These articles have been written after a reading of the 4 chapters by Dr. Deendhayal Upadhyaya, titled-'Integral Humanism'. Integral Humanism is the philosophy adopted by the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is suggested that the reader go through the text of Integral Humanism completely before reading these articles.
It is characteristically penned by Upadhyaya in an ambiguous tone, neither clearly defining terms the terms which he uses nor adhering to the vague semblance of a definition even when he provides one, occasionally.
It is characteristic in the usage of another common defence—evasion. Neatly sidestepping the main problems facing the author of a new philosophy, failing to clear the air about fundamental questions (by not asking them), Upadhyaya goes on to talk about economic policies and social structures.
And finally, it is characteristic in its usage of passages from The Ramayana, The Mahabharata and the Vedas. Examples; lifted out-of-context, with the sole aim of resolving confusions by the stamp of the authority of the sacred texts, are used indiscriminately throughout the text of the four chapters.
As an example when confronted with the nauseous religious caste system, all Upadhyaya has to say is;
"Here too, there were castes, but we had never accepted, conflict between one caste and another as fundamental concept behind it. In our concept of four castes, they are thought of as analogous to the different limbs of Virat-purusha. It was suggested that from the head of the Virat-Purusha Bhrahmins were created, Kshatriyas from hands, Vaishyas from his abdomen and Shudras from legs. If we analyze this concept we are faced with the question whether there can arise any conflict among the head, arms. stomach and legs of the same Virat Purusha. If conflict is fundamental, the body cannot be maintained. There cannot be any conflict in the different parts of the same body"So, this means to say that a single human body is analogous to society. Society is thus equated to a single concrete entity, it gains an identity of its own.
Integral Humanism is another altruist philosophy. Another philosophy devoted to the elevation of the concept of society to the level of the Gods. I substantiate...
"The truth is that the view that individuals have brought society into being, is fundamentally incorrect. It is true that the society is composed of a number of individuals. Yet it is not made by people, nor does it come into being by mere coming together of a number of individuals...in our view society is self-born...in reality, society is an entity with its own "SELF", its own life; it is a sovereign being like an individual;" [emphasis mine]Pearls of wisdom of this kind are found sprinkled throughout the text of Integral Humanism
Yet Integral Humanism gains respectability among the multitude of BJP followers for Upadhyaya's capacity as a man who can twist concepts, use word-substitutions cleverly, and use sacred texts of a particular religion for 'authentification' of his ideas. And his capacity to befuddle the mind with using 'Bharatiya culture', Integral Humanism and 'Indian culture' interchangeably without any qualms.
| The 'replies to Integral Humanism' Series |
| 1. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha 2. The core of Integral Humanism Part-1 3. The core of Integral Humanism Part-2 4. "We want neither capitalism nor socialism!" 5. The conclusion |