AK-47
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Hindu fundamentalism vs multi-culturism
Friday 13th of February 2009
Col Ghulam Sarwar (R)
Sunny Hundal, a renewed political analyst, while commenting on Hindu fundamentalism versus Indias multi-culturism, convincingly brings out that presently India is on edge and people living in India are genuinely worried that in case communal violence between Hindus and Muslims, break our any time in future, tension will rise further, thus exacerbating the already existing tension. People believe that this tension, if not checked well in time, may end up in total disaster. To arrest this sort of situation, some elements are seen loudly talking about establishing a US-style department of homeland security. Media, alarmed by this explosive situation, is frustrated over the lack of serious headway by the police and intelligence services, in arresting the wave of terrorism which has currently gripped the entire country.
Looking back, we see that in the past, too, relations between the Hindus and the Muslims have seldom been cordial, and this age-old tension still persists. However, it is a matter of some satisfaction that their mutual relations have slightly improved and there is no longer a continued stand-off with Pakistan as well, which in the past, had always bedeviled relations with the Hindus, who would always raise doubts about the patriotism of Indian Muslims. Now their attitude is somewhat changed as Indian Muslims, by and large, have now firmly established themselves in popular Indian culture. Also Indian Muslims have played a pro-active role in building community links. They have always tried to reduce tension. To prove this point, Sunny Hundal, quotes an example of mutual cordiality between Hindus and Muslims. Last year, after the multiple terrorist attacks on Mumbais local train, many popular Muslims organizations, across the city, had made loud appeals for their co-religionists to donate blood at hospitals. These may be symbolic gestures but they matter a lot and they have an impact on social norms and values.
However, all said and done, Indias reputation as a relatively successful multi-cultural state, stands somewhat tarnished and fanatic Hindus mostly attribute these communal attacks to Indian born Muslims. These, of course is a slight change in the typical mind-set. Previously, singers were immediately pointed towards Pakistan every time, something wrong went off. This time, instead of blaming Pakistan, the entire blame is heaped upon Indian-born Muslims. Now another development, previously unknown in the past, has taken place. This time, Hindu fanatics are on rampage against Christians. They are seen attacking Christians in the state of Orissa and more recently Karnatake. It is alleged by Hindus that Christian missionary groups are forcibly converting low-cast Hindus to Christianity. To check Christians from doing so, there is currently no evidence available. This is, however, a very serious charge and it merits thorough investigation. Incidentally, these Hindu fanatical groups are hated both by Sikhs and Muslims. Sikhs accuse them of trying to control Sikh politicians and their affairs and Muslims hate them as they had seen them playing a major part during the anti-Muslim riots in Gujrat in 2003. However, there are clear indications that the matter is getting out of hand. Tension among various religious faiths is ever on the increase and this tense situation warrants serious attention.
It is of interest to note here that increasing number of police investigations have recently found Bajrang Dal activists with weapons and bombs and even wearing Muslim gears. Many point out the obvious that Barjang Dal terrorists are trying to implicate Indian Muslims when attacking Muslim targets, yet the Indian government is strongly reticent in targeting these Hindu fanatics with the same groups as it hounds suspected Muslim terrorists. At this point of time, it is difficult to predict which way the wind will blow. However, in 2002, after the anti Muslim program in Gujrat, Hindus fanatics were openly claiming that they would launch a nationwide campaign against the Muslims. However, their attempts to fan violence failed and the Hindu nationalist BJP lost the subsequent elections because it had not paid enough attention to bring about communal harmony.
But unless something is done to quell rising Hindu fundamentalism, which also fans Muslims, Christians and Sikh grievances, then the Bajrang Dal could end up as Indias die-hard extremist force, devoid of any feelings of human goodness.
Friday 13th of February 2009
Col Ghulam Sarwar (R)
Sunny Hundal, a renewed political analyst, while commenting on Hindu fundamentalism versus Indias multi-culturism, convincingly brings out that presently India is on edge and people living in India are genuinely worried that in case communal violence between Hindus and Muslims, break our any time in future, tension will rise further, thus exacerbating the already existing tension. People believe that this tension, if not checked well in time, may end up in total disaster. To arrest this sort of situation, some elements are seen loudly talking about establishing a US-style department of homeland security. Media, alarmed by this explosive situation, is frustrated over the lack of serious headway by the police and intelligence services, in arresting the wave of terrorism which has currently gripped the entire country.
Looking back, we see that in the past, too, relations between the Hindus and the Muslims have seldom been cordial, and this age-old tension still persists. However, it is a matter of some satisfaction that their mutual relations have slightly improved and there is no longer a continued stand-off with Pakistan as well, which in the past, had always bedeviled relations with the Hindus, who would always raise doubts about the patriotism of Indian Muslims. Now their attitude is somewhat changed as Indian Muslims, by and large, have now firmly established themselves in popular Indian culture. Also Indian Muslims have played a pro-active role in building community links. They have always tried to reduce tension. To prove this point, Sunny Hundal, quotes an example of mutual cordiality between Hindus and Muslims. Last year, after the multiple terrorist attacks on Mumbais local train, many popular Muslims organizations, across the city, had made loud appeals for their co-religionists to donate blood at hospitals. These may be symbolic gestures but they matter a lot and they have an impact on social norms and values.
However, all said and done, Indias reputation as a relatively successful multi-cultural state, stands somewhat tarnished and fanatic Hindus mostly attribute these communal attacks to Indian born Muslims. These, of course is a slight change in the typical mind-set. Previously, singers were immediately pointed towards Pakistan every time, something wrong went off. This time, instead of blaming Pakistan, the entire blame is heaped upon Indian-born Muslims. Now another development, previously unknown in the past, has taken place. This time, Hindu fanatics are on rampage against Christians. They are seen attacking Christians in the state of Orissa and more recently Karnatake. It is alleged by Hindus that Christian missionary groups are forcibly converting low-cast Hindus to Christianity. To check Christians from doing so, there is currently no evidence available. This is, however, a very serious charge and it merits thorough investigation. Incidentally, these Hindu fanatical groups are hated both by Sikhs and Muslims. Sikhs accuse them of trying to control Sikh politicians and their affairs and Muslims hate them as they had seen them playing a major part during the anti-Muslim riots in Gujrat in 2003. However, there are clear indications that the matter is getting out of hand. Tension among various religious faiths is ever on the increase and this tense situation warrants serious attention.
It is of interest to note here that increasing number of police investigations have recently found Bajrang Dal activists with weapons and bombs and even wearing Muslim gears. Many point out the obvious that Barjang Dal terrorists are trying to implicate Indian Muslims when attacking Muslim targets, yet the Indian government is strongly reticent in targeting these Hindu fanatics with the same groups as it hounds suspected Muslim terrorists. At this point of time, it is difficult to predict which way the wind will blow. However, in 2002, after the anti Muslim program in Gujrat, Hindus fanatics were openly claiming that they would launch a nationwide campaign against the Muslims. However, their attempts to fan violence failed and the Hindu nationalist BJP lost the subsequent elections because it had not paid enough attention to bring about communal harmony.
But unless something is done to quell rising Hindu fundamentalism, which also fans Muslims, Christians and Sikh grievances, then the Bajrang Dal could end up as Indias die-hard extremist force, devoid of any feelings of human goodness.
