Minoritism's Syndrome

The word “Minority” in a way has attracted focussed

attention in India since the Bhartya Janta Party came into power
in 2014. No matter the Prime Minister Narinder Modi does not
say it in so many words and has been camouflaging it skillfully.
But the other prominent leaders like Sadhvi Ninanjan Jyoti an
M.P. has been saying it openly that those who are Ramzade
Ram’s men they should remain in India and those who are
Haramzade not Rama (God’s) persons. They should go to
Pakistan. A clear hit to the Muslims who are obviously in
Minority. The clandestine device these leaders had found was
“Gharwapsi” to convert the Muslims to Hinduism. But it did
not catch up at all. The Hindus among themselve were opposite
to it.
“Hamid Ansari the ex-vice President of the India
consecutively for two terms and relinquished position in 2017
was at pains to observe that “there is unease among Minorities
and the ambience of acceptance is now under threat”. The Prime
Minister Modi speaking at Ansari’s farewell did not try to address
Ansari’s concern or allay Muslim’s fears arising from incidents
of communal violence out of vigilantism. Instead Prime Minister
Modi recalled Hamid Ansari’s days as a Diplomat in Muslim
Countries and as Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
Modi said that now being free from constraints of the
constitutional office, he could pursue his core beliefs. How a
person who is known for his erudite stature and of intellectual
pursuits–Ansari would have taken highbrowness in Narinder
Modi’s words. But Ansari had to bear with it. His predicament
was that he is a Muslim. Muslims are in Minority in India. Here
lies the Minoritism’s syndrome and also that of Majontarianism.
The Prime Minister’s insinuation of Ansari’s being less than

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secular was not lost upon the BJP’s belligerent crowd on social
media of all those who made uncharitable remarks about Ansari,
the most surprising came from the incoming Vice President
Venkaiah Naido who may have just disowned his political loyalty
on surface to the BJP, he could not resist a chance to speak out
his mind as a former Sangh Privar loyalist. It is another matter
what he said, given the office he was going to hold was not in
keeping with his changed stature. “Some people are saying
minorities are in India insecure. It is a proganda.” he said. The
tone and tenor of Naido’s comments were in sharp contrast to
the scholarly take Dr. Ansari has on issues. No two incumbents
occupying the same office could be so different. Not just the
political landscape of the country, the quality of politics itself
has changed in the BJP era. The sense of intolerance at large in
the religious area is apparent. Howsoever Modi makes road
shows alongwith Muslims and visits the Masjids in Gujrat it is
all a show biz. the Muslim community sees through it fully,
understanding the intake. At times it appears that the situation
may reach a stage when the Muslims in India would be forced
to demand a complete separation and the belligerent sections
among Hindus under the grip of Rastrya Swam Sewak Sangh
will be responsible for that impasse.
What is Minoritism ? A minority group refers to a category
of people differentiated from the social majority i.e. those who
had the majority positions of social power in a society and it
may be defined by race. A “social group” as the term would
indicate, “minority group” refers to the above described. The
differentiation can be based on one or the more observable human
characteristics including ethnicity, race, religion, caste gender
wealth, health sexual orientation. Usage of the term is applied
to various situations and civilisations. There is a controversy
with the use of the word “minority”. Cultural diversity definition
can be as convtrovertial, as diversity projects and initiatives.
The word “minority” has also an academic and colloquial usage.
Academics refer to power differences among groups rather than
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differences in population size among groups. In the social
sciences, the term minority is sometimes used to describe social
power relations between dominant and subordinate groups rather
than simply indicating demographic variation within population.
Just as in Punjab the farming community being land owners are
the dominant class though numerically, they are in minority
compared to the other classes–Harijans, Brahmins, Khatries and
others no matter the latter depend upon the land owner, for their
livelihood. However with the advancement in education the
Harijans have occupied prominent positions by dint of
reservation in Govt. services and also a number of them have
gone abroad specially gulf countries allured by greener pastures.
The term minority group often occurs alongside a discourse
of civil rights and collective rights which gained prominence in
the 20th century. What could be more bitterly experienced
example than India itself a sub continent was partitioned to create
another country i.e. Pakistan. It is said that the Muslim population
was made apprehensive that they being in Minority in India and
Hindus being in a whopping majority shall always have to live
under their subordinations. Although the “partition’s brain waive
was of the Britishers who were leaving India which got freedom
from the alien rulers. Significantly both Hindus Muslims and
all others fought shoulder to shoulder in the freedom struggle
but the alien rulers ignited the minoritism ember which
unfortunately resulted into migration of population from East
Punjab to West Punjab to West Punjab and Vice-versa. Hindus-
Sikhs came from West Punjab to East Punjab and similarly
Muslims went to West Punjab. It was a holocaust about 2 to 5
lacks people were massacred–trains full of passengers were
looted and passengers killed–a very sad and sordid chapter of
history. Similar situation was happening in Bengal which was
also partitioned, the majority Muslim population went to East
Bengal and the Hindus and other communities remained in West
Bengal (India). In Bengal the Muslim League’s die hard leader
Suhrawardhy was smoking fire against Hindus. Significantly
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Mahatma Gandhi even in that fire unmindful of his life was
dousing the fire embess in Noakhli area of Bengal in those days.
Overall it was Mohammed Ali Jinnah who was the Crusader for
partitioning India on the grounds that the Muslims in India shall
always be subservient to Hindus who are in thumping majority.
Jinnah had the backing of Britisher rulers as it was not a mean-
thing that they were leaving India having ruled here for two
hundred years. It is they who ignited “The Two Nation Theory”
fire of partition at the cost of repetition it has to be written as
they were clandestinely hoping that Indian’s would not be able
to run the country and ultimately they would make way for them
to stay put. Members of the Minority groups are prone to different
treatment in the countries and societies in which they live. The
discrimination may be directly based on an individual’s personal
achievement. It may also occur indirectly by social structures
that are not equally accessible to all. Activists campaigning on
a range of issue may use the language of minority rights including
student rights consumer rights et. al. Long back under Central
Govt. instructions the Banks were asked as to how much and to
how many persons the credit/loans had been given to minority
communities i.e. Sikhs, Muslims, Christians etc. This is a crusade
how minorities get extra benefits say in the educational sphere
where the seats are reserved for minority students and then fee
concessions are extended and loans from banks.
Feagan a political scientist, states that a minority group has
five characteristics (1) suffering discrimination and
subordination (2) physical and or cultural traits that set them
apart like in Punjab the attire of Sikhs having long hairs and
donning turbans. A Keshadhari and Amritdhari Sikh would
always have beard, no cutting of hair and an iron bracelet called
kara and Kachh on underwear, Kirpan a small sword braced in
a cloth and carried around the body. Such traits may not be
approved by the other dominant group in a society like that
happens at times with sikhs living in foreign countries.
According to Feagin the third characteristic is a shared sense
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of collective identity and common burdens as is apparent in
Muslims. Another feature is the tendency to marry within that
minority group. In India this is very glaringly observed. The
minority characteristic painted by Feagon are maintained despite
complications.
Sociologists like Louis wirth defined a Minority group as a
group of people who because of their physical or cultural
characteristic are singled out from the others in the society in
which they live for differential and unequal treatment and who
as such regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination.
The definition includes both objective and subjective criterian :
an individual’s physical or behavioral characteristics of a given
minority group will be accorded the status of that group and be
subject to the same treatment as other members of that group. A
simple example would be the behaviour of very very old people
as they being weak-eyesight, hearing capacity and then walking
slow also becomes in that age. They as such have to be treated
with kidgloves. What the humanism demands. This oldies group
as such becomes a minority in the social groups.
Every large society contains ethnic minorities and linguistic
minorities. Their style of life, language, culture and origin can
differ from the majority. Minority status is conditioned not only
by a clearly numerical relations but also by questions of political
power. In some places, subordinate ethnic groups may constitute
a numerical majority such as Blacks in South Africa under
apartheid. In addition to the “traditional” (long time resident)
minorities they may be migrant, indigenous or landless nomadic
communities. In Punjab/Haryana there are seen migrant
communities who are engaged in small blacksmithy works and
remain on roads carrying their paraphrenelia in their bullock
carts visiting villages for blacksmithy jobs. They visit villages
and go to streets. Mostly their ladies do the job work and also
sell iron wares like sharp blades of the Charkha a hand driven
wooden-wheeled spinning instrument where the sharp long blade
revolve. However these days there is hardly any house in the
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village where the homespun cotton cloth (Khaddar) was seen.
Say fifty years back this activity was very common and the ladies
in house at times from the neighbourhood would do it in groups
at night. Here the roaming smith’s wares were needed. This
roaming smiths community trace their origin from Rajput states
who were defeated by the Mughals since then they are roaming
and has not gone to their own places back.
There is no legal definition of national (ethnic) minorities
in International law. Only in Europe the exact definition probably
provided by the European charter for Regional or Minority
languages and by their Frame Work Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities. In the United States, for
example, European Americans constitute the majority (72.4%)
and all other racial groups (African-American, Asian Americans,
Native Americans and Native Hawins) are classified as
“Minorities”. If the Hispanic white population falls 50% the
group will only be plurality not the majority. However national
minority can be theoretically (not legally defined as a group of
people within a given national state : (i) Which is numerically
smaller than the rest of the population of the state or a part of
the state, (ii) Which is not in a dominant position ? (iii) Which
has a cultural, language, religion, race etc. distinct from majority
of the population ? (iv) Whose members have a well to preserve
their specificity ? (v) Whose members are citizen of the state
where they have the status of a minority and (vi) Which have
long term presence in the territory where it has lived ? All the
aforesaid six features befittingly apply to the Sikh community
in Punjab. Although, the Hindus claim that Sikhs are their own
part and not separate which is vehemently refuted by the
politically awakened section among the sikhs. Rightly so, the
sikhs have a distinct identity and calling them Hindus will be
foolhardiness. In this context it will be appropriate to quote Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar at the time of country’s partition in Hindustan
and Pakistan. The Sikhs were feeling high and dry. The vocal
among them said that Hindus got Hindustan and Muslims got
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Pakistan. What Sikhs got ? It was two nation theory on which
the partition took place. A politically awakened section of the
Sikhs went to Dr. Ambedkar and explained their predicament.
Since Sikhs on the strength of population had no area where
they were in majority. Only in the Tehsil of Tarn Tarn Sikhs had
a majority. So their claim for any area could not stand. Dr.
Ambedkar told that Sikh group that after partition if there was
any community who got the best of it that was the Sikh’s only.
He elaborated, “you have a specific identity, you have a separate
religion. In the Doaba Majha area and Patiala state area you
become sizeable community. Thus you have territory which all
makes up the features of a nation state. Ambedkar’s formula
later on blazed the worst type of fire when Hindus in groups
were killed by Sant Bhindrawala-a sad chapter of Punjab History
indeed.
In fact Minoritism is a world-wide phenomena. Minorities
exist in all spheres of life. Take India current population of India
2017 figures 1.34 billion. Total male population in India, 69.6
crore. Female population 65.2 crore. The population of India is
almost 17.85% of the world population. In the world religion
wise Christians are in majority the distinct of all the religious
communities in the world, Christians 2.2 billion, non-religious/
athirst/agnostic population 1.1 billion, Muslim 1.6 billion,
Hindus 1 billion, Chinese traditional religion Taoism etc. 394
million, Budhism 376 million, ethnic religious excluding some
in separate categories, 300 million African traditional religions
100 million, sikhism 30 million spiritsm 16 million, Judaism
15 million, Bhai 7 million Jainism 4.2 million, Shin to 4 million,
Caodai 4 million, Zoroastrianism 2.6 million rest 4 quite
unknown or unheard about 2 million. These all make the world
population 7167 million.
The purpose of giving these numericals is to show that even
in terms of population minority majority is reflected. The crisis
erupts when the majority forces its thrust on religious basis.
The crisis is further accentuated when the religious majority-
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minority crusades that their religion is the best amongst all other
religions and tries to convert people from other religions to adopt
their religion. History is replete of such a conversion rage. In
India Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb is infamous for such
conversion. Though Auranzeb is infamous for such conversion.
Aurangzeb’s personal living was very simple and he was known
that he earned his bread by sewing caps. But when the religious
orthodoxy came in he was the most cruel person and he would
convert the Hindus in as many as would make Hindus sacred
threads about a maund in weight. This religious rage continued
for quite long. Before Aurangzeb, Mughal Emperor Jahangir
wrought atrocities on Sikh Gurus. It was Bhagati movement by
the Gurus since the founder of Sikh religion–the 1st Guru Nanak
Dev. He had in those suffocating days when a slight defiance of
the ruler could invite worst retribution. But it was Guru Nanak
Dev whose alaap (crusade) was Paap Ki Janl lai Kablon dhaia
aisro karein dhian ve Lalo. (The Guru was alongwith his two
companions (disciples) Bala and Mardana was always on travels
far and wide. The guru clear hint was towards the 1st Mughal
Emperor Babar. But he protected in his own way. Jahangir the
Mughal Emperor wrought indescribable atrocities on Hindus
that the human conscience trembles, the cruelest way he crucified
the 5th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Arjan Dev. The Guru’s fault was
that he was always absorbed in meditation. Jahangir’s son
Khurram had revolted against his Emper father and had gone to
Guru Arjan Dev for blessings as from a saint. The news of the
prince going to the Guru infuriated the Emperor. The Guru had
large following as Sikhs all over India were his followers. This
invited Emperor’s wrath against the Guru who had to undergo
Emperor’s physical Zulam (atrocities). The Guru was made to
sit on Tatti Tavi (an iron big plate under which the fire was
burning. As if this was not enough, on Guru’s head hot sand was
poured. But the Guru was calm quiet and equanimous. He only
recited “tera bhana meetha lage” remember his Waheguru (God)
that whatever He gives is sweet. That was the height of Jahangir’s
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religious bigotism as the Guru’s faith was not the Muslim faith.
More so the Emperor was wary that the Guru had a large
following and if the revolting son got their support Jahangir
could be ousted. Although the Guru’s followers were peace
loving and moved by their Guru’s teachings which were celestial
and divinely where was any battle danger from such followers ?
The Hindu Sikh religion have a cosmopolitan ambience. There
is no room for any bigotism and fundamentalism. The
politicalisation of the religion later on has of course vitialed the
import of true religion. In this context, Swami Vivekanand’s
nuggetial words befittingly explain the position thus the whole
world is like one family–Vishvam Katumbhkam–Swami
addressing the people in America, started with the words “my
sisters and brothers”. This address of the Swami has become a
legend. So where is any scope for bigotism or narrowism in
Hindu thought. The Sikh faith has further elaborated it by keeping
all the doors open for all the religious communities. All the
Gurudwaras have four doors and any person belonging to any
faith caste or creed have free entry there to. Religion is the way
to seek and reach the Divine. But to a bigot like Jahangir it
never fitted in. Although Hindus in India have always been in
majority. But they were ruled by Muslim rulers. Hindu’s plight
was thus worse than a minority. Here the majoritarianism did
not cut ice. Denald Trump unexpectedly came to power in
America in 2014. His political trump card was that two terms of
a black American has deprived USA of the jobs and non-whites
have rendered the Americans a lethargic and non technician
depending upon the immigrants from Asia mainly from India,
China and Pakistan. The first thing Trump did was that he
restricted the entry of people specially Muslims from other
countries. He also gave specified time to these immigrants to
leave America though these people were there since at least a
generation. They had nursed and developed America but they
were in a quandry. The was manner Trump was concerned with
his own people. He tightened the norms for Visa to those who
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seek employment there. When trump gave the slogan “Make
America great again”. He infact was hinting that American were
losing jobs to non whites. It was a bias against blacks who are
in minority there. Then there enthnic minorities. The recent
instance (year 2017) is the Rohingyas who are being driven out
from Myanmar. They are more than four lacs in number. They
have gone to Bangladesh as they have same affinity with
Bangladeshis. Their predicament is that they are a ethnic
minority. India had on humanitarian grounds sent some
consignments of food stuffs to Bangladesh for Rohingyas.
Otherwise India point blank refused Rohingyas entry in India.
A case some body had filed in the Supreme Court. The Govt.
has taken a stand that Rohingyas are a threat to our internal
security and the Govt. will not all allow their entry at any rate.
Such is the plight of ethnic minorities.
The Minorities in fact exist in every country so much so
that in every religion, region, caste, linguistic, rich-poor, in
population-male-female basis. Not that these minorities are at
war with each other. The Minorities have to be tolerant of the
majority’s view. Although in the foregoing narrative the religious
bias has been discussed yet the height of cruelty went sky high
in emperor, Aurangzeb’s period. Although Hindus in India have
all along been in whopping majority yet the ruler wrought havoc
on them. It was only Guru Gobind Singh the 10th Master who
dared Aurangzeb. The retribution of the Emperor was so
devastating that he converted Hindus to Muslims. The 9th Guru
of Sikhs, Teg Bahadur remained always absorbed in meditation.
The Hindus went to him that they are being forcibly converted
as Muslims. The Guru told them that the rulers should be told
that they should first convert their Guru to Islam. The Guru told
Hindus that it can be averted if some saintly important figure
offers for sacrifice. The History tells that Guru Gobind Singh
who was then in rising age told his father, the Guru that who
could be better than you. Guru Teg Bahadur then thereafter
proceeded to Delhi where he offered himself and urged the rulers
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that you convert him into Islam then convert other Hindus. It
was a challenge to the rulers. He sat in Chandani Chowk. The
rulers urged him for conversion he would be left free. But the
Guru had come there to stop the conversion of Hindus. The
human conscience/tongue shivers with fear. The way the Guru
was tortured. The Guru beheaded Every moment the Guru was
asked to abandon his resolve but the 9th Master was calm quiet
and equanimous. The Guru’s body was left in the chowk as it
was. It was a dedicated disciple of the Guru named Bhai Jaita
who in the dead of night picked up Guru’s head and walked to
Anandpur Sahib. Hinding Guru’s head in a cloth Bhai Jaita
reached Anandpur Sahib may be in four five days and handed
over the severed head of the Guru to Guru Gobind Singh. The
Guru then exclaimed–Rangrette Guru Ke Bete. Bhai Jaita was
a chamar by caste. But the Guru embraced them as Guru’s sons.
Hereafter Guru Gobind Singh took up cudgets with Muslim
rulers to avert the zulam on Hindus. For that the Guru had to
sacrifice his four sons. The elder ones Ajit Singh and Jujhar
Singh gave their lives while fighting with Mughal forces in the
battlefield at Chamkaur Sahib. The Guru was fighting from a
big Kotha House from its top now called Chamkaur di Garhi
with his few Singhs. The Mughal force was far bigger in number
but the Guru kept them stalled with his arrows. At last when his
followers compelled the Guru to leave the Garhi. He went out
incognito and went away from the battle field while his
companions of course kept fighting till their last and the Mughal
forces could not know that the Guru had since gone out. Guru's
younger two sons, Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh were bricked
alive in the wall at Sirhind where a Gurudwara had been built
up. The younger sons had not entered the teen age. They were
forced to adopt Islam but they refused to do so till the wall
erecting got raised in full. It was Banda Singh Bahadur originally
a Bairagi Sadh who met Guru Gobind Singh on the banks of
river Godavri in South where the Guru had reached for
meditation. The Banda was so impressed with Guru that he
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became his disciple. The Guru sent him to Sirhind to fight against
the Zulam of Muslim rulers against Hindus. The Banda really
avenged the cruel behaviour of Muslim Subedar of Sirhind and
beheaded, the Subedar Wazir Khan who had got the two younger
sons bricked in the wall at Sirhind. To make the Saka happening
short it was height of cruelty the Hindus had undergone.
The foregoing narrative is to explain the religious begotism
which wrought havoc on the people. Although Hindus were in
majority but the rulers were of the other i.e. faith Islam.
The religious bias has been discussed and explained much
in detail in foregoing paragraphs. The theme of the writing is
the Minority Syndrome. The Minority in fact is existing in every
walk of life. Although they are not at war with the majority yet
at times they have to realise their minority complex and cope
with the obtaining situation. Take the case of Regions. In a region
there are different communities and obviously one community
would be in majority and the others in minority. When people
of that region go out to other regions say for livelihood they are
treated as others. Like the people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,
who came to Punjab and Haryana for finding small jobs for
their livelihood they are called Purbias and Bihari. In a way
they are singled out by the local people. They as such have to be
in a second third rate position and can not stand up to the local
ones. These people from U.P. and Bihar do the menial jobs and
many of them may not have enrolled themselves as voters
because they have not any permanent residential address. They
mostly live in Jhughis in the outskirts of towns. Even in offices
any where in the towns/cities, the members of staff belonging
to the same region would feel much closer to the persons of
same that region. Although it may not be said in so many words
but the region belongingness does have its impact. Say-persons
from Bengal working in Punjab or northern states would be
usually pointed to as Bengal's by others not taken badly but in
routine it is so used. A Bengali would talk in Bangla language
to his other Bengali colleagues. While the other local colleagues
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would hardly make out. Yes it is not impossible that a sort of
bias may not creep in at times in the work allotments also. In
any area, the persons belonging to the same region would feel
closer to each other than the local people. The ‘Bengalis’-
obviously would be in minority in such a situation.
The regional bias had reached its climass when in 1952 a
demand was made for a Punjabi Speaking State (Punjabi Suba)
by the Akali Dal led by Master Tara Singh then unquestionably,
the supreme sikh leader then the Central Govt. construed that it
is a demand for sikh state in the garb of Punjabi Suba. A
protracted political struggle ensued for fourteen years. In 1966
a separate Punjabi Speaking State was curved out bifurcating
Punjab into Punjab and Haryana. Afterwards the wise men in
Punjab realised that it was the disection of a big Punjab third
time. Firstly when Punjab was riven apart into East Punjab and
West Punjab at the time of partition of India into Hindustan and
Pakistan in 1947, during Britisher’s rule. At that time Punjab
was a bigger state and its borders were encompassing Kashmir.
On partition the most fertile lands went to West Pakistan and
the Hindus and Sikh population had to contend with the
remaining land in East Punjab. The irrigation and canal waters
were left in West Punjab. The Lyalpur area of West Punjab was
known for its wheat, paddy and cotton crops. The cause of all
this loss was the regional bias. It had political motive behind.
To gain the political power, the sikh leader Master Tara Singh’s
aim was to capture power in Punjab. In order to achieve this the
Punjabi’s particularly the Sikhs had to fight a protracted battle.
Master Tara Singh had to go on fast unto death. But he could
not succeed as he proved weak and was afraid of death.
