Disclaimer No 1 No, I don’t fear that some Muslim in my geographical or emotional vicinity is going to kill me and at the same time I don’t know of any Hindu friend who keeps on sharpening his knife so that he can cut the throat of any Muslim.
Disclaimer No 2 As of now I don’t see the possibility of India becoming a Hindu Rashtra
Disclaimer No 3 I am a strong believer of my faith but I don’t find other faiths any lesser.
I have made the above disclaimers to make the grounds for what I want to communicate through this blog piece. I know that I have picked up a sensitive topic of Religion and faith with a noble intention of diluting the sensitivities associated with them. We must understand that a sensitive exterior is a result of an ignored and unattended interior.
Before I dwell into the intricacy of this issue, let’s accept the ugly reality that the two major Religions of our country Hinduism and Islam are not at complete peace with each other and people of both these communities find most of the practices of the other religion unacceptable, illogical and at times ridiculous. The prism through which we see the other religion is largely averse to the idea of adaptability and has a pre-conditioned reflection and that is not helping the cause…the cause of staying together happily.
I propose a three tier suggestive formula to minimize friction between Hindus and Muslims, let me discuss them one after the other
My first and foremost suggestion is to bring the wrapped and concealed wounds out in open. For years Governments and social bodies have used the injections of morphine to subside the pain, unfortunately these pain killers have only killed the pain and but the injury remains as it is…may be more magnified. Lets hear out each other …with empathy and open mind, let the venom if any , on both the sides come out. Talk about your insecurities, apprehensions, fears . Speak everything…Good, bad and ugly about both the religion and more importantly listen. ..and then settle down for a minimum common programme..
It’s likely that both the sides will have to make major adjustments in their practices and traditions but for once and all. if need be sign contracts and treaties of dos and don’ts, document everything that is acceptable to both sides…convince each other by stating the scientific and rational logic behind the traditions…and even in the absence of rational arguments the traditions can be justified on pragmatic grounds. Let us attempt to create an atmosphere of trust and get rid of the rhetorics of 'My Religion or my God is better than yours'
My second suggestion is to indulge and participate. If we have to coexist we must be aware of each other. We might have to ignore what has been taught to us by our elders. We must put an end to the practice of discrimination. Join each other in celebrations of festivals.
I might sound little outrageous but lets envisage an India that can see Hindus going to a Mosque and Muslims coming to temples, Hindus offering Namaz and Muslims reciting Hanuman Chalisa, Hindus wearing green and Muslims sporting Saffron, Hindus learning Urdu and Muslims learning Sanskrit and last but not the least Hindus saying As-salamu alaykum and Muslims saying Ram Ram…
We like what we know and we hate what we don’t…lets know each other…and we shall dispense our hate.
And finally….lets not become puppets in the hands of politics and Media. Trust me our Media and Politicians are hands in gloves and it is in their business interest that people fight. Every killing that happens in the name of religion is a business opportunity for politicians and Media.
Please try to understand that one killing of Akhlaq kept media TRPs high for almost 2 weeks and all kind of politicians played on the psyche of people…It may sound little preposterous but it is possible that some politicians in Bihar might be thanking their stars after the killing of Akhlaq as it could brighten their chance of winning elections. We need to learn to IGNORE the fringe elements on both sides as well as they too need hate to establish themselves.
We as people of India must consider that Nation is above religion and Humanity is above Nation.
Let good sense prevail first…..making it inevitable for the peace will follow
Disclaimer No 2
Disclaimer No 3
I have made the above disclaimers to make the grounds for what I want to communicate through this blog piece. I know that I have picked up a sensitive topic of Religion and faith with a noble intention of diluting the sensitivities associated with them. We must understand that a sensitive exterior is a result of an ignored and unattended interior.
Before I dwell into the intricacy of this issue, let’s accept the ugly reality that the two major Religions of our country Hinduism and Islam are not at complete peace with each other and people of both these communities find most of the practices of the other religion unacceptable, illogical and at times ridiculous. The prism through which we see the other religion is largely averse to the idea of adaptability and has a pre-conditioned reflection and that is not helping the cause…the cause of staying together happily.
I propose a three tier suggestive formula to minimize friction between Hindus and Muslims, let me discuss them one after the other
My first and foremost suggestion is to bring the wrapped and concealed wounds out in open. For years Governments and social bodies have used the injections of morphine to subside the pain, unfortunately these pain killers have only killed the pain and but the injury remains as it is…may be more magnified. Lets hear out each other …with empathy and open mind, let the venom if any , on both the sides come out. Talk about your insecurities, apprehensions, fears . Speak everything…Good, bad and ugly about both the religion and more importantly listen. ..and then settle down for a minimum common programme..
It’s likely that both the sides will have to make major adjustments in their practices and traditions but for once and all. if need be sign contracts and treaties of dos and don’ts, document everything that is acceptable to both sides…convince each other by stating the scientific and rational logic behind the traditions…and even in the absence of rational arguments the traditions can be justified on pragmatic grounds. Let us attempt to create an atmosphere of trust and get rid of the rhetorics of 'My Religion or my God is better than yours'
My second suggestion is to indulge and participate. If we have to coexist we must be aware of each other. We might have to ignore what has been taught to us by our elders. We must put an end to the practice of discrimination. Join each other in celebrations of festivals.
I might sound little outrageous but lets envisage an India that can see Hindus going to a Mosque and Muslims coming to temples, Hindus offering Namaz and Muslims reciting Hanuman Chalisa, Hindus wearing green and Muslims sporting Saffron, Hindus learning Urdu and Muslims learning Sanskrit and last but not the least Hindus saying As-salamu alaykum and Muslims saying Ram Ram…
We like what we know and we hate what we don’t…lets know each other…and we shall dispense our hate.
And finally….lets not become puppets in the hands of politics and Media. Trust me our Media and Politicians are hands in gloves and it is in their business interest that people fight. Every killing that happens in the name of religion is a business opportunity for politicians and Media.
Please try to understand that one killing of Akhlaq kept media TRPs high for almost 2 weeks and all kind of politicians played on the psyche of people…It may sound little preposterous but it is possible that some politicians in Bihar might be thanking their stars after the killing of Akhlaq as it could brighten their chance of winning elections. We need to learn to IGNORE the fringe elements on both sides as well as they too need hate to establish themselves.
We as people of India must consider that Nation is above religion and Humanity is above Nation.
Let good sense prevail first…..making it inevitable for the peace will follow
