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According to Shrimad Bhagavatam or the Bhavata Purana, Kalki would be born into the family of a learned Brahmin Vishnuyasha and his wife Sumathi, in the village of Shambala, on the thirteenth day during the fortnight of the waxing moon.

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Kalki will also be a devout Shaivite. Pleased with his fervor, Lord Shiva will bestow upon him two gifts - a white horse named Devadatta, a parrot named Shuka, who will have knowledge about the past, present, and future, and a gleaming, jewel-encrusted sword with which he would vanquish wrongdoers.

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Before you watch 'Kalki 2898 AD, know about Lord Kalki in Hinduism - The Economic Times

Indore: A group of 30 Muslims have converted to Hinduism in Indore in Madhya Pradesh, a social organisation based here claimed on June 28, while police said it had not got any complaint so far of coercion in this connection.

Local organisation 'Sajha Sanskriti Manch' president Sam Pawri told reporters 30 persons, including 14 women, had converted from Islam to Hinduism under provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 2021.

Eyewitnesses said these persons took part in Hindu rituals, which included chanting of Vedic hymns, that took place in Khajrana Ganesh temple here.

These people have submitted an affidavit to the district administration under Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 2021 proclaiming they are voluntarily changing their religion, Pawri said.

"We have received information about 28 people participating in a ritual for voluntary change of religion at Khajrana Ganesh temple. We have not received any complaint so far that these people have changed religion due to any pressure, influence or greed. If a complaint is received, appropriate legal steps will be taken," Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhinay Vishwakarma told PTI.

The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 2021 was enacted to prohibit religious conversions through force, fraud or greed and violators can face jail of up to 10 years and Rs 1 lakh fine.

Published 28 June 2024, 17:04 IST

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30 Muslims convert to Hinduism in Indore, cops say no complaint of coercion received - Deccan Herald

In a April 8 circular, the Gujarat government said it considers Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism "a separate religion" from Hinduism and has asked Hindu's seeking to convert to any these three to seek permission of the concerned district magistrate under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003.

Gujarat Home department issued the circular, signed by its Deputy Secretary Vijay Badheka, after it found that applications seeking conversion to Buddhism were not being dealt with as per the rules.

Several Dalit Hindus in Gujarat convert to Buddhism at mass events every year.

According to the circular, the Home Ministry noticed that district magistrate offices are "arbitrarily interpreting" the Gujarat's Religion Act.

it has come to notice that in applications seeking permission for conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, procedure as per rules are not being followed. Moreover, sometimes, representations are being received from applicants and autonomous bodies that for religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, prior permission is not required," the circular read.

It also said that in cases where applications for prior permission of conversion were filed, the offices disposed them while stating that "under Article 25(2) of the Constitution, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism are included within Hinduism and so the applicant is not required to take permission for (such) religious conversion".

The circular further stated that replying on sensitive subject like religious conversion without sufficient study of legal provisions" may turn into judicial litigations.

Invoking the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003, the circular said that a person converting/or getting another person converted from Hinduism to Budhhism, Sikhism or Jainism will have to take prior permission of the district magistrate in a prescribed format.

The move has been welcomed by the Gujarat Buddhist Academy (GBA), a prominent organisations that hosts conversion events in the state.

Ramesh Banker, Secretary of GBA, told Indian Express (IE) that the circular has made it clear that Buddhism has nothing to do with Hinduism.

He also said that the organistation always took prior permissions, but confusion was created by (some in the) administration while misinterpreting the law".

"We believed from the beginning that Buddhism is not a part of Hinduism and for conversion to Buddhism, prior permission of the district magistrate is mandatory in a prescribed format. It was our demand (to issue such a clarification), which has been fulfilled," Banker told IE.

Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism are recognised as separate religions under the constitution, said Apeksha Lodha, Partner, Singhania & Co.

However, Supreme Court's Advocate on Record Rishi Sehgal said as part of the wider Hindu community which has different sects, sub-sects, faiths, modes of worship and religious philosophies, Sikhs and Jains are recognised as sects and sub-sects of Hindu religion in statutes like the Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Succession Act, Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act.

Talking to LiveMint, Apeksha said that Article 25 of the constitution allows all persons to have freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, and therefore converting to another religion by free will is legal in India.

No special permission is required to change religion in India. Everyone is free to change religion in India however the legal procedure is to be followed," she said.

