FEBRUARY 27, 2016

Right-wing Hindus claim that Jesus was a Tamil Brahmin, Christians protest

Jesus Christ was a Tamil Hindu, claims RSS founder’s book. Aiyyo!

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jesus-christ-tamil-hindu-rss/1/602926.html
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Edited by Sanjana Agnihotri, New Delhi, February 23, 2016 

Christ Parichay, the book that claims Jesus Christ was born a Tamil Hindu, will be released in Marathi on February 26. 

A 1946 book by one of the founders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that claims Jesus Christ was born a Tamil Hindu is being reissued by a Mumbai-based right wing trust.

Written by Ganesh Damodar (Babarao) Savarkar, one of the five people who founded RSS, Christ Parichay claims that Jesus was a Vishwakarma Brahmin by birth.

The book will be released in Marathi on February 26 by Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak (Savarkar National Memorial).

Here are some of the audacious claims made by the author in his book:

Ganesh Damodar claims that Christianity is a sect of Hinduism.

The present day Palestinian and Arab territories were a Hindu land.

He went on to say that Christ traveled to India and learnt yoga.

Christ’s real name was Keshao Krishna, according to the author. He even had a dark complexion and his mother tongue was Tamil.

He even wore a sacred thread. Christ’s sacred thread ceremony (janeyu) was held when he was 12, according to Brahmin tradition.

Apparently, Christianity was never a separate religion and it was a Hindu cult and doctrine introduced by Christ.

Christ was saved after his crucifixion by people from the Essene cult, who practiced Yoga and spiritual science.

He was given medicinal herbs and plants for his recovery from the ‘deathbed’. Christ also was taken to Kashmir.

It was in Kashmir that Christ prayed to Lord Shiva and he spent the last days of his life in the Himalayas.

Damodar claims that Christ’s family dressed in an ‘Indian’ way and had Hindu signs on their bodies.

Jesus Christ was a Tamil Hindu, worshipped Lord Shiva: RSS co-founder’s book

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/jesus-christ-was-a-tamil-hindu-he-prayed-to-lord-shiva-in-kashmir_1858361.html
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February 23, 2016 

Here are a few claims made by the book, reports Mid-day http://www.mid-day.com/articles/jesus-christ-was-a-tamil-hindu-claims-rss-founders-controversial-book/16978186:

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/02/23/christ-hindu-vd-savarkar_n_9298926.html
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February 23, 2016 

The Marathi book is being brought out by Savarkar National Memorial, a trust that preserves and propagates the Savarkar brothers’ literature and ideology.

The book claims that the present day Palestinian and Arab territories were Hindu land and that Christ travelled to India where he learnt yoga.

The book says Christ’s real name was Keshao Krishna, Tamil was his mother tongue, and his complexion was dark.

Asked about the claims in the book, senior priest and director of the Bombay Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, Father Warner D’Souza, said such books will not shake the faith of Christians.

Tam-Brahm Jesus? RSS distances itself from Babarao Savarkar; Christian community and social media reacts

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/tam-brahm-jesus-rss-distances-itself-from-savarkar-christians-react/16983154 –

By Maleeva Rebello, February 24, 2016 

This newspaper’s front page report yesterday about the Marathi translation of Christ Parichay, a 1946 book by Ganesh Damodar (Babarao) Savarkar that will be released on February 26, has ruffled the feathers of the community.

Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak (Savarkar National Memorial), a trust that preserves and propagates Savarkar brother’s literature and ideology is releasing the book which claims Jesus was a Tamil Vishwakarma Brahmin by birth and that Christianity is just a sect of Hinduism.

Reacting to these claims, Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay said, “There is an attempt to re-write history and draw us into controversy. Christianity is well grounded and based on the person of Jesus who without a doubt is a real person in history. The RSS is welcome to claim what they will, it doesn’t affect us. Our faith in Jesus is based on a personal encounter with Christ.”

Clyde Crasto from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) blamed the political climate too saying, “The claims do not make sense. The current political scenario is allowing such false ideas to spread. Clearly, this is politically driven and a fabricated story.”

The book says Christ travelled to India where he learnt yoga. It adds that Jesus Christ’s real name was Keshao Krishna and that Christianity was a Hindu cult and doctrine introduced by Christ, not a separate religion. Dr Abraham Mathai, President of the Indian Christian Voice and former Vice Chairman of the Minorities Commission said, “The book is a sign of high ignorance of the author. Jesus Christ was born 2000 years ago in Bethlehem and died at Calvary. Yes, Christianity came first to India rather than the West, when St Thomas, one of Jesus’s apostles came here to preach. The basis of this book is completely false.”

Young Christians too, hit out at claims. IT professional, Kevin Noronha from Borivali said, “The book has no basis. The Christian community is strong in faith. Things like these cannot shake our belief, it only makes it stronger.”

