Our Civic Dharma

Sent in by Sheetal Patel of Westland, MI:

Election season is coming up fast upon us. Here’s an excellent article written by Dr . Swarn Rajpal and published in Chetna (Publication of Bhartiya Temple, Detroit) September 2006, encouraging all of us to perform our civic duty by voting on the 1st Tuesday in November.

POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT IS A FORM OF KARMA YOGA

Swarn Rajpal


At the battleground of Kurukshetra with the armies of Kauravs and Pandavs facing each other, Arjun is perplexed as to why should he fight and kill his own cousins, uncles and teachers. At this juncture Lord Krishna gives him the advice which is written in our holy book, Geeta. Lord Krishna manifests himself as GOD and teaches Arjun to take the right action. The results of his action are not in his control. Win or lose, he is not to be attached to the outcome while performing the act. Arjun understands that his duty as a kshatriya (protector of gentle people) in the battleground is to fight the enemy.

The immigrated and America-born Indians are working hard to preserve and to propagate this Hindu philosophy. Our henotheistic faith (worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods) preaches tolerance. Our scriptures guide us to many paths leading to Moksha (final liberation). We have a distinct eastern culture that is very slowly being accepted in the neighborhoods of our adopted country. But every day there are reminders of prejudice, discrimination and racial profiling against us by various groups. This realization unites us and gives us the energy to take positive action.

Our community is recognized for its intellect, economic prominence and adaptation to the local culture, without losing its identity. We are gaining ground in all aspects of American society, but are most challenged in the political arena. We have not yet demonstrated our power at the ballot. Because we are dependent on the federal, state and local government officials to protect our faith and religious institutions, it is our job to elect legislatures that understand our culture.

The US census in year 2000 showed that Indian Americans represent 0.6% of the US population. According to an analysis by the Indian American Center for Political Awareness, the Indian American community should have at least 45 State Legislators of Indian origin, as opposed to three who currently hold office, when considering that there are 7,424 state legislators nationwide. Only 30% of eligible Indian Americans voted in the year 2000 Presidential election. Of those who did not vote, 90% were not registered to vote.

It is imperative that each of us become registered to vote. Only then can we cast our ballot for our favorite candidates and support issues that are consistent with our values. Let us not be apathetic, cynical or fearful of expressing our opinions on the ballot. Candidates elected by the power of our vote are obligated to protect and to respect us. With the election season upon us, let us heed to the main lesson in Geeta. Let us practice karma yoga (action of selfless service) like Arjun. Let us perform our civic duty as US citizens to vote on the first Tuesday in November.