Sunday, March 15, 2015

Legal Studies Short Programs in Israel for Indian Students


Study of Law and Religion in Israel for Indian Students

Introduction 
Hindutva and Zionist might seem parallel parallel ideologies where both talks about a state preserving Sanskrit / Hebrew, a home to all Hindus / Jews wherever they live, rebuilding the 2000 year old temple, fighting terrorism, building homes for the Hindus / Jews in the areas where they used to live from centuries, and a lot of others areas. But some might argue that due to the demographics scenario in India, poor management of the Hindutva agenda by the Hindu organizations, and influence of Soviet and China in Indian politics have created friction in the internal functioning of Indian Right Wing where they lack a very robust research center and knowledge creation on the subject. These are few of the reasons why 'Hindu Nationalism' took around 60 years to get into the center stage. 

Rise of the Hindu Nationalistic Party and Importance of Study of Law
The current ruling party in India (which is considered a right wing Hindu Nationalist party) has got workforce broadly from two domains - 1) Hindu nationalistic cultural religious organization and 2) prominent lawyers (generally who become famous fighting for Hindu Right or against financial corruption arising from outdated left wing governance styled policies or other activities). There is disconnect between the two which can be bridged by focusing on the interconnections between Law and Religion. Here the courses developed by Israeli Universities can be of help when India lacks research center that focus in details on the issue of Law and Religion. 
Hence the need for studying Hindu law and understand how the old laws from the religion would fit into the new framework of the modern state is crucial. Israel is a perfect example that combines the old laws with the modern though and promotes innovation, entrepreneurship and modern thought. Hence education in Israel on Law & Religion would greatly benefit Indian students.

Holy book of Gita - The book of Law

There are many interpretation and discussion done my Mahatama Gandhi on Gita - a book that talks about how to decide on Dharma (duty) when in case of dilemma. The interpretation of Gita by Mahatama Gandhi is the same book that PM Narendra Modi visited US and met Obama during his visit. With the emergence of Hindu Nationalism this book now finds its place in the official curriculum in a few right wing states of India.
  
Laws in Hinduism and Current Implementations
Hindus don't have clearly delineated law like the Jewish Laws, and in the current framework religion and state are treated as different subjects. Although, there is great number of Hindus organizations which thinks that Hindu Identity needs to be preserved. Hinduism has a very vast literature which should be considered while making the laws for the state. This would become important in the time to come with rise of Hindu Nationalism which has already started with the emergence of Narendra Modi as the new PM of India.
An example of this is the ban on cow slaughter that happened in India (Feb-March 2015), subsidy in traveling to very old temples (states like MP), recitation of Holy book Gita, adding Yoga and 'Surya-Namashkar' in school curriculum, etc.

Law in Conflict Resolution for Hindu Heritage
Law becomes important for candidates who would like to understand more about Hindu Nationalism. Cases pertaining to Hindu Religion and state are also seen in areas like fighting in Supreme Course of India for Kashmiri Pundit Re-habitation, protection of Ram-Setu (the spiritual old bridge of Lord Ram which connects India to Lanka), making changes in Hindu marriage act, etc.
Lord Ram is the most revered diety in India, Mahatama Gandhi also revered Lord Ram and the last two words before his death is 'Ram'.
Currently, there is no place in India where research on religions and law is taken and hence studies in Israel would become an important phase for prospective students to handle the issues related to Lord Ram under current framework of 'Law of the state'.
List of areas that where is overlap between Law and Religion from an Indian perspective.

  1. Uniform Civil Code - The current code applies strictly to Hindus and not to Muslims who have their own Muslim personal Law board. Indian Right wing has demanding a UCC.
  2. Article 370 - This restricts re-habitation of Kashmiri Pundits in the Muslim dominated Kashmir - the right wing in demanding abrogation of this act.
  3. Yoga
  4. Gita as national book
  5. Temple consensus vs. Constitution amendment - The temple of Ram in the holy city in Ayodhya was destroyed by Muslim invader Babar which Hindus want to rebuilt but are not able to.
  6. Different law for revenues governing mosque and temples. Temple under government while mosques don't under govt
Bar Ilan University and Whittier College Study Abroad Program- June 7-July 2, 2015
Bar-Ilan offers a four week program that an Indian student could take to understand the Israeli angle of Law with religion or conflict. 
Whittier Law School and Bar Ilan University Faculty of Law provides a unique, four-week legal studies program, offered in two two-week semesters.

I have tried to draw parallels on what an Indian student can possible learn through this course.
•    Comparative Dispute Resolution   
•    Regulation, Politics & Law
•    Holocaust, Genocide and the Law - Laws for Hindus who faced genocide    
•    Religion and State - Hindutva and India
•    International Criminal Law - Applications on dealing with Terrorists in Kashmir which is internationalized by Pakistan
•    Jewish Law - Hindu Law
Conclusion
Based on the emerging world order, and new dynamics of India politics, study of Law in Israel becomes fascinating and there is great scope of learning from such programs for Indian Students.


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