There are four “Cs” which are very dangerous for India: (1) Communalism, (2) Casteism, (3) Corruption, and (4) Criminalisation of Politics. It’s the duty of every responsible citizen to effectively fight against all four “Cs”. These four “Cs” would convert peaceful India into a battlefield if we do not fight against them.
Politicians from across the globe in history and today as well have been successfully adopting a common policy: “Create, identify and introduce an appropriate enemy in public domain” so that people’s attention could be conveniently diverted.
Hitler identified Jews as their enemy because trading on interest was their hereditary business. This helped Hitler advise Christians: if we do not take care of Jews, they will swallow us. Hitler mercilessly killed 6 million Jews, most of them innocent human beings. About one million were innocent Jewish children. They were all forcibly dumped into gas chambers and were forced to die.
Similarly, the British, while ruling over undivided India, carefully divided Hindus and Muslims on religious grounds. Even before leaving undivided India, they divided Bengal into East and West Bengal. Punjab, Sindh and Kashmir were also divided between India and Pakistan so that both sides keep fighting and thereby both sides have a fat military budget and continue business for arms dealers in the developed world.
Independent India also has seen our politicians dividing people on language, caste or creed. Our country has about 6800 castes. Anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu, reservation policy, division of Andhra Pradesh between Telangana and Seemandhra, renaming of cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and so on took place for political dividends. DMK in Tamil Nadu started its political career with an assurance to uplift the schedule caste, the members of which were treated as sub-human beings. DMK has completed 65 years and what is the ground situation. The condition of Dalits and Schedule Caste people remains almost the same. Even today they are subjected to sub-human works like they are forced to enter into sewerage cesspool in case of any blockade.
Politicians are seasonal decision makers. Their friendship and enmity is circumstantial. They do not have any fixed policy. They will never hesitate to take any action, only requirement is political mileage.
The same is happening even today. BJP did everything possible to come to power. The media fully supported and a large section of youth believed BJP would bring hopes for their future. “SAB KA SAATH, SAB KA VIKAS” had been the slogan of Narendra Modi. BJP has miserably failed on all counts. Now, BJP has no other alternative but to divert the public attention from real burning issues. Mass conversion programme is also the same strategy. Their members are threatening public for votes. Their Members of Parliament are giving inflammatory speeches. All Hindutva forces are all out in public with their divisive agenda.
In a democracy, there are several sections of society who are expected to contribute in order to strengthen the democratic process. If any individual or organisation commits any mistake, it’s for the law enforcing government agencies to take appropriate legal action against them. If the government fails, the politicians should remind the government of its responsibility and they must ensure that law and order is maintained. If politicians fail, the media should aggressively highlight and ensure that the government discharges its constitutional responsibility. If all like the government, politicians, media, fail, still every organisation/ group or any individual has a responsibility to take the support of Judiciary through filing Public Interest Litigations in High Courts and the Supreme Court.
Need of the hour is, we must be united and fight against communal forces. Maintenance of Law and Order is extremely important. Today the whole world has turned into a global village. There is no life without peaceful co-existence in spite of all our differences. We should not allow any politician to reap their political harvest on emotional issues. Whoever talks of any kind of division, on any ground, really they are “anti-nationals”. Unless, common citizens do not wake up and tell them clearly, we need basic amenities and development. Don’t talk about any emotional issue which could divide citizens. Unity in diversity is our lifeblood. Don’t suck this blood for your cheap political mileage.
My specific request to my peace- and justice-loving people is: please rise to the occasion. Unmask all these anti-nationals. Best utilise all your efforts to educate citizens the importance of national unity. Let us not get carried away with our politicians’ narrow agenda. Peaceful and conducive atmosphere is a must for national survival. We have seen so many countries with political instability where life of its citizens has totally devastated. No foreigner is willing to invest because he is not sure of his capital, forget about returns. During the aftermath of Babri Masjid demolition we have seen the negative mindset of foreign investors.
The Holy Qur’ān (2:191) identifies turbulence or oppression worse than murder. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “Rulers are like shades of God.” Shade serves like heaven for a person during hot summer. He feels comfortable by taking a rest for a while, particularly when he is tired during his journey. This is what Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) meant here. Prophet Muhammad also said whoever works for the public is a public leader. Whoever does not serve public and serve his own family members, he will never approach the entry gate of the Heaven. During the rule of Second Khaleefa of Islam, Umar there was a severe famine. Caliph Umar decided not to have meat as long as citizens do not get their basic supply of food. Umar was a historical ruler, who is regarded as higher than Alexander the Great. Michael Heart in his famous book 100: The most Influential Persons in History places Caliph Umar in 51st position. Alexander the Great got two ranks lesser than Caliph Umar.
Prophet Muhammad specifically advised rulers: “Make things easy for public and do not create hurdles for public.” He further prayed to God: “Treat kindly those who are kind to their people and oppress those who oppress their people.”
Uncontrolled price rise, innumerable basic public issues are totally ignored. Rulers are least bothered to look into them. From birth certificate to death certificate, poor citizens cannot get anything unless they are ready to bribe. In the false name of generating income, the government has let loose wine kingdom which is ruining the life of each and every poor home. Every night, wife and children should be ready to bear the torture of drunk head of the family. It is shame for us that farmers’ suicides have become a daily affair. Many a time the government announces schemes for public good but they do not announce necessary procedures; thereby the poor are deprived of their legitimate rights.
Conversion campaign is nothing but a diversion tactic. Let us make each and every citizen understand this truth. It is the national duty of each and every citizen to fight jointly against Communalism.