Letter Published in India West, 17 March 2006

My name is Rohan Desai. I am a senior at Mission San Jose High School.

On February 27th, a group of high school students went to Sacramento to lobby for the proper representation of Hinduism in the sixth grade textbooks. We wanted to see clear and accurate information which explained the basic tenants of Hinduism in a respectful manner. This is how all other religions are treated.

I was disappointed by the way the state board handled the meeting. Many of us did not get to speak, after traveling 100 miles. The Board could have accommodated all the remaining speakers, by extending the public comment period by 30 minutes.

After the public comments, the board took less than fifteen seconds to table and pass the motion, sending the report to the full committee. Most participants were dumbfounded at this egregious action.

What bothered me the most was actions of Steve Farmer, who introduced himself as a scholar and expert in comparative religion. He talked early in the day, defending the “Aryan Invasion Theory” in a very unprofessional way. He wildly waved his arms around and talked erratically. Later, he started arguing with some of the supporters of HEF/VF. What shocked me even more was the fact that he, a scholar, was cursing at the people, who passionately believed in their cause, calling them stupid, idiots and morons. He even screamed profanity, which was so vulgar, that I stepped in and told him to watch what he was saying, because there were children as young as six in the room. He blew me off and fled the room.

At the end of the meeting, he ran up to the same group of participants he had the argument with and mocked them, exclaiming, “Ha, Ha. You lost!” This man was supposed to be a scholar, but he is screaming like an illiterate street bum.

It is sad to see that so called scholars stooped to petty name calling.

Rohan Desai
Fremont, CA 94529