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Hans India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Colonisation of Sanskrit words: Distorting Dharma, Rashtra, and the soul of Bharat
Language shapes a civilization's worldview, and Sanskrit, the foundation of Bharat's knowledge systems, embodies millennia of wisdom. Colonial rule distorted key Sanskrit terms through Eurocentric and Abrahamic interpretations, reducing profound concepts like Dharma, Rashtra, and Swarajya to Western equivalents. This linguistic colonization misrepresented Bhartiya thought and disrupted societal structures and public understanding in post-colonial Bharat. 1. Dharma ≠ Religion Perhaps the most damaging mistranslation is the equating of Dharma with 'religion'. In reality, Dharma refers to the cosmic order, righteousness, duty, ethical living, and the path of self-realization. It is not tied to belief systems, deities, or dogmas. Dharma is contextual—what is Dharma for a teacher is different from that of a ruler or a child. It is a code of conduct embedded in time, place, and identity (svadharma). The Abrahamic idea of 'religion', based on exclusive truth claims, worship of a single God, and rigid institutional structures, is fundamentally different. By forcefully mapping Dharma onto 'religion', colonial and missionary forces created deep confusion, codified personal laws based on rigid texts, and set the stage for communal divisions. 2. Rashtra and Desha ≠ Nation or Country The Sanskrit Rashtra does not merely mean 'nation' in the European sense. A Rashtra is a sacred, cultural, and civilizational entity rooted in Dharma and shared spiritual values. It is not bound by geopolitical boundaries but by a consciousness—Bharat has been a Rashtra long before it became a 'nation-state'. The European model of a nation—emerging from treaties, colonialism, and power politics—views the state as a legal and administrative structure. This model was imposed on Bharat, diminishing its deep-rooted civilizational unity based on spiritual and cultural coherence, not political uniformity. Similarly, Desha simply refers to land or region, and was never a fixed nationalistic construct. By equating Rashtra and Desha with 'nation' or 'country,' we began to measure Bharat using foreign yardsticks, erasing the soul from the body. 3. Swarajya ≠ Freedom The word Swarajya, made famous by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and later echoed by Sri Aurobindo, was not just political independence. Swa-rajya means 'self-rule' at both individual and collective levels. It implies inner sovereignty—the mastery of one's senses, mind, and actions—as well as freedom from external domination. Colonial powers reduced Swarajya to mere political 'freedom', akin to European notions of liberty or civil rights. But Bharatiya thought considers freedom incomplete unless it is accompanied by Swatantrata (self-dependence) and Atma-nirbharta (self-realization and self-sufficiency). Today, even after political independence, the absence of Swarajya in intellectual, cultural, and economic spheres reflects a deeper bondage. True Swarajya begins with cultural decolonization. 4. Sanskriti ≠ Culture Sanskriti refers to refinement, inner evolution, and civilizational maturity. It comes from the root 'kr' (to do) with the prefix 'sam' (well) — meaning 'well-crafted' or 'refined behavior and thought.' Sanskriti embodies values, traditions, ethics, arts, sci ences, and collective memory rooted in Dharma. The English term 'culture' is often limited to external expressions—art, music, food, fashion, or festivals. It is secular, often aesthetic, and lacks the depth of inner evolution that Sanskriti demands. By substituting Sanskriti with 'culture,' we risk trivializing the soul of Bharatiya civilization, reducing it to 'cultural programs' or tourist-friendly 'heritage' rather than a way of life shaped by spiritual philosophy and lived wisdom. 5. Darshan ≠ Philosophy Darshan literally means 'to see' or 'vision'. In Bharatiya tradition, it refers to experiential systems of viewing reality—not speculative philosophy but intuitive insight into the nature of existence. The six schools of Darshan (Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta) are both logical and experiential. Western 'philosophy' derives from philo (love) and sophia (wisdom), but is often academic, analytical, and detached from practice. When Darshan is translated as 'philosophy,' the spiritual and experiential core of Bharatiya knowledge is lost. For instance, Yoga is not a 'philosophy' or 'exercise' routine—it is a Darshan, a living system to experience and attain liberation (moksha). Reducing Darshan to speculative thought undermines its transformative potential. 