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FRAGMENTS OF A PRISONER'S DIARY
is declared to be an illusion, and a fantasy is placed upon the peclestal of reality. How has this happened? Why had things to be placed on their hcad ? These are questions which the historian of Indian society must answer. History must be studied and written with the object of finding rational answers to these pertinent questions. The doctrine of special genius begs the question. How did the people of India come to be cndowed with this special genius ? As a matter of fact, this doctrine, which smacks of the insolence of racial superiority, implies doubt about the godliness of God. Is it not queer that the claim to spiritual superiority should be rested upon such a disrespectful attitude towards God ?-indecd, in a lack of belicf in God? Critical reflection upon any fact of the social life of India reveals such contradictions in the cherishcil principles and ideals of Hindu culture, and raises a whole host of challenging questions.
Nothing is more detrimental to progress than to take things for grante. Every fact must be explained ; every belief must be subjected to criticism ; every doctrine must be dissected, to reveal its core of truth. The Hindus don't celebrate birthday, because life has never been worth living for the great majority of them. Only happy events are remembered and celebrated. The belief that life is a bondage is based upon their experience. To them, it has always been an experience 64
