Manipur, the beautiful Indian State in North East, is still burning. More than 150 citizens, including women and children, have died. The ethnic divide, violent conflicts and political games of irresponsible rulers have resulted in arson attacks and widespread destruction of homes and properties. More than 70,000 people have taken refuge in relief camps. No solution is in sight and the architects of divide and rule are fiddling while Rome is burning.
The deteriorating situation raises certain fundamental questions regarding the whole country, its future and the policies India needs to adopt. The first requirement for safeguarding the country’s future is broadmindedness and the spirit of accommodation and reconciliation. Because small minds have always failed in keeping the empires and countries united. This applies to India in greater measure because India is a large country with religious diversity and countless ethnicities. Therefore, we require no confrontation and highest degree of reconciliation and cooperation. Unfortunately, the present ruling dispensation does not believe in this formula. It has clear signs of dictatorial and fascist tendencies.
In this respect we can learn very precious lessons from Germany,which has been one of the foremost powers in Europe. It has produced the greatest numbers of philosophers, intellectuals and scientists in Europe. The Germans have a great reputation as perfectionists. In 1930s Hitler came to power in Germany. He filled his followers with a false sense of being the people who have been created to rule over the whole world. He promoted the feeling of Aryan supremacy. He made the Jewish monarchy the scapegoat to achieve power and supremacy. The world knows that this divide and rule policy finally resulted in the complete destruction of the powerful German nation.
Unfortunately, in India also, the ruling party is adopting the destructive policies of Hindu supremacy. It is fraught with greatest danger for India, the great and most populous country of the world. The world is increasingly feeling that the Muslims of India, 15 per cent of the country’s population, who during the last 1000 years played a leading role as integrators and consolidators of India are being used as scapegoats. This has let loose the flood of suspicion, fear and unlimited hate. This hate is now expanding to the masses. Lynchings, killings and murders are first directed against a particular group. But gradually it will lead to all out confrontation among all communities.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of every citizen, intellectual and well-wisher of India to confront the merchants of hate who in no time may become the merchants of death. God forbid, the portents are grave and dangerous. Therefore, the forces of hate must be peacefully confronted and all democratic methods should be utilised to protect democracy and promote the basic qualities of justice, rule of law and democratic principles, so that India remains united and integrated. This is the most important lesson we can learn from the unending crisis in Manipur.
Finally, why it is that not a single word has come from the highest ruling authority of our great country which aspires to become Vishwa Guru. Becoming the chief election campaigner and leaving a State to be destroyed may lead us towards irreparable national disaster and prove to be a recipe for disintegration.