Animalism is the new Hinduism

Animalism is the new Hinduism

In February 1944, Eric Arthur Blair, popularly known by his pen name George Orwell, laid down seven commandments of a new belief, Animalism. Though some may point out, Animalism is a fictional religion but if you change time and space of Orwell’s fictional world, you might learn, it has a striking similarity to the modern-day Hinduism. Or one could say, Hinduism is the new Animalism or Animalism is the new Hinduism, vice-versa.

Hinduism as discussed in one of the earlier posts, Dharma Vs Hinduism, is not actual 5000 year old Dharma. But an offshoot to the Dharma, which rose somewhere around 11th or 12th century with the invasion of Muslim invaders. Dharma which was laid on the principle of equality changed over the time to become Hinduism with four Varnas, and materialization of the everything, even God.

Now if one try to compare with its fictional counterpart, Animalism, which was also laid on the principle of equality, lost it’s purpose over the time. It became more pseudo-human Animalism. The seven commandments, as you can read here, were changed, to meet the needs of the so-called proprietor of Animalism, Napoleon and Squealer, the pigs. Like “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” and “Four legs good, two legs better”, as the pigs try to become more humane.

The Seven Commandments (Original)
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

The Seven Commandments (Revised)
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.
7. All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others

The most striking similarity between Hinduism and Orwell’s Animalism, both of them have four classes or Varnas. Though Orwell created such class system on the basis of British class system, but the similarity to Hindu caste system cannot denied. Napoleon, Squealer, and whole pig clan are similar to Brahmins, who control the system. Dogs are similar to Khastriyas and only thinks from somewhere you know. Sheep are very similar to Vaishyas. They don’t have much to say, and rest of other animals who work like Shudras. The man in the world of Animalism can be compared to invaders, whom they think, superior race.

Though it is pretty difficult to say but by analyzing the current situation, the question arises, Is Animalism the new Hinduism? And if yes, are we heading in the direction to what happened to the animals of Animal Farm.

Note: Picture is Mixed From Animal Farm Flag.