From a Hindu - "Jihad", "Dharma", "Struggle"

Submitted by Anjali Kumar (United States), Dec 20, 2002 at 11:20

Terms like Jihad and Dharma (Sanskrit word meaning 'Path of righteousness' or 'purpose') are words that resonate among large numbers of people. Unfortunately, these powerful words are being used to the advantage of the person's or group's self-fulfilling goals. Hindus in India are killing Muslims by the 100s in the name of Dharma. Is it righteous when in retaliation to the killing of a dozen Hindus, over 300 Muslims were slaughtered while the Indian (mainly Hindu) police turned a blind eye? Jihad is another such term, that has a powerful history and is used to promote the interests of those who who use it. It is incumbent upon the people to decide which definition of Jihad or Dharma they wish to live by. They may wish to use Jihad (or Dharma) so that they can justify any armed struggle, or they can use it to personally grow to benefit their greater community. Man, unlike their animal counterpart, has been gifted with an intellect to make this choice. I recently heard, that a reader's interpretations of ancient scriptures give away more about the reader than the scripture. This is very true.

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