6. Jāti ≠ Caste Jāti refers to community, often based on occupation, locality, and shared customs. It was never a static or rigid birth-based system. With thousands of jātis across Bharat, the system was fluid, and social mobility was possible. The British censuses and legal codes rigidified jāti into 'caste'—a term borrowed from Portuguese casta, meaning breed or race. This racialized the Indian social structure and created a hierarchical system that aligned with colonial control mechanisms. The distorted caste system we see today is a colonial construct, not a native one. By fixing jātis into permanent social categories, colonizers divided our society to rule it more easily. This division still exploited today for political gain. 7. Karma ≠ Fate Karma means action. It is a law of cause and effect, empowering individuals to shape their destiny through their actions, thoughts, and intentions. It places moral and ethical responsibility on every being. Colonial translators, unfamiliar with the concept, portrayed Karma as 'fate' or 'destiny'—a passive acceptance of suffering. This misinterpretation painted Bharatiyas as fatalistic, submissive people who accepted oppression as karmic justice. In truth, Karma is not about helplessness but accountability. The colonial view undermined agency and created the illusion that Bharatiya society was inherently submissive. 8. Guru ≠ Teacher A Guru is not just a teacher, but a remover of darkness (gu = darkness, ru = remover). The Guru leads the disciple on a spiritual journey, imparting not just knowledge but wisdom, transformation, and inner awakening. Western education views the teacher as an instructor, often limited to subject matter expertise. The colonial system replaced the sacred Guru-shishya parampara with formal classroom models, devoid of emotional bonding, spiritual connection, or ethical training. 9. Moksha ≠ Heaven Moksha is liberation—freedom from the cycle of birth and death, realization of the Self, and unity with the infinite consciousness (Brahman) which is the ultimate goal. 'Heaven' in Abrahamic faiths is a reward for belief and good conduct, often a physical paradise. By equating moksha with heaven, the colonial mindset turned a deep philosophical goal into a simplistic post-death reward. The colonization of Sanskrit terms was not accidental; it was a deliberate act of erasing indigenous worldviews and replacing them with Western frameworks. This has led to decades of misunderstanding among foreigners including Bharatvasis. Correcting the colonial distortion of Sanskrit terms requires educational reforms, responsible media and academic usage, active efforts by cultural institutions to decolonize vocabulary, and a shift in public discourse beyond colonial binaries. Reclaiming the true essence of words like Dharma, Rashtra, Sanskriti, and Swarajya is not just about language, it is key to Bharat's civilizational revival through authentic reinterpretation and not mere revivalism. (The writer is an Expert, Creative Economy)
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Dharma says Pratik Shah worked for limited period on Homebound amid sexual misconduct allegations; Hansal Mehta demands thorough investigation
A day after sexual misconduct accusations against Homebound cinematographer Pratik Shah surfaced, Karan Johar's Dharma Productions has released an official statement regarding his conduct. In the statement, Dharma claimed that Pratik worked with them for a limited period of time and in that period, they did not receive any complaints against him from any of the cast or crew members working on the film. The official statement from Dharma Productions read: 'At Dharma Productions, we have a zero tolerance policy against inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment towards any individual working with us in any capacity, and we treat sexual harassment cases very seriously.' The statement further read: 'Mr Pratik Shah was a freelancer on the project Homebound and was working on it for a limited period. His engagement with us has been completed. During this limited period, our internal committee for POSH didn't receive any complaints against him from any cast or crew on our film Homebound.' On Saturday, filmmaker Hansal Mehta also took to his X handle and wrote that 'predatory behaviour by men in positions of power must be investigated thoroughly.' He did not name anyone in his tweet and wrote, 'Abuse thrives in silence. It festers in fear. Predatory behaviour by men in positions of power must be investigated thoroughly, and if found true, must be called out — unequivocally, and without delay. For too long, predators have weaponised influence, privilege, and fear to silence survivors. That silence must be broken.' However, he added that power is not confined to one gender and wrote, 