Impact of denigration

M. F. Husain’s obscene paintings draw attention to a deep rooted malady that plagues society today, namely, denigration. Unfortunately, due to a lack of Dharma education among Hindus and consequently, a lack of pride about their Dharma, Hindus often cannot even recognize denigration, leave alone doing something to stop it. That is why, most Hindus are ill informed about the issues concerning Dharma and all the opponents of this protest campaign were Hindus alone!

Here we will look at what constitutes denigration, and its impact on various levels, so as to bring awareness about this issue. (Visit www.hindujagruti.org/denigration/index.php?id=2000 to understand the practical details of denigration.)

What is denigration?

Broadly speaking, denigration is any depiction or usage of divine or Holy symbols and texts in a manner that is contrary to Holy scriptures or the science of Spirituality (Shastra). Thus, depicting or using Holy symbols and texts in a manner that does not propagate faith, such as for commercial, materialistic or artistic/recreational/creative purposes would constitute denigration.

Types of denigration

The impact of denigration on the one perpetrating the denigration and on society is insidious and far reaching on all levels - physical, psychological and spiritual. The severity of the impact depends on factors like:

  • Blatant nature of denigration: For example, depicting a Deity in an obscene, perverted manner, as in M. F. Husain’s paintings, is blatant denigration. Using the picture of a Deity on a food product package that would eventually end up in the trash is less blatant. The harm caused by blatant denigration to both, the one perpetrating the denigration and to society is more.

  • Willful nature of denigration: For example, M. F. Husain has depicted Deities in a denigrating manner, knowing fully well that it is contrary to the Scriptures or the Science, and is irreverent to the Deity and faith of Hindus. However, a producer of food items may put a picture of a Deity on his product packaging out of respect for the Deity, without realizing the denigration it causes (that the package would eventually end up in the trash).

  • Reach of denigration: For example, M. F. Husain’s denigrating paintings are viewed in artistic circles worldwide, as compared to someone joking about an incident/a character from a Holy epic in his friend circle. The former spreads the denigration around the world.

Levels of impact of denigration

  • Physical/gross: Denigration leads to disharmony among individuals and communities, as religious sentiments, being sacred and close to heart for most individuals, are hurt.

  • Psychological:

    • Denigration leads to reducing faith and jading of sacred sentiments, as it propagates the belief that nothing is sacred or beyond derogatory expression. It propagates sensationalism and commercialization for selfish, material gains, thus obstructing progress of the individual and society towards selfless, progressive values.

    • Denigration has a particularly adverse impact on the younger generation, as it sets incorrect trends for them to follow and as spiritual, sacred values that form the basis of morality are eroded.

    • Denigration also sets the wrong trends in any industry. For example, denigration by a“renowned”painter like M. F. Husain sets the wrong trend for budding artists, of depicting Holy symbols in any derogatory expression instead of depicting Holy symbols for spiritual progress (that is, instead of viewing it as‘art for God realization’.)

  • Spiritual:

    1. There is an increase in the spiritual impurity (raja-tama) of the surroundings, as a direct result of spiritually distressing vibrations from the denigration (be it objects of denigrating art, discarded packages distorting a Holy symbol, torn Holy symbols used on fire crackers like“Lakshmi bombs”, etc.)

    2. Just as devotional worship of the divine and forms of the divine invokes divine blessings and support necessary for the smooth functioning of everything in the universe, denigration incurs the wrath of the divine, causing a general rise in problems for the individual. Even after physical death, the gravity of the sin caused by denigration earmarks the perpetrating individual for a lower region of hell. Allowing denigration to continue without making any effort to stop it increases collective sin and invites problems for society, such as increased incidence of natural disasters, pandemics, famines, etc. Even after physical death, the sin incurred by not trying to stop denigration earmarks the passive individual for a region of hell.

How to stop denigration

  • It is important to be alert to any form and shape of denigration (even a seemingly insignificant one like coming across a person wearing a tee-shirt with a picture of a Deity or a Holy symbol), and protest it promptly.

  • It is helpful to begin any attempt to stop denigration with a prayer, as only God can protect Righteousness (Dharma) and it is not possible to have the necessary impact with the protest without divine support.

  • It is helpful to first understand the nature of the denigration–whether it is blatant or unintentional. Accordingly, one can protest outright or give benefit of doubt and educate the perpetrator first.

  • With the protest, one should strive to bring about the necessary impact on the one perpetrating the denigration, to induce him to end it, rather than just giving vent to one’s hurt religious sentiments. Generally a protest that is intellectual, if necessary educational, firm as needed, but without offensive language or threats or aggression is effective, whereas an emotional outburst may put the perpetrator on the defensive and make him defiant.

  • Protesting by email is good for starting the protest, especially in Western societies (where privacy is emphasized). Prompt following up should be done as needed, regardless of which mode of communication (email, phone or meeting in person) is used.

  • One can resort to reporting the hurting of religious beliefs (thus, disturbing communal harmony) to the authorities, like-minded individuals and Hindu/spiritual organizations, if personal attempt to stop the denigration does not work.

  • Paying gratitude for any success or small wins in ending denigration helps maintain in us the attitude that it was possible because of God’s grace.

Being alert towards denigration and taking steps promptly will help send out the message to the world that denigration, which disturbs the harmony and attacks the very fiber of progressive societies, namely Righteousness (Dharma), will not be tolerated in any shape or form.

Visit www.hindujagruti.org/denigration/index.php?id=2000 to understand in further detail the important issue of denigration, its widespread nature (various examples of denigration continuing today), and how every one of us can contribute towards ending this menace.