[Reader-list] HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?

[Tapas Ray]

... and Nepal, which used to be a Hindu state, should be a better
place for Ms Vedavati Jogi. I don't know if it still is under the
Maoist-led government, but it doesn't hurt to try, does it, and i am
sure she would get some support from the ex-king and his people.



2008/10/16 Vedavati Jogi <vedavati_jogi at yahoo.com>:
> i think pakistan will be a better place  for you mr. Asghar Ali Engineer.
>
> vedavati
>
> --- On Thu, 16/10/08, Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> From: Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Reader-list] HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
> To: "sarai list" <reader-list at sarai.net>
> Date: Thursday, 16 October, 2008, 11:26 PM
>
> HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
>
> Asghar Ali Engineer
>
> (Secular Perspective October 16-31, 2008)
>
> There is always a big gap between theory and practice, theology and
> history. Indian constitution, no doubt, is one of the best in the
> world. It is truly secular in spirit so much so it was secular even
> when word secular was not added to it until 1975 i.e. during
> emergency. If it were truly implemented India would be an ideal
> country to live in especially for minorities, both religious as well
> as linguistic.
>
> However, as we all know there is big gap between theory and practice,
> constitution and governance of the country. India was far more
> peaceful after independence for number of reasons. Firstly,
> nationalist leaders who had participated in freedom struggle and were
> instrumental in framing the Constitution were still around and despite
> various pressures, stuck to ideals and values to a great extent.
>
> Secondly, due to idealism and nearness to spirit of freedom nation as
> a category and national identity was of great importance and often
> caste, linguistic and religious divisions mattered less. Thirdly, the
> process of economic development had just begun and yet people's demand
> for share in development on caste and communal lines was not very
> articulate and loud.
>
> Because of all this identity politics was still subdued and Marathi
> versus non-Marathi, Tamil versus non-Tamil sentiments were not so
> prominent. Hindu versus Muslims feelings were not so subdued due to
> memory of partition but due to other factors communal violence was
> still limited and had not assumed proportions of ethnic cleansing or
> genocide like in Gujarat in 2002.
>
> It all began with series of communal riots in sixties assuming great
> proportions in Ahmedabad in 1969 and Bhivandi in 1970. In Ahmedabad
> nearly 1000 people were killed in Ahmedabad in 1969 and around 400
> people in Bhivandi. But then communal violence remained in check until
> 1977 when again some major riots took place in several places like
> Jamshedpur, Aligarh and Varanasi etc.
>
> Again whole of decade of eighties was full of communal violence
> climaxing in Mumbai riots in 1992-93. The Ramjanam bhoomi movement
> once again polarized as on the eve of partition. Again there was lull
> in communal disturbances from 1992-93 to 2002 when Gujarat took place
> in 2002. Gujarat riots once again made communal situation quite
> fragile and weakened secular ethos in the country.
>
> Now the identity politics soared quite high and national ethos
> considerably weakened. Today everyone prioritize once caste, communal
> and religious identity over national one. National rhetoric, as if,
> has almost disappeared and even Hindutva forces talk more of Hindu
> religion than of patriotism or nation. For them too Indian nationalism
> has been replaced by Hindu nationalism.
>
> For Shiv Sena of course Maharashtra was always more important than the
> Rashtra (nation) and those Hindus too who spoke Hindi the
> Rashtrabhasha (national language) came under attack. Several Hindus
> from U.P. and Bihar were mauled by Marathi speaking zealots belonging
> to Maharashtra Navniram Sena (MNS), a splinter group from Shiv Sena.
>
> Now recently Christians who were never targeted before by the Hindutva
> zealots have also come under attack. Christians, a mere 2.2 percent
> minority and which has contributed so richly to the country in the
> field of education and health services are being killed ruthlessly.
> What is going on in Kandhmal district of Orissa and some adjoining
> districts, is indeed hair raising.
>
> More than 40 Christians have been killed, a nun mass raped, a woman
> burnt beyond recognition, more than 400 houses burnt and looted and 35
> thousand have fled from their villages to relief camps. And what for?
> A myth has been spread by the powerful machinery of Sangh Parivar that
> all Christians convert. Remember RSS propaganda "All Muslims are not
> terrorists but all terrorists are Muslims"?
>
> Orissa is another Gujarat both in brutalities and terrorization of
> minorities. When Christians and Muslims are being so brutally targeted
