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VISHVA HINDU PARISHAD President: MAHARANA B.S. MEWAR Honourable Dr Garret Fitzgerald, Prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, Dial Eireann, Leinster House, Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland. Respected Prime minister, It has greatly distressed this Organisation, Vishva Hindu Parishad, and all the followers forming almost 70% of the population of India, to learn that the government of the Republic of Ireland have withdrawn the charitable status of ISKCON IRELAND. It appears a very harsh and drastic action, unless there are some concrete reasons. I, as the president of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Organisation), have been directed to make a request to you to kindly look into the matter dispassionately, because it is scarcely believable that any country or followers of any religion would show indifference to this extent, particularly Ireland which is a country of very strongly religious minded people. India's greatest inheritance is the Vedic culture, which, even today, after thousands of years, is a living force. The sacred teachings of the Vedas make no discrimination between people and people and religion and religion. It is 'Manava Dharma', the religion of Mankind, a code of conduct for every man to make life a success. It is entirely aimed at and meant for the benefit of LIFE in general, and human power to understand the existence of life in all Creation. The human specie is the only one in Creation which is blessed with the power of Rationality, and is expected to behave towards development of each and all. The increasing hunger for spiritual awakening in MAN all over the World, has given birth to many centres of spiritual organisations. The existence of some fake or commercialised organisations has, unfortunately, created doubts about the genuine institutions also. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) founded by late Acharya Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, one of the greatest spiritual leaders of recent times in India, stands as a class by itself. The teachings and practices of the ISKCON movement is based entirely on the teachings of the Vedas and the sacred Bhagavad Gita. It is universally acknowledged and accepted that this book, the Gita, is a great blessing for the preservation of morality in man and for maintaining dignity and humaneness. The ISKCON does not work against any religion, or the morality, the traditions or the culture of any country. On the other hand, it has helped to provide a strong foundation for the traditional values in many countries and to the uplift of the quality of life. In the short period of its existence, it has brought new hope and comfort to thousands of persons all over the world, both in the East and in the West, through its more than one hundred well-organised spiritual centres in various countries, including Russia and China, Japan, the USA etc. In present day life particularly amongst the youth, there is a vacuum and the feeling of being lost because of lack of spiritual instruction and guidance. The ISKCON by directing their attention and guiding them along the path of devotion, has helped to save the lives of thousands of such young persons from becoming drug addicts and 'Moonies'. There could be exceptional individuals who could be suspected. Should any such instance be observed, it could not be applied to the sacred institution as a whole, which is respected and considered as moral service, since Manava Dharma is the religion of man, and not of any particular country or community. I beg apology for encroaching on your valuable time, but the matter is such that it requires all the consideration and personal attention of the person in the highest office like yourself, sir. Therefore, this letter is addressed to you with the hope and confidence that this matter would be viewed independently and impartially, for the greater good of the people. With highest personal regards and with all the good wishes of myself and all the people of the Organisation, Vishva Hindu Parishad. Yours sincerely, MAHARANA D.S. MEWAR |
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