Thereafter his political graph went dashing down. Compared to
him a staunch congressman Darshan Singh Pheruman after
taking vow and Ardas at Harmandir Sahib Amritsar went on
fast unto death and he died inch by inch and did not relent. The
politicians of Punjab specially Akali Dal were so biased against
the sacrifice of Pheruman that none of the fore rung Akalis went
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to Pheruman’s Antim Ardas. Yet they tried to derive benefit that
the sacrifice had brought them nearer their political aim. The
regional bias was heavy on them. Ultimately Punjab had to be
again bifurcated into Haryana and Punjab. Punjabi Suba, the
central govt. was against this bifurcation tooth and nail because
they saw in it the design sikhs, Partap Singh Kairon a staunch
congress leader and strong supporter of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru
the most popular figure in the country who was against the
demand of Sikhs for Punjabi Suba. Partap Singh Kairon the Chief
Minister of Punjab dealt with Akalis with strong hand. He rather
raised a demand for a bigger Punjab comprising Jammu and
Kashmir. After the death of Pt. Jawahar Lal the political graph
of Kairon also came down and he was killed by his opponents
while going to Delhi in his car. There was no worth while
Congress leader in Punjab to oppose the Akalis. by this
bifurcation of Punjab the Haryanvis, Himachalis were the most
benefitted states as out of Punjab Haryana areas went to Haryana
and the both hilly areas a new state Himachal Pradesh came
into being Punjab was thus deprived of any hills. These two
separate states infact given to their respective people on a platter.
The Akalis of Punjab realised afterwards that they are left with
a tiny state (a subi instead of a big state). However they did
became in a position to capture political power of the State. But
that also became elusive for them. The Congress came into
power. Because all the sikhs are not the Akalis. There are sikhs
who are imbued in Congress culture. At the most it came to the
situation that if once Congress came into power next time Akalis
would capture the throne. It is obvious that the regional crusade
by political parties to capture political power of the state. More
often than not the regional bias also takes a communal shade as
happened in Punjab in early 1980’s. Sant Jarnail Singh
Bhindrawale later on exploited it to the hilt. The then Central
Govt. can not be absolved of the emergence of Bhinderanwale
on the political stage. Bhinderanwale originally a Sant and
dedicatedly busy in the promotion of Sikh religion. Singh Sajo-
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Amrit Chhako was his campaign. He was from Bhinderanwala
Taksal at Mehta Chowk. After the demise of the Sant there he
took over from him. Sant Jarnail Singh more of a die-hard
campaigner for Sikhism. The back ground was that in the Centre
Congress Govt. wanted the Akalis led by Sant Harchand Singh
Longowal who held a sway among sikhs get weaker. In a way it
was Delhi Sarkar led by Indira Gandhi who on the advice, it is
said, of Giani Zail Singh who was the President of India and
was considered an astute politician who had contained the Akali’s
political power while as Chief Minister of Punjab obviously
Indira Gandhi relied upon Giani ji and other sikh leaders of
Delhi like Santokh Singh who had an easy access to Mrs. Gandhi.
Detracting from the foregoing narrative a recent
development has taken place in Canada. The Tribune carried it
with the heading “Visible Minority leader”. Canada had added
one more nuance to its reputation as a healthy, inclusive political
society. The New Democratic Party become the first party to
have a visible Minority leader. Visible Jagmeet Singh is with
his colourful turbans, his skin tone and saratorial choices. He
has however used his visible minority status to build an inclusive
base that represents Canada in all diversity. His coalition is rather
broad though he won on the strength of largely on the strength
of new voters mainly Asian. By winning the 2017 leadership
Elections Jagmeet Singh becomes only 38 years old, a practicing
lawyer had in the past lost and won elections. So the electoral
field is not new to him. The purpose of narrating Jagmeet Singh’s
political profile is to explain the fine society of Canada.
Compared this to the Indian scenario, though democracy but
the hegemony of Congress ruling the country since 1947
incessantly till 1984 with little breaks after emergency rule
whereafter the Congress led by Indira Gandhi again came to
power with thumping majority yet it cannot be termed as real
democratic rule. It is now more glaringly apparent under Bhartya
Janta Party rule. It is the remote controlled from Nagpur the
head quarter of Rashtrya Swaym Sewak Sangh (RSS). They are
15/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
the crusaders of Hindutav. Their aim is that Hindus being 82%
of country’s population. How is it that other parties mainly the
Congress party has been insaddle for so long. So why not crusade
for a Hindu Rastra so that the Hindus unite and the BJP rules
the country perpetually and let the other communities who are
in Minority remain as they are. Also during Congress rule, it
was never practicing a real democracy. Indian voter is still not
aware of the democracy. There are people who consider
democracy without any fetters and responsibility and
answerability towards none. The stock reply of the politician in
power is that in case the people are not satisfied with their
performance, they have a right to over throw them out of power
in the next elections. The right of recall is there but it is so
cumbersome that so much unity of the voters is not there and
the party in power will torpedo any such attempt. Then there
are other political parties who will not be united on such a move,
the party in power will win them over some how with
allurements. The main drawback in democracy is that “First
past the post” norm applies which means that in case a party in
a particular constituency wins with one vote the contestant
candidate will be declared as elected. The whole process of
elections show that a substantial portion of voters remains
unrepresented in the assembly or Parliament even Panchayat et.
al No system of proportionate representation to political parties.
No independent candidate be allowed to contest. There are ethnic
minorities. The very recent example is that of Rohingyas in
Myanmar which has attracted attention world over. Rohingyas
had been living in Rakhine area of Mynmar since ages but
Myanmar natives never accepted as their own and as such they
were always wary of them and wanted to drive them away. The
Rohingyas entered Bangla Desh in droves because they have
some affinity with the later. But how far. They are approximately
more than four lacs in number. On Television they are seen in
wretched condition Poverty is apparent from them. The case
some NGO filed in our Supreme Court that India should
16/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
accommodate the Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds. Already
India, they say had committed such a blunder when Tibetans
entered India in numbers. They were driven away by Chinese
forces. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has been in India.
They have settled themselves in Dharamshala (Himachal
Pradesh). They have also formed the Tibetean Govt. in exile.
This act of Tibetans has politically annoyed Chinese and they
see their govt. as a permanent thorn in their eyes. This could be
one of the causes Chinese hostile attitude towards India. Though
Chinese are intrinsically treacherous. They stabbed the Hindi
Chini Bhai Bhai sentiments so enchanted during Pt. Jawahar
Lal days. The ‘Panchsheel’ understanding by India, China, Egypt,
South Africa and country of Marshal Titu. Prime Ministers of
these countries Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Chao in Lie, Col. Nassar,
Nakruma and Marshal Titu, joined hands and brought out the
‘Panchsheel’. It attracted the attention of the world as it was a
landmark to bring a sense of peaceful co-existence and avert
war like situations. The whole narrative is to explain the exodus
of Tibetans who were in Minority in China which had captured
Tibet.
At the cost of repetation, Rohingyas crisis is the more recent
and more serious politically and demographically i.e. population
wise when the Rohingyas are coming in droves. They are said
to be more than four lacs. The Govt. of India has point blanks
refused their entry in India and has sealed its borders. Some
NGO has gone to the Supreme Court who are considering the
issue. Relevantly, the issue of Tibetans’ influx in India has been
discussed in the foregoing paragraph giving the subtle impact
of Rohingyas if accommodated in India.
Interestingly, the Minorities syndrome has come to dominate
the politically over awakened people. The daily Tribune a
prominent News paper has today carried a news which depicts
the concern of people. It will be in order to quote the news as it
is with apology to the news paper which I am doing without
their express permission. My apologies, “Give minority status
17/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
to Hindus in Punjab, J.K. 6 other states” heading of the news. A
public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court has
demanded that the Hindus be as a Minority in eight states
including Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir and be given the
legitimate benefits meant for them. Besides Punjab and Jammu
& Kashmir, the PIL field by Advocate Ashwani Kumar Upadhyay
has sought Minority status for Hindus in Northeastern states of
Mizoram, Meghalya, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Manipur,
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal but they are treated as Majority.
Likewise the sikhs are majority in Punjab and there is significant
population in Delhi, Chandigarh and Haryana but they are also
treated as majority in these states despite being minority in
population and were illegally being deprived of benefits meant
for Minority Communities. The Union Govt. offered 20000
scholarships in the field of technical education for minority
students. In J&K of 753 scholarships to Muslim students but
none to Hindu students citing notification on minority
communities dated Oct. 23, 1993 which declares Muslims as
minority but not the Hindus, the petitioner pointed out.
The top court is already seized of the matter of another PIL
with regard to Jammu & Kashmir where in the petitioner Ankur
Sharma a Jammu based Advocate has appealed that the benefits
meant for minorities are going to the majority community i.e.
Muslims in the state Sharma had alleged that crores of rupees
were being squandered away as the state was spending on
unidentified minorities.
Recently Canada has opened its door to the immigrants from
South Asian countries i.e. India, Pakistan and China. Canada
wants skilled like masons, carpenters, plumbers and other
mechanics and also unskilled labour for construction work.
Canada specifically mentions that they all will be treated as
Minorities. But the benefits really would enrich the labour going
there speedily. Indians who in India are unemployed. Long back
during Akali Dal’s regime in Punjab, the Chief Minister Badal
had mooted a proposal whereby the skilled unemployed workers
18/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
will be sent abroad in the countries which will be willing to
absorb them. But then Canada was not one of them. Probably
African countries where there is a lot of scope for development,
like Roads, buildings, sanitary framework. Even small jobs like
tailoring, running grossary shops, tea stalls, cooking for hotds.
Africans mostly take/eat meat. If they are by and by brought to
grains, rice, pulses etc. The scope for setting up sweet shops
will be much. In Nairobe I understand sugarcane is grown in
plenty and the sugar, milk are there. But ultimately the Asians
specially who were in Minority were gone and they could not
resist it. This was the ethnic type of Minority immigrants. No
country worth the name is prepared to have a plural outlook.
The minority majority status comes in fore. Come home, with
the emergence of Bhartya Janta Party’s rule. The Minority rage
has been ruling the ruste. The religion is playing the vilain. The
words of Swami Vivekananda have been side tracked by the
Hindutav die hards who have gone wild. Swami’s priceless
words, Vishwa Deva Katumbka that the whole world is like a
family. He had astonished the Americans when he addressed
them. A youngman Swami in saffron dress Dhoti, Kurta (shirt)
and Bhagwan Crimson turban. The Swami began his address
with the words, “brothers and sisters”. The Americans were off
the feet. They became infatuated to Swami. They were endeared
as members of a family. They felt and tasted a relationship status.
But the Bhartya Janta Party practically has singled out only
Muslims in India and have in a way become intolerant of them.
On the other hand, since the last seventy years when the
country became free of the alien rule of the Britishers, India
was declared the sovereign secular socialist country as per its
constitution. The secular particularly meant that there is freedom
of adhering to one’s own religion and there will be no
discrimination of any sort that who belongs to which religion.
Since Hindus were in whopping majority and the Muslims in
Minority, the latter were given concessions by way of
Reservation in education, employment etc. Similarly, the
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depressed classes were given reservation for ten years in order
to uplift them. They were really benefitted. Many of them
thereafter reached heights in civil services. But unfortunately,
those derived benefits and became very well of did not shun the
Reservation tag. Thus they did not give space to their own
brotherhood to come up. Rather they keep on deriving benefits
for their children in education and other ways. It now seventy
years since the Reservation was promulgated initially for ten
years but it still continuous as it began. There is lot of hue and
cry from other communities against their continuation and the
suggestions are put forth that the Reservation should base on
economic conditions. A poor Brahmin be brought in to deserve
benefits of Reservation than a Harijan who is comparatively
well of.
The rage of Reservation has caught up so much that Jats–a
land owner community in Haryana waged a strong struggle for
reservation i.e. for concessions in education, services etal. There
was a street fighting struggle and the Jats damaged valuable
property by burning them. The police and administration was a
helpless lot. The suspicion was that the police force did not act
as there were mostly Jat boys in the force. A jat land owner
cannot by any measure be rated as a poor. One acre of land
fetches atleast two crore as price if he decides to sell it. The
reservation has to be on economic conditions. Jats are a dominant
community both in Haryana and Punjab and Western Uttar
Pradesh. This is another matter that the farming as a profession
has become a loss giving profession. This aspect is also being
questioned by agro-economists. In Punjab the Jats are used to
be living beyond their means. At small social functions they
spend thousands of rupees. For this they borrow money from
commission agents–Arhtyas with whom they sell their
agriculture produce every season. Arhtyas charge exhorbitant
rate of interest for which the Jat is oblivious. Ultimately he has
to sell his land and joins the labour force in labour chowk. This
is the reason that they take the last resort to commit suicide.
20/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
Instead of living within means they take extreme steps. Jat young
boys take to narcotics because they are unemployed. Since the
superiority complex of being sons of land owners they are not
prepared to do any menial jobs. There are a plenty of scope for
skilled self employment jobs like, plumbers, masons, drivers,
machine men, carpenters, tailors et al. After mechination of
farming these jat boys have become jobless. The labour from
Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh has taken over the farming jobs. The
jat boys were not willing to do work on their own farms. It is
said that farming has become loss incurring profession. But what
about those farmers who take farming on contract to add to their
own farms. I have talked to the later category of farmers. They
say, farming is not loss incurring, for them who do it keeping
the economical angle to the fore. We pay the contract money
extra and still earn income. Yes, farming is loss making for those
who got it done by the labour and become oblivious what the
labour does and what not. There is another angle to the farming.
The land holding are becoming small. With the division in family
and small holding is hardly economical. But there is a way out.
There is lot of scope for cooperative farming. Change in farming
crops like fruit growing, green fodder which brings ready cash
daily, Dairy farming. The farming in such a profession which is
always under stress. The weather at times creates havoc. The
excessive rains do the damage. The drought does the killing of
crops. Although ninety percent area is under irrigation tubewells,
canal water etc. but still the rains have its own impact on farming.
The politicians of every hue make wild unrealistic promises
like farming will be so developed that the farmers get 50% profit
after calculating costs of inputs. They talk of Swami Nathan
Committee recommendations to be enforced. But these all are
hollow promises and simply a clever device to garner votes in
elections.
To recall the issue of Reservation for Jats, as such deserve
consideration looking to their poor earning professionally. But
then there are already Reserve categories. How it will be
adjusted?
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 Detracting from Reservation issue, I have come across an
article by Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor, NALSAR,
University of Law, Hyderabad. The article will be befitting the
‘Minoritism syndrom’ cas the title of my book is. I would like
to quate verbitm since it has come into public domain. Yet I
would feel grateful to its author and also the Daily Tribune which
published it with my sincere apology.
The BJP believes in justice for all, appeasement of none
and therefore opposes Minority rights. It still criticises the former
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh insaying that the Minorities
have the first claim to national resources without realising that
Hindus are too are entitled to Minority rights. Now Ashwani
Kumar Upadhya has gone to the Supreme Court seeking
declaration of Hindus as Minority in more than half a dozen
states. Hindus too are religious minority in non-Hindu majority
states. But what Bhartya Janta Party does not understand is that
Hindus can also be a linguistic minority in other states i.e. Tamil
Hindus are entitled to the rights of minorities in all states other
than Tamil Nadu.
The expression minorities has been employed only at four
places in the constitution. The head note of Article 29 uses it.
Then Minorities or Majorities have been employed in Article
30 and clause (1) and (2) of Article 30. Interestingly no definition
of the term minority is given in the constitution.
A minority is a group that is numerically smaller than the
majority in the society. This definition is, however not enough.
Since the criterion of numbers though essential but is not a
sufficient for any definition of a minority we need to go further.
The second component of the definition is that the group
concerned must be non-dominant in the given society. A group
can be conceptualised as a minority when its values and world
views are either not reflected at all or insufficiently reflected
both in the public sphere or constitution of societal norms. Both
these factors reinforce each other. Thus marginalisation and
exclusion are most important yard sticks to define Minority
22/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
status. The Sachar Committee for instance brought to the fore
non-dominant position of Muslims yet the Allahabad High Court
in 2006 held that Muslims are not a minority in Uttar Pradesh.
Indeed Minorities are groups that possesses distinct and
stable, ethnic, religious and linguistic characteristics. The crucial
point is that (i) these characteristics, differ from the rest of the
population and (ii) that these groups wish to preserve their
distinctive identity. The definition of a Minority is thus relational
to the Majority in terms of numbers of domination or the lack of
domination of possessing distinctive characteristics and terms
of its desire to preserve these characteristics even if they conflict
with the sensibilities of the Majority.
The Supreme Court has consistently maintained that
minorities are to be defined on the basis of numerical inferiority
only and it is the state in relation to which minority status is to
be determined. There has been no deviation from the above
principle laid in the Kerala Education Bill Case (1957). The
eleven judge Bench of the apex court in the TMA Pai Foundation
(2002) case again explicitly held that in the absence of special
definition of ‘minorities’ any community, religious, or linguistic
which is numerically less than 50 percent of the population of
that state is entitled to recognition as minority. So in the states
of Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalya, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu
& Kashmir and Punjab. Hindus on the basis of numerical
inferiority test are entitled to religious minority status. In fact in
N. Ammad (1998) the apexcourt had held that minority status is
a matter of fact and does not need state recognition or declaration.
Thus the petition is unnecessary. On November 10, the bench
headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi dismissed the PIL seeking
minority status for Hindus in eight states including Punjab and
J&K and asked the petitioner to approach the National
Commission for Minorities.
The Supreme Court in the DAV College Case (1971) held
the Hindus as minority in the state of Punjab & Haryana did
hold that Sikhs are not a Minority in Punjab. When Jains who
23/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
were already having the Minority status in a number of states
such as U.P., Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, M.P. and Chhatisgarh
and about whom the National Minority Commission had made
positive recommendation for the conferment of minority status
wanted such a status from the Central Govt., the Supreme Court
became highly regressive in the Bal Patel Case (2005) and made
certain observations which were nothing short of rewriting
Minority jusirprudence. The three Judge Bence observed, “it
was not in contemplation of the frames of the constitution to
add to the lest of religious minorities–ideal of a democratic
society, which has adopted right of equality as its fundamental
creed, should be elimination of majority and minority and so
called forward and backward classes.” The court directed the
Minority Commission to eliminate minorities. In fact when Jains
protested their inclusion in definition of ‘Hindu’ in article 25 on
January 31, 1950 Pt. Nehru had classified in writing that Jains
are distinct religious minority.
The constitution no where says that the minorities should
assimilate with the majority. Appeasement of minorities was a
motivated propaganda of rightist forces. All communities
including Hindus are fully entitled to rights both as religious as
well as linguistic minorities. The constitution does not believe
in the “melting pot” theory but for a salad bowl concept where
distinctive identities of all groups are to be celebrated and
preserved. Heterogeneity, not homogeneity, describes India.
Unity in diversity is our cherished constitutional value. Let it
not be diluted.
“We thus come to critical question : What is Indian national
identity ? There would be two ways of answering the question :
the first would be piori or deducive, independent of experience
or facts.
The second would be inducive based on facts and experience.
The first on assumed in fatality of tradition suggests uniformity,
homogeneity, oneness, the second based on ground reality
identifies diversity, heterogeneity complexity. It is truism that
24/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
all perceptions have to be listed on disernable facts. What then
is the factual reality of Indian social landscape ? Anthropological
survey of India indicates that our land has 4635 communities
diverse in biological traits, dress, languages, form of worship,
occupation, food habits and kinship patterns. The Linguistic
Survey of India indicates that apart from 22 languages in the
Etth Schedule of Constitution there are 1100 other dialects in
the country.
As a result, the identity of India is plural and diverse, a
consequence of coming together of people with such social and
cultural traits. It is the plurality that contributes Indian identity
expressed in the constitution through the principles of democracy
and secularism. It is not a melting pot because each ingredient
retains its identity. It is perhaps a salad bowl of Jawahar Lal
Nehru and it is parlimpest on which the imprint of succeeding
generations has unrecognizably merged.
For the same reason the Indian culture is not to be conceived
as a static phenomenon tracing its identity to a single unchanging
source, instead it is dynamic and interogates critically and
creativity all that is now.
This then is the reality, can we homogenise it ? Can we
initiate a process of assimilation ? In a democratic polity, how
is any ingredient to be subsumed in another ? Can we visualise
an India that is non-democratic non-plural, non secular ?
Why then is effort underway to subsume the diversity in a
national identity ? Is its purpose to erase, subjugate or dominate
? This diversity and replace it with an imagined uniformity based
on a version of liberty that corresponds neither to the atheist &
record of India is past nor to the rich diversity of her present.
Alternatively, our approach could be accommodative, based
on the principles of plurism and secularism with three
ingredients:
(i) Energitic engagement with diversity and educating all
sections of public particularly students about the uniqueness of
our structure and benefits flowing from it.
25/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
 (ii) Going beyond mere tolerance, seeking active
understanding across line of differences and considering
community disharmony a national threat to national security
and deal with it in the same manner as other threats. History a Site of Struggle
(iii) Having a continuous intercommunity, interfaith and
History has itself become a site for struggle it draws within
cross cultural dialogue of speaking and listening in a process
its ambit all those who register and interpret human experience
that reveals both common understanding and real differences.
particularly the writers. As citizens they cannot remain oblivious
to what happens in the polity. While remaining committed to
their chosen art, their social responsibility requires that they
use their art to guide the public and lead them out of the
poisonous haze of ignorance, superstition and unreasoned
prejudice and to ensure that our secular culture and liberal
democracy are preserved.
We live in difficult times. The hitherto accepted norms of
Indian culture are being repackaged, distorted out of shape. The
values of liberal nationalism are sought to be substituted by
liberal doctrines and practices that impact adversity in individual
freedoms guaranteed of the constitution of India. All citizens
particularly those who mould public perceptions through their
work need to respond to this challenge.
India has an agelong tradition of religious and philosophical
dissent and of bring forth multiple traditions of authenticity.
Indians take pride in being argumentative. Again and again our
writers have opened anthems of resistance, many have recalled
the words of Fiaz Ahmed Faiz is clarion call in the poem ‘Bol’
“bol ke Ab to lab Azad hain tere”.
The aforesaid narrative of the excerpts from the address
forms Vice President of India Hamid Ansari at the inauguration
of the Nitiand Saminar as Nitionalism and Culture. A dialogue
at Punjab Kala Bhavan, held on October 28, 2017. Since I feel
not competent to put the address in my own words. I have made
bold to quote Dr. Ansari’s address verbatim for which apologies
to the author. Since it has been published in the Daily Tribune it
obviously has come into public domain. Even then my sincere
26/ Minoritism’s Syndrome 27/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
apology to the Daily Tribune and to Dr. Ansari. I am of the
opinion that the of Dr. Ansari should be widely circulated through
all kinds media. It is opportunity the nation is being led by die
hards who cannot see beyond their nose.
Since the dawn of majority of Bhartiya Janta Party in Lok
Sabha in 2014 a hate campaign has been unleashed. The Muslims
who are a minority in India they are in the eye hate and
indifference rage by the Hindutav Zealots. They do not
understand what damage they are doing to the political structure
which was earnestly constructed by the constitution framers.
Only the secular minded people perceive it. Muslims are for
some time past in the eye of hate storm. The Hindutav Zealots
do not try to understand the real import of Islam. In this
connection, an article published in the Daily Tribune authored
by Sandeep Dikshit is worth quoting. I could pick up the excerpts
of the article then its import would have been marred. My sincere
apology to Dikshit ji and the Daily Tribune. The article is being
quoted verbatim in toto. “It is risky to expound on Islam at a
time when the ruling arrangement is consciously engaged in
politically marginalising the Muslim Community. Sanjay Bhatia
after a lukewarm turns at poetry and fiction writing is not just
made of sterner stuff but seems to have imbibed Islam well.
