Renowned scholar,Ex-President of IndiaDr. S. Radhakrishnan was a man of great wisdom. He had famously said that “material development in the absence of moral development will lead to destruction.” We are passing through a period of war hysteria. Instead of guiding people of our country, our political class is nurturing the war mongering mentality. In this context also we are reminded of the sane advice of Dr. Radhakrishnan. He was an authority on the Upanishads also. He might have drawn the golden advice from the fundamental moral values of Vedanta when he reminded that “a war with modern weapons may mean the destruction of civilization.” Add to this what Martin Luther King, the great American civil rights activist said, “War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity. It destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it.”
No doubt in the country there is great resentment against the Pahalgam terror attack. But it should not be used to arouse passions and drive citizens to madness. The statements like “Gharmeinghuskarmarenge” and “Chun chunkemarenge,” when they come from the highest functionaries of a great country, do not seem to be in tune with a civilized society. The greater the status a person holds, the greater sense of responsibility he must show. Unlettered or semi-literate, unemployed angry young men take a cue from such statements and act irresponsibly. This is happening all over our country. In Agra a Muslim was murdered for no mistake of his. The murderer is reported to have shouted“for avenging 26 persons kill 26 hundred.” It is reported that the police have refused to take it as a communal hate case. Therefore, the case has been registered as based on personal enmity. If we do not call a spade a spade, it will push us into complete lawlessness.
In an agriculture university in West Bengal, a board had the writing: “Dogs and Muslims are not allowed.” When an educational institution that prepares our future generations, succumbs to such poisonous slogans, one can perceive what shape the communal thinking is giving to India’s future.
See one more case from Nainital, the queen of hills, Uttara Khand. An aged Muslim was accused of alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl. If true, it is most shameful and condemnable. Law should be applied to the culprit in the harshest possible way. He should be given most exemplary punishment. But what happened there was mob violence directed against unconnected Muslim shopkeepers. Unfortunately, the police did not take any action against the hooligans and rioters. It is very heartening that a young educated Hindu daughter Shaila Negi took the rioters to task and condemned and reprimanded them publicly.
Everyone throughout India appreciated the helpful attitude of Kashmiris after the Pahalgam terror attack. But it has been reported that at several places Kashmiri students were harassed and attacked. The militant Hindu youth were involved in these militant acts. Leaders, journalists, and all media persons and every right-thinking citizen has a duty to stop such incidents.
It seems that in the highest government circles some heart searching is going on. The war rhetoric is being scaled down. We can expect that wisdom will dawn upon our ruling class. Advice and appeals from world leaders have also stressed patience and sobriety to avoid war or conflicts.
The difference in approach of a statesman and a mere politician must be kept in mind. The situation demands patience, restraint and broad vision.
India, a developing country, cannot afford a war or conflict. It may push us into great financial stress. India requires peace on the borders and peace within also. Petty political considerations and rivalries must be abandoned, war hysteria should be discouraged and inter-community peace must be protected.
May Allah help us to navigate through this difficult time with wisdom and patience, and bless us with a secure and bright future.