With the BJP gaining power in 2014 general elections people of the nation are worried about how the state will treat its citizens given the history of inciting communal violence. Although there were riots across the country for many years long, there is an increase in communal violence with the advent of BJP government. According to data by Home Ministry there has been 24% rise in the incidents of communal violence in the first 5 months of 2015, also the number of deaths due to those incidents has shot up by 65%.
There are various aspects of minorities, which have been targeted as great barriers for the development of our country when the development and religious cultures are two different fields. For example, madrasa, uniform civil code, ghar-wapsi, love-jihad, etc. In addition, various attempts have been made fearlessly to wipe away minorities such as lynching of Akhlaq in Dadri, petrol bomb attack on truckers at Kashmir on the rumours on beef and killing of Dalits in Haryana, etc. It is a “civil – war situation” in the country.
Ban on sale and consumption of beef in a couple of BJP-ruled states is seen as a dubious step, which is planned to target rights of people’s choice. The attackers have shaken not just the country but also the conscience of the country. Despite this, some of the ministers have made venomous statements, which have only sparkled controversy. Wings of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh like Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have become bolder and ferocious. The Central Government is allegedly supporting such violence through silence.
The question is what solution we can find to get all types of violence rid of our country. Recently more than 40 writers have returned their awards as a protest, claiming intolerant approach of the government as the reason for returning the awards. One writer returning the award said that the organisation’s silence on the killing of M.M Kalburgi, a renowned Kannada writer, for his rationalist views denotes curbing of ‘freedom of speech’. Few writers returned the award claiming that “we clearly see a threat to our democracy, secularism and freedom” and some more writers claimed that they want to return the award because of “country’s intolerant situation”.
This is the strongest protest by the writers who have the power to change the nation through their writings, returning such an honour. However, in addition, they need to continue through their faculty to bring awareness among the masses.
Apart from writers, how can a common citizen fight against such evil? We do not elect our leader just for providing them with luxury and fame. Our democracy gives us the right to choose and elect such a leader who can rule according to Indian Constitution and thus he can lead India towards prosperity. Whenever we realise some injustice or crime we need to question the authorities by all the legal means available. Whoever has the ability of expressing should raise the issues against violence through their writings or through their speeches. We can fight against foul authorities through newspapers, and social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, blogs and many more. If we do not have the ability to express our own views then at least we can support those engaged in it. We could also join the NGOs and social activists who raise voice against the violence. At the society level, interfaith dialogues and meetings with a positive frame of mind must be encouraged.
Our country is a great country with cultural diversity. Every religion is based on moral and ethical codes. Now it is the time to prove our “unity in diversity”. We need unity regardless of religion, status, colour, and profession, against such intolerant bent of mind. Unless each citizen starts thinking and contributing towards community living India cannot maintain its harmony and peace. Let us use the conscience given by God to identify evil and act against evils with mutual co-operation and within the framework of the Indian Constitution.