'Women in positions of authority, too, have inflicted harm. Abuse has many forms. It is not always sexual. Mental, emotional and psychological abuse can be just as scarring. Just as violating.' Abuse thrives in silence. It festers in fear. Predatory behaviour by men in positions of power must be investigated thoroughly, and if found true, must be called out — unequivocally, and without delay. For too long, predators have weaponised influence, privilege, and fear to… — Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) May 31, 2025 He further wrote, 'Workspaces — especially creative ones — often cloak toxicity in the name of 'passion' or 'genius.' That must stop. No art, no film, no script is worth the cost of someone's safety or sanity. Victims need voice. They need redress. They need a system that listens — and acts. Accountability is not cancel culture. It is culture correction. We owe it to ourselves, and to those who come after us, to make our spaces safer. Cleaner. Kinder.' He concluded his post as he wrote, 'Call out the predators. Call out the habitual abuser. Hold them accountable. Let no power be above decency.' On Thursday, independent filmmaker Abhinav Singh took to his Instagram handle to pen a long note against Jubilee cinematographer Pratik Shah. He called him 'highly manipulative' and 'emotionally abusive.' In another post, he revealed that after his post, about 20 women reached him with their stories. 'I've spoken out, and now I'm hearing from others — people who've felt silenced or sidelined. It's heartbreaking. The patterns are undeniable. Many have called him a predator. Not a single man messaged to ask what happened, to listen, or to offer support. That silence is loud.' He gained support from writer Srishti Riya Jain, who shared a screenshot of a Reddit post against the cinematographer and wrote on her Instagram Stories, 'To everyone pretending to act shocked, scandalised, and suddenly awoken from their slumber… THIS man worked on one of the 'most empathetic' films of the year as per interviews at Cannes. He has been on the prowl since 4 years. And this post about him on Reddit is one of the top search results if you Google him. But well, the film industry has a selective attention span and gaze when people are acclaimed.' In the Reddit post share, people have shared their opinions and experiences about him. A user wrote, 'Pratik Shah is a total sleazeball. Slides into every girl's dms and talks crap.' Another user wrote, 'My God, he sent me request last year while I was liking her pics. I accepted his request and he said, 'sorry, request sent by a mistake.' And I was like okay and unfollowed him immediately.' Post the incident, Pratik Shah has deactivated his Instagram account.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Dharma Issues FIRST Statement On Sexual Misconduct Claims Against Homebound DOP Pratik Shah
Last Updated: Dharma Productions responds to allegations against Homebound cinematographer Pratik Shah, citing zero-tolerance policy and no POSH complaints during his tenure. Cinematographer Pratik Shah, known for his work on acclaimed titles like Homebound (directed by Neeraj Ghaywan), Jubilee (by Vikramaditya Motwane), and CTRL, has come under public scrutiny following allegations of inappropriate behavior. The accusations surfaced after filmmaker Abhinav Singh took to social media, describing Shah as 'emotionally abusive" and 'highly manipulative," citing testimonies from multiple women. In light of the controversy, Dharma Productions, which backed Homebound, issued an official statement. The studio reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward any form of misconduct or sexual harassment. They clarified that Shah was engaged as a freelance cinematographer for a brief period and that his association with the project has since ended. According to the statement, during Shah's tenure, no formal complaints were filed against him with the production's Internal Committee under the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policy. Dharma also emphasized its commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful workplace for all collaborators. Meanwhile, Shah, who was recently spotted at the Cannes Film Festival with the Homebound team, has deactivated his Instagram account following the emergence of these allegations. Abhinav Singh—known for his short films Sita (starring Shriya Pilgaonkar) and Yatri Kripya Dhyan De (featuring Shaheer Sheikh and Shweta Basu Prasad)—shared on record that several women had come forward to him with personal accounts of Shah's behavior. Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter India revealed that similar concerns had surfaced years earlier. A young female cinematographer reportedly contacted a senior member of the Indian Women Cinematographers' Collective (IWCC), claiming Shah had asked her for a nude photo during a professional exchange over Instagram. Sources confirm that the matter was brought to the attention of the collective and prompted informal inquiries within the IWCC at the time. As the situation unfolds, more voices are expected to come forward. Shah has not publicly responded to the allegations as of this writing. First Published:
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mangalore University allocates seed grant for research
Mangaluru: Mangalore University (MU) has, for the first time, earmarked a total of Rs 5 lakh as a seed grant to encourage research on campus. This allocation is part of its budget for the financial year 2025-26 that was presented during the first special academic council meeting held on Thursday. Stressing the rationale behind the fund allocation, PL Dharma, vice-chancellor of MU, said that this initiative aims to fund a minimum of five of the best research proposals invited from the permanent faculty of MU this time. Initially, the plan is to allocate a maximum of Rs 1 lakh for each research proposal received from the faculty. Closure of courses with less demand Dharma, when asked about the closure of several UG courses, said that at University College, Hampankatta, a constituent college of MU, the BA travel and tourism management course has been stopped and merged with BBA. MU will also strengthen BBA courses by increasing admissions and offering a one-semester internship experience. The University College will offer a BCA course from the next academic year. "It has been decided that any courses under constituent colleges of MU with fewer than 30 admissions are not economically viable and will be closed from the next academic year (2025-26). The reason is that they don't generate income, and secondly, justice is not done to students since all the faculty here are guest faculty with not much academic experience. The academic exposure will be less," he added, stressing the reason behind course closures. MU has also decided to shift all PG courses offered at constituent colleges to the Konaje campus from next year. Only the International Business MBA offered at Evening College, Hampankatta, will remain as it has a good response, he added, noting that MU has requested the govt to take over constituent colleges under it. Fresh academic year from July end Dharma said that considering all 34 state universities, MU is one month ahead of them in the academic schedule. However, despite this, it cannot reopen on June 9, as it will start the second, fourth, and sixth-semester examinations on that day. MU has also not received any official communication on the same. "We are considering starting the fresh academic year tentatively from the last week of July. It is not at all possible to start in June," he stressed.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Karan Johar, Ram Kapoor, Kusha Kapila face Ozempic barbs: Why this appetite for hate when it comes to celebs and their bodies?
Over the past couple of months, there has been a huge amount of column space, air time, and screen time (mostly on reels and recorded podcasts) dedicated to discussing the changing appearances of celebrities. The discussions often bring up the use of weight loss drugs like Ozempic, and the comments under social media posts are shockingly vicious and accusatory. Most recently, there was an online surge of hate towards Bhumi Pednekar after the series Royals started streaming on Netflix. The vile remarks about her lips, her figure and more, indicate that the line between critiquing an actor's performance and body-shaming them has blurred completely. Bhumi is not alone, though. Karan Johar's 'drastic' transformation sent netizens into a frenzy recently. His weight loss triggered a 'the nation wants to know' online, where people casually accused him of using weight loss drugs and then proceeded to offer their opinions on how the Dharma head honcho looked post his weight loss. A post shared by Bhumi Pednekar (@bhumipednekar) Given the huge amount of 'concern' that people showed about the numbers on Karan's weighing scale, the producer-director proceeded to give a bunch of interviews and even shared his diet and workout plan to assure people that he wasn't using medicines to lose weight. Why he needed to explain himself to a bunch of strangers is a question we don't seem to be asking. A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) Karan was preceded by actor Ram Kapoor, who lost not just 55 kgs but presumably any future projects with Ekta Kapoor. Ram's transformed appearance triggered an online spat between his wife Gautami Kapoor and Ekta about whether bade or chote ache lagte hain. The less said, the better