Only a person who takes a deep draught of any philosophy from
Maxism to Zoroastrian–can feel confident of appreciating its
original message. And only a person convinced about the
message from that philosophy ventures to explore its larger
implications and limitations. Bhatia attempts both which
explains his clarity about Islam and the need for its adherents to
follow its holy book, the Koran.
Indians are no strangers to different strands of religion that
have made the region their home and adapted to its customs and
traditions. They also know there is no monolithic religion despite
near continuous attempts by Zealets of various faiths to mould
the rest in the line with their personal vision of a particular
religion. A philosophy takes a generation of scholarship to grasp.
28/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
The task is beyond this book and its author. There is a wealth of
brilliant reads on Islam in perhaps every language. Instead, this
one excels of busting many myths and misconceptions.
As Bhata begins to trace the beginnings of Islam, it becomes
clear how a near pristine faith developed its many offshoots. It
is the frailty of the leaders who followed Mohammad and the
four “rightly guided” caliphs and their desire to shun consultative
arrangements to elect the fifth caliph that brought about schism
today known as the Shia-Sunni divide.
The early Muslims did not harbour any ill will towards the
Jews even though the killing of 800 Jews of Banu quraza tribe
has been highlighted. When put in the proper historical setting
it emerges that Jews tribe in question had betrayed a then
struggling Mohammad, not once but three times. A large part of
Mohammad is struggle, to establish Islam in fact, was studied
by several instances where he foreswore bloodshed or vengeance.
The story about the beginning of Islam unfolds with its many
coloured views. It is exciting and exhausting. Each turn of events
contain a lesson. Many incidents can only be understood in their
specific geographical and historical perspective, set almost 700
years ago in a society that was primitive and unlettered. It was
this savage society that Mohammad set out to reform with great
success. This successful retelling of those events will be useful
for any one wanting to set out in the world with an unjaundiced
view of its followers adherents of Islam from the actual
chronology of Mohammad’s many marriages and why it was
so, or why did the poor in most parts of the world gravitate to
Islam, just as they had turned to Christianity some 600 years
earlier.
The retelling of the Koran should have formally ended with
the passing away of Mohammad and his four slightly guided
Calips. But the book soldiers on to cast an eye on Islam after
Mohammad especially the rapid spread of the religion, some of
it stained by the blood of capitulated on the swords; the
aggregation brought on not because of the Book but driven by
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an equal mix of avarice and zealatory of the rulers.
Stereotypes fall by the wayside, such as the one on Burkha.
It was not an original injunction but the later work of the same
“suspicious male mind that invented chastly belt (in Christianity)
or the one that Islam has always treated the women badly. Not
so (i) Mehar or dowry to the bride stemmed female infanticide
(ii) In heritance rights to women; (iii) Allowing them easy
divorce and (iv) sweeping rights to widows. What about the
men who are allowed to marry four times ? Mohammad may
have made this provision considering the fact that he had already
the male elders by his revolutionary freedom to women. Also
most of the multiple marriages in Mohammads inner circle were
to provide social support to widows of heroes who had fallen in
battle. This upper limit also put an end to footloose kind of
polygamy.
As with the treatment of women or dealings with non-
Muslims, distortions took place in countries ruled by
authoritarian, not because of any infirmities in the philosophy
but because the rulers adopted shortcuts to stay in power by
misinterpreting and misguiding the religion’s original intentions.
This narrative should be a stepping stone in correcting many
of the popular distortions about Islam. It is most opportune time
when the ban on Tripple Talak bill is contemplated to be passed
in Parliament by the Bhartiya Janta Party led Govt. It was earlier
before the open court of the country. Though the bill if passed
will be a land mark one as a relief to the Muslim women. But
the Mullahas are upset that the ruling party is interfering in their
religion. They say the BJP’s clandstine aim is to garner Muslim
Women’s Votes.
As stated earlier the Muslims are in the eye of storm at least
in South East Asia. Though Muslims population in the worldover
are next to Christians who are in majority in the world. More so
economically Muslim countries are the occupants of oil wells
in plenty. The countries like India are dependent upon these
Muslim countries for their fuel requirements. Ironically, India
30/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
hardly produces even a drop of oil. The attempts are on to explore
oil in the ocean. The China also has spread its tentacles to claim
oil in the same area. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries which
is among the top few industrialists in the world are trying to
explore oil in the sea. Some success has been achieved which is
very bright sign for India to fulfill its fuel requirements.
Coming back to Muslim community who are a minority in
Mynamar (Burma) are being discriminated and are being ousted
from their own land where they have been living since ages.
This all is hate on the basis of ethnicity. US President has recently
taken serious note of this discrimination. Trump has said, putting
pressure on Mayanmar, declared as “ethnic cleansing”. The
violence against Rohingyas Muslims in the country and warned
that the Trump administration could impose new penalties on
it. More than 6,00,000 Rohingyas from Mayanmar’s Rakhina
state have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. US law makers and
human rights advocates had called for Secretary of States Rex
Tillersan to act on the recommendation of the state department
and declare the situation ethnic cleansing. Tillerson has said the
Trump administration would pursue accountability through US
law. Relating to Rohingya Muslim Community, earlier,
Washington top diplomat had also said that he would not yet
push for sanctions against Myanmar over The Rohingya refugees
crisis, but he called for an independent investigation into
‘credible’ reports that soldiers committed atrocities against the
Muslim Minority. Secretary of States Tillerson was speaking
after a one day stop in Neapolitan, as global outrage builds over
impurity for a military accused of waging an ethnic cleansing
campaign against the Rohingya.
Speaking by his side Myanmar’s defacto civilian leader Aung
San Suu Kyi hit back at global criticism that she has been silent
over the refugee crisis, saying she has instead focussed on speech
that avoids inflamming sectarian tensions.
More than 6,00,000 Rohingya have fled the mainly Budhist
country since the Military launched a counter insurgency in
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Rakhinestate in August (2017). While the army insists it has
only targeted Rohingya rebels, refugees massing in grim
Bangladesh Camps describe chilling and consistent accounts
wide spread murder, rape and arson at the hands of Security
forces and Budhist mobs. Speaking after meetings with the army
chief and Sui Kyi, Tillerson said broad economic sanctions are
“not something that I think would be advisable at this time.”
“We want to see Myanmar succeed”, he told reporters. You
cannot just impose sanctions and say therefore the crisis is over.”
But he said the Washington was deeply concerned by credible
reports of widespread athocities committed by Myanmars
security forces and vigilantes and urged Myanmar to accept an
independent investigation into those allegations after which
individual sanctions could be appropriate.
Both the army and Suu Kyi administration have dismissed
reports of atrocities and refused to grant entry to UN investigators
charged with probing allegations of ethnic cleansing.
Relating to the aforesaid narrative on Minorities syndrome,
the article carried the Daily Tribune in its issue of 15 November,
2017 which I quote verbatim as excerpters picked may not fully
justify the imports of the article and its author may not approve
of it. My apology to Hasan Suroor who has expertise in dealing
with the Minorities. My salute to him. The article reads the
heading being “Bad four’s bulky boy”. UK owes apology for
not honouring promise to Palestianism. The centaury of the
Balfour Declaration that paved the way for the creation of Israel
has come and gone but hardly noticed in India despite its historic
interest in the Palestinian cause. Elsewhere in the world, however
it has revived the debate on the moral and political aspects of a
move whose legacy has been one of the world’s most intractable
conflicts. The declaration named after the then British Foreign
Secretary Arthur Balfour who cooked it up, was all of 67 words
endorsing the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. A key
condition was that “nothing will be done which may prejudice
the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities
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in Palestine”. What was to happen, though, was exactly the
opposite with Palestinians effectively rendered stateless in their
own homeland and Jews becoming an occupying power.
A folklore has grown around the dramatic manner in which
the declaration was announced. The story goes that on October
31, 1917 Sir Mark Sykes, MP and the British Govt.’s Middle
East Advisor (of the notorious Sykes Picot pact fame) “bounded
out” of the Cabinet Office and told Zionist leader Charm
Weizman (later to become Israel’s first President) excitedly “it
is a boy” Zionists had won, but it was not until 1948 that their
dreams became a reality and not before a period of uncertainty
that nearly decided it.
There is popular black and white narrative suggesting an
unequivocal British support for a Zionist State in Palestine. The
declaration according to this narrative was a conspiracy against
the people of Palestine. The reality however is more complex.
For example it is widely known that despite the declaration
Palestine was not the first choice for a Jewish homeland.
Territories in Cyprus, Egypt and Uganda were offered to Jews.
And Theodor Herzl one of the fathers of political Zionism, even
accepted Uganda, but he died before an agreement could be
reached among the squabbling Zionist lobby. His successor
Weizmann was fixated on Palestine. He is said to have retorted
that Moses would have smashed his tables if he had been offered
Uganda, according to Jewish historian Simon Sebag Monte fore,
one of whose ancestors, Claude Montefore was a leading Zionist
figure in British Jewry.
Would you exchange London for Paris ? he asked Balfour.
But we have London, “Balfour said. To which Weizmann replied.
We had Jerusalem when London was a Marsh.”
Weizmann’s persistence and the help he received from his
influential friends, including CP Scott, the famously liberal editor
of Manchestor Guardian, apart ultimately, it was Britain’s
geopolitical considerations that influenced its decision to settle
for Palestine, claims that Britain acted out of some predisposed
33/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
antic. Palestinian bias ignore the political complexities of the
time. Another fallacly is that Zionism had overwhelming British
support. The fact is that Jews themselves were deeply divided
as was the British Government with Edwin Montague Secretary
of State for India and only Jew in the Lloyd George cabinet
forcely opposed to it. In an official letter, he opposed to it. In an
official letter, he warned that giving in Zionists would prove a
rallying ground for anti-semities in every country in the world.”
More significantly, the opposition came from Britain’s most
representative Jewish body, the Board of Deputies and the Anglo-
Jewish Association. “They cautioned that creating a special
Jewish homeland after displacing native Palestinians would be
a calamity.”
“The establishment of a Jewish nationality in Palestine
founded in this theory of homelessness must have the effect of
stamping the Jews as strangers in their native lands” The Times
newspaper. They were particularly opposed to giving special
rights to Jewish settlers in Palestine. The proposal to invest the
Jewish settlers in Palestine certain special rights in excess of
those enjoyed by the rest of population... would prove a veritable
calamity for the whole Jewish people.” Historical accounts
suggest that the events surrounding the declaration and the
circumstances leading to the actual creation of Israel were not
so much a result of pro-Zionist and anti Palestine conspiracy as
a combination of sympathy for Zionism at the top of the British
government pressure from a financially and politically influential
Zionist lobby of bankers, politicians, newspaper proprietor; even
a desire in some quarters to get rid of the Jews and most crucially
Britain war time geopolitical calculations.
As Monteflore writes timing was “everything”. Britain was
exhausted by the world war; America had just joined the Allies;
Russia was scarcely holding on. America and Russia had the
two largest populations in the world and the British Cabinet
was convinced that the Jews possessed almost mystical
influence.” Britain reckoned that by appeasing Jews it could
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get America and Russia its war aims. Balfour believed that a
show of support for Zionism could be extremely useful
propaganda against Germany both in Russia and America
according to an account in the Times. Typically, Britain was
opportunistic.
So when debating the tragic consequences of Balfour the
historical perspective should not be lost sight of which is that
contrary to the popular narrative, the declaration plus the series
of related events leading upto the birth of Israel had little to do
with British or generally western love for Zionism. At least not
until the Holocaust after which no doubt, there was a scramble
done for it. Until then it was more about self serving national
interests. In a scenario, where a war weary Britain was not
looking for quick fixes, the story of Zionism might have been
very different.
Typically, the British stance kept changing as its geopolitical
priorities changed. Thus after integrating the creation of a Jewish
homeland in Palestine when such a stance suited its political
calculations, London became opposed to the idea–it feared the
move could hurt relations with Arab world and Jeopardise its
interests in the region. American however manage to push it
through the UN, triggering a deadly regional conflict which
shows no sign of abating in foreseeable future. Meanwhile
Balfour’s ‘boy’ had grown into an international bully using the
bogey of antisanitism insolence any criticism of its behaviour
while its friends wring their hands in faux helplessness. Thurs
May had admitted a century on “Balfour unfinished business as
his fundamental vision of peaceful coexistence has not yet been
fulfilled”. What she did not do was acknowledge Britain’s own
role in all this especially its contemptuous disregard for the
solemn pledge it made Palestinians to protect their rights. And
for that alone it owe them an apology.
At times it seems the whole world is in turmoil. In each an
every country, there is one or the other crisis on political grounds.
Take the case of Myanmar, the ousting of Rohingyas from their
35/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
from their abode where they had settled since years. The crisis
has been taken notice of the Vatican clergey. Pope Francis opened
a diplomatically fraught trip to Myanmar and Bangla Desh. It
really reminds of what Mahatma Gandhi did when the Bengal
was under fire by partition embers. The Mahatma was dousing
the fire and advising people for peace and do not be led by
communal frenzy. Pope Francis is diving into the crisis over
Myanmars crack down on Rohingyas Muslims. He met with
the countrys military chief even, before beginning the official
programme of his trip.
The Vatican didn’t provide details of the contents of Francis’s
15 minutes courtesy with General min Habig and three officials
from bureau of special operations.
It took place at the residence of the archbishop of Yangon.
Cardinal Charles Bo who has resisted international
condemnation of the Military’s operations against Rohingya
ethnic cleansing.
The general is incharge of security in Rakhine state where
the Militarys clearance operations against the Muslim Minority
have sent more than 620000 Rohingya fleeing into neighbouring
Bangla Desh. Refugees there have told of entire villages being
burned and women and girls being raped.
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said only that “They spoke
of the great responsibility of the authorities of the country in
this moment of transition.”
General Hlaigs office said in a statement on Facebook that
he is willing to have “interfaith peace unity and justice”. The
general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution
or discrimination in Myanmar and that the Govt. allowed
different faith groups to freedom of worship. Rohingya have
faced state supported discrimination in predominantly Budhist
country for decades. Though members of the ethnic minority
first arrived generations ago. Rohingya were stripped of their
citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering
them stateless.
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Originally, the meeting was planned for Wednesday, after
Francis was to have met with the countrys Civilian leader, Nobel
Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital. The Vatican
didn’t say why it was moved up.
In this context, hate campaign against Muslims, the President
of USA Donald Trump retreated anti Muslim videos, which has
incidentally drawn a flak from UK. The world has been watching
the public behaviour of Trump holding such a high office which
alerts the political circles the world over. Trump at times do not
come out with static statements. If today he has gone against
Muslims tomorrow he would say something reversing his own
statement. It is effervasive like bubbles of gas. Compared to
Trump Jayda Farnsen deputy leader of Britain First, Marches in
London. Britain first was founded in 2011 by leader Paul gelding
with a membership of three individuals. In short, But in criticised
US President recently after he retreated anti Islam videos
originally posted by a leader of the Far sight Fringe party who
was convicted earlier this month of abusing a Muslim woman.
Jayda Fransen the deputy leader of anti immigration Britain
first group, posted the videos which she said showed a group of
people who were Muslims beating a teenage boy to death
battering the boy on cretches and descrating a Christian statue.
Trump’s decision to retreat the video prompted criticism
from both sides of Atlanta, with some British lawmakers
demanding as apology and US Muslim groups saying it was
incendiary and reckless.
“It was wrong for the President to have done this. Spokesman
for British Prime Minister Theresa May said Britain first seeks
to divide communities through their hateful narratives which
peddle lies and stoke tensions. They cause anxiety to law abiding
people. One is reminded by the Britishers in India. They
clandstinoly engineered hate campaign in India when they were
ruling India before 1947 and Hindu Muslim hatred was get
deepened by them. The result was partition of the subcontinent
into India and Pakistan purpurtedly Muslim population migrated
37/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
from India. It is very unfortunate part of the history. It was a
horrerful of haulocaust. Mahatma Gandhi during World War
II wrote to Hitlar that if he simply forsake hate word from
his mind the war can end there and then. But that is not that
easy for a war monger like Hitlar and Churchal like persons.
Coming back to the text, Routers was unable to immediately
verify the videos and Fransco herself said they had come various
online sources which had been posted on her social media pages.
“I am delighted”, Fransen, who has 53000 twitter followers
told Routers say it showed the US President shared her aim of
raising awareness of “issues such as Islam”.
As a candidate, Trump called for a Muslim ban, and as
President, has issued executive orders banning entry to some
citizens of multiple countries, although courts have partially
blocked the measures from taking effect.
“Look I am not talking about nature of the video”, white
house spokeswoman Sarayh Sanders told reporters, “The threat
is real and that is what the President is talking about is the need
for national security, the need for military spending and those
very real things, there is nothing fake about that.”
Politicians in Britain condemned Trump, with Jeremy
Corpym, leader of the opposition Labour Party describing his
tweets as abhorrent, dangerous and a threat to our society. US
Civil rights and Islamic organisations said the it amounted an
incitement to violence against muslims.
“These are actions one would expect to see on virulent anti-
Muslim hatesites not on Twitter feed of the President of the US.
Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the council on
American Islamic Relations the largest Muslim Civil Rights
Organisation said in a statement.”
After Francis Pope dousing free over the Muslim Rohingya
community who are more than 6 lacs who have been ousted
from Mynamar’s Rakhina state. They have been living there
since ages. Mynamar is predominately Budhist country. Taking
notice of the miserable plight of Rohingya, the former US
President Barack Obama has advised the religious tolerance.
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Obama has also advised India “India needs to cherish and nurture
its Muslim population that is integrated and considers itself
Indian.”
It is an idea that needs to be reinforced, the former President
said at a media event. Obama said, he had emphasised the need
for religious tolerance and right to practice one’s own faith during
closed door talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during
his last trip to India in 2015.
“There is counter narrative taking place at all times, but it is
particularly pronounced now in Europe, US and sometime in
India where those old tribal impulses reassert themselves under
leaders who try to push back and under leader who try to explicit
them “Obama said the referred to India’s enormous Muslim
population” which is successful, integrated and thinks of itself
as Indian. That is unfortunately not always the case in some
other countries, Obama added.
In this context the Rohinga Saga comes on the centre stage
time and again. India is a soft state as compared to other
countries. In this connection Vishvajeet Choudhary of the OP
Jindal Global University, Sonepat (Haryana) has written very
factually on the Rohingya though not very directly but it is very
relevant. He has said, “The Rohingya crisis has brought India at
cross roads to provide protection to those who have crossed the
border to enter India or deny them right to stay within the country
and deport them. The Govt. has said that it plans to deny them
rights to stay within the country. Some wise person has gone to
the Supreme Court which has yet to give its decision. Apparently,
it is no case for the court to delve into this. The State should
effectively assert itself. This requires the country to dovetail
between national interests, international commitments and
constitutional obligations. It has been said that the Rohinga pose
a threat to national security. This of course a serious matter which
needs to be substantiated. Interpretation of the constitution says
that in some ways it divides the population into two. The first
category is that of citizens. Thereby virtue of being citizens are
39/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
guaranteed all the rights under the constitution, their right are
non-degrading except under some circumstances like in
emergency. The other category is that of inhabitants who are
non citizens. They enjoy limited rights as compared to citizens.
However they have the fundamental right to life. Perhaps more
importantly as a country India has been welcoming. Time and
again we have shown that we value principles of our constitution.
The aforesaid is all constitutional interpretation. Do we not
realise that welcoming Dalailama of Tibet when it was annexed
by Chinese Govt. It created lifelong political hostility with China.
Significantly Dalai Lama who is the spiritual head of Lamas
Tibetians has made its capital at Dharamshala. They have formed
their Govt. in exile naming the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister
et. ct. Is it less irritating to the Chinese Govt. that India is
appeasing Dalai Lama at the cost of relations with China.
Incidentally, in Canada and also in Germany, the Punjabi Sikh
extremists had formed ‘Khlistan’. How the Indian govt. took it
very bitterly. Recently Punjab Chief Minister during his visit
was not allowed to speak. They gathered in Gurdwara where
the Chief Minister went. The Punjabi extremists created trouble.
So in the context of Rohingya, India should take assertive
steps to deny their entry into our country. Already Bangla
Sharnarthis are entering the our border from Assam side.
Incidently, Dalai Lama though, spiritual head of Tibeteans does
not behave like that. He takes the tour of eastern areas, bordering
China which further escalates hostile relations with China. The
Indian Govt. should tell strongly to Dalai lama that he should
confine to his temporary abode at Dharmshala otherwise they
have to be deported to Tibet their original state.
In this context, the article of K.C. Singh a renowned
columnist has in the daily Tribune of 7, December 2017. With
apology to K.C. Singh ji and the Tribune where from the article
has been taken in toto. Since it will not be doing justice to the
subject minorities syndrome the theme of this book which is in
hand to be written to quote the article in piecemeal and the
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otherwise it will also amount to piracy. I am well aware of this
type of misconduct by writers. An Editor in chief of a leading
newspaper and a friend of mine had to put up his papers as he
had picked up a small para from the editorial of an other
newspaper. I am conscious on this score.
Coming back to the subject, the economist in its Banyan
section says about the Padmavati. The heading of the article is
very eye opener, “A delicate balance to keep”. East or West,
Islamaphobia is being ‘peddled’ by the state. A film about
heroism brings out the worst in India politicians. The poem by
the 16th century poet Mohammad Jayasi is a fictional account
based on oral traditions and story telling about the fall of Chittor.
The event actually occurred two centuries earlier in 1303. The
lore of the princess dying honourably rather than fall in the hands
of conqueror Muslim Allahudin Khilji. The modern day construct
of “Love Jehad” which even the supreme court seemed unable
to reflect outright in the case of an adult woman Hadiya is built
on the same jungian fear of a Muslim ravishing a Hindu girl.
The BJP’s fringe has been exploiting it as a handy tool for
communal polarisation. The same willingness to explore facts
and separate them from prejudice fed make believe was again
on display when PM Narinder Modi likened Rahul Gandhi’s
likely elevation as Congress President, Albert by a friendly poll,
to Aurangzeb succeeding Shahjahan as Mughal Emperor. The
historical allusion could not be more erroneous and betrayed a
lack of understanding of the criticality of that accession done
by military force and on battlefield to the future of sub continent.
The loser was Prince Dara Sakoh, heir apparent and elder brother
of Aurangzeb and a believer in the gentler Sufi influenced Islam.
In fact after his arrest he was sentenced to death for apostasy.
Aurangzeb as resurrected a conservative and less tolerant Islam.
It is not a coincidence that former President of USA Barack
Obama not only chose to talk of religious tolerance in his 2015
Sufi Fort address being his last public appearance before
departure but recalled now during his post-retirement India visit
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having their raised it in conversation with PM Modi. During his
first state visit to India in 2010, he and Michelle Obama toured
Hamayun’s tomb when told the story of Aurangzeb is accession
and the clash between brothers on the interpretative of Islam
and that the headless body of Dara Sikoh actually lay in a tomb
in the same complex. Obama immediately wished to visit it.
The secret service disallowed it as it had not been security vetted.
Both Obama and his wife stood and bowed their heads in the
direction of Dara’s tomb thus acknowledging that the values
Dara stood and died for were the one US troops are still defending
in Afghanistan and the wider Islamic world, it infact is the
dilemma the entire Islamic world confronts today.
