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

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.