Cheryl Baretto, Andheri (E) resident said, “Why would Jesus preach Christianity if he was born Hindu? He never mentioned any Hindu god nor did he teach any Hindu idea. He was a Jew who worshipped in a synagogue. Savarkar’s claim is more fiction that fact.”

The tenor across the community was that no such claims can shake their faith in what they have always believed. Anita Quadros, a logistics professional said, “If Savarkar had read the Holy Bible, he would have not written all this. St Thomas preached Christianity and not Hinduism. Our faith will stand firm in the face of this nonsense.”

Sandhurst Road resident, Michelle D’souza, said, “This book is all rubbish. It is a made up story. Years ago, when the book was written, this conspiracy theory was not accepted now so many years later, it seems funny rather than true.”

“This is a group of rogues who can go to any extent to show that their religion is the only religion in the world. It is sad to see the book getting so much publicity for its blatant lie. In Israel, they are still investigating how Jesus disappeared from the tomb, I think we now need to inform them that Jesus is in Kashmir as per Savarkar’s claim in his book,” said Samir Netto, a Worli resident.

Dolphy D’souza, former president of the Bombay Catholic Sabha said, “The book is a figment of the fertile imagination of the author. The RSS should be disappointed that their sinister plan has not succeeded. They are looking to divert the public’s mind from the inability to govern well.”

Joseph Dias, General Secretary of the Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CCSF) said, “There is no truth, or evidence in what Christ Parichay propagates. The saffron brigade have not only claimed Jesus but also Jews and Arabs as Hindus.” Dias added that it does not deserve a response “We would have protested and filed an FIR, but this book does not deserve that. The changed political scenario is leading to the saffronisation of all spheres which is sad to see,” he ended.

RSS distances itself from Savarkar
The RSS on Tuesday tried to distance itself from Ganesh Savarkar. Pramod Bapat, Prachar Pramukh, Konkan Region, said, “We wish to clarify that Ganesh Damodar Savarkar wasn’t founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. There was only one RSS founder, Dr Hegdewar. Savarkar was in no way associated with RSS.”

However, several accounts on the RSS, including one by BJP MP MJ Akbar, have chronicled Savarkar’s ties with the organisation. Akbar’s India: A Siege Within says this about the RSS’s origin: “…five friends who started the RSS were Dr BS Moonje, Dr LV Paranjpe, Dr Tholkar, Babarao Savarkar and Dr Hedgewar himself.”

Another book by Ritu Kohli explains Savarkar’s influence on MS Golwalkar. Political Ideas of MS Golwalkar: Hindutva, Nationalism, Secularism says: “In 1938, Golwalkar prepared the first systematic statement to the RSS ideology, “We, and our Nationhood, Defined” a text which he later revealed was an abridgement of an essay on nationalism by Babarao Savarkar.”

Indian Group Re-Circulating Book Claiming Jesus Was a Hindu

http://www.charismanews.com/world/55435-indian-group-re-circulating-book-claiming-jesus-was-a-hindu

By Jessilyn Justice, February 25, 2016

Portions of the cover page of the book

Indian Christians fiercely criticized the reprint of Christ Parichay, which translated means Jesus was a Tamil Hindu. Furthermore, the text by Ganesh Damodar Savarkar espouses Christianity is merely a sect of Hinduism.  

“There is an attempt to re-write history and draw us into controversy. Christianity is well-grounded and based on the person of Jesus, who without a doubt is a real person in history. The RSS is welcome to claim what they will; it doesn’t affect us. Our faith in Jesus is based on a personal encounter with Christ,” Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay told Mid-Day. 

India Today evaluated the book’s basic ideas: 

[…]

A petition on change.org calls for the book to be banned.  

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/christian-outfit-seeks-book-ban/article8277616.ece

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-christian-organisation-seeks-ban-on-publication-of-book-on-jesus-christ-2181813

Mumbai, February 25, 2016

A Christian organisation has sought a ban on the publication of a controversial book penned by Ganesh Savarkar, the brother of Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar, claiming Jesus Christ was a Tamil Hindu.

The book “Christ Parichay” is being re-launched 70 years after it was first published.

The United Christians Council, an NGO, on Wednesday asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure the publication did not take place. “The contents of the book are defamatory and will evoke strong emotions in the community”, it said in a letter. The book also claims that Christianity was initially a Hindu cult and that Jesus attained ‘Samadhi’ in Kashmir. 

“There will be a law and order situation in case the publication takes place,” it added. The book, penned by Ganesh Savarkar, elder brother of V.D. Savarkar, is scheduled to be launched here on February 26.

Book claiming Christ was Tamil Hindu relaunched amid protest in Mumbai

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-book-claiming-christ-was-tamil-hindu-relaunched-amid-protest-in-mumbai-2182916

February 27, 2016

The book claims that Christianity was initially a Hindu cult and that Jesus died in Kashmir.

A controversial book penned by brother of Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, claiming Jesus Christ was a Tamil Hindu, was re-launched in Mumbai on Friday, 70 years after it was first published.

