There has been an increase in the number of people clambering on to the bandwagon of Hindutva, of late. Whether these are isolated attempts at having the limelight on them or are concerted attempts at reviving the 'majority community must have it say and the rest will follow' ideology, time will soon tell us. But any attempt at stoking divide on the basis of religion will have dire consequences and any society that stifles equality of religions, castes and cultures is ultimately headed for doom, forget the blandness they perpetuate!
Our country is vibrant with its rich cultures, completely different from the other yet fully complementing each other. It's this all embracing attitude that has been the hall mark of India and a matter of envy to the other nations that wonder as to how the country moves forward, as one, despite the seeming contradictions between its regions. How has it come about? Simple, the country - though it did not exist as it is in its present form - saw a whole lot of external invaders who plundered and looted the riches, ruled and tried to impose their cultures finally succumbing to the flexible, all embracing charm of the Indian ethos.
The 'Hindus' or the people inhabiting the banks of the Indus had always mesmerised the marauders with their 'Hindutva' or their way of life. It has a deep meaning but suffice it to understand as an all encompassing concept. Unfortunately, at times, when people parrot the 'Hindutva' cause these days, the cynic in me can't help wonder as to whether these upstarts - yes, because they don't quite understand the meaning of the term as they tend to view it through a very narrow outlook - aren't trying to foment trouble. On the other hand, the apologists of secularism - who'd again, used that word in a very narrow sense of the term reducing it to just minority appeasement for vote bank politics - use this as a convenient stick to beat the government with!
Prime Minister Modi and his government do not require these props in their agenda of good governance. They need to deliver without hesitation or any delay. People are waiting for the much heralded reforms that would improve the quality of their life, make it an all inclusive society where corruption and cronyism have no place, where merit is the sole criterion and thereby, build up a strong India that would have a significant place among the pantheon of nations.
Tailpiece.
Can't resist quoting Iqbal, "Saare jahaan se achha, Hindustan hamaara....."
Our country is vibrant with its rich cultures, completely different from the other yet fully complementing each other. It's this all embracing attitude that has been the hall mark of India and a matter of envy to the other nations that wonder as to how the country moves forward, as one, despite the seeming contradictions between its regions. How has it come about? Simple, the country - though it did not exist as it is in its present form - saw a whole lot of external invaders who plundered and looted the riches, ruled and tried to impose their cultures finally succumbing to the flexible, all embracing charm of the Indian ethos.
The 'Hindus' or the people inhabiting the banks of the Indus had always mesmerised the marauders with their 'Hindutva' or their way of life. It has a deep meaning but suffice it to understand as an all encompassing concept. Unfortunately, at times, when people parrot the 'Hindutva' cause these days, the cynic in me can't help wonder as to whether these upstarts - yes, because they don't quite understand the meaning of the term as they tend to view it through a very narrow outlook - aren't trying to foment trouble. On the other hand, the apologists of secularism - who'd again, used that word in a very narrow sense of the term reducing it to just minority appeasement for vote bank politics - use this as a convenient stick to beat the government with!
Prime Minister Modi and his government do not require these props in their agenda of good governance. They need to deliver without hesitation or any delay. People are waiting for the much heralded reforms that would improve the quality of their life, make it an all inclusive society where corruption and cronyism have no place, where merit is the sole criterion and thereby, build up a strong India that would have a significant place among the pantheon of nations.
Tailpiece.
Can't resist quoting Iqbal, "Saare jahaan se achha, Hindustan hamaara....."
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