To which, Sehgal said states such as Gujarat have enacted anti conversion laws, to keep a check upon forcible conversion.

States, including, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand have enacted Anti conversion laws, to keep a check upon forcible conversion from one religion to another, with penal consequences," he told LiveMint.

Sehgal also said that no permission is required for conversion from Hinduism to Sikhism, Buddhism or Jainism.

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Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism separate from Hinduism; Gujarat govt asks Hindus to seek permission to convert | Today News - Mint

The Indian Community in Russia has reunited over a religious cause. The president of the Indian Business Alliance and the Indian cultural and national centre Sita Sammy Kotwani expressed his intention to build the first Hindu structure in Russia, Moscow.

Hinduism, the third-largest religion in the world, has seen gradual growth in Russia, a country traditionally known for its Eastern Orthodox Church. Despite a strong Christian population, Hindu temples and community groups have started to appear in Russia. This is a sign of Russias evolving religious scene and growing diversity. Hindu cultural centers are important as they represent a safe space for the community. Hindu associations in Russia don't just serve as a religious group, but also as a hub for community-building activities. This development in Russia represents unity in diversity, how a country can grow while different religions coexist and honour the country and its traditions while adapting to newer influences.

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Hinduism in Russia: The When and How Hinduism, mostly prevalent in Southeast Asian countries like Nepal and India, started to appear in Russia around the late 1900s, during a time called perestroika. Perestroika, meaning restructuring, was a time period focused on changing the political and economic systems in an attempt to end the era of stagnation. The program welcomes immigrants, people of different ethnicities and religions, to settle and work in Russia. Russians have always been interested in new ideas from the East. Things like Indian books, yoga, and visits from spirituality helped in studying Hindu beliefs in the Soviet Union, which mainly aligned towards atheism during the 1990s.

Hinduism in Moscow The Russian government has been especially sincere to the Hindu demands, as its relationship with India tightens. Moscow, Russias capital, has many spiritual sites, including Hindu structures and community centres. The Indian Community in Moscow has demanded a Hindu temple structure, a mandir, to be built in the capital ahead of PM Modi's visit on July 8, 2024 hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin under the much-delayed annual summit mechanism. The cultural structures are not just restricted to the capital, but also spread across Russia, signifying widespread acceptance of Hinduism. Russias law allows people to practice their faith freely, and the same has also been demonstrated by the actions of the government and the local community. The people of the Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church recently welcomed a Hindu festival, reflecting a new openness in people.

There are approx Hindus in Russia, there is a notable presence of ISKCON temples in Moscow and St Petersburg. The ISKCON temple is situated inside a plain building, something the Indian Community wants to change. By demanding a Mandir structure, the Indian Community seeks a fair representation in the country.

The demand also holds significance as it is ahead of the BRICS summit, which will bring Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and other nations to discuss and deliberate upon world and local issues while emphasizing cooperation and cultural exchange amongst member countries. Previously, the Indian National Culture Center SITA had expressed gratitude to the Russian authorities for considering the historical proposal. They believe that the temple will not only enrich the cultural landscape of Moscow but also serve as a bridge of friendship between Russia and India.

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indiatodayglobal

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Jul 1, 2024

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Indians in Russia demand Hindu Temple, ahead of PM Modi's visit in July - India Today

Hindus feel that it is fine to incorporateBiblelessons in Oklahoma public schools as long as lessons from ancient Sanskrit scriptureBhagavad Gitaare also included.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who has read invocation in Oklahoma Senate in the past, in a statement in Nevada today, said thatBhagavad Gitawas a historically significant document, recognised throughout the world and was a treasure that should be taught in public school classrooms in Oklahoma. This sacred text was plainly the word of God spoken by BhagwanKrishna himself.

Various well-known Americans; including essayist-philosopher Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), theoretical physicist credited with being the father of the atomic bomb J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967), novelist-philosopher Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), essayist-poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955), etc.; were reportedly influenced byBhagavad Gita. It had inspired, fascinated, touched and impacted millions of readers worldwide over the centuries; Zed, who is President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, noted.

This philosophical and intensely spiritual poemBhagavad Gitaconsiders the nature of action, religious and social duty, the human relationship to God, the means of liberation, and the nature of sacrifice, etc.; Rajan Zed adds.