To thus use Aurangzeb’s accession as a political metaphor
for a automatic elevation of Rahul Gandhis betrays ignorance
of history but still cannot match with President Trump causing
an international incident by retweeting three tweets which had
false anti Islamic Vedios attached of an extreme right wing group
called Britain First. Its leader Paul golding was expelled from
Britain National Party itself a marginal force which got just one
percent votes in three out of 650 Parliamentary seats in the UK.
When the British PM’s staff berated trump for the unthinking
peddling of communal trash he responded, “Theresa, do not focus
on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism.”
Meanwhile Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman is trying
to degrade his own cleric order which has exported the most
intolerant version of Islam called Wahabism since 1979 and
allowed it to become the national force to international Islam.
German Chancellor Angela Markel faces political logjam unable
to put together a coalition. Her current dilemma is traceable to
her brave step in allowing over a million refugees fleeing the
crisis in Syria. Public opinion in the west has turned against
asylum for refugees as there may be, their minds passioned by
bigotry.
President Trump has put his son in law Jard Kishner to forge
a peace agreement for settling the dispute between Palestine
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and Israel. A threat to shift the US Embassy to Jeruslem is being
used to bring all factions of the Palestinians to the table and
retain support of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt etc. A final proposal
is expected around spring 2018. But that is contingent on multiple
diplomatic balls now in the air. Trump is simultaneously trying
to roll back the influence and presence of Iran in Syria and
Yemen. The Qatari embroglio is still without a solution. In
Afghanistan despite threats to Pakistan, so far there is no
evidence of Pakistanis having come on board to push the Taliban
towards the negotiating table and defang Haqqanis. In any case
the Taliban will grativate towards Iran and Russia as it already
is if Pakistanis try to armtwist them.
The path to deradicalisng Wahabis Islam is a difficult one.
Bigotry certainly is unlikely to help despite Saudis turning a
new leaf. The BJP must not alterate between bigotry during
elections (as the economist he means about India; with an other
election always around the corner) and disruptive economic
change and cultural chauvinism at other times. That makes for
poor governance and breaches the letter and spirit of our
constitution. Similarly, Trump mindlessly pandering to his base
exploiting their prejudices and taking potshots at world leaders
detracts from the prestige of US Presidency.
43/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
 protesters held an anti US march. The key separatist, Syed Ali
Jeelani, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiza Umar Frooq. They had issued
front call for protests against the US decision to shift their
Who represents public opinion embassy. The Jeruslem represented the religious emotions and
aspirations of about a billion Muslims living across the globe.
The great American President Theodore Roosevelt once said,
Donald Trump has been showing actually his imprudent politics
I do not represent public opinion. I represent the public. There
and enmity against Muslims. It is horrible the Muslims will not
is a wide difference between the two, between the real interest
tolerate it.
of the public, and the public’s opinion of these interests. I must
Come home, the Hindutav brigade has been digging its feet
represent not the excited opinion of the West, but the real interests
no less than the Taliban or the bigoted Muslims are doing. In
of the whole people. There could not be better advice to those
this context the article by Nayantara Sehgal a renowned novelist
leading the oldest interests and the most powerful democracy
and a highly respected for her erudite writings at times. The
i.e. the US and the biggest and the most diverse democracy i.e.
Daily Tribune dated 13 December has published it with aplomb.
India.
With apology to the writer and also to the Daily Tribune. Very
The tribal mentality has been exuberantly hovering the
relevant excerpts have been picked up for my book “minoritsm
world. A the cost of repetition, the Muslims all over, are in the
syndrome”. India is a sovereign secular socialist state. The
eye of storm. This is something which is quite unintelligible.
secularist character has seeped deep in our polity. Alas, what
Population wise Muslims are the 2nd race only next to Christians
the Bhartya Janta Party led by its mentor Rashtrya Sewak Sangh
who are dominating say 2.2 billion and the Muslims are 1.6
had been nagging the Hinduism to make it Hindutav.
billion. The Hindus are not even 1 billion. The other communities
Nayantara writes, “it is now a country in which being
are not come in the count. Why there is so much hate against
different-in belief or lifestyle-is punishable, and one in which
Muslims ? Are they unadjustable with other races, that they are
Muslim means enemy. Obviously Sehgal has pointed out
practicing orthodoxy and plagued with bigotry. In Arab countries,
daringly. The word is out that Muslim members must be reduced
the Saudi Arabia has opened up, its Prince has allowed its women
and ominous impact of this statement is visible on the streets.
to drive cars and shed scarfs more so in black. Saudi Arabia is
We have seen defenceless Indians of the Muslim faith beaten
considered the torch bearer of Islam but see the recent
and lynched in public view. But blood sport is not confined to
happenings. President, Donald Trump has announced to shift
Muslims. Well known Hindu writers have been killed by gun by
its embassy and in Israel from Tele Avev to Jerusalem. Jerusalem
vigilante and their murderers have been left free to kill again.
is an ancient city and home to one of the holiest mosques in
We have heard important supportors of the ruling party publicly
Islam. It created tremours even in Kashmir. Despite restrictions
sanction the murder or mutilation of any one who disagrees with
in the volatile pockets, protests were held against the decision
its mindrot or criticises its leader. The past three years of BJP
by US to announce Jeruslem as the capital of Israel. The protests
rule have stamped this new look on a civilisation that since
in Kashmir were held in the commercial nerve centre in Lal
ancient times has been defined by its historic openness to
Chowk where members of the protested separatists group Jammu
differences of religion and opinion.
Kashmir Liberation Front protested. In Budgam hundreds of
Hatered of the others has now been carried to its ridiculous
44/ Minoritism’s Syndrome 45/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
extremes cutting centuries of India’s medieval History out of
textbooks in BJP ruled states because Muslim rule is intolerable
insult to Hindutava pride. Jawahar Lal Nehru’s name and
contribution has similarly been obliterated from our modern
history. In this because he and his distinguished colleagues laid/
down for independent India has been a resounding success-
acclaimed as a great achievement across the world and for in
remains the main obstacle in Hindutavs project of establishing
a Hindu Rashtra. Mahatma Gandhi, disposed of by a Hindutav
fanatics bullets in 1948 has now been resulted on roadside
hoardings and newspapers advertisements alongwith Narinder
Modi as though they subscribed to the same political, social
and human values. The men who admire Nathuram Godse did
not realise that killing Gandhi would not be the end of him and
that the dead Gandhi would live on the hearts and minds in the
Indian people. They have therefore come to terms with the
political necessity-of keeping Gandhi in the public eye along
themselves until they think. They can do without him. “So much
was the paragraph picked from Nayan Tara Sehgals article. It
was a very relevant commentry on the present political situation
in the country. Ironically, the heading of the article is in “New
India” no place for others.
70-71 Missing
As Nayan Tara Sehgal has commented upon the die hard
Hindutav being blindly practiced vis-a-vis the plight of Muslims
in India, as mentioned in the foregoing narrative, similarly
another prominent writer has explained. He is Hasan Suroor a
London based commentator. He writes frequently on Muslims
in India. This time He has referred to the book by Ali A. Rizvi
who is US based Pakistani writer has just published. “The Athiest
Muslim; A journey from Religion to Reason an extremely
dispiriting account of what he calls the “insular and dogmatic”
which he says led him to lose his own faith. Reading it, I thought
46/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
of Indian Muslims and the popular narrative that they are
different from their peers elsewhere. Just days ago he states,
one of his friends chided him for lumping Indian Muslims from
other Muslims, he claims.
look how sensibly they have death threats from Sangh Privar.
They have remained calm and refused to be provoked. Is’nt their
proof of moderation ? Let it be understand there is renaissance
in Islam it would be led by Indian if there is renaissance in Islam
it would be led by Indian Muslims, he claimed.
True Muslims have mostly not risen to the RSShate and
refrained from reacting emotionally. They have resigned to their
defacto second class and gone into a shell hoping against hope
for acche din compared to the daily humiliation they have been
subjected to since year 2014. But this pragmatic approach is
driven by nothing more than a combination of fear, sense of
helplessness and simple survival instinct. To read some profound
meaning into it and present it as a sign of Muslim moderation is
to make a virtue of necessity. What they are doing is what non-
Muslims minorities in Muslim countries have always done to
stay safe. Which is to keep a low profile, acknowledge their
Minority (read inferior) status and the humilation it brings and
carry on quietly focussing on education jobs and other bread
and butter issues.
My issue with Muslim is that they have come to this sensible
stage 70 years too late. They should have got a measure of their
vulnterability right after Independence and chosen a more
pragmatic course rather than the path they took under a short-
sighted leadership. It was breath-taking to assume after all that
had happened-Partition etal-it was going to remain business as
usual. Personal assurances and constitutional guarantees are one
thing and the hard political realities are quite another as they
have since discovered. Yet they fell for a constitutional fairy
tale in which they would not have a place on high table but also
be entitled to extra helping as a Minority group.
The Muslim leadership opted for a strategy that was bound
at some stage to produce a Hindu back lash. That it did not
47/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
happen earlier was because for a long time there was solid liberal
Hindu core but it got eroded over the years–not least because
many liberal Hindus lost patience with a community that seemed
to have a chip on its shoulder about its minority status. As far
back as the 1980s the ill-judged Muslim campaign over the Shah
Bano case prompted Justice Krishan Iyer (the ultimate liberal
Hindu) to warn Muslim fundamentalists that their tactics risked
waking up the sleeping “Hindu giant” has woken up and with a
vengeance.
This is not to say that in a contra-factual scenario the giant
would not have woken up one day. After all there are far right
Hindu nationalist forces which define themselves through their
hostility towards Muslims and whose very raison d’etre depends
upon mobilising Hindus against a common ‘enemy’ to capture
power. What Muslims did was to make their task easier and in
effect play into their hands by constantly harping issues around
Muslims religious and cultural identity. And invoking faith
related sensitivities to demand mostly bogus concessions. To
compound things, the Congress party chasing Muslim votes,
colluded with the worst of regressive community leaders to serve
their self serving agenda. It was like throwing red meat to hungry
wolves. And the metaphorical wolves (the RSS and mates) seized
it to step up their propaganda about Muslim “appeasement” and
pseudo-secularism”.
So, the current “sensible” strategy is a legacy of the lessons
learnt in 1992 when Babri Masjid was demolished. Which were
reinforced by what happened in Gujrat in 2002. But what really
persuaded Muslim to accept that India had changed and they
must learn to come to terms with it the election as PM of an
unabashed Hindu nationalist and Islamophboic in 2014 and
campaign of terror against Muslims he has allowed to flourish
creating insecurity among Muslims. They have even taken to
concealing their religious identity for fear of being targetted.
The idea that the practical common sense is the result of some
enlightenment is as self serving as the previous assumptions
48/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
about their special status. It was a fantasy.
As for Indian Muslims capacity to lead on Islamic
renaissance, there is no doubt that they are among the world’s
most moderate Muslims but they are also the least educated and
most economically backward. All of which makes them
extremely vulnerable to external radical influences. So far they
have been able to resist them because of their grounding in a
liberal and culturally diverse ethos. But when that ethos is sought
to be banished in the name of “Hindu pride” and Muslims find
themselves excluded from the mainstream discourse and
disenfranchised as part of a “Hindu India” project, it will make
them more vulnerable to radicalisation.
While the future of 180 million Indian Muslims, is surely a
matter of deep concern, the bigger question is; where is India
headed with an agenda that is set to reduce the idea of Hinduism
to Ali Rizvi’s description of Islam–and India to a replica of
Pakistan and Afganistan ?
2017 was marked by a global ideological struggle between
nationalists and internationalists. Historian Irfan Habib, who
has authored a voluminous work, “Indian nationalism”. Irfan
Habib has spoken to Manimughda S. Sharma about his stand on
the debate. It is in question answer form. The dialogues is so
befitting to the theme of this book that it was thought to carry it
ibid for which the author of this book is immensely grateful to
Irfan Habib. Since it is published in Times of India and has
come into public domain I have made bold to quote Dr. Irfan’s
dialogue which is in question form as it is. My apology to Irfan
Habib and also to the publishers of Times of India the renowned
daily. The heading is JP, Tilak didn’t believe in the excluvist
nationalism being Thrusted on us today :
Question : Why are we talking about nationalism again, 70
years after independence ?
The politics of nationalistic identity has taken over globally
during the past few years; from the US, Russia, Turkey and Japan
to Philippines, India and elsewhere. It is a common trait of right
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wing politics to use nationalism or identity as an effective tool
to polarise people. We can see that in India as well. The most
dangerous thing about this on going “nationalism” debate is
understanding an idea only from an perspective.
Q. You have constricted Rabindranath Tagore’s faith in
“people first” or “America first” slogans we’ve been hearing.
Could you explain ?
Ans. We need to see Tagore’s misgivings about aggressive
nationalism which he saw as a source of misery, destruction
and hate as a warning. His observations were based on his global
travels in the early 20th century.
Q. Muslim leaders opposed to the idea of Pakistan talked
about composite nationalism of Hindus and Muslims. Yet we
barely hear anything about that. Do you think this feeds paranoia
about Muslims ?
Ans. We need to keep in mind that the Muslim league was
led by feudal, professional and even Ashraf (high born) Muslims.
Maulana Madani of Darul ulum Deoband and leaders like
Maulana Azad spoke for Muslims who did not belong to sections
represented by the League our paranoid nationalists should know
that a large majority of Muslims opted to stay in India as a
conscious choice. Pakistan declared itself an Islamic nation
falsely collapsing nation and religion with one and got a shook
in 1971 when language and culture took precedence over religion
with Bangladesh’s creation.
Q. You have pointed out that both Balgangadhar Tilak and
Bipin Chandrapal who were exponents of Hindu nationalism
believed that Muslims were as much Indians as the majority
Hindus. But today we mostly hear about Islamic invasions and
people telling Muslims to go to Pakistan. How has this reductive
idea of nationalism come back ?
Ans. For Tilak, religious identity had no place. Bipin
Chander Pal categorically stated that a composite culture evolved
in India under Muslem rule and the integrity of Hindu culture
remained. Under wrap intact this is in contrast to the exctasivest
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nationalism being posted on us today. Our poet-patriot Sarojini
Naido also reiterated that Islamic warriors tempered and cooled
down their conquering swords in the Ganga and became the
sons of the soil. The regressive nationalism visible today was
there on the margins since the 1920s However it got
mainstreamed due to several reasons including the failure of
liberal democratic politics to deliver on some vital issues.
Q. In the 1960s Loyality tests for Muslims were applied on
Muslims. K.A. Abbas called it a shameless limitation of the
worst type of Pakistanism. Do you see some continuity ?
Ans. Abbas was writing in the aftermath of Partition, when
loyality tests for muslims were routine. Sadly we are into similar
politics now where loyality of not only of muslims but also of
some secular liberal Indians is suspected.
Q. You say that the right wing was completely absent from
nation building process but now distributing certificates of
nationalism why ?
Ans. When I talk of right-wing I mean RSS and its associates
which we all know through their own pronouncements were
only a sociocultural body. The politics and struggle for freedom
were not in their purview. However they know that nationalism
is the safest refuge to polarise people particularly the majoritarian
nationalism. The transformation of religion into a nationalist
ideology comes in handy for nationalists. It has worked in
Pakistan for the Islamists and now is being attempted in India
as well.
Q. You have also shared Jaya Parkash Narayn’s thoughts on
aggressive nationalism being a danger to the world ?
Ans. I wanted to see JP as more than an anti emergency
crusader which was actually his last battle. He valourised by
those in power today. But they seldom ponder on his views on
nationalism. JP was convinced that in the long run struggle for
freedom there emerged a clear enough concept of a single,
composite non sectarian Indian nationhood. All those who spoke
about divisive and sectarian nationalism–Hindu or Muslim–were
51/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
therefore outside the pale of this nationalism that evolved during
the freedom struggle.
Q. Mahatma Gandhi vociferously said hatred was not
essential to nationalism. While RSS Gowalkar had made it clear
that nationalism was in-complete without its enemy. Has
Golwalkar’s idea trumped Gandhis ?
Ans. Gandhi’s nationalism was tinged with empathy even
for enemy like the British. He wanted Indians to distinguish
between evil and evil doer.” Golwalkars idea of nationalism
was embedded in exclusivity, it needed an enemy to hate and
polarise. It looks like Gandhis idea of nationalism is trumped
by the new nationalism. But I believe hate cannot take for very
long. The thrust of Hinduism nay Hindutav is so piercing and
targetting muslims only. The statement of BJP Member
Parliament Vinay Katiyar is worth quoting violation “A day after
All India, it had Muslmeen (MIM) Member Parliament asked
the Govt. to bring a law to punish people who call an Indian
Muslim” a Pakistani with a three year Jail term, BJP, M.P. Vinay
Katiyar said Muslims should leave India and go to Pakistan or
Bangladesh because they had supported partition. They
(Muslims) got India divided what business have they being here
? Katiyar said, triggering widespread uproar. Echoing Katiyar’s
view, BJP is Rakesh Tripathi said, Pakistan was curved out on
religious lines. Many Muslims show their allegiance to Pakistan
as is visible during cricket matches. Such individuals who do
not have faith in our constitution and its sovereignty should be
sent to Pakistan. Seeking action against Katiyar, Congress
spokesman an M.P. remarked Katiyar does not represent the
country. But the irony is that those at the helms of affairs in the
high echolens of Bhartiya Janta Party do not snub such elements
as Katiyar. It should be authoritatively told persons like Katiyar
that his campaign of hate and sense of intolerance against
Muslims is not the policy of the party rather disciplinary action
be taken against Katiyars to work as a demonstrative one. By
this Muslim Community would feel solaced and would feel
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Indians like other communities Hindus, Sikh, Jain and Budh.
At the cost of repetition it need be stressed that this type of rage
would one day be cornered. the Indian Muslims to demand a
demarcated area in the country. When a man corners a cat in the
house, she turns furious and attacks the man with sharp paws.
So the Rastriya Swam Sewak Sangh Icon Mohan Bhagwat
should give a mandate to Katiyars that they should have restraint.
The BJP is only the political wing of RSS. The Prime Ministers
office is another authority which should do that. On the issue of
Beef eating there is already very delicate situation. It has affected
badly our exports. Almost one third of the exports we earn from
beaf exports. The cows are loitering on the roads and have
become a road hazard. There are no grazing grounds for them
to have feed. In U.P. there was a murder as a man was in his
house was taken to be skinning a cow. The Hindutav vigilantes
killed the man and there was no remourse, the police also turned
their face other way. Why Muslims are being singled out. Now
it is the Hindutav crusaders who would check what we eat or
does not. The whole of Maharashtra, Bombay, beef is eaten and
Hindus eat it where are the Hindutav vigilants there. The question
arises which way the country is being taken. The crusade of
development has been placed on the back burner. How long the
Modi mania would work. Just see the whole North East states
are beef eaters. What will the cow vigilants do. These are not
the good omens of development. These are signatures of
retrograding and retarding. The farming has become mechanised,
the bullock carts are not at all needed–absolutely the bullocks
are not needed. What for the cows other than milch one are
needed say Jersey breed.
53/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
 independently thinking, band of people to educate the masses
general public not to give any heed to leaders like Owaise and
so BJP’s Togarias or Katiyars. India has already suffered and
Hiatus of Hindus & Muslims bled badly at the time of partition when Pakistan got a separate
country by partitioning India and our Muslim brothers migrated
Look at the hiatus between Hindus and Muslims which on
to Pakistan area and Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India from
even the drop of a hat gets widening by the day. The recent one
West Pakistan. Ironically, none of the leaders suffered from both
as smoked out by AIMIM leader and an M.P. from Hyderabad
sides. Thousands of lives were massacred on both sides.
Asaduden ? has called for the arrest of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Properties destroyed. This writer was a witness to that holocaust.
over his objectionable sermons allegedly made which wore
The present day leaders hungry for self importance and securing
reported in the media of the effect that India would bleed like
their political constituencies should be given no heed.
syria if the Babri Masjid row was not settled out of court. The
Recently, in March 2018, in Sri Lanka, Muslim Sinhala
MIM leader said that in the wake of the threatening talks he has
tensions erupted the Lankan Govt. had to declare emergency to
appealed that the Supreme Court should also take up proceedings
control the Muslim-Senhala crises for ten days after the mobs
on the Babri case only after 2019 general elections. Whether
destroyed Muslim houses and businesses in Kandy areas. The
owais would lodge a complaint against Ravi Shankar, the former
relations between the two communities they say, have always
was of the view that if law was broken it was the Govt. first to
been on short fuse. The communal situation had been simmering
file a case and arrest the person which in this case the BJP Govt.
since after a local Budhist was seriously injured in a
has not done. Owaisi, seemingly rightly said that had the same
confrontation with a youth after a car accident. The local Sinhala
statement been made by him, it would have been made to appear
and Muslim elders intervened and amicably settled the dispute.
as if he wanted to turn India into another Syria. Owais felt he
However the situation deteriorated after the Sinhales youth
would have then been facing arrest and cases would have been
succumbed to injuries. The Muslim Community closed shops
filed against him at many places. Owaise further anguishly said
and stayed at home. The Govt. of the day playing politics for
that the reality is Ravi Shankar can say whatever rubbish and
keeping Muslims on their side. Ironically, there is also an
provoke and incite people, but the Govt. and media treat him
international dimension to the anti-muslim riots in Sri Lanka.
with velvet globes. If a third person unbiasedly see through the
The Abuthgama riots brought a lot of adverse global publicity.
whole issue it would clearly too find that it is the cleavage which
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged the Govt.
has come up between Hindus and Muslims which obviously
to halt the violence and bring the perpetrators to book. The US
has been created by the leaders hungry for self importance for
files suit. The EU sent a delegation alongwith Norweign, Swiss
grinding their own political axe. The owasis on both sides in
and Turkish embassies to urge the Govt. to uphold the rule of
Hindus and Muslims are busy day and night on these type of
law. Nearer home in Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Thow head
mechinations. The common man Hindus and Muslims are busy
Jamnath organised a protest outside Sri Lanka Dy. High
earning their livelihood and the vested interest political leaders
Commissioners office taking the advantage of the local anti Sri
coin one or the other pretence to create the cleavage among
Lanka environment.
both the communities. There is a need of a dedicated,
In the past Sri Lanka has handled anti Muslim riots merely
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as a routine law and order issue. But the Budhist backlash is a
serious issue vis-a-vis the Muslims.
One thing comes out strikingly out that why the tensions,
backlashes, riotous condions arise so often where the Muslims
are there. The issue needs a serious thought and what could be
the possible way out. In India at times the situation becomes
explosive. The Hindutav bigots and Muslim die-hards come face
to face on one or the other pretext. Why the Muslims anywhere
in the world do not assimmitate with the other religious
communities. There is some features or characteristics which
are not conducive as they have to be. While religion is a personal
matter of one’s faith. The clash comes when one claims his
religion is better than the others. At times the bigots raise their
place of worship adjoining the opposite. That generates the rub.
Hyderabad is one of the peaceful big cities. But the reports were
that in the year 2011 there was a clash near Charminar when the
Hindus tried to raise a Mandir alongside a Mosque. This in fact
is the hiatus in the minds of the two Muslims and Hindus. Hindus
have been known to be with cosmopolitan outlook and least
prone to generate a fuss of any type. But now-a-days the Bhartya
Janta Partys bigots have started behaving like Muslim die hards.
