When two brothers fight and the mother advises the older one to be bountiful with his younger brother, compromising his own cravings, there obviously will rise a sense of resentment in the elder brother’s psyche, as it is the human nature. As I write this article, I would like to make it clear in the very beginning that I do not espouse any political ideology and whatsoever I am writing, is based on my observation on Hindutva and the views of some Hindutva-aligned people. This article will help you understand the ideological upheavals through the understanding of human nature. Once again, let me make it clear that I do not justify the unprecedented value attached to any political or religious ideology but when it comes down to human behaviour, you can easily find it pertinent.
- It all starts before Independence. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of nation, setting the example of solidarity and religious tolerance, read Quran in a Temple. What riled Hindus of that time (for eg. Nathuram Godse) is the fact that he never read Gita in a Mosque. If religious tolerance was to be shown, Hindus believed, it should have been from both sides. Right? (I have just cited an example and don’t justify the killing of Mahatma Gandhi).
- After Independence, when our Constitution came to force, Hindus again felt they were discriminated against. This was primarily because of Article 30 in the Indian Constitution that states:
(1) “All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.”
(1A)” In making any law providing for the compulsory acquisition of any property of an educational institution established and administered by a minority referred to in clause (1), the State shall ensure that the amount fixed by or determined under such law for the acquisition of such property is such as would not restrict or abrogate the right guaranteed under that clause.”
(2) “The State shall not, in granting aid to educational institutions, discriminate against any educational institution on the ground that it is under the management of a minority, whether based on religion or language.”
Lately, Hindus have been on their toes and continuously speaking against this Article that they feel is a great damage to the idea of equality enshrined in the constitution. If there supposed to be no discrimination against any religion, why has then this right been denied to Hindus? Why can’t they too run their educational institution?
- The next point that has been in the centre of all debates for a few years now, is pseudo-secularism. Some right-wing people feel that in the name of secularism, their sentiments have always been disregarded. It is certainly not wrong to return the awards (award-wapsi) on any untoward incident in the country (like mob lynching) but what right-wing people demand is the similar outrage from this award-wapsi group on the incident concerning any Hindu. There was a letter written to the Prime Minister by 49 dignitaries on ‘lynching of Muslims and Dalits’ but when any Hindu falls prey to such an incident, there doesn’t seem the same concern from these people. One could feel it during the recent Palghar incident. Does the lynching of a Hindu not weaken the secular fabric of the country? This is what that has been termed as selective outrage and it has significantly affected the Hindu-Muslim bond.
Hindutva is not about being mean or selfish but as I said, I will write this piece keeping in view the human nature, it all will lead you to the abyss of partiality and biased politics. Secularism means the belief that religion should not influence or be involved in the organization of society, education, government, etc. From this perspective, is India really a secular state?
Why has there always been the politics of appeasement in a secular state? Why don’t the judiciary keep a check on this as it is against the constitutional values? Different parties seem to favour different communities for their vested interests, stirring violence and riots. We might have just got accustomed to this practice of appeasement by now but the fact is, until and unless it exists, there can never be an end to the Hindu-Muslim divide in the country. Equality means equality for everyone, irrespective of majority or minority. I conclude that you can never bring peace to a varied nation like India by favouring one community and discriminating against the other. It is true for every political party. They know the human weakness well and keep playing with the people for their agenda.
©Archana Mishra.