Zed further said that awareness about other religions thus created by such instruction fromBhagavad Gitain now religiously-diverse Oklahoma public school classrooms would make students of the state well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. Moreover, it would infuse morality and ethics in Oklahoma classrooms.

Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in the USA.

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction has reportedly ordered public schools to incorporate Bible instruction.

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Hindus seek incorporation of Gita instruction along with Bible in Oklahoma schools - MyIndMakers

Hindus feel that it is fine to display the Ten Commandments in Louisiana public school classrooms, as long as posters carrying verses from the ancient Sanskrit scripture Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord) are also displayed.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada Today, said that Bhagavad-Gita was a historically significant document, recognized throughout the world and was a treasure that should be displayed in public school classrooms in Louisiana in the form of posters carrying its verses. This sacred text was plainly the word of God spoken by Lord Krishna himself.

The Hindu community would cover all the costs of creating, printing and mounting these easily readable posters (11-by-14-inches), and no funding from the state or school districts or schools would be required, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said.

Various well-known Americans, including essayist-philosopher Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), theoretical physicist credited with being the father of the atomic bomb J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967), novelist-philosopher Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), essayist-poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955), etc. were reportedly influenced by Bhagavad-Gita. It has inspired, fascinated, touched and impacted millions of readers worldwide over the centuries; Zed noted.

This philosophical and intensely spiritual poem Bhagavad-Gita considers the nature of action, the religious and social duty, the human relationship to God, the means of liberation and the nature of sacrifice, Zed added.

Zed further said that awareness about other religions thus created by such displays of verses from Bhagavad-Gita in religiously-diverse Louisiana public school classrooms would make students of the state well-nurtured, well-balanced and enlightened citizens of tomorrow.

Moreover, it would infuse morality and ethics in Louisiana classrooms.

Hinduism is the oldest and third-largest religion of the world with about 1.2 billion adherents, and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about 3 million Hindus in the U.S.

Louisiana is reportedly the first U.S. state to require display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.

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Hindus seek display of Gita verses along with Ten Commandments in Louisiana schools - Hammond Daily Star online

LONDON: Hinduism in England is the third largest religion in the country and represent over 1.8% of the English population. British Hindus include Hindu communities like Gujaratis, Punjabis, Tamils from Srilanka, Nepali Hindus, Fijians, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyanese & Mauritians among others. In the recent years other Indian origin Hindu communities have made UK their home.

The largest concentration of Hindus is in London and Leicester. A number of regional and cultural organisations have been set up over the years to bring local Hindu communities together. There are also a few umbrella organisations which try to bring together the voice of Hindu communities to engage with each other and represent the community e.g., HCUK, HFB etc.

The community overall is highly educated and contributes significantly to the GDP of the country. The crime rate within the community is also very low. Despite all this the community has often felt ill represented in the local and national politics.

The Hindu Manifesto for GE 2024 is a first consolidated effort to bring forward the vision and aspirations of the British Hindu community to the forefront so that the political parties and candidates understand the long pressing needs of the community and develop better understanding of what the community expects from them.

In the UK the ethnic minorities distribution and representation is better understood from a religious spectrum as opposed to nationality or other classifications primarily because communities from a number of commonwealth countries have migrated to the UK in the last 70 years and they are organised and represented locally through their religious bodies including temples, mosques, synagogues and gurudwaras.

Other minority communities including the Jews, Sikhs and Muslims have been producing a community manifesto for a number of election periods now and it is the first time that the British Hindu community have consolidated the efforts to produce a manifesto which covers a range of issues that are close to the community and represents their vision and aspirations.

Ever since the manifesto has been released, there has been a lot of interest in the Manifesto and a number of hustings organised by the hindu community has seen parliamentary candidates taking keen interest in reading the manifesto and providing their endorsement to the demands listed in the Hindu manifesto.

There have also been some publications questioning the need for a Hindu manifesto, and also questioning some issues listed in the manifesto. It is clear that there is some misunderstanding within sections of the media on the demands listed in the Manifesto and a lack of understanding on the need for a Hindu Manifesto. Lets look at some of these questions and why there was a need for the Hindu Manifesto for GE 2024:

Why Use Religion in a democracy for representing community demands: United Kingdom is a thriving Democracy and at the same time by law United Kingdom is still a Christian country, as at the institutional level the Anglican Church maintains its status of religion of the state and King is still the Head of the Church.