The Hindu’s have taken to Hindutav as led by their RSS icon
Mohan Bhagwat. They crusade that whoever lives in India he
or she is a Hindu. It is Hindu Rashtra. The RSS is oblivious of
the fact that there are Muslims who would defy any fiat to call
them Hindus. The cleavage already existing between Muslims
Hindus and Sikhs. Thus get more widened and at times it gives
rise to riots like at the time of Muslim festivals–Tazias where
the die hard Muslims beat their chest fanatically and another
parallel procession is brought by Hindu die hards the clashes
erupt. The two do not see eye to eye. It has gone to the head of
Hindus that Hindus in India are in whopping majority neary
82% whereas Muslims are nearly 18% and the remaining 10%
are Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Bahas. Why Hindus only should
not rule this country. This stance has now been taken up by the
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Congress men also. President of the Congress party going to
Mandirs demonstratively and wearing the sacred thread and
Tilak. It appears that the politics of the day is looked through
the prism of religion. Hindus have really gone by the Muslim
die hards whose religion is bigger and important than their own
lives.
The irony of the situation is that none of the high ups in the
BJP tried to correct the course of their Hindutav die hards. The
vigilante brigades actually let the reign of terror let loose as
protectors of cow’ and several states in the country has banned
the slaughter of cows which though has badly impacted the
export portfolio of the country as the beef comprised 1/3rd of
our exports. But the “cow” is “sacred” which sanctity has to be
maintained. In Maharashtra, North East and other states beef is
the wanted dish. How and who will solve the ‘cow’ tangle which
has been dangling over heads since the issue of cow slaughter
has come up and the sanctity of cow has now been come to the
fore. The Prime Minister is the prima dona Narinder Modi, he
also has not paid any heed to the problem. Once he did try to do
but got a snub from Nagpur.
The so called vigilantic elements but he ‘Modi’ was given
sufficient indications by RSS headquarters to keep silent on the
issue. In this connection I have selected a piece authored by the
renowned columnist Gurcharan Dass. I am quoting it verbation.
Though the piece has come into public domain as published in
Times of India I still offer my apologies to the author and the
publishers Times of India. No attempt has been made to make
any change as it would badly impact the very nuances and import
of the article.
“Narinder Modi continues to be an enigma. Here is a leader
who wants to go in history as a great statesman not only in India
but also in the world. He cares deeply about how he is perceived.
What stands in the way of realising his ambition are continuing
incidents of violence and polarising rhetoric by his MP 's and
supporters. They may not be frequent but they are very widely
57/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
reported. You would think a quick effective tweet condemning
them would take the string out of the story. Eventually he does
denounce some of the incidents but it is too little too late long
after headlines in India and around the world has damaged his,
his party’s and India’s reputation. The puzzle in why he does
not nip the bud by a brief statesman like statement followed by
a quick action by the police. He must know that remaining silent
or delaying response undermines his legacy.
Modi eventually denounces violence by Gau Rakshaks in
the strongest language calling them criminals. By the time he
broke his silence, the impression had been created that BJP
values cows more than the human beings. Hatred and hysteria
spread in the name of Hindutav has created insecurity among
Muslims and Dalits. Lacs of jobs in dairy farming and in the
meat and leather industry are at risk. Indias image abroad has
been dented and BJP’s electoral chances wakened. Warm
subsequent tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar have not been able to
salvage the damage left by the Una atrocity. Modi should urge
Gau Rakshaks to re-read Savarkar who wrote the book on
Hindutav. He opposed cow worship saying “if the cow is mother
of any body at all, it is the bullock. Not the Hindus if the Hindutav
is sustained on cows legs it will come crashing down at the
slightest sign of a crisis.
Since the Bhartiya Janta party has come into power in the
Central Govt. it appears everything is being seen through the
prism of Hindutav ironically not even Hinduism. It will be very
much relevant to define what Hinduism means ? A dialogue in
question answer form is quoted here, Verbatin as carried by
Times of India which has come into public domain. But still my
apology and my salute to Manu V. Devadevan, a historian
teaching at Mandi, in an interaction with Rohit E. David draws
on his extensive research of the prehistory of Hinduism to
contextulise the claims of some Lingayat groups.
Q. Is the demand for a standalone catagorisation by clearly
identifiable groups such as Jains and Lingayats a feature that
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arises from the Unique nature of the evolution of Hinduism.
Ans. Historical research in recent decades has established
that Hinduism as a religion arose only in the 19th century. There
is no unique nature in its evolution before this period in relation
to which the identities of Jains, Lingyats and other such groups
can be located. There is no consensus about its tenets, contents
and other defining features. The ill defined character of Hinduism
and its recent origin are both significant because in their light
any group within its fold can argue that it is not part of it. Recall
the claim made by the Rama Krishna Mission that its followers
were not Hindus. The claim was turned down by the Supreme
Court.
Q. Given Hinduism’s nature, does not judgement of
separateness depend largely on subjective criteria ?
Ans. Claims that are advanced in support of religious status,
whether minority or not, are invariably based on subjective
factors. They have nothing to do with the nature of Hinduism.
At the same time the subjective nature of the claims cannot be
brushed aside as whimsrical, because economic and political
interests play key role in the defining and defending them.
Further the claims are based on historical narratives that are not
entirely inaccurate. In the case of Lingayats the claim rests on
the belief that in the mid 12th century, a section of the enlightened
Saivas led by Basava assembled in the imperial capital of
Kalyana where they rebelled against the Vadic Orthodoxy and
caused a revolution. It is held that the revolution gave birth to a
new faith that promoted equality by rejecting the existing
prejudices based on caste, class and gender. The narrative is not
historically defensible, but Basva’s rejection of Orthodox
Brahminism and its practice of untouchability is well attested.
Q. Do you consider Lingayatism a separate religion ?
Ans. The question presumes that religious groups have
inherent qualities that justify their claims for distinct identity.
In actual fact, such identities are consciously created through
protracted processes that involve a wide range of truth claims
59/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
and mobilisation of people around these claims. Whether or not
a group of claims to a separate status are legitimate is not
dependent on factors like individual opinions. Scholarly
consensus or administrative decisions. The poll bound Karnataka
has brought the religious based politics in the fore. The BJP
President Amit Shah sought blessings of Sri Shiva Kumara
Swami of Siddha Gangamutt in Tumakuru. The Mutt is a popular
and the Swami is entitled to bless or not the visitors. In fact now
a days to seek blessings of religious Gurus has since long become
a poll strategy with the political parties. So the exploitation of
religion has come to its pass-say in the BJP political scheme of
things. This is well evidenced and has become demonstrative
by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath who have
been chief of Gorakhpur Mutt and has been the unquestioned
leader for years as the representative in the Parliament as M.P.
The recent infamous case of Guru Ram Rahim Singh in
Haryana. Much can be said of exploited situation of such Gurus
whose blessings are sought by political leaders and their favours
ensured at the time of elections an vote catching strategy.
Similarly in other states also the so called Gurus are being used
and demonstratively kept in high esteem for the public.
In this sort of religious rage rather a menacing race a very
informative and enlightening peace/article authored by Sadanand
Dhume and published by Times of India in its issue of April 7,
2018. Since it has come into public domain and obviously can
be requoted. But with apology to the author of the book in hand
has preferred to quote the article Verbatim.
“Nearly four years ago, when the Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s rise was still fresh a group of about sixteen intellectuals
and activists many of them familiar names on the nation's open
pages, met to brain storm over a fine meal at Indian Accent in
Delhi.
The agenda to see if the marked liberals of the economic
right and the cultural conservatives of the Hindu Right could
find enough common ground to provide an alternative to the
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tired leftists consensus that had long held sway in India. In
hindsight what was once a gleaming hope now appears
hopelessly naive. Rather deepening the reformist agenda of the
first BJP Government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modi has
helmed arguably the most ploddingly bureaucratic administration
since the advent of liberalisation in 1991.
On the tariff and price controls BJP stands today to the left
of Manmohan Singh’s Congress. In UPAI the idea of tax
terrorism then NDA2 is the Islamic state. Demonetisation will
likely be remembered as most senseless acts in Independent
Indian History. Luckily for Modi, Indira Gandhi’s misbegotten
rule produced its share of sna-fus too. Sufficient to say that many
free market enthusiasts have lost the ardour for this Govt. But
as the country steams towards next year’s general elections does
any of this really matter ? You may argue hoped writers. The
Indian libertarian movement may be too big to fit in a Maruti
800 but even if every committed market liberal Trooped into a
Volvo bus chances are that there would be seats spare.
How many divisions has he got asked Joseph Stalin about
the Pope. BJP President Amit Shah could just as easily inquire
about how many votes the Indian disciples of Friedrich Hayak
and Milton Friedman command. But he would need to keep a
doctor nearby in case the answer sets off dangerous laughing
fit.
So let us agree that in electoral terms the flight from BJP of
the market liberals counts for soot. Nevertheless there is a way
in which this exit may be problematic to something of larger
that ought to worry Modi and Shah.
Four years ago Modi stormed to power backed by an unlikely
coalition of voters. You can slice it in many ways but one of the
simplest is to point out that the BJP’s share of national vote
jumped by 12 points from 19% in 2014 to 31% five years later.
That extra 12% nearly one in eight voters made the difference
between the party’s capitulation under L.K. Advani and
truimphant
resurgence under Modi.
61/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
 An obvious way to think about the 19% is as BJP’s base. If
you were willing to vote for a party led by a then 82 years old
Advani blabbing endlessly about the black money then the odds
suggest that your commitment to the party is pretty wrong. The
12% by contrast represent a flicker variety of BJP voter. Let us
call them incrementals.
Most large democratic parties contain contradictions in their
supports/support base. For instance, a conservative Christian
Pastor in lower and a flamboyant hedge fund manager in New
York city may self identify with the Republican party for starkly
different reasons.
But arguably the divergences–not merely of caste or
language but of core beliefs–are particularly wide in the BJP’s
2014 winning coalition. The base probably contains at least some
people who voted for Modi because of the 2002 anti Muslim
riots in Gujrat on his watch. The incrementals likely include
many people who backed Modi despite the riots.
This heightened contradiction creates the political version
of pushmi-pullyu, the mythical two headed beast from Dr.
Dolittle. I know BJP supporters for whom Modi’s decision later
year to nominate the hardline monk Yogi Aditya Nath as Chief
Minister of Uttar Pradesh was the best thing that he has done in
four years. I know others who view it as the Prime Minister’s
biggest blunder.
So far Modi has not delivered on any hot button issues that
animate ideologues in the base, the Right to Education Act
remains in place, Rohingya Muslims have not been deported
from India enmasse and Jammu & Kashmir’s Article 370, which
(at least in theory) gives the State Govt. a great degree of
autonomy, does not look like disparaging any time soon.
But the base nowhere else to go. It is a potential flight of a
large number of incrementals that ought to worry the ruling party.
I told a young BJP leader from Delhi at a conference in Goa that
the party’s lackluster economic record, appointment of Yogi
Aditya Nath and embrace of a harsh an haranguing tone on social
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media could allienate many fence sitters. He was not convinced.
Next years will include 100 million voters who turned eighteen
after 2014, he pointed out, Modi has spent the past four years
cultivating them.
How many of these voters will ink their fingers for BJP
remains to be seen. But for now one thing appears all but certain,
the collection that brought Modi to power four years ago was
too introductory to last.
The religious bias has become a rage since the BJP coming
into power. Everything is being seen through the prism of
Religion. Strangely the Congress party has also diluted their
secular character simply in order to counter the BJP’s religious
race. The BJP has come to display their religious bias that the
UP Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath has got painted the saffron
colour so the Govt. bidding can we say there is method in
madness. BJP ruled states has banned the cowslaughter and the
beef eating also. The cow vigilantes have been beating and even
killing those persons–say Muslims who have been transporting
cows in trucks from one place to another which has been
common on cattle Mandis (markets). The BJP has been quite
oblivious of what havoc is being wrought in the name of cow.
After all where we are heading to. This situation has forced the
Muslims who have been in the eye of storm. This has brought
the situation to a critical passe. The Time of India has carried a
news in its April 14, 2018 issue which needs to be placed
Verbatim. Since it has come into public domain “Mumbai”.
Probably for the first time in post independence India, a call has
gone out to Muslim to congregate with an Islam in danger slogan.
Imarat Shariah (house of Shariah) which is headquarter in
Patna’s Phulwari Sharif and the All India Muslim Personal Law
Board (AIPLB) are jointly organising a mega protests titled Deen
Bachao Desh Bachao Save religion save country on April 15 at
the 100 at the Gandhi Madan in Patna. A number of senior clerics
and community leaders are expected to unambiguously express
the sentiment that under the BJP Govt. neither Muslims’ deen
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(religion) nor the Desh (country) is safe.”
The Hinduism rather Hindutav sentiment has been
menacingly spreading like a road rage. As per a news from
Mumbai and carried by the Economic Times in its April 17,
issue a Hindu Sangathan an off shoot of Vishawa Hindu Prishad
has filed a case against cartoonist Swathi Valanudi for drawings
on the Kathua and Unnao rape cases. A case has been filed in
Hyderabad under section 295(a) of the IPC which deals with
deliberate and malacious acts intended to outrage the religious
feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
Vadlamudi’s cartoon–Ram Sita raized the issue of women’s
safety in India through eyes of these mythical characters. Since
it was posted on social media platforms, the cartoon has gone
viral with over 10000 shares on Facebook and as many likes
and retreats. Besides the legal case Valamudi has been on the
receiving end of online abuse where few Twitter users have
threatened that she will meet the same fate as the murdered
cartoonists of French Magazine, Charlie Habda “My Cartoons
were raising an important point about numerous cases of violence
against women in India. At a time when young girls are raped
and criminals walk away with impunity am shocked that a mere
cartoon is offending these groups. The groups talk about respect
for women and religious tolerance but when it comes to
practicing them they are the first to go back on their Philosophy,
Vadlamudi explained.
Strangely, has Hindu religion or so styled ‘Hindutav’ by the
RSS led Hindu Brigades become so sensitive that it is bruised
so easily or it is being made so. After attainment of freedom, the
country's credentials were set to be ‘secular’ i.e. respect all the
religions. But it appears after BJP coming into power in the
Central Govt. the Hinduism or Hindu of ‘Nagpur brand’ in BJP
is possessive catch and none has the compunction to make any
comments about Hinduism and it is the “Nagpur’s possession.”
At times it appears the whole country has been put to turmoils
in order to placate the “Hindutav” which has necessarily to be
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of RSS hue. What more even our Prime Minister Modi has come
from RSS Bhathi (oven). Like a home spun Khaddar template.
They say Narinder Modi virtually lived as a younger (boy) RSS
worker or volunteer. How can one expect that a hard core RSS
man would ever detract from the RSS line. While during 2014
Parliament elections, Modi declared only development (Vikas)
and elimimation of corruption. The slogan was less government
much governance. Then the slogan came Sabh Ka Haath Sabh
ka Vikas. The agenda which appealed to the people then was
that there had to be development. Unemployment had to be
reduced. But after four years of BJP rule on the ground level
there is no difference at all. The condition of farmers continues
to be the same. Farmer’s suicide cases continue to pour in. Modi
misunderstood the term policy paralysis conditions during the
last phase of Manmohan Singh’s Govt. Modi only did what had
been hanging fire for months and years because they did not
take decisions and work there on. But Narinder Modi took spot
decisions and got them implemented. That was appreciated by
the people widely. People felt happy that a Prime Minister has
come who will take decisions and got them implemented. He
was known to be a toughman which he amply proved as Gujrat
Chief Minister. As India’s Prime Minister, he took decisions
and initially made the bureaucracy to take decisions and work.
In this strain, a blunder has been committed by Modi i.e.
demonitisation. Modi is not an economist, he has proved to be
decisive guy. Who advised him about demonitisation of currency.
People are much up set. In recent days, there has been a currency
crunch. According to the news in media in several states say
Andhra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar there is no cash
in ATMs, 48% of the ATMs are dry. The RBI, the SBI have
tacitly said that there is currency crunch but it will be overcome
within two three days. They are replenishing the ATMs by air
lifting currency from the states where there is surplus cash. The
RBI which had stopped to get the currency notes printed fresh,
they say have taken steps to go in for printing. The reasons for
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the currency crunch is the hoarding of currency notes by
politicians for elections. The bankers have repeated that the 2000
rupee notes are not coming back to the bank accounts which
means that they are being hoarded as black money because 2000
rupee notes are not coming back to the bank accounts which
means that they are being hoarded as black money because 2000
rupee note is easier to stack instead of Rs. 500 or 100 rupee
notes. At times it appears that the cash crunch could be a
clandstinely devised ploy to denigrate the Modi regime otherwise
there appears no solid reason therefor.
Picking up the main theme of this book “Minoritism’s
syndrome” a cogent relation in Majoritarianism is never inclusive
as is made out in RSS led Modi regime a BJP Govt. In this
connection an article with heading “Majoritorianism is never
inclusive” will be very relevant. The article by Aakar Patel and
published in Times of India in its April 22 issue. Though it has
come into public domain. But I prefer to offer my apology to
the author Aakar Patel and the Times of India. I am quoting
article Varbatim as by picking up the excerpts or interpretation
putting it in my words would spoil the very nuances of the article.
“The post colonial tradition of the Indian sub-continent has been
one of the religious and ethnic majorities ganging up against
the minorities.
In Sri Lanka, the mostly Budhist Sinhala speakers fought
Lanka’s Budhists over religion and language. In India we wonder
how Budhists and Hindus hate each other. But this is the nature
of majoritarianism. It always finds an enemy. The Lanka Civil
war lasted over a quarter century and killed one lac people
including certain Lankan leaders and former Indian Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi. It ended with a horrific attack on camps
that included civitatis. In Bangladesh the initial nationalism was
based on language and unified Bengali, Muslims and Hindus
against West Pakistan’s militarism and imposition of Urdu.
The violence, the resistance produced expelled the West
Pakistan army with the help of India in 1971. Unfortunately one
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aspect of the Bangladeshi nationalism then became religious.
Attempts were made and continue to be made to Islamise the
constitution. The division of the polity has become “secular”
versus “communal” secular in this case means the Muslim party
that wants to accommodate Hindus and Communal is the Muslim
party that sides with the religious extremists like Jamaate Islami.
In Pakistan the initial majoritarinism was sought to be curbed
by Jinnah. With the Punjabi Muslims of Lahore refusing to accept
North Indian Muslims refugees coming from Utter Pradesh and
Bihar, the families settled in Karachi. Violence began against
the urban and well off Hindu population of that city whom we
know today as our Sindhis. Jinnah made a few speeches that
first attempted to stop Hindus from leaving he wanted minorities
to remain. But he was overwhelmed by the violence and gave
up trying to stop the Sindhis from migrating blaming India for
his problems. Jinnah had made a famous speech a few days
before Independence in which he indicated that he wanted a
secular constitution Jinnah said that the state should not
recognise the citizen based on religion and stressed equality
under the law.
Under Ayub Khan in the 1960s it was written that no non-
muslim could be Pakistan’s President under Zia in the 1970’s a
law came that banned non Muslims from the post of Prime
Minister.
Under Zia ul Haq in the 1980s came a flurry of Islamic laws,
including whipping people for drinking alcohol putting rape
victims in jail if they could not prove crime and allowing
murderers to escape if they paid the victims family blood money.
In the 1990’s then Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
attempted to pass an Islamic law, the infamous 15th amendment
that would make him a permanent ruler. Such ferver also touched
the rest of the polity.
A little later, Pakistan’s Supreme Court banned Banks from
charging interest saying it was unislamic. Mr. Sharif was
removed from office recently and banned permanently from
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politics by the supreme Court. It used a law that specifies that
leaders should be “good Muslims”. India was fortunate to be
led for the first few decades by a party, Nehru’s Congress that
was inclusive. Our constitution has some upper caste Hindu Hindus have a majoritarian instinct
majoritarian aspects particularly in its part IV the directive
The first few decades of Congress rule hid the fact that we
principles.
Indians are also like our brothers in Lanka, Bangladesh and
Today India’s Prime Minister tells the world that he has given
Pakistan. We have a majoritarian instinct that is powerful and
more respect to Ambedkar than Congress. But the fact is that it
that is today asserting itself against the minority.
was the Congress that gave Ambedkar the position in the
I don’t have to demonstrate what I mean. One look at any
Constituent assembly and the cabinet despite his losing elections.
day’s news papers will produce the evidence. The claim of the
Despite having a two third majority Nehru also accommodated
Hindutav leaders and intellectuals is that our majoritarianism is
Shyama Prashad Mukarjee the Jana Sangh leader.
reactive not proactive. The claim is that what we are doing is
justified and it is not the same thing as was being done and is
being done in the rest of South Asia. But of course there is no
difference.” The “nationalism” which the BJP has been placating
since the day it has come into power at the centre, has been (not
invisibly) spreading sense of intolerance against a particular
people i.e. Muslims. What sort of this ‘nationalism’ is going to
be obviously is divisive. The day does not seem far away when
the Muslims would raise demand for a demarcated area for them
so as to save themselves from the onslaught of Hindu
majoritariansim. There appears a sinister design among the
today’s Hindu lords of Nagpur brand that may force some of the
Muslims to migrate to Pakistan. It has gone to the head of die-
hard Hindus that they (Hindus) are in thumping majority they
are destined to rule. They say where is the question of other
parties only a party led by Hindus would rule. These “wise men”
forget that there are other parties Congress, Janta Dal Communist
parties apart from regional parties like Smajwadi parties and
BJP is not in power in all the states. Had it been Hindu tinge
only it would have been moderately taken but the “Nagpur hue”
Hindus have been insisting a ‘Hindutav’ brand. This Hindutav
rage has politically motivated even the prominent Congressman
to see through the prism of religion-Congress (Young) president

68/ Minoritism’s Syndrome 69/ Minoritism’s Syndrome

was seen visiting Mandirs and adopting Brahmins sacred thread.
A party which has been secular as its creed has been forced to
go through studs. The late Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru which
inaugurating the Bhakra Nangal Canal Project which brought
greenery to the arid lands in Punjab (Haryana). the sandy areas
now (Haryana) got the most out of Bhakhra-Nangal Canals. I
has become Punjab & Haryana Paddy wheat producing areas
which brought the farmers coffers to the brim. Thereafter it is
history that the farmers could not withstand the money so came
and the land of Punjab became the stream of liquor the surplus
which is unexpectedly came to the farmers went out through
wine. The same farmers condition has become economically
weak that they are forced to commit suicides having not coped
with the situation. Farming has become a loss making profession.
The farming land has been divided among the sons and holdings
have become uneconomical. All the same this is altogether a
separate chapter not so connected with the theme of the book in
hand.
The recent statement of Salman Khurshid has brought the
cat out of the bag. Khurshid’s statement published in Times of
India of April 25 issue has stirred a hornets nest. The heading of
the statement in “Congress has blood of Muslims on its hands.
