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Events & Issues
New Delhi, 5 November 2020
Back to Religious Wars
A GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
By Dr S. Saraswathi
(Former Director, ICSSR, New Delhi)
Satirical cartoons on Prophet Muhammad which
were originally published in 2015 and now republished in a satirical magazine
in French Charlie Hebdo, have become
a strong provocation for a series of protests by Islamic groups across many
countries and continents. The original cartoons published in 2015 also faced
attacks by Islamic extremists in which 15 persons were killed. A teacher, who
used these cartoons in a classroom for teaching freedom of speech in a suburban
school in Paris about two weeks ago, was beheaded by a radical Islamist. Depiction
of the Prophet in the cartoons is considered “blasphemous”-- an expression coming
out of strong religious faith.
Notre Dame church in Nice in France is once
again in the news in this connection for a knife attack on people inside
killing three and injuring many very badly following which security has been
beefed up by the French Government to protect key sites such as places of
worship and schools. A knife attack wounding a guard at the French consulate in
the city of Jeddah is reported.
In the background is French President
Immanuel Macron’s attempt to reform Islamic practices in his country and his
description of Islam as a “religion in crisis”. It is reported that France’s
Interior Minister has said that the country is “engaged in a war against
Islamist ideology” and “more militant attacks are likely” in France. 21st
century is facing the threat of a religious war.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has emerged
as a leading defender of Islamic religion in this dispute. In retaliation to the
derogatory remarks on Islam, he asked his compatriots to stop buying French
goods. Macron is called “enemy of peace” pursuing an “anti-Islam agenda”. Even the state of mental health of Macron was
questioned which prompted France to recall its ambassador in Turkey. Religion
is inextricably entangled in international relations.
Political and religious leaders of Islamic
countries are outraged at Macron’s criticism while European countries rally
around France. Thousands of Muslims in several countries in Asia and Africa
poured out on streets to join anti-France protests. Radical groups in Pakistan
and Bangladesh are reported to be attacking minority religious groups in their
countries. Indeed, religious clashes are spreading as a global development.
Back at home, a ban on Manusmriti – a
legendary law book that is not in force anywhere today – is demanded by VCK
leader, Tirumavalavan in Tamil Nadu, which has led to clashes between the cadres
of VCK and BJP. A noteworthy new entrant to the BJP, Khushbu, who led a protest
march, was detained and released. The BJP objected to the interpretation given
by VCK of the portion in the ancient text on Dharmashastra pertaining to women.
Protests were carried out in many places by both groups though in reality, number
of people who have some knowledge of Manusmriti may be counted on fingers. For
most people, it is only an ancient sacred text. Many have no idea and have not
even heard about this text.
Outrageous unfriendly exchanges over trivial
matters that started in France and in Tamil Nadu have no
social-economic or religious implications, but enough to formation of warring
groups on the basis of religion. While
several EU partners, who are facing trouble from terrorist groups offer support
to France, which has the largest Muslim population among European countries, Turkey is receiving support from several
Islamic countries. Pakistan PM has asked
Facebook to curb “Islamophobia” contents from its programmes.
There is no national unity in India, as on
earlier controversies, on taking a stand on the Macron issue. There are pro and
anti groups for any issue which are not concerned about the merits of a case, but
cling to their antagonistic positions. Needless to mention, the division has
political base – its own or of its alliance - and therefore, quick to pick up
real and imaginary issues to remain alive and active. If the issue has some
relation to Islam or Muslims, there are groups in India not to lose the chance to
disturb peace and order in India. Posters of Macron appeared in Mumbai and
protesters were seen striking it with slippers. Similar protests were held in
some cities in MP, Punjab, and UP. The gesture is supposed to draw audience and
help build public support.
Prime Minister, Modi has issued a statement
condemning terrorist attacks in France and confirmed India’s support to fight
terrorism - a neutral stand that has no religious bias.
The uproar over Manusmriti is a reminder that
in State politics in Tamil Nadu, Periyar EVR’s thoughts are still relevant and can be recalled
whenever useful. It is a political necessity for some parties though there is
no need to be harping on Manavadharmashastra and Varnashrama which have no followers in the present world.
They have no legal validity and socially too not practised. Hindu law has
undergone several reforms without any social protest and traditional beliefs
and practices are automatically adjusting to modern thinking and purposes.
Those who are quick to change progress faster
than those who lag behind. What is required is universal education. No amount
of verbal attack on ancient legends, deities, Brahmanism or upper
castes of old order can achieve what education and educational atmosphere can.
Attacking old Dharmashastras seems to be
sheer waste of time and energy. Protesters can more fruitfully turn attention to
find out the factors and forces behind suppression of dalits or women. A ban
on Manusmriti will not eradicate outmoded beliefs and practices if they are
ingrained in our culture and values. These have to be confronted directly by
implementing equalitarian laws and regulations we have adopted.
Unfortunately, social practices are far
removed from written laws on many matters. Child marriage is still in vogue;
dowry system is flourishing; female foeticide is common; gender inequality
persists; and honour killing haunts inter-caste couples in villages. And the
practitioners of these evils are not believers of Manusmriti, but mostly those
who have not heard about Manu.
It is reported in the press that a dalit
woman panchayat president in Tamil Nadu is never allowed to chair panchayat
meetings by the vice-president and other members who belong to a backward caste
recognised under the Reservation Policy for various concessions. As a reward
for the double disadvantage of being a dalit and a woman, this panchayat president
was forced to sit on the floor. Similar incidents of degradation of women are
common in many States, but cannot be removed by banning Manavadharmashastra,
for caste discriminatory practices exist even among dalits. This situation is
well known to all.
Religion, religious texts, and religious
symbols, places of worship and even followers of particular religions are
increasingly becoming targets for clashes because religion is a powerful
stimulator of action for offence and defence. If this has to change, a global
movement towards a positive approach of promoting democratic freedom and human
rights instead of a negative one of destruction is needed. Religion needs
respect and civil society must assert its rights. To go back to the era of
religious wars or clashes is a blot on human civilization.---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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