Topical

My Column 12-06-2024

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My column 12-06-2024

It is sometime since I wrote my column. So here goes.

Now that the general elections are done and dusted things should quieten down. Both ruling and opposition parties are understandably unhappy with the results. And the general voters are frustrated. There have been lot of acrimonious debates across the social media and private whatsapp groups without any tangible results. Most of them were related to religion.

Having stupidly participated in these discussions, I have realized that there was no point in my joining these debates. Everyone has made his/her mind, one way or the other. It is not possible for them to subscribe to other’s point of view.

Having born in a Hindu family, that is the only religion I understand. I cannot really comment on other religions since I have not studied them.

Now it is widely understood and perceived that Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life. I do subscribe to this view. In my younger days I did follow this way of life. As I started learning, at some point I realized that I do not believe in God and that life on earth is an accident and there is no pre- or post-life existence except in the minds of those whom you leave behind after your death. Consequently, all religious rituals have no meaning to me.

Having established this background. I know that majority of Hindus do not approve of my view, though I am sure there are a few who do.

India is a country where majority population is Hindu. Everyone knows the history that India was a rich country before 9th century. Alas, it was not a single entity but was divided into different states. Between 10th to 18th century, India was invaded by the Mughals. They looted the country and destroyed most of the religious places. They installed their own masjids in those places, like Ayodhya. Then came the Portuguese, the French and the British. British slowly took control of the country and systematically took out the wealth from India and put it in their museums. The British queen even used Indian looted jewelry as her own. The British still have our looted jewels.

Before leaving in 1947, British divided the country into India and Pakistan. History shows that this has been the policy of the British and the west to divide and rule.

Gandhi’s suggestion of dissolving the congress was rejected and Nehru was ‘selected’ as the PM. In 60 years of Congress rule, minorities were appeased, majority oppressed, and country did not progress as much as it should have.

BJP used Hindutva vehicle to come to power and now they are in the saddle for a third consecutive term. That is the undeniable backlash of congress oppression of 60 years. That India progressed by leaps and bounds during the last ten years is a fact acknowledged by the entire world minus of course, the current opposition. So much so, the west is now scared of India. They tried to stop BJP from coming to power with the help of a willing opposition. Unfortunately for them, opposition could not wrest the power due to its own fallacies. They almost succeeded using the same religious card BJP used in 14’ and 19’. Bottom line is, BJP is back in power.

So, what next? Only time will tell. But I have a message for my Hindu friends. You made your point by recreating the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. But following the same agenda again will become counterproductive. Let the government do its job. Hopefully they will keep the religion out of it, though the opposition will keep on baiting them.

But, look at yourself. Set your own house in order. Try to reduce the gap between upper and lower cast Hindus. Get rid of hatred for the other casts in your own religion. Start the charity from your own house. Once this is achieved, other things will automatically fall in place. Remember, the opposition came close to beating BJP at its own game using this cast equation.