It appears that the BJP’s thrust has become a rage where the
intolerance towards Muslims is so strong that the Congressite
like Khurshid also appear to be sitting on the fence visa vis the
BJP and Congress. The statement of Khurshid runs like This,
“Agra-senior congresleader Khurshid has stirred a controversy
by saying that his party’s hands are stained with the blood of
Muslims”.
The former union minister made the remarks during an
interaction with students of Aligarh Muslim University. Replying
to a question by a former AMU student Amir Mintoee on
communal riots during the decades of Congress rule Khurshid
said, “There is blood on our hands too”.
When the students pointed out the Mintoee was referring to
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the role of Congress Party as a whole, Khurshid added, “I am a
part of Congress. So let me accept that we have the blood of
Muslims on our hands.” Even if we have made mistakes, we
still have right to stand upfor minorities. Answering the question
from a former student, Khurshid continued, “I understand why
you are asking this question, you are telling us that if some one
attacks you now then we (Congress) must not come forward to
protect you. I am telling you this, we are ready to show the
blood on our hands so that you too must not get blood on your
hands.”
AMU alumns Minotee said he had asked the Congress leader
how could minorities trust a party under whose watch several
riots have happened “I pointed out to him that the first
amendment (in constitution) was made in 1948 which was
followed by a presidential order in 1950 that saw communal
riots in Hasanpura, Maliana and Muzaffar Nagar. I further told
him that there is a long list of riots that happened under Congress,
including the ones after the demolition of Babri Masjid, said
Moitoee.
Khurshid also said, “if you attack a community you are the
one who get stain on your hands. Learn something from our
history and do not create such a situation for yourself where if
you come back to AMU after 10 years you will find some one
like yourself who will ask this question.
Explaining his stand Khurshid told (TOI) that his statement
had been misconstrued. “I could have simply not answered the
question but did so to drive home a point that even if we
(Congress) have blood stains on our clothes or if we have
committed mistakes, we still have the right to stand up for
minorities.”
The statement of Khurshid was damaging politically to the
Congress Party which has distanced itself from it.
It is the age of religion and the political parties are not vocally
opposing the BJP on its religion drenched politics. Even the
communist party CPM does not attack the BJP on religion based
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plank. They do vehementaly oppose BJP rule and for that they
are ready to go in for an understanding with Congress Party
which till yesterday they had been branding as Hindu Party. When
Babri Masjid was demolished there was a tacit talk among
congressmen that under the Dhoti of Narsimha Rao the then
home minister had a nicker (RSS brand). The strategy of the
Congress right after attaining freedom has been that Hindu Vote
plus Harijan's would get them majority. The Harijans were
considered as there pocket burrow due to Mahatma Gandhi.
Hindus were made to distance away from Muslims. The BJP
has takren to divide and rule on religion basis. Hindus being in
thumping majority in the country 82% of the population
democratically if all Hindus vote for BJP there is no other reason
that any other party would come to power. The Congress party
has also changed its tactic Salman Khurshid’s statement/
comments in an interaction at AMU as discussed in the narrative
in foregoing pages smacks of a religion dominated throught
process. The Hindu-brigade takes it that a Muslim of whatever
hue is first a Muslim then Indian. Where would all this lead to ?
Obviously the RSS led BJP would triumph and Hindutav line
would be victorious. All the tall talk of Modi during the 2014
elections campaign–Vikas (development) have been now kept
at the back burner. But how long this condition can continue.
Incidentally, Modi is a Varacious orator and leaves impresionable
impact upon the audience. His sojourn abroad and talking to the
Indian diaspora becomes a street talk so effective understanding
he clicks. In the recent commonwealth meet he created rapport
with the Indian diaspora that left every listner spell bound. The
question answer session was all the more impressive so befitting
answer he gave to the questioners that revealed that Modi has a
vision. He is a visionary parexcellence. One is convinced that if
atleast 30% of what he advises and seek to get done translates
in reality the situation can take a turn to its best. Unfortunately,
the economic advisers of the Govt. who are of the “Nagpur”
brand do not see the ground realities. The decision like
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demonitisation and implementation of the GST proved to be
hasty one. It is Modi’s personal image that could sustain the
haste in demonitisation. The ATMs have still not come on the
proper keel At times it appears that some elements may be in
the Govt. may be playing mischief. The reprint of current has
till not kept pace with its requirement to the public. The Reserve
Bank saw in it that there is hoarding of 2000 currency notes as
it is easier to be stacked and the same black money has come up
for which demonitisation was worked. The BJPs economic
advisors have not proved to be wiser rather. They have failed to
foresee the snag. The position of ATM's though of late has
become efficent.
The goods and services tax has yet to prove its utility. The
cumbersome plethora of returns the trader has to file has only
work to CA’s. The trader is sick of all this rigmarole. These all
appear to be the steps taken in haste. Obviously it affects the
image of the Prime Minister. Some people have started saying
that its wane has begun the earlier it is arrested the better. The
Congress under Manmohan Singh is P.M. Singh’s policy
paralysis was broken by Modi. But the haste with which it has
been done has not given the expected results. For example the
Raffle aeroplanes import had been hanging fire for quite a long
period for lack of a decision by the Manmohan Singh’s Govt.
Modi did it to be the first thing as the country needed the planes
the most. But this very act has come under criticism by the
Congress Party whose baby the import of Rafle aeroplanes was.
It is admitted by the people that Modi has pious ideas for the
country to construct and reconstruct it and make strenuous efforts
to do it. There is no second opinion about it. Modi has earned
his political position by his own efforts. He has not been given
it on a platter, by dint of any dynastical feat like Nehru-Gandhi
dynasty as Rahul Gandhi has been flaunting since quite some
time past. Indira Gandhi got it because she was (Jawahar Lal Ki
beti the being Jawahar Lal Nehru’s daughter. This quite another
feature she proved herself a tough ruler than her father. She was
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decisive and once a decision is taken no going back. Some of
her steps have become legendary. Right after India was inclined
towards Soviet Russia’s camp. Indira minced no words while
dealing with Henry Kissinger the American representative who
called on Indira Gandhi (Prime Minister) Kissinger had thought
that he would over awe Indira. Kissinger was lobbying for
Pakistan. Indira Gandhi called general. Maneksahw then her
army chief who saluted and waited for instructions. Indira
emphatically told Kissinger that you better bring round Pakistan,
else he (Manekshaw) will take care. The talk was so stark, blunt
but a diplomacy’s climax. The point in narrating this episode is
that Modi did not have any such ancestors as Jawahar Lal or
Indira Gandhi. Whatever Modi has gained and reached the
position of Prime Minister of India is Modi’s own quality of
head and heart. People say that Modi came up/grew up through
RSS baking oven. He has been given by the God a very clear
head and thought process. Whatever he thinks, get clarification.
Above all he is a man of action/puts that thought into reality.
The hurdles are that the expectations of the people were sky
high because for them a Prime Minister had come who wants is
a doar. But the time is too short. In the past four years, the
paralysis which had gripped the work at the grass root since the
past about 10 years especially the Manmohan Singh’s PM ship
had to be revived which is an uphill task.
The advantage Modi is that he is a great communicator. His
audience wherever he talks gets swayed with him. The
disadvantage is that people are getting impatient and want to
see something concrete having done by Modi.
Coming to the hiatus and distance having been created and
being created by the RSS led BJP die hards and very revealing
factor has come to light that RSS people are not the only ones
but others are also equally to be blamed. A news item carried by
the Times of India in its 26th April with the heading “Hate speech
cases.” Politicians and political parties from Telengana have
given the state a dubious distinction. While Uttar Pradesh tops
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in the list. Telangana has come a close second. Partywise, the
BJP occupies the first position in such cases of hate speeches
nationally having 27 cases against its name and TRS and AIMIM
(All India Itahad of Muslim) are in the second place with six
cases each. This data was compiled from the affidatives of MPs
and MLAs at the time of last elections.
Out of a 58 MPs and MLA’s who declared cases of hate
speech against themselves, most number of them are from UP
while second largest number of 13 is from Telangana followed
by three Andhra Pradesh. The Times of India has given in this
context the photograph of Asauddin Owaisi and K. Kavita the
two MP’s facing such cases. Association for Democratic Reforms
(ADR) released the data compiled from affidativs submitted
during election. 58 MP’s had declared cases of hate speech
against themselves as well as 8 ministers from Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, UP and Telegana.
From Telengana, Ministers T Harish Rao of Siddipet, and K.T.
Rama Rao of Sircilla, declared cases of hate speech against
themselves. Among MP’s, Hyderabad MP Asauudin Owaisi
(MIM), MLA’s Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, Yakutpur Syed Ahmed
Pashaquadri (Charminar), Akbaruddin Owaisi, Chanderya
Gupta, Mohd. Moazam Khan, Bahadurpura, Ahmed bin
Abdullah Balala (Malakpet) and T. Raja Singh Goshmahal of
BJP have “Hate speeches” cases against them.
TRS MLA’s Putta Madhukar (Manthani) Koppula Eashwar
(Dharampuri) and Thatikonda Rajaiah (Station Ghanpur)
declared hate speech cases against themselves.
The report lists cases against L.K. Advani (Gujrat), Muri
Manohar Joshi (UP), Uma Bharti UP of BJP. Ambumani
Ramadoss (TN) of PMK and TDP MLA’s, G.V. Anjenulu
(Guntur), Bedaru Satnarayana Murthy Pendurthi and Kodela
Siva Prasada Rao, Sattenapalle of Andhra Pradesh.
We are apt to come to the conclusion that the very fabric of
polity has been not only spoiled rather torn into pieces. So much
hate sense of intolerance predominently on religious basis has
been let loose.
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 After Independence, never ever was witnessed this type of
hate. Since the partition of the country into India and Pakistan
people had been the victim of ‘hate’. The country seems to be
riven apart on religious, regional, linguistic, castism, poor,
wealthy, developed and backward areas. Not that they all are
wary with each other. But the Schism when comes to perception
it pinches one and all and only the wearer knows where the
shoe pinches. The country has suffered bitterly in the past leave
aside the partition of the sub continent which is quite a separate
chapter. Alas, the country nay the politicians have not learnt
any thing. “Darya ko apni tugianion se kamm, Kashti kisi ki
paar ho ya manjdhar mein” The river does not bother whether
the boat of somebody has crossed it or was in doldrums in the
mid of the river. The real villain is the politician. He has to
catch vote on one or the other pretence. He sometimes incites
the religions bias for the co-religionists votes, the other time he
takes regional bias the other time that villain would exploit caste
sentiment. Then he very often takes to the money or crony tactics
to give benefits only to his/her own men. It is a very difficult
phenomina or say an enigma. Whether hen came first or the
egg. Ultimately it is the voter/the people who have to take the
charge. When and What does it takes place. It is any body’s
guess. It could be anarchy, a strong leader may capture political
power and become an autocrat and begin as holder of democratic
postures. Since the “democracy” has become the most popular
way of the govts all over the world. Small countries like Pakistan
and after the disintegration of Soviet Russia, its smaller states
like Azbekistan claim to be democracies. But the strong leaders
like India’s Prime Minister Narindra Modi practically become
dictator in a way. They become so powerful that none from his
own party ministers have strength to stand upto him. Indira
Gandhi having come into power after the death of her father.
Jawahar Lal Nehru and Lal Bahdur Shastri’s intermittant period,
had become so powerful that there used to be talk in the political
corridors that there is only one man in the whole central cabinet.
76/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
These were very intelligent and sarcastic remarks that other
members of the cabinet though men but actually Indira Gandhi
wields, though men were there in the cabinet but actually Indira
Gandhi wields power with iron hand. This all gives a signal that
Narinder Modi though came to power democratically may
tomorrow assume power as theological autocrat and there is no
body to challenge him. For Modi’s good luck the opposition
parties though want to oust the BJP from power but their unity
is in a shambles. The Congress party by its history should be the
leading party of the opposition but their nitty gritty is such that
they are not willing to accept the leadership of Congress. The
recently concluded the conclave of communist party (Marxists)
took days to debate whether to have any understanding with the
Congress or seat sharing in the 2019 General elections or not.
The resolutoin for such an issue was debated and their General
Secretary Sita Ram Yachuri’s mooted resoluton saw a bitter taste.
It was opposed by the other faction led by the previous General
Secretary Karat. The Congress party as such is yet not strong
enough to oust the BJP. The Regional parties like Samajwadi
Party Telgu Dasan party and TRS Telangana Rashtrya Samiti
will also matter. In Bihar Nitish Kumar has already shaken hands
with BJP. The Lalu Prashad’s Rashtriya Janta Dal is already out
of count. Lalu has been virtually out of count due to his
conviction in “Chara Ghutata” case lingering since years. Mamta
Banerji the Bengal Chief Minister has point blank refused to
accept the Congress much less its President Rahul Gandhi to
lead the front contemplated by the opposition parties. Obviously
Narinder Modi-say, is very lucky. But in such situations, the
political history of parties tell that the autocratic tendencies
themselves get defeated. So Modi has to be extra cautious.
Fortunately, India’s Sanskriti is so great that it takes care of
the jerks and jolts itself. The teachings in Brahma Kumari’s cult
are very relevant. The recent and very much publicised infamous
cases of Kathua and Unnao towns in J&K and Uttar Pradesh
respectively, in the news for horrific incidents of child rape and
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murder, have come to symbolise a breakdown in social values,
ethics and morals. Brahma Kumari sister Shivani says we can
bring about transformation with course corrections.
“Ask yourself : Do I radiate unhealthy emotions ? My single
thought of lust contributes to lust in the world. Whenever I got
angry. I raise aggression in the world. By competing or
comparing, I increase greed in the world. The bottomline is when
I radiate my low frequency vibrations to the world, I contribute
to its decline.
The word shift and I : The sum total of all our individual
vibrational frequencies forms the global vibrational frequency.
When I chose love over lust, peace over anger compassion over
hatred and happiness over fear. This shift in me will shift the
world. Am I ready to raise my vibration ?.... Before going to
sleep resolve issues that are on your mind. Forgive, let go past
hurt. Meditate and fill the mind with words of peace, respect
and compassion. When I change the world changes. Sanskar
Privartan se Sansar Privartan.
In this connection it has to be admitted that our Prime
Minister Modi is a practical man he has risen from the grass
roots he has been through the vicissitudes of life. when he talks
of Indian traditions some of the Congress’s immature leaders
(till yesterday people used to call him pappu–a dearest child)
deride at Modi. When Modi calls the creation of employment.
He gives practical instances like self employed people like setting
up a stall of making and selling snacks like pakora etc. and earn
quite satisfyingly–‘Pappus’ only. They hardly understand the
nitty gritty of employment opportunities available in the country.
The self employed personals say...shopkeepers, coblers, even
shepherds who rear goats, dairy farmers etc. Because the
“Pappus” have not seen the ground realities. they have come
from above by dint of their dynastical position. The Gandhis
only–now Rahul Gandhi has come to the fore, he has not earned
his elevation as President of the Congress by any political
grinding but simply got it as being given on the platter because
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Congress party’s Gaddi’ is considered reserved for Gandhi family
only.
The political situation in the country is all set for the BJP to
rule but unfortunately certain elements are chandstinely upsetting
the BJP’s cart. In this connection a news item published in Time
of India of its 30th April issue would make the position straight
as.
The news is from date line Ahmedabad : “At least 45
members of Saraiya family whose four sons had been flogged
by self styled cow vigilalantes, renounced Hinduism and
embraced Budhism at a ceremony in Mota Samdhiyala, 15 km
from Una, on Sunday.
The family members included the four flogging victims, their
wives, father Balu Soroiya and his wife among others. It has
been more than two years that our sons were flogged. The state
Govt. has not given any help so far. We have not got justice yet
all the accused are but on bail. The victim’s father told Times of
India.
After the incident, there was Dalit uprising. But we continued
to face discrimination. Even our community members told us
not to adhere to a religion after tolerating humilations. Even
today we shudder to see the flogging video. Sarvaiya added.
The July 2016 Una flogging had triggered wide spread
outrage and left the Dalit Community fuming.
Sarviaya said he and his family members had to take up
skinning of dead cattle deep caste system. We have been forced
to convert on Sunday. We believe it will give further momentum
to Dalit uprising. Other Dalits who are facing tortures, will
eventually have to embrace Budhism he said.
Romesh Sarvaiya said they decided to convert to Budhism
because they were discriminated by Hindus over their caste.
Hindu cow vigilante called us Muslims. The kind of
discrimination from Hindus pains us and therefore we have
decided to convert. Even the State Govt. had discriminated
against us by not fulfilling the promises made to us in the wake
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of flogging incident, he said. Romesh Saravaiya further said
that they were never considered Hindus despite the fact that
their community followed the religion for thousands of years.
No prominent Dalit leader such as Vadgam MLA Jagnesh
Mewani were present at the event–Damme Diksha Mahatsav
organised by Sarvarya family. They had invited Mewani and
Mayawati the BSP Cheif to the event.
Asking Mewani to embrace Budhism if he is a true follower
of BR Ambedkar, he said. The Vadgam MLA shot to limelight
and became the face of Dalit never bothered to visit us. Tight
security was made around the village as well as Una town in the
wake of threats that some members had received four days ago
by one of the 43 accused in the flogging. The police sources
said.”
In the situation as per the narrative afore, if the Prime
Minister forges ahead on other fronts–the cow vigilantes of Una
incident where Dalits were flogged–drag him (PM) his image
several notches down. The people ask if Modi getting weak that
he can not prevent or snub the vigilantes’ element. It all is going
to badly affect the BJPs election 2019. Where is the Nagpur
Icon Bhagwat, why he does not act or he too is with the vigilantes.
The so called protectors of ‘cow’ in the country.
Ironically, after 71 years of Independence, the society is so
riven apart that there seems no oneness and equanimity. The
caste system, they say devised by Manu is deeply rooted. An
artical carried by Deccan Chronicle in its May, I issue tells the
situation thread bare. It is being quoted verbatim as to avoid its
nuances bring distorted and missrepresented and is thread-bare.
“T. Malikarjun, a resident of Kowkoor a (few Kilometer
from Alwal) and a social worker, who invited as a guest for
Republic Day celebration in 2017 by Grukalpa Colony. Also
invited to the event was R. Arun Kumar son of L.B. Nagar MLA
Krishnaiha.
While the programme was on, a few men barged in on
Motorbikes and interrupted Arun’s speech asking how he could
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share the dais with Malikarjun, a Dalit. The argument soon broke
out into a clash and the men tore out Malikarjun’s white Kurta
and hit him with a cement brick. “You belong to SC Caste. What
right do you have to touch a flag” said one of the men to
Malikarjun.
Both parties approached Jawaharnagar police station while
Malikarjun was the first to reach he was made to wait with his
swollen head till the other side of the story was heard. Even
though the video evidence was presented no notice was taken.
While Malikarjun lodged a complaint of SC/ST atrocities against
him, the opposite party made a woman wife of the henchman
complain that Malikarjun and three others made obsene gestures
at her, slapped and dragged. The police then filed a case under
sections 143, 147, 148, 324, 509, 354 of the IPC against
Malikarjun. The crux of the problem and idea of narrating the
aforesaid incident was that even after 71 years of Independence
the Dalits are treated by the police and uppar strata of society in
the same olden way. There is no improvement. Dalits continue
to be vulnerable to atrocities and excesses of the well to do and
uppar castes. Howsoever, the PM Narender Modi cover all this
painful situation with his communication voracious oratory but
the grass root victims seem hardly forgettng about it. It will be
relevant to mention that around 12 percent of Telengana’s
population comprises people from SC/ST communities. While
the Uttar Pradesh in the North records the highest number of
atrocities against scheduled castes in India, in the South
Telangana has the worst record. How this skewed position will
affect the general election (2019) vote bank?
No doubt the Prime Minister Modi is forgeing head with his
oratorial thrust but the real problems at the grass root have not
been near solutions–unemployment, farmers’ suicide, increasing
population, the increasing rage of intolerance against a particular
community and section of people. The ‘startsup’ remains still a
slogan and nowhere any “starting” is seen. On new job creation
the opposition leaders particularly Rahul Gandhi have been
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publically presenting distorted and excessive figures. Sadly so,
Rahul Gandhi in a way condemned it even though he was
speaking probably in Calafornia. In this connection an article
published in Times of India of 2nd May 2018 issue will be very
much relevant and eye opener. It is being given Verbatum with
apology to article’s author Arvind panagriya and Times of India.
“The Twelve Million Question. Why some key figures
thrown around in India’s jobs debate may not be right.”
This was the figure Congress President Rahul Gandhi
highlighted when speaking at the University of Calafornia at
Berkley and Princeton University the past September. At UC
Barkley he referred to 12 million young Indians entering the
job market every year and at Princeton he placed the figures at
30000 per day. While there was much dissection of Rahul Gandhi
speeches no one questioned these numbers.
It is surprising that on an issue so central to policy making,
we have accepted the most critical statistics without scrutiny
and centred all jobs debates and analysis on it. The origins of
the statistics are difficult to trace but nearly all analysts and
institutions pronouncing on the job situation in India are using
it.
But some simple calculation that economist Rahul Ahluwalia
has generally done at my request convincingly demonstrate that
this figure overstates the likely correct figure by a solid 50%.
The number of individuals entering the work force in any
given year as obtained by multiplying the absolute number of
additions to the working age population that year by the Labour
Force Participation (LFPR). The latter measures the proportion
of population that participates in the work force, because not
everyone who attains working age enters the job market, the
LFPR is usually a number smaller than one.
A 2006 report by the technical group on population
projectons constituted by the National Commission on
Population (NCP) provides estimates of population in different
age groups for years 2011, 2016 and 2021. The reports estimates
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of the total population in 2011 is within 1.5% of the actual
population as measured by the Censu 2011. “In nutshell, it is
nobody’s case that fewer entrants to the work force than
previously thought make our jobs problem go away. But a smaller
number of entrants may mean that the problem is not as
insurmountable as it may have seemed.”
The phenomena of U shaped LFPR for women for women
whereby the woman first declines with rising per capita income
and then turns back up has been well documented in development
literature starting at low per capita incomes, rising incomes may
lead to a withdrawal of women from workforce for a variety of
reasons : Women may choose leisure over work once the family
income rises above a certain threshold social stigma associated
with working in the field may encourage withdrawal by women
once such work is not necessary for subsistence; rising capital
intensity agriculture may asymetrically substitute for women’s
labour and progressively increasing number of women may
choose education over work during early adulthood.
While the sharp decline in LFPR of women is thus explained,
it remained disturbing since it has taken place from an already
low participation rate among rural women. In so far as possible
policies must pay particular attention to facilitating the expansion
of jobs that would help bring women into working force in larger
numbers.
Coming back to the Hindutav rage, it has become so sharp
that with the drop of hat, the Hindutav is deemed to be attacked.
A passage in the Hyderabad chronicle of 1st May, 2018 would
be very relevant to quote verbation. “Shockingly, Professor
Robert Goldman, whose translation of the Ramayana, Andrey
Trucrke cited says, “Neither the great poet (Valmiki) nor we
have used such a village diction and certainly, Sita would never
have used such language to her husband even in the midst of
emotional distress”. However Andrey defends his translation
saying that it was based on her own research. “I offered the
colloquil summary as my own scholarly opinion on how to
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understand the passage not based on Professor Goldman’s
translation. The said Professor Goldman has also described Sita
as accusing Rama of misogony, using that term in this same
passage.” she asserts.
