Sufferings of minorities in Modi’s India
ANY unlawful acts done by common man are directly linked with one’s religion. The use of religious thoughts by masses have become a norm to judge any individual’s intellect and his contribution in society. Major chunk of the society has become radical due to their religious belief. In contrary to people’s perception, no religion would teach radicalism, fanaticism, assassinations, homicides or anything immoral. It is just the manipulative nature and voracity of man that makes him to do anything evil to satisfy his malevolent instincts.
Since such things are done in the name of religion, it defames and associates religion as well. Similar is the case with India, specifically Indian government under PM Modi where the extremist Hindus did the worst possible they could to expand their so-called Hindutva empire. The Hindu fanatics are roaming everyone, killing innocents, raping women, butchering people and burning masses alive. The fatalities include people from each and every sphere of life including students, labourers, farmers, writers and the people from underprivileged class.
India is the largest country in this region. It stands second in list of most populated countries after China. India is multicultural state, having different ethnicities. At the same time, it has become by-product of Hindutva driven policies. India is also a safe heaven for Hindus only because the ruling BJP is an extremist Hindu oriented party which will never promote the development and welfare of any other party or people of different castes and creeds. Not only India but the whole region of South Asia is not safe in Modi’s hands as he along with his party can exceed any limits even warmongering with neighbours such as Pakistan at the risk of nuclear war. The party could do a lot to reduce or completely end the communal violence against Muslims but surprisingly it has never embarrassed for such tragic crimes done in its both tenures. The government of PM Modi is not accountable, transparent and trustworthy at all due to which the trust of non-Hindu communities is deeply shattered.
India never missed a chance to malign Pakistan over flimsy grounds. It has been undertaking various nationalist and hegemonic policies in order to meet political and strategic ends. The successive governments in India have been trying to create negative optics against Pakistani government and armed forces. This trend is being followed since the partition of sub-continent back in 1947. Pakistan bashing and accusing Islamabad of every terrorist incident India has become pivotal part of Indian foreign policy. New Delhi’s diplomatic missions abroad are proactively engaged in misguiding international community against Pakistan.
In a recent tweet by BJP’s official Twitter account, the party aimed at cleaning Muslims and Christians, which seems totally insane and inhumane. These narratives again prove the validity of Two Nation Theory and shows that Hindu extremism has such deep roots in the state that are too difficult to completely eradicate but the effect can be diminished if the hold of BJP is loosened and there would be proper law and order situation in the state. Also Indian voters should critically evaluate their current situation and should decide their future accordingly.
In regional context, India, under PM Modi, is trying to expand its Hindutva ideology. But at the same time, it views itself as global as well as regional player and wants maximum role in global affairs. The trio of Modi-Doval-Shah is trying to make India hegemony of the region by crushing human rights of minorities and pursuing warmongering policies. Interestingly, India is not having healthy ties with almost all of its neighbours. For instance, India has border issues with Pakistan, Bangladesh and China. India’s brinkmanship and her blitzkrieg tactics may not incur a colossal damage to Pakistan and India only, but to the entire region and the world.
If any country in the world wants more global attention and role, it must have the courage and intention to put its own house in order first. It must not alienate particular communities as per the whims and wishes of some groups. One cannot become regional and global player when discriminatory policies are in place in the same country. In India’s case, New Delhi must ensure provision of basic and constitutional rights to its people before demanding more international role in peace making. It must put more robust mechanism in place for provision of fundamental rights to its people particularly minority groups. PM Modi, without the shadow of doubt, is advocating a brand of religious nationalism that views India as fundamentally a Hindu nation and there are now official campaigns in the country to force non-Hindus especially Muslims, to either convert to Hinduism or leave India. Modi is trying to redefine Indian political culture which will have lasting impediments for Indian society.
—The writer is Islamabad based expert of Indian affairs.
