It has been 3 weeks since the release/posting of my explanation/apology note (dated 4th April) on the subject of my lecture posted on YouTube. Following that, the secretary general of the Islamic Information & Services (IIS) has also released a press statement (dated 10th April) on the same subject, giving a much wider background to it, including description of IIS (the organization which I am proud to be part of) and its activities.
Subsequent to the above releases, I am happy to report the following healthy developments:
- The video posting, traced back to some Malaysian students in Cairo, was taken off the YouTube by the students themselves, after considering IIS’s explanation and request;
- I have personally received telephone calls from open minded Hindus, acknowledging the facts contained in the above explanation note and press release, concurring with us that there had been no misrepresentation of any Hindu scripture and no intent to insult;
- Many callers also expressed appreciation of our effort to settle the matter by promptly issuing an explanation/apology, while at the same time ensuring the video was immediately taken off the YouTube.
However, as always, there are those who want to exploit the matter for their own ‘political’ end, needing controversies to stay relevant and continue to be seen as a ‘champion of the people’. The level of desperation can be gauged by the fact that some of them saw it ‘profitable’ to actually re-load the video (on their website/blog) that we had removed from YouTube only days before.
Unfortunately, to this day, I still receive some of the most shockingly uncivilized and ‘unholy’ remarks from Hindus who are supposedly acting in defense of the holiness of Hinduism. Examples of these filths can also be found as opinions/comments posted on some Hindu websites which had earlier publicised my telephone number and address, to initiate personal harassments and attacks on me and my family members. Sure enough, it had caused me and my family a lot of hardship as abuses and even threats of physical harm started pouring in. This, plus the fact that certain Hindu organizations had seen it fit to make a police report on me, had forced me to also make a police report on all the abuses and especially the threats. Fortunately, being a Hindu myself once, I know better than to judge Hindus by these people. No, they do not represent the Hindu majority, nor reflect the peaceful and tolerant nature of Hinduism.
I realize by now that some people are just not capable of being objective and nothing much can be done about that. For the rest however, we would again extend our humble invitation to assess the matter objectively and sincerely. I take it that most have already done so, since no Hindu organization has so far responded to our previous invitation for any further clarification or dialogue, if deemed necessary. Lastly, I would urge knowledgeable Hindus (especially those in high positions) to make their views heard in order to rescue the image of Hindus and Hinduism in this country, and not leave it in the hands of those who are destroying it, perhaps unknowingly.
Thank you.
Shah Kirit Kakulal Govindji