about these innuendo-laden barbs they threw at each other on Instagram. Like Karan, Ram also proceeded to give interviews and attend podcasts where he repeatedly clarified that he had not used Ozempic or GLP-1 drugs to create his new look. Digital content creator and actor Kusha Kapila has been trolled and questioned about her weight loss. Responding to one such netizen, who asked her about using Ozempic, Kusha had said, 'HI! Will you please specify how you think it's Ozempic? What is your source? Please be honest, and it's nothing to be ashamed of.' When the person said she didn't have an answer, Kusha added, 'Acha so it's totally assumption. Cool. So, without shame and full honesty, it's not Ozempic. It's consistent workout and clean eating. Hope that answers your question.' A post shared by Ram Kapoor (@iamramkapoor) Ironically, the trolls are just as vicious and nasty when a celebrity gains weight or shows signs of ageing. Take Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, for example. Once hailed as the most beautiful woman on the planet, the actor and former Miss World has been the victim of online bullying about her weight, her clothes, her hairstyle and even the colour of her lipstick. There seems to be a Goldilocks-like standard of perfection for celebrities, that allows them to keep projecting their inadequacy and self-loathing onto them. Audiences often build a perception or attach certain attributes to public figures that help to form a connection with them. Bhumi, for example, thrives in roles which are powerful and yet woman next door. She has proven her talent in films like Bhakshak, Bheed, Lust Stories, Badhai Do and of course her memorable debut film Dum Laga Ke Haisha. Over the past few years, the actor has transformed herself considerably, and the creation of a glamorous new avatar has coincided with films like Thank You For Coming, The Lady Killer, Mere Husband Ki Biwi, and now Royals, which haven't been her best performances on screen. It seems like the disconnect with her characters on screen, or couture choices off screen, has translated to body shaming and trolling. Ram Kapoor, who gained nationwide fame playing the cherubic but lovable Mr. Kapoor on the television show Bade Ache Lagte Hain, has always had a great screen presence and charm. But when he lost a huge amount of weight, fans felt like he had lost the imperfect, everyman essence that made him popular. Karan has unfortunately become the favourite punching bag for trolls, especially since the pandemic. No matter what he does or doesn't do, the online savages are always baying for his blood. While these may be possible explanations, they do not and cannot justify personal attacks or casting aspersions on any individual. There may be several reasons why a celebrity, like every one of us, undergoes a physical transformation; whether that's weight loss, weight gain, or surgical modifications to their appearance. Maybe it's their health, maybe it's the pressure of working in an industry that, inspite of all its talk on body positivity, seems to be doubling down on setting impossible beauty standards for stars. Social media and zooming into pictures of celebrities has only added to the pressure of looking perfect constantly. Think about it, when was the last time you saw a plus-sized leading man or leading lady in any mainstream film? In fact, there has never been a more homogenous-looking bunch of stars at public events and award shows. The sad truth is that we love talking about how a person looks. Most conversations or small talk start with comments about whether a person has gained or lost weight, or changed physically in any way. All of us dread meeting that one friend or relative who doesn't hesitate to make cruel comments with the disclaimer of 'concern', added. We seem to live in a toxic society where we are comfortable as long as we feel the other person is not good enough or does not feel good about themselves like we do. This impulse is only magnified a hundredfold when there is a celebrity involved. While changing the mindset of a million people online may be difficult, celebrities can shift the discussion from their bodies to their body of work by not using their weight or weight loss as a PR peg. More importantly, don't discuss personalised diet plans and exercise plans on public platforms because no matter how many disclaimers are added, there is always the risk of people blindly following someone else's food or exercise regimen. There is nothing more fickle than one's physical appearance. Ageing is a privilege, and our weight often reflects a lot more than our eating habits. If only there were a drug that could suppress our appetite for spewing hate on others. We could call it Mind Your Own Business 101 or MYOB 101.