The book was relaunched at the Swatantryaveer Savarkar National Memorial in Dadar on Friday evening amid threats of protests by Christian organisations, who have objected to the book. Members of Alpha Omega Christian Mahasangh had threatened to gather outside the venue of the launch, carrying black flags to protest against the contents of the book. But no such protest took place.

The book, penned by Ganesh Savarkar, elder brother of V D Savarkar, was re-launched on the death anniversary of V D Savarkar. It was released by historian Pandurang Balkawade. President of the Swatantryaveer Savarkar National Memorial Ranjit Savarkar, who is the grandson of Ganesh Savarkar, said Christians will feel proud after reading the book.

The book, first published in 1946, claims that Christianity was initially a Hindu cult and that Jesus died in Kashmir. It claims that people from the Essene cult rescued the crucified Christ and revived him with medicinal plants and herbs from the Himalayas. It also says Christ attained ‘Samadhi’ in Kashmir.

The book- Christ Parichay – goes on to claim that Jesus was a ‘Vishwakarma Brahmin’ by birth and Christianity was a sect of Hinduism. The Marathi book is being brought out by Savarkar National Memorial, a trust that preserves and propagates the Savarkar brothers’ literature and ideology.

The book claims that the present day Palestinian and Arab territories were Hindu land and that Christ travelled to India, where he learnt yoga. The book says Christ’s real name was Keshao Krishna, Tamil was his mother tongue, and his complexion was dark.

Asked about the claims in the book, senior priest and director of the Bombay Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, Father Warner D’Souza, said such books will not shake the faith of Christians. Five other books written by Ganesh Savarkar were also relaunched at the event.

Indian Christians protest book which claims Jesus was a Hindu

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/indian.christians.protest.book.which.claims.jesus.was.a.hindu/80645.htm
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By Mark Woods, February 25, 2016

Indian Christians in Maharashtra state have protested against a book by one of the founders of the right-wing Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) claiming Jesus was a Hindu.

First published in 1946 and written by Ganesh Savarkar, Christ Parichay – translated into English as Jesus was a Tamil Hindu – claims Jesus was a Brahmin and that Christianity is just a sect of Hinduism.

It says his real name was Keshao Krishna and that his mother tongue was Tamil. The author also claims he was rescued from the cross by the Essenes and healed with medicinal herbs. He was then taken to Kashmir and spent the rest of his life in the Himalayas, where his tomb can still be found.

The book has been reprinted by a Mumbai-based trust dedicated to propagating the teaching of Savarkar and his brothers, according to Mid-Day news.

The RSS promotes a Hindu nationalist ideology espoused by the ruling BJP party that has been blamed for outbreaks of violence against Christians and for anti-conversion laws passed in several Indian states.

Groups affiliated to it practise “re-conversion” or “ghar wapsi” ceremonies at which Christians and Muslims are “welcomed back” to the Hindu religion. Many of them are from the poorest communities and the campaign is highly controversial, with Christian and Muslim leaders arguing that their members were targeted with financial and social incentives.

According to the beliefs promoted by the RSS, all Indians were originally Hindus and communities practising different religions are ultimately apostate. The re-issue of Savarkar’s book is designed to bolster this argument.

It has drawn fierce criticism from Christians, says Mid-Day. Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay, said: “There is an attempt to re-write history and draw us into controversy. Christianity is well grounded and based on the person of Jesus who without a doubt is a real person in history. The RSS is welcome to claim what they will, it doesn’t affect us. Our faith in Jesus is based on a personal encounter with Christ.”

Dr Abraham Mathai, President of the Indian Christian Voice and former Vice Chairman of the Minorities Commission, said: “The book is a sign of high ignorance of the author. Jesus Christ was born 2000 years ago in Bethlehem and died at Calvary. Yes, Christianity came first to India rather than the West, when St Thomas, one of Jesus’s apostles came here to preach. The basis of this book is completely false.”

A delegation from the Maharashtra United Christian Council to the Chief Minister led by Rev Sanjay Londhe demanded the book be banned. Londhe asked why, if Jesus were a Hindu, some Hindu organisations were against the Church. “They should not burn churches and attack Christians,” he told Mid-Day.

The opposition Congress Party questioned the timing of the book’s release. “It appears to be deliberate. They want to create confusion among the Indian masses. They must stop it,” party spokesperson Sachin Sawant said.

In my opinion, it was quite silly for Christians to protest the publication of this equally silly book.

The protestors do not seem to be aware of a more “serious” matter (below) -Michael

Government of India Documentary on Jesus in Kashmir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9w-xJfSOyc&feature=related 53:05

Uploaded on May 2, 2011

This is the latest documentary on the Truth of Jesus in Kashmir by the Film Division of the Government of India.
Visit www.tombofjesus.com to know more about this Truth.
Visit www.alislam.org to know more about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/DID_JESUS_SOJOURN_IN_INDIA.doc

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