What divides Brahmos

Dear Tapesh

I have spoken today evening to the Secretary of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj - Kolkatta, a Mr Das. He confirms that the website you received the donation request from ("Hindu Widows Welfare fund") is affiliated to Sadharan Brahmo Samaj at Kolkatta.

I also informed him that it was deceptively similar to one of the official websites of the World Brahmo Council, ie. http://sadharanbrahmosamaj.org/ but he explained his helplessness since their website (with an extra "h') has been out of action since 2006 and they (SBS) are just reviving it again.

Anyway just a reminder, that since Tapesh had contacted me last week we have had a caution up at our Sadharan Brahmo Samaj website saying

"WARNING: BEWARE Deceptive Websites asking DONATIONS for BRAHMO SAMAJ

WORLD BRAHMO COUNCIL neither solicits nor accepts money from the public or organisation or State, either directly or indirectly. It is further clarified that Brahmos are not required to make donations on religious occasions. Payment of annual subscription fee (approx. Rs.100 - US$2 which is the minimum legal amount specified for Societies in India) to a Samaj is optional and does not affect one's religious status as Brahmo. Donations solicited for idolatry, repairing tomb or installing busts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy etc. are anti-Brahmo and nothing but cheating."

and

"Illustrative list of fraudulent "Funds" to cheat Brahmos and NRIs

General Fund, Mission Fund, Charity Fund Building Repair Fund, Mahila Bhavan Fund, Balya Bhavan Fund, Medical Aid Fund, Indigent Brahmo Family Fund, Indian Messenger, Fund Tattwakaumudi Fund, Publication Fund, Sadhan Ashram Fund, Calcutta Congregation Fund, Brahmo Samaj Relief Mission Fund, Mofussil Brahmo Samaj Fund, Library Fund, Brahmo Samaj Education Society Fund, Hindu Widows Home Fund, Brahmo Social Service Organisation, Brahmo Ambulance Fund"

Oh well, one can never be too careful

Sarbajit

--- In brahmoconferenceorg@yahoogroups.com, tapesh majumdar <tapesh.majumdar@...> wrote:
>
> Dear friends
> I'm very concerned to learn that only 177 brahmos were listed in 2000 census.
> This surely is not a  correct number for brahmos in India. something must be
> done about it, and all Brahmo Samajs must educate their membership to
> register themselves correctly. This is decidedly a problem affecting all Bramhos
> & we must do something right now setting our mutual difference aside.
>
> I also agree with Mr Biswajit dutta that this must be tackled by Bramhos at
> new delhi. Who is the secretary of delhi samaj now?
> Tapesh
>
> On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 10:57 AM, sarbajitr <sroy1947@...> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Biswajit
> >
> > There is an active legal battle for Brahmoism's "minority" status. Unfortunately, it is connected with the education case for the 3 colleges in Kolkatta managed by the Brahmo Eduction Society affiliated to the Sadharan Samaj runs.
> >
> > It appears that these colleges are thoroughly mismanaged, teachers salaries not being paid, PF funds embezzled etc, and the teachers approached the West Bengal Govt asking for these colleges to be nationalised. The BES promptly went to Court claiming they were Brahmo Samaj is a religious minority and hence entitled to Constitutional protection. After 25 years in 2004 the Supreme Court disposed of the matter while not going into the question of Brahmoism's minority status.
> >
> > Thereafter, emboldened, the BES victimised the staff anew and they pressurised the WB Govt to file a strong review petition in the SC which is pending. BY ALL ACCOUNTS THE BRAHMOS ARE GOING TO LOSE !!!!
> >
> > It s unfortunate that due to the corruption and mismanagement of a handful of pseudo-Brahmos (ananusthanic Brahmos) sitting in Kolkatta, Brahmoism everywhere is going to be affected.
> >
> > Re, the census. I really have no hopes for the Samajes. They are all mismanaged (or under-managed). All we can do is exhort everyone who is willing to listen to insist they be registered as "Religion - other - Brahmo" and refuse to be registered as "Religion - Hindu".
> >
> > Also, every member of these groups should highlight this message for discussion at the next Magh Utsav of their Samajes and try to put it on the agendas of their GB meetings - and include it in their newsletters.
> >
> > I can also put up an online email Petition on the brahmo.org website requesting the Registrar General of India to allot a special numerical code for Brahmos during the census.
> >
> > The Delhi Brahmo Samaj does no social work / activism whatsoever.
> >
> > Sarbajit
> >
> > --- In brahmoconferenceorg@yahoogroups.com, biswajit dutta <bis_dutta2000@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Dear Sarbajit ,
> > > I know . 177 declared Brahmos is a matter of concern . You have been highlighting it for long . What steps do you think we should take to correct position in 2010 census ? Should one Samaj take the initiative & (a)Conduct a nationwide Brahmo census of its own (b)Launch a campaign to educate Brahmos that they shouldn't declare themselves as Hindus as Brahmo Dharma is a separate religion .