The communal tensions show no signs of abating. It is evident that fundamentalists among both Hindus and Muslims are bent upon perpetuating it. The media has been quite irresponsible. They are interested only in sensationalising trivial incidents by blowing them up out of proportion. And those who claim to be opposed to communalism are not making any serious attempt to change this sad state of affairs. The Congress, the left and other political parties who claim to be secular are not effective in fighting this down slide in our social life because their fight against communalism lacks credibility.
A Muslim friend with liberal views once expressed his anguish like this. “Though I am a practicing Muslim, I am against Taliban, Al-Qaida, ISIS, gender discrimination etc. But I am afraid of talking about such issues because I fear of being ostracised from the community and in an eventuality like that I am not sure of any support from progressive and secular groups because they themselves are reluctant to openly talk about such issues. The only people who openly criticise the Muslim extremists are the Sangh Parivar and their associates who want to paint the whole Muslim community black by branding them as terrorists and fundamentalists. In a situation like this, how can liberal Muslims come out boldly to express their view point?”
What he is saying is true. Among Hindus also the situation is the same. How many liberal Hindus are prepared to condemn honour killings, khap panchayats, attacks on churches and mosques and many other such misdeeds by men of their own community?
There is a dire need of people who can take a stand against negative and unfair acts irrespective of who indulges in such acts. Only when Liberal Muslims and Hindus give up their inhibitions and reluctance and exhibit the courage to condemn the misdeeds committed by persons of their own community, a credible opposition to communalism can be built up.
The campaign of the left and secular parties against Hindu communalism is not able to draw support from right thinking people because of their stoic silence against obscurantist practices among Muslims and Christians. What credibility they can have when they remain silent about conversion by inducement and force, fatwa, terrorism, ISIS, Taliban, al-Qaida etc?
Because of this attitude they are leaving the field open for the conservative right like the Sangh Parivar to mislead people by exaggerating and distorting facts. It is high time they openly talk against unfairness and for reform wherever and whenever it is warranted.
Likewise the moderates among Hindus should take the lead to fight and expose khap panchayats, honour killings, moral policing, attack against mosques and churches, harassment of ordinary people just because they are Muslims etc.
But countering, opposing and exposing negative tendencies on either side is not enough. Some positive actions also need to be initiated to dispel misconceptions and remove mistrust among the communities. Moderates on either side should overcome their inhibitions and become vocal in espousing the positive side of their respective religions. After all, it has to be agreed that the original thrust of all the religions was preservation of order, peace and well being of all. Somewhere in the course of the journey through rough terrains of history, sometimes due to error of judgment and sometimes due to deliberate misinterpretations, the original concepts have been distorted. Whatever good was there in the original teachings need to be restored. Whatever is not suitable to the present should be discarded.
It is agreed that there are differences in tradition, culture, rituals etc of different communities. But accepting diversity is our tradition. The majority of people in this country have no problem with that. The politicians try to divide us for electoral gains. The activities of the Hindutva brigade have not resulted in enhancing the prestige of Hinduism which is known for its accommodative spirit. On the contrary the proponents of Hindutva have gained politically by manipulating religious sentiments. Some persons while claiming to be protectors of religion have built commercial empires worth thousands of crores. They arouse communal passions to further their greed and loot.
Likewise fatwa and terrorism have not helped the cause of Islam. It has only resulted in arousing the wrath of the world against all Muslim including the innocents.
If you agree that these issues need to be discussed on a wider scale, please share it on Goggle + and Facebook. If you disagree with any of my contentions, please counter them with your own view point because dialogue and debate will help the cause of peace and communal harmony.
