The BJP government at the top seems to be firmly aligned with the community. The head of the government is loved by a large section of the community. A Hindu priest is CM of India’s most populous state. Social media is dominated by Hindu support. Most of the traditional media also caters to the Hindu agenda.
The elitist, annoying, sanctimonious, English-speaking liberals who dominated media and opinions in the past are now reduced to a stub. Most work for loss-making web portals and that too until the portal runs out of funding money. Terrorism, most of which was caused by Islamist fundamentalist movements, is at an all-time low.
Politically, socially, culturally – India’s Hindus currently dominate in all aspects. This has never happened in the past. It all seems wonderful, right? Isn’t it good that a land where the majority never really had real power, finally has that power? Mughals and British dominated us for centuries. Even post-Independence, Muslims seemed aligned to Congress, which in turn seemed to care about Muslim interests more than that of Hindus. So, many think, isn’t it only fair that the clock has come full circle?
We can finally make a wonderful nation, comprising the best aspects of Hindu culture and become a global superpower too. However, practically, whenever religion starts playing a more and more dominant role in politics, governance, culture and societal norms, there are problems.
When everything is seen through the lens of religion, the consequences can be disastrous. History has too many examples of religion mixing too much with politics, leading to the decline of a nation.
Pre-revolution Iran was a free, progressive society. Post fundamentalist takeover, Iran today is a near pariah, oppressive state with global sanctions against it. Pakistan has suffered immensely for choosing religion over a free democratic society. Christian crusades hurt economies in medieval times. ISIS destroyed economies wherever it went. Afghanistan is an economic mess under the Taliban. Domestically, Punjab is another example where religion mixed with politics too much and destroyed the state in the 1980s. Religion dominating everything destroys economies and society.
One might say that Hinduism is different. However, it doesn’t work that way. It isn’t about a religion’s teachings or text. When a society places religion above all other values – justice, freedom, equality, opportunity, infrastructure, economy – a nation ultimately suffers. There is a slippery slope, where fundamentalism eventually takes over.
Human beings are biologically wired to be clannish. We have an innate tendency to bond with ‘people like us’ and have aversion to ‘people other than us’. This primitive tribalist instinct kept us safe in the jungles. However, it is a hindrance in the smooth running of a modern country, particularly India. We have more variety in culture, language, religion than any other nation. If we decide to run the country based on clans and tribes, we will never focus on what really matters – good governance and growing our economy.
Modern India was somewhat haphazardly designed, as the British left. The splicing together of East and West Pakistan, thousands of kilometres apart into one nation alone tells you it wasn’t the most elegant plan. However, modern India’s design had a key asset – a secular democracy where everyone was equal.
Prior to Independence, India never had a democracy in its history. The British also left us some institutions that enable a modern democracy – courts, parliament, executive and the bureaucracy. Fortunately, we not only inherited them but also preserved them until date. Our neighbours weren’t as lucky and they lost these institutions to a large extent. If we do not guard these institutions, if religion is all we care about, we risk giving up becoming an advanced nation and in the worst case, slipping into fundamentalism.
Guarding our democracy, freedom and institutions isn’t anti-national or anti-Hindu. It’s the duty of all Indians. For once we lose them, chances are they aren’t ever coming back.
This may be the Hindu moment. But if we think that means it is okay to show Muslims their place in India (as second-class citizens), we are destroying something crucial. We are destroying equality, justice and harmony, all essential to make a modern, progressive nation. We are also enabling more fundamentalism. For if Hindus can dominate Muslims a little bit, why not a bit more? Where will we draw the line? Chances are, we won’t be able to.
Again, none of this is imminent. India’s democracy is not currently under threat. However, the needle has slightly moved towards Hindu dominance/fundamentalism. This is the time to be aware of the consequences, if the needle moves too much. Before it gets too late. And chances are, when it is too late, we won’t even be able to write or read articles like this.
So, what do we Hindus want more? Hindu dominance at all costs? Or maybe just some respect for our religion but also keeping India’s foundations of a modern democracy intact? This collective choice is what will determine our future.
Enjoy the Hindu moment, but keep India intact too.