To give full text of American Professor and author Andrey
Trushlle recently stirred up hornets nest after she tweeted that
Sita had called Rama’s misgynist pig and uncouth and accused
Lakshman of lusting after her. Naturally, the professor became
the target of many angry Hindus, for whom the Ramayana is
more than just a piece of ancient literature.
She has received death threats on social media but Andrey
still stands to her statement and shares that she has studied the
Mahrishi Valmiki’s Ramayana for about fifteen years. Explaining
as how she arrived at the translation, Andrey says, “Uncouth” is
a straight-forward translation of Prarta (6.104.5 of the critical
edition of Valmiki’s Ramayana) The term has previously been
translated into English as “Vulgar” as stated by Goldman in
Yudhakanda, 2009, “Misogynist pig” is a loose colloquil
translation. “Many intellectuals and people who have read the
various versions of the great epic claim that Andrey’s translations
are baseless and unethical. Amish Tripathi, who has written many
books on Hindu Mythology, “if you write an interpretation of
the Ramayana, then you have the right to put any word there in.
But if you claim what you are saying in a translation, then it is
unethical as a writer that use words which were not originally
used by the author, which in this case, is Maharishi Valmiki ji”.
As for the shalokas that Andrey put on the twitter, Amish laughs
and adds, “Most Indians know what is written in their ancient
texts. While many westerners write about ancient Greek
Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Indian mythology, hindus still
follow the religion and know most of their mythology. We do
not need a Western to tell us what our ancient texts state.”
Author Chitra Divakaruni feels that the wording of Professor
Truschke’s translation is badly chosen. “Sita does not use these
words or anything similar, although she does express her anger
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and sorrow in this scene.”, she says. On Sita accusing Lakshman
of being “lustful” Chitra adds, when he refuses to go searching
for Ram and the “golden deer (he was following Ram’s orders
not to leave Sita alone) she accuses him out of desparation,
because she thinks Ram is wounded and needs help.” Experts
also believe that concepts such as misogyny and feminism may
not have been prevalent in ancient society shedding more light
on the same, author Anuja Chanderamauli says, “The reason
why Andrey’s tweets received backlash is because she claimed
that they were a translation of the Ramayana. However, the terms
that she has used are extremely colloquil and may not have been
valid back then. So it can’t be an authentic translation and is
very disrespectful towards the Adi Kavi Valmiki.”
With many on Twitter claiming that westerners are trying to
portray Hinduism in a bad light. Anuja opines, the concept of
white supermacy has always existed, but I wouldn’t go so far to
say that Andrey’s tweets were meant to demean Hinduism.”
The Hindutav conundrum has been taking undue
proportions. A news in the Times of India, May 5, 2018 makes
it amply clear. The heading of the news is, “Hindutav hawks
stop names at many places in Gurgaon. Trouble makes raise
“Jai Shri Ram”, Bangladeshi Wapas Jao” slogans.
Prayers were stopped by Hindutav outfits that went around
Gurgaon shouting slogans such as ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Bangla
Deshi Wapas Jao’ and disrupted congregations at several spots.
Unprecedented scenes of people offering Namaz getting up
midway and running away in different parts of the city including
busy areas like Iffco Chowk, Udyog Vihar, Leisure Velley Park
and the Mall Mile in M.G. Road. At a park opposite Candor
Techospace, a group of corporate executives prayed under heavy
security cover. What happened on Friday had been building up
for a month. On April 6, a group of men from Wazirabad village
opposed prayers at a ground in Sector 43 and threatened the
congregation. A video of men disrupting the prayers again in
April 20 hit social media, leading to six of them being arrested
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on April 26. Earlier this week several Hindutav outfilts hit the
streets demanding that the FIR against the six men be scrapped
and prayers be allowed at designated places approved by the
Govt. The local unit of the Vishav Hindu Prishad (VHP) had
also threatened to stop Namaz at open spaces if the Govt. did
not act.
This Friday a group of XI around 70 people who claimed
they have united under the banner of “Om” gathered at
Wazirabad village and fanned out across the city in small groups.
According to estimates, prayers are held in open spaces at 115
spots in the city because there are not enough mosques for
approximately 6 lakh Muslims in Gurgaon.
The whole above narrative reveals that the situation is going
out of hand. vis-a-vis the sense of intolerance against muslims.
They are being cornered in whatever manner they ould be in the
name of religion. The outrage of Hindutav has been let loose
and there is no check from the Govt. to curb it rather it is being
overlooked so that the Hindutav elements have field’s day.
Another similar incident has created row as the news item
in Times of India of its May 5 issue indicates, “The Aligarh
district administration on Friday ordered a magistreal inquiry
into the violence at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on
Wednesday over the removal of Mohd. Ali Jinnah’s portrait.
Tension continued to prevail in the city forcing authorities to
clamp Section 144 of CrPc and suspend internet services.
According to officials internet services were suspended on
the orders of Distt. Magistrate (DM) at 2 p.m. and will be
resumed at midnight on Saturday after a review of the situation.
It was understandably done to curb circulation of rumours and
fake news on social media. The magisarial enquiry to be given
within 15 days. It will look into how rightwing activists managed
to reach AMU gates a second time and why no action was taken
by police to stop them and why no FIR was lodged. Allegations
that some police men had accompanied the activists will also
be probed. Tension prevailed in Aligarh on Friday as AMU
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students continued with their sit in at the University’s Baabe
Syed gate where they had clashed with the police on Wednesday.
statements from different leaders are further vitiating the
sitaution further. BJP MLA from Bairia in Balka said Jinnah
had played the role of a Jallad (hang man). It is wrong to put up
the portrait of Jinnah who had challenged Indian nationalism
and gone to Pakistan after partition. No respect and honour
should be shown to Pro Pakistan people on Indian soil”, the
MLA said.
On the other hand a Samajwadi M.P. from Gorakhpur, Parvin
Nishad, waded into the Jinnah controversy on Friday when he
said the former Pakistani’s contribution to the Indian freedom
struggle was no less than that of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawahar
Lal Nehru.” BJP wants to trigger comunal riots for political gains.
It is trying to divide the country ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls,
he said.
The BJP enthusiasts of creating a cleavage and hiatus in the
society on communal lines was never so startling as it appears
now. During the past over seventy years mainly the Congress
Party has been in power but they never created such a hatred
among Hindus and Muslims who are mainly in the eye of storm.
There were umpteen number of shortcomings in the Congress
rule. No doubt politically the Congress had been doing–garner
Hindu vote as usual but ensure the Muslim vote by telling that
Jan Sangh now Bhartiya Janta Party an organisation of Orthodox
Hindus–Harijan Vote the Congress had been always treating
them in their kitty due to Mahatma Gandhi’s impact upon them.
This was the political strategy congress had been using fruitfully.
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Religious outrage (Nagpur brand)
The religious outrage has been becoming so strong that the
very name of Mohd. Ali Jinnah, the person mainly responsible
for partition of India and creating Pakistan as a solely Muslim
State since BJP came into power that the very name of Jinnah
has come to be an eye-sore and sinequa non. Jinnah was a leading
lawyer very few people know that he defended Lok Manya Tilak
an prominent name during freedom struggle. In this connection,
a passage from Irfan Habib, the noted Historian was present
when Mohd. Ali Jinnah came to AMU in a carriage pulled by
students. Irfan’s narrative in question answer form is quoted
verbatim.
Q. Do you think the row over the Jinnah portrait is just an
extension of the nationalist style politics being practiced those
days ?
It is not nationalism. It is communal chauvinism. There were
two aspects to Jinnah. One was partition and the other was
opposition to British from the time of Gopal Krishan Gokhle.
Very few people know that he was the defence counsel of Bal
Gangadhar Tialk in a sedition case and won him the case against
the British Govt., in 1916. It is a part of our history. Even if
some body wants to be ignoront about it, history can’t be
changed. In fact Bhagat Singh should be a national hero for
Pakistan as much as for us.
Q. Rightway groups also keep flogging Sir Syed Ahmed
Khan, founder of AMU every now and then as the ‘founder of
Pakistan’.
Ans. They are not even right wing group. They are hooligans
groups. Those groups who behaved like that in una (the gang
rape and murder of an eight years old) were not right wingers.
They were just hooligans and criminals.
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Q. Right wing groups have also been blaming Jawahar Lal
Nehru for partition. Now Jinnah is back in cross hairs. Do you
think this is deliberate ?
Ans. Yes, but it surprises me that the press never asks what
Modi’s ideological ancestors like M.S. Golwalkar did for the
Nation except divide it. Golwalkar said Muslims can’t be citizens
of this country. He praised Hitler for surpressing the Jews. Modi
may go to Israel but Golwalkar is on record praising Hitler’s
treatment of Jews. These things were never brought out by the
media while covering Modis visit to Israel.
Q. Are mirroring Pakistan now ?
Ans. In his speech on August 11, 1947 (to Pakistan’s
constituent assembly) Jinnah had said Pakistan would be the
same for all citizens whether they are Sikhs, Christians, Hindus
or Muslims. There will be no discrimination. But then they made
a constitution that said it will be according to Islamic laws. They
had all kinds of Islamic laws until they reached the present
position where any person could be hauled up and killed for
blasphemy. Once religion begins to take hold and becomes
an instrument of electoral politics, there is no end to it.
Q. What are your views on corporate groups adopting
monuments such as Red Fort ? They are talking about holding
concerts there.
What will the proposed interpretation centre interpret ? They
want to be told, even if it is a fake history of Red Fort. What
experience Dalmia Bharat have in monument managment ?
Q. You had objected to the Aga Khan Trust for culture
working in Hamayun’s Tomb too.
Ans. Aga Khan Foundation messed up the monument. They
never gave the chemical formulae of the materials they replaced
the originals with. They had no Persian knowing historian of
importance with them. No study of Persian sources etc. They
split the monument in one way, and these people might do so in
another way.
Q. What about the other side that favours giving private
groups a chance ?
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 I think there is a legislation called Ancient monuments
Preservation Act 1964 that was relegislated in 1958. We need to
stick to that. And so far as these things are concerned, tomorrow
they might say that they will privatise the police. Monument
management is as important for a nation as policing.
Q. We are in the bicentnary year of Karl Marx. Do you think
he is still relevant ?
Ans. People are relevant even after they are gone. Plato and
Aristotal are still relevant. So is Marx in many of his economics
analysis. Whatever the politics, the point is, any ideology that
does not think of humanity as a whole has little right to be
heard if it is confined only to one country, one community
one kind of people then it is hardly an ideology worth
following. And that also goes for the Hindutav types, Muslim
communalism.
An article in the Decaan Chronicle of 6th May 2018 issue
with the heading “Alienating in the name of Hinduism” is very
relevant to the situation prevailing and made more prevatent.
The article is by Pavan K. Verma a renowned columnist Pavan
K. Varma qualify the article as “Chanakyas’s view”. There are
two separate issues for consideration in the ongoing unrest at
the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) regarding the portrait of
Mohd. Ali Jinnah hanging since 1938 in the students union’s
office. First should a portrait of a man who actively worked for
the partition of India, created Pakistan and stoked hatred between
Hindus and Muslims, be hung in the University ? And second,
if not, what is the best way to have an earlier wrong rectified ?
I say these are separate issues if you don’t make distinction
you are likely to fall like a ripe apple in the lap of Hindu Yuva
Vahini (HYV) goons who protested against Jinnah’s portrait. In
fact Samajwadi Party MP Parveen Nishad who just won the
Gorakphur byelections did exactly that Protesting the behaviour
of HYV members, to praise Jinnah, comparing him to Gandhi
and Nehru. This was music to the muscleman of the HYV. It
was precisely the reacton they wanted. It fulfilled their principal
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agenda to establish that they were “nationalists” and those
opposing them were antinationalistic followers of Jinnah, and
quite deserving to be banished as they often say to all those who
oppose them to go to Pakistan.
Whether AMU should have a portrait of Jinnah can be
debated without unnecessarily glorifying the founder of Pakistan.
Some people can argue that this portrait was installed in 1938.
When Jinnah was given a life membership of the University’s
student’s union. This was prior to his becoming such a prominent
pawn in the British game of divide and rule and the proponent
of Pakistan. It is also true that until the communal fires were
ignited by Jinnah and his ilk, the gentleman was a prominent
name among those fighting for India’s Independence–a fact
acknolwedged by no less a person than Mahatma Gandhi. In
fact even in the midst of the current turmoil in AMU, Swami
Prasad Maurya, a BJP Minister in UP lauded Jinnah saying that
his contribution to the freedom struggle cannot be ignored.
History, even when it deals with people whom we denigrate,
cannot be entirely erased. There is for instance, a prominent
building in Mumbai still called Jinnah House and a portrait of
the Quid-i-Azam hangs even now in the hallowed pricencts of
Bombay High Court in recognition of his being a leading lawyer
of his times. If this is the case why remove a portrait
metaphorically, gathering dust in AMU since 1938 ? Is the timing
entirely coincidental or is it part of a larger agenda to stoke
communal hatred and division ? And even if their cause has
legitimacy, why could they not wait until the University provided
a reply to the letter sent by Mr. Gautam ? Why has not a single
FIR been registered by the police against those who perpetrated
this violence ? Why has Yogi Aditya Nath not strongly
condemned this hooliganism by members of his own
organisation ? Has he forgotten that he is now the Chief Minister
of a state, notan activist of an ultra right wing organisation of
self annointed protectors of Hinduism ? And was it a coincidence
that the violence was unleashed inside the campus just moments
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before former Vice President Hamid Ansari was to visit the
University ?
These are expectionally important questions Jinnah may
have been an enemy of the nation” as the UP’s Deputy Chief
Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya indignantly proclaimed. But
so are members of organisations like the HVY, if they believe
that they have the ordained right to usurp the law and resort to
violence against anybody who disagrees with them. There are
reports that HYV worthies have stormed into churches in
Gorakpur and elsewhere and disrupted services. In Gurgaon,
Haryana Muslims offering Namaz on Friday were disrupted by
Hindutav outfits that went around the city shouting slogans like
“Jai Shri Ram” “Bangladesh Wapas Jao”. Jinnah died long ago.
But are we seeing the communal divisioness that he represented
being incarnated in the behaviour of right wing goons in the
name of Hinduism even as authorities mandated to uphold law
and order remain mute spectators ? What kind of anarchy is
this? and where will it lead to ? That is the central issue in what
is unfolding now at AMU.
A few words about the writer of the article, Pavan K. Verma
is a noted intellectual and an erudite. His article will be an asset
to my book. “Minoritism’s syndrome”. Since the article had been
published in Times of India and had come into public domain.
All the same. The apology from the author of this book with all
humbleness to Varmaji, who I am sure is magnanimous and
generous enough to accept.
The right wing outrage against anything Muslim has become
a menace for the society. The RSS led goons are on a turmoil. A
little while ago they had claimed that Taj Mahal was a Hindu
created monument and may be its name is changed. These
“Wisemen” ignore that it is among the seven famous monuments
in the world.
This apart, a video clip of Aligarh Muslim University
students raising slogans of “Azadi” freedom from “RSS and
BJP” in the aftermath of the Jinnah portrait controversy and
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clashes on the campus was widely sharedon line on Sunday”.
President of AMU Students Union (AMSU) mashkoor Ahmed
usmani admitted that students had raised slogans of freedom
for the country from RSS. “We want a Sangh free India”. The
time has come to launch a countrywide movement to rid it of
people who are dividing the nation and creating hatred among
communities by spreading venom.”
Rightwing activists retailed by raissing slogans such as “We
gave Azadi to Afzal Guru, Ajmal Kasab and will give it to
others”, at a ralley at SMB College. Speaking to media convenor
of Aligarh Unit of RSS affiliate Dharam Jagran Samiti Saurabh
Chaudhary said, our slogans are for those who indulge in
antinational activities. They are not ready to remove Jinnah’s
portrait/picture. “Till now we are giving warnings to them in a
democratic manner but if the need arises, we will adopt other
means to remove Jinnah’s portrait”. In this imbroglio the AMU
had to postpone examinations.
Interestingly, wading through the Jinnah row, Union Minister
V.K. Singh said those Muslims, who supported the presence of
Pakistan founders portrait in the AMU were insulting their
forefathers who had rejected his ideology. They are Indians today
because of their forefathers, the Minister said in a social media
post.
Singh said, if you are not a Muslim but support the portrait’s
presence because you think that protests against it curbs your
freedom then you should think, if you would like on the walls
of your house a picture of somebody whose hands are stained
with the blood of your own people.” Without a doubt freedom
is everybody’s right. But we tend to forget that how many great
people shed their blood in a achieving it. Will they be proud
today of the manner in which you are using your freedom ? The
former Army Chief asked in the post titled “Let us protect our
freedom from abuse.”
The Minister said if you are Muslm and want Jinnah’s
portrait on your walls, then is a huge insult of your forefathers
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who had rejected his (Jinnah’s ideology you are an Indian today
because of them. Singh suggested that AMU students have to
choose between narrow mindedness and extremism.
The exact text of VK Singh has been picked up for the book
“Minoritism’s Syndrome” so that the very nuances may not be
misplaced by the author of this book. Due apology is offered for
that.
The outrage which has been let loose in the name of Hindu
Religionindutav of ‘Nagpur’ brand has been amply discussed
and explained. It is against a particular community i.e. Muslims
who are in a way told to go to Pakistan or Bangladesh. so much
rise of intolerance against them is spread that they are actually
cornered which will unite them and ultimately they will come
out with the demand that an area be demarcated for them so that
they do not become victim of hate spread by Rastrya Swam
Sewak Sang led BJP enthuiasts. The irony of the country is that
there is no party who could take cudgets for such a hate
campaign. The congress party and the leftist appear lifeless. They
probably are watching and waiting that in the general elections.
Muslims could vote for them enbloc having been fed up with
BJP’s treatment. The BJP probably carries the nation that Hindus
being in whopping majority in the country they have to ignite
Hindutav in them. They forget that the Hindus are in other parties
like Congress, communists. Bahujan Samaj Party and other
parties also. How the BJP can monopolise Hindu vote. It is likeli
hood that BJP would suffer with their Hindutav and would repent.
The slogan which Narinder Modi campaigned and championed
the Development agenda. Modi is a very voracious orator and
an adept in carrying his audience with him. His communicative
skills are unparallel. Modi the PM and the BJP; president Amit
shah who virtually are in command have put the Development
agenda on the back burner. Their agenda clearly is to divide the
society on Hindutav and Muslims and garner Hindu vote
majoritarianly, where the country they are pushing to.
Never ever after the partition of the country creating Pakistan
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for Muslims only separately, the outrage of intolerance towards
Muslims was witnessed. The polity of the new India was laid as
secular and their was no sense of intolerance against any religion.
But BJP has all along been creating a hiatus and divison between
Hindus and Muslims. The BJP must not shut its eyes to the fact
that the India known for its secularism since decades is being
watched the world over. The Muslim countries Arabian and Gulf
are staring at the discriminating attitude of Hindus against
Muslims. It may bring the irreparable damages to India. The
elderly still alive who had undergone the havoc played by
partition and migration of population from and to Pakistan and
India remember that unfortunate phase of the History. Sadly,
BJP appears bent upon outsting Muslims from India this way or
that. The RSS icon of Nagpur avers that whoever has to live in
India irrespective of his/her religion has to call himself or herself
Hindu. The ‘Nagpur’ forgets that Muslims are very Orthodox.
Their religious belief is that they are born muslims and not
converted afterwards. So there could be no question of their
being called Hindus.
Apart from the foregoing narrative where the religous
‘minoritism syndrome’ has been explained thread bare, there is
minoritism on caste, religion, lingusitc, economic basis, such-
poor, developed, undeveloped, population–thickly populated and
thinly populated, in short minoritism is there. Fortunately they
are not at war with each other but at times situation becomes
explosive.
The glaring example of linguistic minoritism the country
experienced of Punjabi Speaking State movement. The demand
for Punjabi Suba was raised by the Punjabi Sikh Community
when it was decided by the Govt. to redemarcate the states on
linguistic basis with a view to facilitate the administrative control
in the country. The Madras Presidency was so redistributed that
Karnatak, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra new states came into
being. The history vividly remmebrs that in creating Andhra as
a separate state one Sriramulu sacrificed his life by going on
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fast unto death. Similarly Punjab has a very bitter history of
Punjabi Suba struggle. The Central Govt. right from the
beginning started suspecting that in the garb of Punjabi speaking
state (Punjabi Suba) the sikhs want an independent Sikh state.
It had its roots in the partition of India into Pakistan and India.
Master Tara Singh, the unquestioned leader and spokesman of
Sikh community was assured by the Congress leadership–Pt.
Jawahar Lal Nehru that Sikhs will have an area where they may
feel the whiff of independence. Master Tara Singh and other
Sikh leaders fought shoulder to shoulder alongwith the Contress.
At declaration of India’s independence, the Sikh Community,
whose valour as fighter is admitted throught out the world. for
independence struggle, Pt. Nehru called Master Tara Singh and
told him that as per the demarcaton plan, would you like to opt
for Pakistan or India. Population wise Sikhs were in majority
only in Taran Taran Tehsil (on the border of Pakistan now).
Master Tara Singh very humbly explained to Nehru that how
could Sikh even dream of going with Pakistan. Our forefathers,
culture, religion are one. How can, Nehru ji you yourself think
of that. Sikh’s fate is with India only rest assured Sikhs would
live like younger brother. But when the states were reorganised
on linguistic basis. Punjabi speaking state was denied. Nehru
was some how biased that in the garb of Punjabi Speaking State
Sikhs want an independent sikh state which may in future may
align with Pakistan and may be a buffer state between India and
Pakistan and thus be in better position vis-a-vis both the
countries.
The demand for Punjabi Suba was raised in 1952 and a very
bitter struggle had to be waged for fourteen yeras. Ultimately
when the demand was posed to be from Hindus and Sikhs of the
state. The Punjabi Suba has a very protracted tale. Master Tara
Singh one time the (be ta badshah of Sikhs) crownless king lost
his leadership and a dark horse Sant Fateh Singh from a remote
Gurdwara in Bhatinda district was inducted to carry the struggle
for achievement of Punjabi Suba. The very first thing the Sant
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did was that he took the prominent Hindu leaders alongwith
like Pandit Mohan Lal presedent of the Sanatan Dharam Sabha
in Punjab and running several educational Institutions. He had
been the Finance Minister of Punjab during Partap Singh
Kairon’s Chief Ministership. The Pandit has established himself
as Hindu leader. He right from the beginning been the supporter
of Punjabi Speaking state of course after Kairon had gone and
the struggle for Punjabi was turning fierce. Certain socialist
leaders and the communists tried their best to bring the demand
for Punjabi Suba out from its communal shades.
There had been a very crucial moments when Sant Fateh
Singh had stoked put his life at the altar of achievemnet of
Punjabi Suba demand. A small cemented tank was got built.
The sant had to be down in the tank. His hands were tied down
with iron chains. The Sant had threatened that he would burn
himself in the tank–Tins of oil were kept nearby to sprinkle and
pour on the Sant. Simply, it had to be ignited to burn the Sant.