> the RSS Chief Sudarshan says that both Muslims and Christians convert
> and Muslims want every one to become Muslim and Christians want all to
> follow Christ and so Hindus must give fitting reply. And our rulers
> just look on.
>
> When BJP was ruling over the country and whole country was
> communalized we were feeling suffocated and felt liberated when UPA
> took over and the BJP led Government defeated at the hustings. We
> celebrated UPA's victory specially because it was supported by the
> left which is the only hope for Indian secularism. However, left has
> withdrawn its support on nuclear issue and once again we are feeling
> suffocated in the communally surcharged state of affairs in India.
>
> However, what is most worrisome is that it is happening under UPA
> Government which is supposed to be a secular outfit. Perhaps today
> there is more suffocation than even under the BJP-led NDA Government.
> The UPA has forgotten all its promises made to the country and is
> betraying minorities and jettisoning its secular commitment. Prime
> Minister Manmohan Singh is more occupied with his pet nuclear pact
> with America than the communal explosion back home.
>
> The communal forces are growing stronger and stronger everyday and the
> ruling coalition of secular forces is quite indifferent. The Home
> Ministry is functioning quite in a lackadaisical manner. It has given
> complete liberty to these forces and they are riding roughshod over
> our secular values and constitutional forces. They never got such
> license to function freely.
>
> The NDA Government liberally recruited RSS inclined candidates in all
> key positions and they captured important academic positions too.
> Also, RSS trained teachers and journalists also were recruited on
> large scale. It is because of this that we find communally minded
> people in all walks of life. The media also has been communalised as
> never before.
>
> Today be it communal riots or terrorist attacks most of the newspapers
> and T.V. channels publish police version unabashedly as if it is
> ultimate truth. No questions are raised and it appears as if
> investigative journalism has become story of the past. Media plays
> most important role in strengthening democratic values and democracy
> cannot survive without a critical and alert media. But it seems except
> for few papers and magazines media has been completely communalised.
>
> Even a well-known Daily from south which was known for its strong
> commitment to secularism appears to have developed, of late, subtle
> communal slant. It is indeed very critical period for India. India is
> well known as largest secular democracy in the world. But first
> Gujarat and now Orissa has dented its secular image thanks to Hindutva
> forces. Manmohan Singh was faced with the most embarrassing situation
> abroad and he had to admit that what is happening in Orissa is
> 'shameful'.
>
> But having described developments in Orissa shameful what has he done
> to redeem it? He is quite hesitant to ban Bajrang Dal and resisting
> demand of some of his own Congress party colleagues to ban it saying
> we are watching and waiting for reports from Chief Minister of Orissa.
> It is indeed more shameful than communal carnage in Orissa. Any truly
> secular government would have dismissed Navin Patnaik Government for
> its complete inability to control communal violence.
>
> So far I never believed that Indian communalism could take form of
> fascism as many leftists had been saying all along. Today we see the
> footprints of fascism in India. The situation is very similar to that
> of Germany in the thirties. The unemployed hordes of lower middle
> classes have joined Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in large
> numbers and hailing Hindutva leaders. Some of the text books in
> Rajasthan and Gujarat, both BJP ruled states are praising fascism and
> Hitler.
>
> Also, the Central Government is appeasing these communal forces. It
> appears though the Government at the Centre is of secular UPA but
> agenda is of Sangh Parivar. The police appears to be taking orders
> from Sangh Parivar rather than from ruling Congress or UPA. Riot after
> riot be it in Orissa or Digras, Pusad or Dhule the police just looks
> on when mobs loot and burn even during curfew hours.
>
> It is indeed very very worrisome situation. The UPA Government is
> assisting the Sangh Parivar in every way possible. The police is
> riding absolutely roughshod over minorities and latest example is
> Batla House 'encounter'. Though the print and electronic media
> abdicated its responsibility the human rights groups raised questions
> and pricked holes in the police claim of encounter of 'dreaded
> terrorists'.
>
> The situation is indeed very grave and unless secular forces unite and
> play determined role things can get far more worse.
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