A Critique of O. P. Dwivedis Satyagraha for Conservation: Awakening the Spirit of Hinduism

A Critique of O. P. Dwivedis Satyagraha for Conservation: Awakening the Spirit of Hinduism

In his article Satyagraha for Conservation: Awakening the Spirit

of Hinduism, O. P. Dwivedi argues that we must reawaken religious values

if the world is going to reduce the current level of environmental

degradation. He suggests that religious beliefs can serve as a crucial

foundation in helping to create a self-consciously moral society which

would put conservation and respect for Gods creation first, and relegate

individualism, materialism, and our modern desire to dominate nature in a

subordinate place. Dwivedi further argues that religion helps to make

humans aware of the limits of our control. He uses the example of Hindu

religious beliefs to explain how reawakening religious beliefs might

create a change in attitudes toward nature. Although I agree with Dwivedis

contention that religious values can serve to support environmental

movements, I would argue that his article presents an overly simplistic

view of the power of religion. Dwivedi fails to address the constantly

changing nature of religious traditions. In addition, he does not address

the fact that India (a predominantly Hindu country) is severely polluted

today. I felt that Dwivedis argument was weakened by his failure to deal

with these issues. As a result, I would like to explore some of the gaps

in Dwivedis article. I will also deal briefly with Guhas article and the

need for a reawakening of religious values to be accompanied by a

simultaneous change in social and economic realities.

According to Dwivedi, the Hindu religion is one of many religious

traditions which support ecological preservation and respect for the

Earth. He argues that many of Hinduisms basic tenets reflect the idea that

humans are meant to care for their environment. Although I do not disagree

that this is one interpretation of the Hindu texts, I would suggest that

Hinduism (like many religions) can also be presented as encouraging human

control over the earth. Yes, many of the texts do support non-violence and

care for the earth but there are also some passages/texts which support

violence and human control over the earth (examples include The

Bhagavad-Gita and passages with the RgVeda). Overall, I would say that

Dwivedis argument for the ecological consciousness of Hinduism is the more

accurate interpretation of the texts. However, it is crucial to recognize

that there are alternative and opposing interpretations.In his article,

Dwivedi writes as if incorporating religious values into the secular world

will necessarily support environmental preservation. Although it is

possible that this could happen, it is also possible that religions could

be used to argue the other side of the issue.