Political Diary
New Delhi, 7 June
2022
Dangers Of Divisive Speeches
WHY WE LOVE TO HATE!
By Poonam I Kaushish
Democracy is a conflict of interests masquerading as a
contest of principles. A maxim which aptly shows how our polity is sinking into
the cesspool of religious intolerance.
All depending on which side of the secular-communal coin one is. Clearly,
hate speech is once again the cause
celebre this week.
Undeniably, the
derogatory speech against Prophet Mohammad that two BJP spokespersons peddled
on TV and Twitter last week was reprehensible resulting in several Gulf
countries Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran not only condemning it, demanding
a public apology, summoning Indian envoys amid widespread calls for boycott of Indian goods in the Gulf. The
Qatar Dy Amir cancelled lunch with Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu in Doha
ostensibly for “medical reasons.”
The BJP profusely
apologized stating it “respects all religions” and
“strongly denounces insults of any religious personality,” suspending
one and expelling the other spokesperson. However, even as the Middle East
angst quelled, violence broke out in Kanpur leaving over 17 injured. The tone
had already been calibrated earlier by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat who exhorted “it
is not necessary to look for Shivlings in every mosque,” even as he talked of
Hindus devotion to the Gyanvapi Mosque- Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Mathura . Adding, it was for courts to
decide and both communities should settle it amicably.
Therein Congress accused
BJP for engineering Hindu majoritarian communal style of politics by using tactics
like attempting to electorally marginalise Muslims to patronising communal
violence, especially around the emotive issue of cow protection and love jihad and bringing anti-conversion
laws in States ruled by it.
The BJP countered by
blaming Congress and other opposition Parties of doing “vulture politics” over
dead bodies, interested only in harming harmony in society. Questioning Gandhis’
silence over Rajasthan’s Karauli violence and failing to take action against
rioters, slamming it as a ‘Muslim Party’ part of the “tukde-tukde gang” which protects terrorists and follows politics
of appeasement “working on Pakistan’s agenda.”
Who does one fault?
Given our netas have perfected intemperate
language to inject poison in society over the years. Alas, politics has meandered into narrow confines of
polarisation and appeasement
rhetoric, rabble rousing abusive, devoid of any
substance, spreading hatred but
also tilted towards widening the communal divide pitting Hindus against
Muslims.
All to sway sentiments before any election
in all religions whereby every Party is stoking the fire, hoping it would gain
dividends as the BJP did post the Babri Masjid demolition underscores the games politicians play at
the altar of political expediency.
Undeniably, we are
watching cut-throat communalism at work. Whereby, our polity has made nationalism
and the Hindu-Muslim vote-bank the tour
de force of politics. With every leader propounding his self-serving recipe
of ‘communal’ harmony harbouring the same intention: To keep their gullible
vote-banks emotionally charged so that their own ulterior motives are
well-served. Never mind, the nation is getting sucked into the vortex of
centrifugal bickerings.
Alongside religious festivals have a brash aggressiveness.
They are loud with people chanting provocative slogans and abusing those from
other religions as if to make a point along-with followers freely brandishing
leading to them being often pockmarked
with clashes, bloodshed and waves of hatred that continue much after the
festival ends. All clear cut deliberate ploys to polarise and create a divide
between Hindus and Muslims.
Raising more
questions: How does one control the hate mongers and blunt them? Has our polity
realized the ramifications of their actions? Would it not only further divide
the people on creed lines but is also antithetical to hope of narrowing India’s
burgeoning religious divide, thereby unleashing a Frankenstein.
Certainly, there are
people who are looking for trouble all times and they are there in all
communities everywhere, but this senseless
hatred across religions that our lives are getting drenched in, is not helping
us see or worry about real pressing issues: rising poverty, unemployment,
health and bettering
lives.
Asserted a senior
leader “there is a lot of heat generated on TV and social media which is
exaggerated suggesting there is rising religious intolerance but in the last decade
there has been no major communal violence. In fact hate speeches and hate crimes existed before Modi came to
power. People
should stop bickering and quarrelling, respect all beliefs and religions. Let laws
contain fringe elements and those stoking communal fires.
Added another, “Why has no Muslim leader or clergy
denounced killing of non-Kashmiris in the Valley or riots which flared up as
Ram Navami processions snaked through various States? The skullduggery of conciliation given the political worth of
20% Muslim electorate, leaders go on an overdrive, encouraging Maulvis like the one who offered a prize
to anyone who blackened Modi’s face or turn a blind eye to Maulanas who ban TV,
music, photography and interaction with Kaffirs.
Obversely, there are
Hindu fringe elements who recently called for banning Muslim vendors around
temple festivals in Karnataka, prohibited school and college girls from wearing
hijab and lynching a person because
he looked Muslim and for eating beef.
Certainly, warped
religious nationalism spun by self-styled religious-political authorities and
their cheerleaders who consider members of a certain community as pariahs and
who spread fear and hate amongst the minority community need to be taught a
lesson. Else, who will be safe in this country?
Importantly, no
quarter should be given to those who fan hatred among people and communities.
Be it a Hindu fundamentalist or Muslim militant. Both are destroyers of the
State, which has no religious entity. They need to understand that by playing
Hindus-Muslims against each other they are only serving their vested interests.
Communalism thrives
on one community’s hate for the other along-with playing up the psychosis of
retaliation. Thus, our moral angst cannot be selective but should be just,
honourable and equal. Also, no licence should be given to anyone from any
background to spread hatred or ill-feeling towards any community or against
atheists who do not see themselves as Ram-Rahim-Jesus children.
Clearly, our leaders
should adopt zero-tolerance on offensive and divisive language. The message has
to go out that no leader belonging to community, caste or group can spew
hatred, and if they do, they lose their democratic right to be heard. Such
rhetoric has no place in a civilised polity.
If they love India one cannot weaponise religion to ascend
political goals. Innocent people cannot be hurt because they belong to a
particular religion. We must say an absolute no to hate politics. India is
a big country with enough room for all to live in peace, work together to build a strong country.
Remember, a nation is primarily a fusion of minds and
hearts and secondarily a geographical entitThe aim should be to raise the bar
on public discourse, not lower it any more than has been done. India could do
without netas who distort politics
and in turn destroy democracy.
Time now for our
leaders to delink religion from politics. Neither Lord Ram nor will Allah
forgive the polity for playing havoc in its name. Parties and fringe elements need
to realize the collateral damage it causes will be permanent. Wounds do not
heal for ages. Will they heed? ---- INFA
(Copyright,
India News & Feature Alliance)
|