[Reader-list] HOW COMMUNAL IS INDIA TODAY?

[Javed]

Dear Rajkamal
Since you kindly advised me to consult some literature on Secularism
before writing on the subject (which incidentally I have not - this
piece is from Asghar saheb), it would be great if you could give me
some pertinent references as what I should read. Do you have a
bibliography available. In fact many people on this list would benefit
if you could suggest what we should read.

Also, I suggest you read Engineer's article fully since he has nowhere
said that India is secular. He is simply asking whether it is?

Thanks

Javed

On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 7:35 AM, Rajkamal Goswami
<rajkamalgoswami at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear javed,
> Before writing anything on secularism...I advise you to kindly consult some
> literature dealing with the concepts of secularism. You have just not
> grasped the true essence of secularism. India was never ever secular nor it
> ever will be. You will clearly understand it once you
> understand what secularism means.
>
> On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 8:56 PM, Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> 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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>
> --
> Rajkamal Goswami
> ATREE, Bangalore-24
>