March 6, 2006
Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) is deeply concerned at way Prophet Mohammed has been depicted in sections of Western media, and the ensuing vehement violent protests from the Islamic world. There are three dimensions to this complex issue, which have to be understood, and responded to.

First, there is this idea of unfettered free speech as some sort of a utopian goal. But many societies, including majority of the Western ones themselves do not subscribe to the notion of unfettered free speech. For instance, many Western countries restrict freedom of expression for those who promote sedition, indulge in hate-mongering or resort to blasphemy, the last one being in the context of a "Christian God". In contrast, the Hindu view is that a mature and wise society will not, on its volition, abuse the license to express freely and use it as a cloak to promote intolerance and hatred. Indeed, that is what happened when the Danish cartoonists portrayed Prophet Mohammed in most uncharitable terms, knowing fully well that such depictions denigrate devout Muslims in intensely personal ways and attack some of the fundamentals of Islamic world. Those who are wise, suggest the Vedas, subscribe to the notion, satyam bruyaat, priyam bruyaat, maa bruyaat satyam priyam. The uncharitable depictions of Mohammed in these cartoons clearly show that West in general, exceptions notwithstanding, takes the maxim of "freedom of expression" as an article of blind faith, rather than something that is rooted in reason and that which serves a utilitarian purpose.

Second, the response of the Islamic world has also been not-too wise either. People, innocent Hindus, Christians and also a large number of Muslim, have been killed, and hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated in the streets world over calling for death of Denmark, West, and all that goes with the West. Such an acerbic and deeply intolerant response to equally intolerant cartoons is deeply alarming. It betrays a deep and seemingly irreconcilable divide between Islamic and Western worlds. The protests only further the institutionalization of this divide - a very unwelcome development for the human family. The language of protests, which repeatedly invokes image of death, is indicative of the fact that Islamic world is increasingly gravitating towards requiring the elimination of the "other" as the solution to its own deep problems. The cartoons have provided the demonstrators once again an excuse to rationalize their deep intolerance towards everything they deem foreign and unIslamic.

There is an equally disturbing third element to this whole issue. It is the underlying logic behind the self-imposed censorship of Western media post the anti-cartoon vehement violent protests the world over. This self-censorship on cartoons was not imposed because these cartoons were deeply offensive. Rather, it was triggered by the extremity of the protests and the associated geo-political consequences of widespread violent acts. Implicit in such a positioning is that denigration of civilizational symbols is OK as long as the other side remains "rational", the larger message being that violation of one's core identity is preventable only through violent means. Now that is not the right message for a world which is on the brink of a civilizational clash.

As stakeholders in world peace and harmony, VHPA on behalf of Hindus of America appeals to all parties involved in this dispute to ponder over these facets of the cartoon controversy, and be more circumspect and restrained in terms of portrayal of, and relating to, the diversity of human family.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) of America (VHPA), founded in 1970 and incorporated in the state of New York in 1974, is an independent, nonprofit, tax- exempt and volunteer-based charitable organization serving the needs of Hindu community in USA. It aims to build a dynamic and vibrant Hindu society rooted in the eternal values of Dharma and inspired by the lofty ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. the entire creation is one family.