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by slurry 4276 days ago
Vivekananda also lives on as an icon for the RSS and other extreme right wing Hindu groups.

Here for example is RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat speaking in front of a big Vivekananda picture:

http://samvada.org/files/Independence-Day-Bangalore-Aug-15-2...

Maybe they claim him wrongly? IDK.

3 comments

All I would say is, do not let those scumbags distance you from reading about this guy. They have been trying to 'churchify' hinduism since ever and playing fast and loose with history and building this identity of "a racially and spiritually superior never-did-nothing-wrong majority that has been repeatedly wronged" that now needs to collect its dues and reclaim its prestige. It is striking how often that line works.

But yeah, expect downvotes because many people believe that crap. More true among Indians outside of India and in particular regions within, perhaps fuelled by the urge to connect with their roots. That is a perfectly legitimate emotion, just spoiled by the presence of these people who try to make some quick religio-political capital out of it.

The RSS tends to co-opt historical figures and revise history to suit their agenda.
"The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

An evil soul producing holy witness

Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,

A goodly apple rotten at the heart.

O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!”