Many
might be falsely feeling elated that Peter Heehs has been exonerated from all
accusations. The media involvement though with minimal background information conflating
the visa issue with a foreigner’s freedom of expression was undoubtedly a sexed
up performance the upside of which is that a lot of youngsters heard the name
of Sri Aurobindo for the first time. But now that the show is over (which won’t
merit a repeat), Heehs stands exactly where he is (even while enjoying a much
deserved vacation in his home environment).
The
beauty of Heehs’ crime is that it is self-explanatory and richly documented. Even
a schoolboy can notice the hostility in the preface itself and a scholar can
surely zero in on dozens of transgressions
if he is a bit serious or curious. And for those who are well versed with Sri Aurobindo,
it is an ordeal to swallow the subtext whenever he is quoted or paraphrased. But
his promoters, obviously, portray it as his magnum opus, and in a democracy, we
must respect free speech.
Savitri
Era Party has lent its voice in the past for an Indian reprint, and it’s good
if it materializes. The civil society participation in this debate has been in
a firefighting mode, but in any event, deeper afterthoughts might emerge when
the dust settles down. There are, we are confident, saner souls who will not leave
the present partisan turn unchallenged. After all, we are no mean argumentative
Indians. [TNM55]
['I was targeted for showing Aurobindo’s human side’ STOI Bosco Dominique, TNN Apr 15, 2012, 01.22 AM IST PUDUCHERRY: Peter Heehs
ReplyDeleteI think in a robust democracy like India there is always room for discussion. People say that Indians are close-minded but Amartya Sen in his book 'Argumentative Indian' shows India has a long tradition of discussion and debates. What kind of democracy is it when the minute you disagree with someone you are taken to court? … I am planning a book next year on intellectual history. The book will focus on how the idea of self changed over a period of time in different countries.] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/I-was-targeted-for-showing-Aurobindos-human-side/articleshow/12668557.cms
POWER,POLITICS AND LOBBY OF MONGERS HELPED PETER TO BE ONE YEAR MORE IN INDIA.THERE IS NO HARM.
ReplyDeleteIT MAY HELP HIM TO BE IN SRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM AS USUAL AND TO DO SOMETHING MORE.
NOW IT IS THE MORAL DUTY OF THE ASHRAM AUTORITIES WHETHER TO GIVE HIM PERMISSION TO WRITE THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE MOTHER BY USING THE ASHRAM ARCHIVES OR NOT.IF THE AUTHORITIES SAY YES TO HEEHS AND HE COMMENTS IN HIS OWN WAY AS BEFORE,THEN SOMETHING WILL GO WRONG IN FUTURE.SRI AUROBINDO AND THE MOTHER WILL BE PICTURISED AS LOVER AND BELOVED MORE,LESS AS GURU SHISHYA OR AVTAR IN FUTURE.DEVOTEES AND TRUSTIES OF THE ASHRAM SHOULD THINK TWICE ABOUT IT.
THE PICTURES POSTED BY TNM IN SAVITRI ERA SHOULD BEAR THE ADDRESS OF THE REAL LOCATIONS TO EDUCATE THE VISITORS MORE.
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