Thailand: Three-day World Hindu Congress convenes; Renounces ‘Hinduism’, embraces ‘Hindutva’, ‘Hindu Dharma’

Bangkok: The World Hindu Congress 2023, commenced with an enlightening inaugural ceremony at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hall (Royal Jubilee, Impact Convention Centre) in Bangkok. More than 2000 delegates from 61 countries have gathered to participate in this significant Hindu Resurgence event.

The World Hindu Congress is a global platform that brings together Hindu leaders, thinkers, and influencers from around the world to deliberate on issues affecting the Hindu community. Organised periodically, the WHC aims to unite Hindus, promote dialogue, and foster collaboration for the betterment of the global Hindu society.

The third edition of the once-in-four-year World Hindu Congress (WHC) have the theme ‘Jayasya Aayatanam Dharmah’, emphasising the paramount role of Dharma in our journey to triumph.

The plenary session of the inaugural ceremony featured a thought-provoking speech by H.H. Dr. Mohanji Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

The World Hindu Congress 2023 spans across three days, featuring conferences on diverse themes such as Hindu Organisations, Temples, and Associations, the Hindu Economic Forum, the Hindu Media Forum, Hindu Political Forum, Hindu Youth Forum, and Hindu Women Forum. The event comprises insightful sessions, discussions, and dialogues, fostering unity and collaboration within the global Hindu community.

Mata Amritanandmayi Devi, Swami Purnatmanand Maharaj of the Bharat Sevasharam Sangh, and Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami of Hinduism Today were honoured for their remarkable contributions to Hindu society at the World Hindu Congress.

A special message by His Excellency Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Thailand was read out at the WHC 2023. It read, “Thailand is honoured to host the World Hindu Congress 2023, which brings together individuals from across the globe bound by the principles and values of Hindu Dharma. This gathering provides us unique opportunity to celebrate our shared Dharmic heritage”.

WHC renounces ‘Hinduism’, embraces ‘Hindutva’, ‘Hindu Dharma’

The World Hindu Congress on Friday renounced the word Hinduism, contending that the term reflected oppressive and discriminatory and embraced Hindutva and Hindu Dharma to refer to the “eternal” religion.

The third World Hindu Congress (WHC) adopted a declaration here asserting that the word Hindutva was more accurate as it includes the gamut of all that the word ‘Hindu’ implies.

“In the term “Hindu Dharma”, the first word, i.e, ‘Hindu’ is an unbounded word. It signifies all that is Sanatan or Eternal. And then there is Dharma, which means ‘That, which sustains’,” read the declaration adopted at the end of the first day of deliberations of the WHC.

It said that in contrast, Hinduism is totally different because it is suffixed with an “ism”, which is a term defined as an oppressive and discriminatory attitude or belief.

“It is for such reasons that many of our elders preferred the term “Hindutva” over Hinduism as the former is a more accurate term since it includes the gamut (spectrum) of all that the word “Hindu” implies. We agree with them and should do the same,” the declaration read.

The assertion in the declaration came against the backdrop of a row that erupted after DMK leaders made certain controversial remarks about Sanatan Dharma at a symposium with the theme ‘Abolition of Sanatana’.

The declaration said that Hindutva was not a complicated word and simply meant Hindu-ness.

“Others have used the alternative “Sanatan Dharma”, often abbreviated as “Sanatan”. Here the term “Sanatan” works as an adjective indicating Hindu Dharma’s eternal nature,” it said.

The declaration noted that many academicians and intellectuals portray Hindutva as the antithesis of Hindu Dharma, out of ignorance.

“But most are anti-Hindutva because of their visceral hatred and biases against Hindu Dharma. Many politicians driven by political agendas and personal prejudices have also joined that group, and are criticizing Sanatan Dharma, or Sanatan with increasing regularity and vitriol,” it added.

The WHC condemned such attacks and urged Hindus worldwide to unite to overcome those who are engaging in such bigotry and emerge victorious.

Earlier, addressing the inaugural session of the WHC, H.H. Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanji Bhagwat said India will show the path of happiness and satisfaction to the world which is stumbling from experiments with materialism, communism and capitalism.

The resonant sound of Shankhnaad and the radiant glow of Deep Prajwalan marked the auspicious beginning of the World Hindu Congress 2023. #WHC2023 pic.twitter.com/Bb18rEfk94

— World Hindu Congress (@WHCongress) November 24, 2023

He appealed to Hindus across the world to reach out to each other and connect with the world together.

“We have to reach out, connect with every Hindu. And Hindus together will connect everybody in the world. As Hindus are connected in more numbers, the process of connecting with the world has also started,” H.H. Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanji Bhagwat said at the gathering of thinkers, activists, leaders, and entrepreneurs, from across the world.

The quadrennial event began with the blowing of the conch by Swami Vigyanananda, the founder and global chairman of the World Hindu Foundation with delegates from over 60 countries participating in the three-day event.

Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandmayi Devi, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) General Secretary Milind Parande, WHC organising committee chair Susheel Saraff, Bharat Sevashram Sangh Working President Swami Purnatmanand, Hinduism Today-USA Publisher Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami among others.

Participation of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti!

World Hindu Congress is the mega gathering of #Hindus across the globe!#Hindu organisations, saints, scholars, leaders, advocates & activists from 61 countries have gathered at Thailand for one cause i.e. “Hindu Dharma”@hindujagrutiorg ’s national guide Sadguru @hjsdrpingale… pic.twitter.com/SgNe5BdUyU

— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) November 24, 2023

Sadguru Dr. Charudatta Pingale, National Guide of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti in World Hindu Congress. Sadhguru Nilesh Singhbal, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s Dharmapracharak Saint and Shri. Sriram Luktuke, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s Delhi Coordinator have participated in Wold Hindu Conference.