This story originally appeared at www.nwoow.com on Aug 30, 2013
The generally accepted, meaning the world over, is that a Secular state is one where the state remains indifferent to, and neutral between, the religious beliefs and practices of its citizens. In short, the separation of Religion from the state, Religion belongs to the home, the family, the temple or church or mosque- but not in public life.If we are failing as a secular state, it it because equality before the law is not being practiced. In the 1970’s Indira Gandhi brazenly undermined this spirit by building her vote bank of Kshrriyas, Harijans, Adivaasis and Muslims, Known as KHAM.
In Bihar parlance, everyone understand the onset of MY(Muslim-Yadav) equation which helps buoy the Jungle guru incumbent for three consecutive term(with non-de script breaks) amid tough opposition polarization. Did we bat an eyelid to such brazen moves.
Now the somehow proclaimed intellectual politician and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar who got historical mandate in 2010 assembly poll is never reluctant to use such cheap measures. In fact he has divided the economically backward society on cast card to yet deepest possible level. This man represents the Kurmi community having just 3.5% representation in the state and hence he is dependent on others casts’ voter. Undoubtedly, the Mahadalit and Pasmanda was his virtue of necessity and never been a mission to recognize the most painful of society.
Consider another set of numbers. Because of higher birthrates, the percentage of Muslims in India has risen from about 9.91% in 1951 to 14% in 2010 and must have around 15% by mid 2013. This counts near 170 millions i.e. 17 crores. At this state of circumstances we are bounded to co-habitate with peace.
The recent efforts by VHP for 84-kosi orbital movement at Ayodhya might have instigated Muslim psychology. These days we often came across line ‘the return of 90s’. Do we really want those happenings to repeat? Nope. Never. Muslims in India today play significant role in economy, in society at large. In mundane life they become intrinsic part of Indian society. This despite their reservations about social acceptance. The appaling consequences of the VHP’s actions will only breed a new generation of terrorists, in their own fold and among the communities of Muslim and Dalit victims.
One lesson of history is worth remembering: that a society that turns against other minorities, soon ends up by turning on its own. Pakistan and some hardcore fundamentalist countries are the best example of this. Moreover India replete with minorities. Most strikingly, Hindus have the largest minorities of all! Indeed, who or what is the Hindu majority? What happened to Brahmin superiority in Tamil Nadu? What is happening to upper castes as the lower castes form coalitions? Is the numerical superiority of Dalits in several sates fully appreciated? Adivasis are now organised and striking back with bang. Going back a little in time, have we forgotten that over half the Mughal elite that ran the Mughal administration were Rajputs.
The issue is to take a clear stand with governments, that we do not believe in an India segmented by caste and/or religion. We don’t specify our manufacturing assembly to make soaps, shoes, TV’s, bike and pharmaceuticals for religion or cast specific. Both the majority and minority collectively have to play this role to make the government understand the real problem and make policies for welfare, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Amit Sinha is a bilingual writer and research Journalist. He can be contacted at facebook.amit