This also means that ethnic minority representation both in the parliament and in local government on the basis of minority religions is within the charter of the democratic values of the country. And as stated before the Hindu community in the UK is representative of communities from various parts of the world and they come together under the common religious identity which binds them culturally, spiritually and religiously.

Streamlining Visa for elderly dependants: The streamlining of Visa policies so that elderly dependents who are struggling because of being away from their family and children has been a long-standing demand of the minority communities. There should be better options to travel and stay with their families in the UK than just being able to visit on a short tourist visa. The elderly dependents often have lost their partner, do not have any other members of family back home and are dependent on their children living and working in the UK. This is a demand based on principles of equality and human rights enshrined in the laws of the land and there is precedence of similar Visa regulations in other countries like the USA, Canada etc.

Anti Hindu Hatred: Last year there were communal riots in Leicester which is the one of the largest Hindu population town in the UK. Hindu places of worship were attacked and vandalised. The community has felt deprived of justice from the policing action and the administrative response to the violence in Leicester. The politicians and media have also not done enough to support the community and the community has felt targeted despite being a largely peaceful and law-abiding community.

The demand to recognise and include Anti-Hindu hatred as Hate crime is a pivotal demand of the community and it is not based on any knee jerk response to Islamophobia or any other such parallels but out of genuine lack of support the community received when they were attacked in the 2023 Leicester riots.

A large number of Hindu Organisations have provided their support and endorsement to the Hindu Manifesto for GE2024 and parliamentary candidates participating in the hustings over last few weeks have also shown their understanding, support and endorsement for the manifesto.

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British Hindu Manifesto GE 2024: Why the manifesto and key demands - The Sunday Guardian Live - The Sunday Guardian

Sunak during his visit to the iconic BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir complex where he performed puja and praised India for winning the T20 world cup. Source: X

With UK general election scheduled for this Thursday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Leader Keir Starmer have made efforts to woo British Hindu voters by visiting temples and making promises.

With approximately 1 million Hindus in the UK, their voting bloc holds significant sway in the July 4 election.

While Sunak (44), visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden Sunday, his key rival Keir Starmer (61), chose the Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury on Friday to vow commitment to making the community proud and sharing their vision for a for a strategic partnership with India.

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Their efforts coincided with the launch of a the first-ever Hindu Manifesto by a coalition of British Hindu organisations ahead of the election. This manifesto urges elected officials to safeguard Hindu places of worship and combat anti-Hindu sentiments.

Sunak at Neasden Temple spoke: This mandir stands as a great statement of the contributions that this community makes to Britain.

Education, hard work, family, those are my values. Those are your values. Those are Conservative values, he declared in his election pitch.

Meanwhile, Starmer echoed similar sentiments at the Kingsbury Temple, pledging to govern with the spirit of service (sewa) if elected, and condemning Hinduphobia in the UK.

If were elected next week, we will strive to govern in the spirit of sewa to serve you and a world in need, said the Labour Leader, reiterating a previous message that there is absolutely no place for Hinduphobia in Britain.

The Hindu Manifesto aims to foster recognition and protection of Hindu contributions to the UKs social, cultural, and economic fabric.

Hindu Influence in UK

Hinduisms prominence in UK, now the third-largest religion with over 1.02 million followers, is largely represented by leading organisations such as BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha UK, Chinmaya Mission, and Iskcon UK.

In England and Wales, British Hindus constitute 1.6% of the population, totaling 1,066,894 individualsa demographic that holds considerable electoral power. The communitys numbers have surged from 552,421 in 2001 to 835,394 in 2011, reflecting both internal growth and external migration patterns. In Scotland, the Hindu population stands at 29,929, contributing to the religious diversity across the UK.

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The concentration of Hindu communities is predominantly urban, with over 97% residing in areas such as London and the southeast. This demographic concentration not only highlights their significant cultural and social contributions but also enhances their collective voice in national discourse.

The political influence of British Hindus goes beyond demographic statistics. With a network of nearly 200 registered places of worship across the UK, Hindus play an active role in civic engagement and public advocacy.

As the election approaches, political parties are increasingly recognising the importance of addressing Hindu concerns and priorities, ranging from cultural preservation to socio-economic issues.

As such, the upcoming elections are poised to be a crucial juncture for British Hindus to assert their interests and aspirations within the broader political framework. Their growing presence and unity has introduced a new chapter in Hindus relationship with UK politics, marking an important moment in their quest for representation and recognition on national platforms.

