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Case for reformed Hinduism

It is unfortunate that my book on Vaishno Devi, which contains a comprehensive blueprint for reforms of Hinduism, should have been reviewed in such a cavalier fashion as has been done by your reviewer in The Sunday Tribune of May 30.

Since the reviewer has brought in extraneous factors and practically ignored all the propositions put forward by me, it seems necessary that their core at least should be made known to your readers. This core envisages splitting of Hinduism into the following three broad levels, each covering a distinct segment with a character of its own.

Level I

This level comprises the basic structure of Hinduism, and shows it in its highest orbit. It is the result of a long evolutionary process that culminated in the formulation of Upanishadic thought and philosophy of Vedanta. It is this Hinduism which had captivated the mind of renowned philosophers, scientists and literary giants of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Level II

It includes temple-going, deity-worshipping and festival-observing Hindus. It encompasses beliefs and practices which are not contrary to the basic structure of Hinduism, and which came into being in response to the religious needs of the common folk who could not grasp the intellectual content of its core, and had to depend on temples, images of gods and goddesses and their symbols.

Level III

In this level would fall all superstitions, spurious rites, malevolent cults, caste-divisions, gender discrimination etc., which are violative not only of the basic structure of Hinduism but also of modern sensitivities and norms of human rights.

My reform proposals advocate total elimination of level III, refinement of level II and regeneration of level I.

To my knowledge, no such clear-cut proposition for reform of Hinduism and for according pre-eminence to its basic structure has hitherto been advanced by anyone.

Jagmohan, Former Governor of J&K, New Delhi

Blueprint for technical education reforms
The blueprint presented by Mr Dharam Vir and Dr S.K. Mulick for technical education reforms in their article, “Faculty shortage dogs IITs” (Perspective, June 13), is timely and commendable. It is true that there is an acute shortage of qualified faculty in the existing IITs. The government must ensure availability of qualified trained faculty in the respective disciplines.
Effective measures are needed to appoint more qualified faculty with special incentives and higher pay packages. The intake for M.Tech and Ph.D must be increased to meet with the day-to-day demand in the IITs.

Owing to shortage of Ph.D candidates with three-year teaching experience, those with M.Tech degree can also be appointed teachers with the condition that the selected candidate will complete Ph.D from the same institution at the time of working as M.Tech Teacher.

Even talented B.Tech candidates can also be appointed as teachers and they should be sent for M.Tech and Ph.D. Additional facilities are required to be provided to the family members of faculty working in the institutions located in remote areas to attract more talented candidates. Integrated M.Tech/ Ph.D courses exclusive for teaching professionals in the IITs are required to be started immediately to overcome the faculty shortage.

Er NIRANJAN SINGH, Chandigarh