The author of this book was at Patiala in those days. The Mall
Road the main road built since Maharaja Yadavinder Singh days
was crowded with people. Everybody was awaiting with bated
breath. The political situation in the state was on a tinder box.
There was panic. Anything could have happened in the state.
The speaker of Parliament, a promount Sikh leader’s aeroplane
was hovering over Amritsar Harmander Sahib’s promises. It
obviously meant that the Central Govt. was closely caught up
of the critical situation. It was through such turbulent
circumstances that the demand was accepted. Punjab was
bifurcated Hindu rather Haryanvi speaking areas went to make
a separate state called Haryana and the Hilly areas speaking
Hindi-nay Pahari dialect went to join Himachal Pradesh. Areas
of Kangra district went to Himachal. Virtually, Haryana state
was given to Haryanvi’s on a platter with no struggle. Similarly
Himachal got the Punjab’s areas. Punjab infact has a tatering
history. First it was partitioned into West Punjab and East Punjab
(now called Punjab). Then at the time of separating Haryanvi
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speaking areas from Punjab and naming it Haryana. Infact
Haryana stood to gain. Earlier the Jullunder areas of Punjab
used to be benefitted as Punjab’s budget was mostly utilised in
the areas of Amritsar. Jullunder and at the most only the areas
of Ambala. Karnal where the Punjabi had been alloted lands
and the business men had also prosperred in that area. The cloth
market at Ambala became a big centre for business.
The Punjabi Sikhs realised later on that the Sikhs who stoke
so much in the Punjabi Suba struggle afterwards realised that
ultimately what is left with them is a Subi (a tiny state). Earlier
before the creation of Haryana Punjab’s area was touching Delhi
on one side, the Kangra in Hill areas. Now Punjab has no hilly
area. Its areas touched Jammu-Kahmir also. This all was the
result of the creation of states on linguistic basis. The Sikh leaders
in the fore front of creation of Punjabi Suba were probably led
by the notion that in Punjabi suba Sikhs will be in majority
would always rule the state. An Akali Dal’s rule will be there.
but it was belied when the Congress also came into power. It
was rather an alternative term. If one term Akali Dal is in power-
next term Congress will be in saddle. The command of politics
bitterly failed. The BJP since it came into power in 2014 has
been dividing the country-society on communal lines with the
motive that all Hindus will vote for BJP which appears to be a
bloated expectation. The BJP wants to derive benefit from
“minorities national aloofness”.
On linguistic minoritism feeling–if one person from Punjab
is living in another state–say Andhra-a Telgu speaking state.
The Punjabi would feel awkard as the Andhrite do not even
speak Hindi. In Hyderabad one feels at sea coming from a
Northern state. Not that they will be at war with each other but
the Punjabi being in minority would defnitely feel in-convenient
and in a disadvantageous position. Then the minoritism feeling
comes in among different regions. Every region has its own
culture which includes living conditions, language, produce of
the area, industry, farming all these are differing from the other
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region. The climate which affects the other walks of life. In this
digital age things are grossly different in area to area.
Then the ‘minoritism syndrome’ is bitterly apparent on the
divison of society in caste basis Brahman, Kashatri Jats, Rajputs,
Harijans, Vaish. Then there are minoritism in the castes also-
say Khatris (Kashatrya) Kapur, Shahi, Khosla one or two more
are considered the upper strata of Khatris where as the others
are in the second rung. Not very long ago, when searching for a
match for one’s daughter all these features were closely enquired
into. Then in the Gotras, while Okaying match, the Gotra of
even mother’s mother was noted so that it may not be the same
as their own. The idea behind this was though with the
materialistic outlook where the money is the main consideration
things are fastly changing. In Haryana the caste system is so
rigidly followed that there had been a galore of murders and
there are instances where the couple had to leave their, village
with the spread of education the caste system no doubt is on the
wane. But for the parents of both the daughter and son remain
an eyesore the whole life. These days the girls are becoming
bold to tell their parents that it is their own life and atleast they
should be given the freedom to have their life partner of their
own choice and instances are there when the daughters rejected
the match, selected by their parents.
In fact the oldies have to sail with times and go with their
children. But the parents feel that they have the experience of
life they know what will be good for the son/daughter who feel
their liberty in choosing the partner had been snatched. Now
the intercaste marriages are becoming common and the newly
wed couple are happy. Despite all the education, majority of the
people are stuck in case considerations.
In villages, Jattan da Chautra, Kahtrian di gali, Chamaary,
et. al. These are the obvious indications of the different cates.
Strangely, in Haryana Rajput community through predominantly
engaged in farming and so is the jat community till yaster the
Rajput considered Jats as inferior to them and they would not
share the same Hukka (smoking pipe with them).
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 Since time immorial, the proverbial Manu’s demarcation
has rather dug deeper the modern education has also not made
any difference for the better. The caste system supporting persons
say that the caste system is to preserve and maintain the family
pedigree’s purety. The inter cate marriages do take place but it
is successful mostly in highly educated classes. There also the
way of living at times comes in the way of smooth sailing. It is
true also because the family customs usually differes where the
couple do not understand and make adjustment with each it
remains irksome and upsetting the wholelife.
The ‘Minorities syndrome’ is apparent in wealth. If your
neighbour is flush with money obviously it will be an eyesore
for you. It is you who have to adjust with him because he will be
in pride of his wealth. You would from hearts of feel in minority
in comparison to rich persons. These are small brackets where
the ‘Minoritism’s syndrome’is reflected.
In this connection the areas which are developed and there
are others which lack development. The reasons could be many,
the political could be main. The location and natural features
could also be the impediments. But these features become notice
able and make the place among the ‘minorities syndrome’ had
demarcated the society in four varuns cadres or castes. Brahmans,
Kashatrya, Vaish, and Shudar. Some of the analyists think that
Manu is a misnomar. It is the tale of man told by the man to
man. It came to be known as Manu. The die hard believers of
Manu Samriti has given the man’s body itself as the head
Brahmin, the arms Kashatrya, belly Vaish and the foot as Shudra.
So deep was dug the division of society into four Varuns. The
villain politician exploits the caste system to his/her advantage
during elections and garners vote in the name of caste. The
contestant will not miss using his/her caste card to appeal for
votes. In case the caste to which the contestant belongs to is in
minority–this ‘minorities’ will come into play. Even among the
Shudras there is further division. Chamars consider themselves
superior than Balmikis-Chamar are engaged in leather work
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whereas the Balmikis do the cleansing work. With advancement
of education many of them have gone abroad in search of Greener
pastures. More so the reservation, policy right from the
Independence has benefitted this class tremendously.
Significantly the reservation is not on economic conditions but
by birth. Say a chamar’s son/daughter has to have in the Reserve
category. By dint of this reservation, many of them have reached
at high posts in the Govt. Civil Services etal. The irony is that
even those who have reached high positions and have become
economically well to do their children would keep enjoying the
reservation benefits probably if in Civil Service exam the
general category contestant has to achieve position, the
reservation contestant would reach equal to him by getting
even lesse of the marks. This all is the miracle of caste. The
irony is that those who get into positions by dint of Reservation
and no more remain down trodden their children keep getting
the benefit of Reservation, whereas a farmer’s son or any other
non-scheduled or scheduled tribe's son/daughter shall have to
strive hard to make a mark. This is creating minority among the
minorities. Thus projecting the “Minoritism’s syndrome” the
theme of this book. The framers of the constitution had kept the
Reservation clause so as to lift up the scheduled castes/scheduled
tribes. These classes have been living in a very poor and wretched
conditions. Their habitations have been separate from the so
called upper classes–say Brahiman, Kashatrya, Vaish and still
is continuing in the same conditions. By spread of education
which for these classes is free rather their children are paid
scholarship instead of charging fee as from the general category.
Inspite all the aids and privileges provided to them, They still
are in the bracket of “Minoritism’s syndrome”.
Regionalism is another symbol of ‘Minoritism’s syndrome’
different states are constantly fighting for water from the rivers
in the riparian purview. Punjab and Haryana are still querraling
for justifiable distribution of water. Similarly there has been a
continued cry from Talengana, Karnatka for water from Cavery
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river. It causes shortage in summer, when the flow in the rivers
go almost dry. This becomes a bone of contention among the
states and intervention of the Central Govt. is sought.
In fact ‘Minorities Syndrome’ is seen in each and every
section of the population. There is much heart burning at times
when a poor man notices that his neighbour is flush with money
and spends like that of unearned one where one can do with ten
rupees he spends hundred. In the personal living costly clothes,
costly modern vehicle cars are a common sight. How those who
cannot afford to be that lavish would bear with it.
In case of land owning (farming class) the holdings have
become very very small and farming thus has not remained an
earning profession. There is so much difference of holdings that
the ‘Minorities syndrome’ is staring at it.
Interestingly a Dalit groom in Gujrat uses ‘Sinh’ in name
attacked–A news item emanating from Ahmedabad roads like
this, “A Dalit was barred by upper caste Darbar Community
members from performing post wedding rituals at a temple in
Golagam village in Gujrat’s Banaskantha on Sunday as they
added the suffix of ‘Sinh’ to the names of two children on the
wdding invitation card, or something that Darbar’s consider as
their community’s prerogative. The family which had to hold
their marriage under police protection faced stone pelting from
Darbars at the temple another groom was hit by a stone. The
head of the Dalit family Kanji Bhandru, a cop in Basant Kantha
had received several threatening calls earlier. On the basis of
his FIR two accused were arrested.
Darbars got into arguements with the family and pelted
stones. They broke the pitchers from which our kids drink water
in the temple Bhandru said.
This news has been published by Times of India in its May
14, 2018 issue. Since it has come into public domain, all the
same my apology to the publishers and the newsman concerned.
The above passage in fact relates to the division on caste
basis.
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A very apparent Minorities’ syndrome is in the male-female
area. Otherwise too ours is a male dominated society. The
population of female is far less than male. It is skewed in favour
of men. Demographic experts feel that one of the causes of
increase in number of rapes is that female population in lesser.
The saddest part of this disease and character is that the minor
girls are not spared. The males that way have turned animals.
Apart from criminal law takes its course the saner section of the
society should take steps like darken the faces of rapists and
parade them in the public social relations should be cut off with
them.
Unemployed youth loitering here there and becoming the
victim of all vices is an area which has been the eye-sore. The
parents of such youth are fed up with them. The educated young
men in fact want a white collar job and that too in Govt. Service.
Right from British days the system was devised such that the
British Govt. created only babus and not that it seized them the
most. The system of education till yester was not job oriented.
No art-craft training was given during education even to the
high classes. What we need is–massons, carpenters, plumbers
and other artisans. You will find a number of unskilled labourers
in the labour chowks and can easily get as many as you need but
the skilled masson-marble and brick work is altogether a separate
line. A young graduate boy would prefer to get into Govt. service
even as a peon but would not like to be a masson or plumber. In
this connection, the Govt. has been boosting the self employment
portfolio-Prime Minister Modi’s slogan of startsup is only
towards allaying the unemployment. When the PM said publicly
that a snack vendor (Pakode bna ke bechne wala) can easly earn
his livelihood. The Congress President derided it saying what a
solution the Prime Minister has for solving the unemployment.
The Prime Minister never shied away and publically told that
he had been serving tea to the train passengers at the Railway
station from the tea stall of his father. He even did not hesitate
stating publically that her mother had been cleansing the utensils
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in other’s houses to earn for the family to make two ends meet.
Congress leaders like Mani Shankar, Aiyer passed absured
remarks on Modi that he is a low man and should open tea stall
only. The sensible section of the educated class and the working
class in general condemned Aiyer’s remarks that shame to such
a man. How the Congress party has been tolerating such leaders.
No work other than, against the norms of living and earning is
low. The other angle of the unemployment is that long years of
alien rule under Britishers. We had become used to look to the
Govt. only and self initiative and extrepreneurship was quite
unknown. Indira Gandhi had nationalised the main 14
commercial banks in the private sector. These banks were bluntly
told to lend for different vocations. In the farm sector, to instal
tubewells, purchase of fertilisers, pesticide, levelling of land,
purchase of tractor trolleys in short each and every activity in
farming was financed by commercial banks which earlier had
only been the area of cooperative banks. Allied activities like
dairy farming, goats sheep rearing, hybrid seed, purchasing etc.
were all covered. The green revolution of 1970’s was the result
of this bank finance. The country had been importing wheat
from abroad countries like Australia. After availability of finance
from the banks the same farmers specially Punjab, Haryana and
Western Uttar Pradesh produce so much wheat and rice that the
country became surplus in food grains and started exporting it.
It being quite a new phase the unemployment in villages became
almost extinct. The mechanisation of farm sector made the
farmers used to borrow money from Arhtiyas commission agents
for purchase of seeds and other requirements and would pay
back on the next harvesting season. The other self employment
vocations like for purchase of horse-cart used for transporting
goods/farm produce from one place to another. Bank finance
for purchase of tempo/authorickshaw was available. The small
business was provided finance by nationalised banks and
increased their business. The small scale industries were the
most benefitted ones. Right from the purchase of plot of land,
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purchase of machinery raw material etc. all items were financed
by banks. It created employment in plenty. Earlier the farmer
had never seen the Bank’s counter because they hardly had
surplus money to deposit in the banks and they only remained
coninsed to commission agents who charged heavy rates of
interest. For personal needs say daughter’s marriage or any other
social function the farmer would raise money from private
source. The old adage was that a farmer is born under debt and
dies under debt. The situation drastically changed after
nationalisation of the 14 commercial banks in the private sector
a lot but again went back.
Alas, the condition of farming class has after some years
started deteriorating badly so much so that farmers under debt
started committing suicides. The reasons of suicides are many
but the debt is considered to be the main. The writer of this
book has served as a bank Manager and handled an Agricultural
development branch which operated in blocks of district Patiala.
The condition of farmers was that for small crop loans. The
farmers were arranging money from commission agents or some
other source so as to adjust the croploan of previous season and
raise loan for the next crop. The financial condition of farmers
was not good even then. Yes recovery of the Bank used to be
not less than 95% sometimes even 100% as it was only a renewal
of the loan in a way. All the same loans from the Commercial
Banks for farming helped a lot.
A scheme was framed where a loan for marriage of farmer’s
daughter/son could be given. The minorities syndrome is
apparent in thickly populated and thinly populated areas.
Although the ‘Nagpur icon’ says on house tops that the Hindus
should not observe family planning and should produce more
and more in order to out do the Muslims who have no
consideration family planning. In this connection the Prime
Minister Modi has given a very innovative proposition i.e. atleast
100 smart cities be developed in the country. These city centres
should be self contained–business, aspect industrial aspect–
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living conditions, climatic aspect all should be taken into
account. The states like Rajasthan which has vast vacant land
being sandy one–can the Industry be installed there like all this
has to be considered.
People from villages have been migrating to cities in search
of employment, the farming having become uneconomical. The
Prime Ministers scheme of 100 smart cities would of much
suitable for the country.
This writer has come across a very interesting and relevant
passage by a self proclaimed humanist and rationalist, named
Babu Gogmeni, who kicked up a storm with his explosive
comments, on Religion and spiritual leader, has told Hyderabad
Times why he bats for a society that is guided by Science. He
says that all religions, except Budhism have elements of magical
thinking, so when people hear incidents of ghosts sighting. They
do not prove the causes, instead they look for the ghost or
whatever Devil or whatever and seek to drive it away. This is
what I bust myths with rationality and reasoning.
We generally consider science to be antgonistic to culture
or religion. Babu Gogmeni has been described as India’s Carl
Sagan–The man who loves to bust myths with reason and logic.
He has made headlines with his uabashed criticism of Religion
and spiritual leaders. A non-believer Gogieni bats for a society
which runs on scientific lines. Qustion form produced his
comments on the subject. Gogineni’s pasasge has been pickedup
because Bhartya Janta Party’s regime has made the whole fabric
of its rule in the manner that every bit in seen through the prism
of Religion only. The outrage of religion has taken undue
proportions and only a Hindu is considered a human being/devta
others i.e. Muslims are simply ignored. The myths are treated
as gospel truth. Even the Prime Minister states that the trunk of
Ganesha was miracle though he enjoined it that the medical
science in ancient times was highly developed. Selective excerpts
from his comments are given below which are revealing of the
certain aspects or religion.
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Q. Why are you against religion ? Don’t you think people
have a right to practice a religion of their choice ?
Ans. Of course though I am not religious. I do think people
have a genuine need for religion and it is their right to hold to
whatever their belief want to. At the same time you also have
the right to question religion. But today instead of appreciating
myth and fables for what they are people have become victims
of mythology and are trying to manufacture facts to justify things
which are unjustifiable.
Q. Last year you were in the news for ‘freeing’ a village on
the outskirts of Hyderabad and ridding its residents from the
clutches of so called ‘evil’ ghost. What was that about ?
I belong to the third generation of a non-religious Telgu
agricultural family. Being the executive Director of International
Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) in London for the last 17
years and a Human Rights Activist my intellectual, professional
and activist work has always been at the Cusp of Religion and
human rights in the course of my travels to Africa, Asia and
America, it became increasingly evident to me that many people
out of fear or politeness do not address the issue of superstitions.
For instance during one of my visits to Ghana, Africa I
encountered a case of the police arresting a goat because they
suspected it was a thief who transformed himself into a goat to
escape arrest. How ridiculous is that ! The UNO has estimated
that the number of people affected by superstitions runs into
hundred of thousands worldwide. I want to challenge the
privilage of Religion, superstitions and their authritarianism.
So I took it up as my cause and I have been working towards it
ever since.
Q. You have been aggressively calling for a society that’s
guided by science, do you think that it is achieved ?
Ans. I think science has already won because every thing
around us is the result of science. A human is someone who has
lot of dignity and has extraordinary potential. Just look around
you, everyting has been created and achieved by humans through
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their minds. It has not been done by any God, mantras prayers
or incantations. Human pursuits are destroyed the moment you
say the God is responsible for it. In this country we have a life
expectancy of 67 years. But in countries like Japan it is a high
an 80 years. That is because of the gift of science. Science for
the society and society for the science should be the motto for
us.
Q. You are particularly critical of astrologers and godmen
is there reason why you specifically singled them out ?
Ans. These godmen are always making tall claims. Making
false fraudulent claims are very easy once you use god or religion
as your shield. People are simple and naive. They tend to believe
anything they are told in the name of religion. Very rarely they
question why someone is charging Rs. 10,000 for teaching them
as how to breathe or why they have to pay Rs. 50,000 to see
someone instal a Shivling.
What the self proclaimed humanist and rationalist has stated
in the above narrative looks true some 20 years back. With the
spread of education and scientific advancement the superstitions
looks a past event. But at the same time, these superstitions are
so deeply rooted. This writer who abhors the wearing of Taveez–
see that black ribbon is worn commonly by highly educated
people. Their children are made to wear them unexceptionally.
In the backward societies what Babu Gogoneni has stated is all
true. He is really doing a job which is most needed. Babu
Gogoneni is right–if you are stepping out from your house may
be locally and a cat crosses your way it generally is considered
a bad omen and something untoward may happen so better to
wait for sometime. Funnily if a Brahmin Tilakdhari meets you
while just started going out, one’s fear is that the job/work will
not be favourable better to put it off for some other day if possible.
Ironically such make believe notions are still continued even in
highly educated clases.
Recapitulating the reflections in the above narrative it comes
down to the ‘Minoritie’s syndrome’ the theme of this book. The
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religion proves to be the biggest villain. It has divided the
societies-countries. The partition of India creating a separate
country i.e., Pakistan simply on religious basis. Pakistan–The
Muslim majority areas in India were demarcated as Pakistan.
What havoc this partition wrought is a sordid and saddest part
of history. The history will never forgive the villain politicians
who created all this. Mohd. Ali Jinnah was one of the main
actors whereas Mahatma Gandhi tried to douse fire but it was
not to be. It is a long history and much has written about it by
different writers. A couplet in Punjabi “Chal Amiay aithon
Challeyai ne–Kise hor Jahane Vasia ne) Kya veer pyara na mil
se, Ma da dulara na milse). The migrating daughger asks her
mother, who came from West Pakistan, urges her mother to settle
at a place, she asks her mother whether her brother who lost in
the migrating people in whatever conveyance or foot they were
travelling. Train full of people from and to Pakistan were
massacred on both sides. The man had turned dragon over night.
Living as brothers since ages had turned blood seekers of one
another. The religious monster had been dragging people on
embers to torture and to die. As said earlier it is a very sad saka
of history for which entirely religion is the cause. The minorities
are made cognisant only on the basis of religion–Hindus,
Muslims, Sikh, Christians etc. on the basis of their population
in the particular area. See in Kashmir Muslims are in majority
but they still call a minority community because Muslims in
India are a minority–Hindus the dominnat community are about
82%, Muslims 15% and 3% are other small communities.
“Minoritie's syndrome” as such in perceptible.
The minorities are in regional basis also. A Punjabi living in
Hyderabad or any other state would always feel in minority
although he may by and by adjust to the new environment. Then
the local language–say Telgu of Andhra, Kannard of Bangloru
do come in the way. The outsiders as such keep a feeling that
they are in minority.
Similar feeling keep murmering in the poor when he/she
looks at the rich.
109/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
 Landlords and tenants, big farmers and small marginal
farmers with small holdings. All this is the reflection of
‘Minorities’ syndrome’. But hats off, the people are living and
not taking any untoward cognisance of all those imbalances.
Years ago the comunists had been engaged in waging wars
against big landlords and uniting the land tenants. Their struggle
did succeed and land ceiling acts were passed by the Govt.
restricting the maximum and farming land to 30 standard acres.
There is no minorities syndrome like situation among land lords
now. That is another thing that the big land lords have
clandestinely transferred their land to their Kith and Kin. The
cases in Punjab were reported where the lands were transferred
to their servants and other confidants and virtually farming it as
their own. But still Minorities’ syndrome pulsates this form or
the other. In this connection there is persistent demand that like
the farming land ceiling, there should be a ceiling for a person
to own not more than at the most two houses or as per the family
requirements. Since in the upper strata of society families are
kept small (family planning) same device could be arrived at
where the ceiling on housing property also comes into force. As
of now it appears a Minorities’ syndrome in the whole spectrum
of properties.
To cut the narrative on Minorities’ syndrome short its feature
is vibrant.
❑ ❑ ❑
110/ Minoritism’s Syndrome
Back title of the Book
B.S. Thaur was born in 1929 in village Nandpur Kalaur,
also the birth place of Giani Bhai Ditt Singh an early crusader
of Singh Sabha Lehar (movement). Thaur retired as Regional
Manager from State Bank of Patiala (now SBI) having joined it
in 1948 yet writing has been his passion from the early age say
17-18 years. He had edited a bilingual weekly “Krumblan” for
children’s awakening for three years. Thaur (Bhim Sain Thaur)
has been contributing articles in national Dailies like Tribune,
Indian Express Economic Times and Financial Express. He has
been writing Book Reviews in the Tribune since 1980. He has
already published six books one in Punjabi. The book in hand
will be his seventh one. This book is a critical treatise of the
Religious outrage let loose in the country by certain elements of
Hindutav enthusiasts.
—Author
111/ Minoritism’s Syndrome