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Despite trailing in pre-election polls, Sunaks Conservative Party hopes his leadership as Britains first Prime Minister of Indian heritage will resonate positively with British Indian voters.

The Hindu Manifesto is a call to action for all parliamentary candidates and political parties to engage with and support the Hindu community in their constituencies, says the Hindus for Democracy group behind the initiative.

It highlights the contributions of Hindus to the UKs social, cultural and economic fabric and seeks to build a future where these contributions are recognised, valued, protected and promoted for a better future for all, the group said.

For the Conservative Party, obviously, they have Rishi Sunak a British Indian leader for the first time. Its an unknown factor how much it will matter to British Indian voters that the leader of the party is from their background, notes Sunder Katwala, Director of the British Future think tank.

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With inputs from Agencies

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How Hindu voters in UK hold a key role in the upcoming elections? - Firstpost

Sai Deepak traced the origins of this animosity to the British colonial period, during which newly minted versions of Khalistanism began targeting Brahmins. He argued that this initial vilification laid the groundwork for a broader anti-Hindu sentiment. They first decided to vilify the Brahmins in the name of newly minted versions of Khalistanism under the British period. From there they gradually moved towards anti-Hinduism because the jump from there was not much, he stated.

Highlighting the current events in states like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, Sai Deepak warned that the animosity towards Brahmins often leads to a rejection of Hinduism altogether. This rejection, he argued, frequently ends at the doors of churches or mosques. After that how far do you think is the jump from there to the church or Islam? Throw in drugs and it is over, he cautioned.

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Sai Deepak criticized certain Hindutva proponents for fostering internal hatred within the Hindu community to create a semblance of unity. He condemned this strategy as counterproductive, noting that it isolates the Brahmin community while making accommodations for others. You want a textbook example of what happens when you start making the Brahmins the hate figure and from there, they jump to the churches. Not too far, take a look at Punjab, he said.

He further emphasized that this internal division weakens the Hindu communitys ability to defend itself from external threats. If you constantly want to use untouchability as the touchstone for every position on Varna-ashram Dharma, I am sorry to say you must be treated as an insider-outsider or a mole or a Trojan which is even worse than the outsider, he asserted.

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Addressing the impact of anti-Brahmin sentiments on the Vedic core of Hindu philosophy, Sai Deepak warned that vilifying Brahmins undermines the foundation of Hinduism. He posed a poignant question to those who seek to undermine the Hindu faith: What vision is this? So, what is the message that you are sending to people who subscribe to the rules of the Veda?

Sai Deepak concluded with a cautionary note about the real-world consequences of anti-Brahmin prejudices. He highlighted how the common people bear the brunt of these internal divisions and criticized those who denigrate the centuries-old Varna-ashram Dharma. This is the most raging internal debate that needs to be addressed because this virus has infected our ideology and the discussion is not happening in the places where it has to happen, he remarked.

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In his powerful address, J Sai Deepak not only exposed the dangers of anti-Brahmin sentiments but also called for a unified Hindu community that respects and preserves its ancient traditions and values.

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The Dangerous Path from Anti-Brahmin Sentiment to Anti-Hinduism: J Sai Deepak's Stark Warning - The Jaipur Dialogues

On 6 March 2024, Justice Anita Sumanth, officiating at the Madras High Court, delivered a judgment in what has come to be known as the Sanatana Dharma case. In September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the minister for sports in the Tamil Nadu state government under the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, had spoken at a conference on abolishing Sanatana Dharma, convened by the Tamil Progressive Writers and Artists Association. He noted that any dharma that proclaimed itself as having existed forever, as Sanatana Dharma does, was bound to turn moribund and rigid. In this particular instance, it had become just that, and so had helped legitimise the caste system and foment hatred and violence. It therefore needed to be eradicated, he argued, as one would eradicate dread diseases. In contrast to those who abide by Sanatan Dharmas eternal values, Udhayanidhi declared, Dravidian and communist ideologues favour a critique of all that existed earlier and set store by such change. He also pointed to the achievements of the Dravidian government ruling the state in sustaining a culture of peace and fraternity unlike the atmosphere of hatred and hurt fostered by those who claim to adhere to Sanatana Dharma.

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The limitations of the Dravidian model - Himal Southasian