long before ‘secularism’ became a political fashion in this country, Hindus and Muslims co-existed peacefully for centuries until Islamist invaders attacked not just India’s ancient treasures but also damaged its social fabric
The riots in Muzaffarnagar were indeed shocking. But what has followed the violence is far more disturbing. Politics is being played even on the number of children who have died in the relief camps. These riots must be an eye-opener for all those who love India and can think beyond the confines of secular-communal and caste politics.
The rise of caste-based parties has already done extensive damage to the Indian polity. Over the years, the import of ‘secularism’ has been deliberately adulterated by vested interests. Can anyone with even a peripheral understanding and appreciation of Indian culture and history deny that some 2,000 years ago, Indians had not only put the idea of equality of all human beings in their scriptures but were also putting it to practiceIJ
Some 500 years before that, the edicts of Emperor Asoka bear historic testimony to that very conceptualisation. When the followers of Jesus Christ came to India for the first time, they were warmly received at the southern coast of India. The rulers and the ruled allowed them to practise their own religion and build their places of worship. The same treatment was extended on the west coast of India to the followers of Islam and Zoroaster.
What followed was a period of peaceful coexistence for centuries. Differences emerged and mistrust and animosity grew only when invaders attacked India to loot its riches and plunder its culture and heritage. Some of them, illiterate and uneducated about the basic tenets of their own religion, Islam, came erroneously convinced that it was their religious duty to convert everyone to their faith. To them, the only truth was: “Convert or the sword shall do the rest.” None can deny that the seeds of distrust were sown initially by those who were too eager to convert this entire country to Darul-Islam.
The Hindus and the Muslims of India had, by that time, perfected the practice of living together, toiling together, and suffering together. As a consequence, conversions forced by outsiders were not easy. There are instances of massacres when people preferred death to religious conversion.
The East India Company, the British rule and the Macaulayan education system ensured that the divide between the Hindus and Muslims stretched far and wide. During the freedom struggle, communal elements accentuated it to irreversible limits. This resulted in partition which then inflicted unprecedented misery on every religious community. India suffered because of Indians who allowed the play of communal divide and rule.
Even today, those who survive on caste and religious politics leave no stone unturned to thwart every attempt to bring the Hindus and the Muslims closer to each other. They denigrate those who strive to maintain and strengthen communal harmony and religious amity.
It appears that certain parties, professing to be secular, make every attempt to create divisions and differences between the two religious communities, more so when they are in power. These parties play unethical politics in the name of eradicating poverty amongst the minorities, which, to everyone, means the Muslims. The expectation is that elected representatives will ensure that national interests get priority over every other consideration. That hasn’t happened. On the contrary, it’s been the opposite.
History often talks of inner intrigues that led to the destruction of one dynasty and the consequent emergence of new rulers. In fact, historical writing itself becomes full of intrigues and machinations when the narrator finds himself chained to his ideological preferences or compulsions. A historian can make or mar heroes — and they have done so in the past.
Post-independence India has suffered on this count. When historians combine with politicians in power, this process almost becomes a scandal. Take the case of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose or even Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Can anyone ignore their contribution to India’s freedom struggle and the country’s integrationIJ
The Indian National Army was one of the finest examples of religious amity and social cohesion. It made a bold statement: All religions are to be treated on an equal footing, having the same goal but following different paths. None could claim supremacy.
In the 21st century, the world shall never be in peace so long any single religion continues to believe that its path alone is correct and all others have to be corrected and converted. In these times of terrorism and fundamentalism engulfing the entire globe, the need for consistent efforts to maintain harmony among religious groups is the prime responsibility of the Government and civil society.
The riots in Muzaffarnagar indicate the lack of professionalism among security forces and disturbing levels of political interference in the system of governance. It appears that a large number of politicians have just stopped thinking beyond the next election.