'Secular State has to protect every religion -- including Hinduism'

Being secular, the State is supposed to protect all religions, which, includes unfortunately Hindu religion also. Totally secular means the State protects all the main traditions. The State does not have any right to manage the properties of Hindu temples and spend crores of rupees in temple administration, says seasoned Swami Dayananda Saraswati.  A sage of wealthy wisdom, a global messenger of peace, plus a lot more, the founder of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha gives his enlightening views on issues the nation is faced with in this candid interview with Editor T R Jawahar.
 

'Role of religion is to make us human'

While spirituality cannot be sustained on empty stomach, it is spirituality that can sustain empty stomach, says Swami Dayananda Saraswathi. However, religion has nothing to do with all that. It is to make you human, and then divine,  and take you to the source of divinity, he says in the fourth and concluding part of his interview with Editor T R Jawahar.
 

'There is reverse discrimination against Hindus'

Nowhere in the world do minorities enjoy so many special privileges as they do in India. In fact, several such privileges are denied to majority Hindus who suffer from reverse discrimination in the country. That being the case, it is galling that minorities continue to complain about lack of religious freedom. Countries the world over should be made aware of the privileges they have in India, says Swami Dayananda Saraswathi  in this third part of the interview with Editor T R Jawahar.
 

Don't trample on a sentiment, warns Swami Dayananda

For those who skim the surface, Ayodhya may be a communal issue. But it is not. The reality is that the people of India look upon the place as the place of Rama. It is one of those things that make India India. The issue is not as intractable as it is sought to be made out. All it needs is a bit of understanding from the 'other side', says Swami Dayananda Saraswathi in this second part of his interview with Editor T R Jawahar, the first part of which was carried yesterday.
 

'Missionaries are the most violent people'

He is a religious teacher of supreme wisdom and is extremely articulate, a rare combination.  Though viewed as a Hindu protagonist,  his knowledge is phenomenal not just in Hindu scriptures and practices, but those of other faiths, too. That makes Swami Dayananda Saraswati the ideal foil for those at the other end of the ideological spectrum-the Communists, atheists, JNU historians and 'miscellaneous secularists, says Editor T R Jawahar. A verbatim account of his interview with the Swami who analysed threadbare the dangers posed  by converting religions.