One of the saddest things amidst the political noise on Sanatan dharma and weaponisation of Hinduism is the eclipsing of India's non-denominational spirituality that emphasizes self-realization, social service and humanity over rituals and festivals. Shirdi Sai baba, Guru Nanak, Yogananda, Narayan Guru, Ramana Maharishi and Thiruvalluvar are among key gurus/saints in the syncretic tradition prevalent in India. Each of them was a blessing to the country, but now fake godmen propped up by the ruling dispensation for majority votes rule the roost. All you hear about these days are 'Hindu khatrey mein hai', 'Akhand Bharat', 'Mughals destroyed temples', 'Vishwaguru', and other such toxic rubbish. That the country has gone South due to these shenanigans is lost on no one but many choose to keep quiet out of fear of retribution. Dharma (doing the right thing) has been replaced by drama and dogma, religion by rabidity, sewa (service to others) by swarth (selfishness), pooja by pompousness, maitri (friendship) by mania and peaceful co-existence by bigoted polarisation. India is a society in vicious churn about to be flushed down the dustbin of history, all thanks to the leaders of today.
