle it. Within, we have practitioners and leaders who are insensitive to, or unaware of the social, political, and ethical forces that are sweeping the world. Navya Shastra consists of a group of Hindus who deeply love and care for our rich and ancient tradition. We are also very concerned about its future.

 

We strongly feel that one major blemish in the Hindu world (within India) is the pernicious aspect of the caste system which denies equal spiritual rights to all Hindus, and imposes a conceptual hierarchy that considers some Hindus to be superior/inferior to other Hindus on the basis of their birth. We do not think that the dehumanization of Hindus or of any other people is part of the Vedas, Sanskrit or Tamil.

 

If some shastras tolerated or encouraged caste-based social injustices, we reject them, and declare it is time to formulate a system of values consistent with the age in which we live (yugadharma). We are against caste hierarchy and caste injustices, not only because they are not sanctioned in the Vedas, but also because they are morally wrong, unacceptable, and anachronistic in the world in which we live. We also need to rid Hindu society of its caste constraints, because they undermine the future of the religion as a viable system in the modern world. We are dreaming of a day when the loftier Hindu visions in Sanatana Dharma will spread all over the world. There will come a time when practitioners of other religious systems will resonate with the universal values and visions that are implicit in the roots of Hinduism.

 

We invite all our Hindu brothers and sisters to join us in raising their voices against casteism, and for making Hinduism a greater religion than what she has ever been.

 

Lobby all dharmacharyas to reflect on the fossilized iniquities in Sanatana Dharma. We will actively strive to catalyze the Hindu leadership into addressing the caste issue and other salient social issues.

 

Engender a national debate on a Navya Shastra--one that would redress the inequalities inherent in the caste system. While the spiritual intuition of our sages is timeless and eternal, the social tenets which govern Hindu society have never been static--our lawgivers have reinterpreted them in different eras.

 

Conduct a respectful dialogue on reformulating the social tenets of Sanatana Dharma, in which all members of our community are welcomed to participate.

 

Keep a consolidated, indexed list of press reports relating to this decision and other issues.

 

Establish an electronic journal for which we will invite contributions on the subject of Hindu renewal. From time to time, members of our organization will interview religious leaders, gathering their opinions and ideas on this subject.

 

Track and promote the efforts of Hindu organizations and charities who are working to eradicate caste discrimination in India.

 

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

Vikram Masson

(201)674 2065 (USA)

navyashastra@shastras.org

(www.shastras.org)

 

 

Navya Shastra Endorses Government of India Plan to Examine Laws of Manu. Commends Hindu Leaders for Initiating Anti-Untouchability Campaign

 

Troy, Michigan--July 5, 2005--Navya Shastra, an international organization of scholars, practitioners and priests dedicated to fostering the spiritual equality of all Hindus, commends the Government of India's Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Commission for initiating a dialog with Hindu religious leaders on abolishing discriminatory scriptures from the Hindu corpus of sacred texts. The Commission singled out the Laws of Manu for careful scrutiny, stating that it has divided Hindus based upon caste."In order to fulfill the egalitarian aspirations of the world's one billion Hindus, it is important that we carefully examine the religious sources of caste discrimination," said Dr. Jaishree Gopal, Navya Shastra Co-Chairman, "and though the Laws of Manu and other similar texts are not legally binding in the Republic of India, many upper-caste Hindus have internalized the hierarchical values contained in the text and find in it a religious basis for the continuing oppression of the lower castes," she added.

 

Navya Shastra also commends a group of religious leaders in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for initiating an anti-untouchability campaign in the region. A group of seers will compose a new mantra to end religious discrimination and have promised to agitate for the rights of Harijans to conduct religious ceremonies at temples throughout India. "For too long, Hindu religious leaders have remained silent despite soaring levels of caste discrimination in rural India. It is heartening to see them finally taking a stand," said Vikram Masson, Navya Shastra Co-Chairman.