Rising Hate: Polarization and Defense of
Indian Constitution
Ram Puniyani
As we have entered; 2022 we are
witnessing hate speech taking dangerous forms and many in saffron robes calling
for genocide. There are apps like Tech Fog being used to vitiate social
atmosphere. There are Trad groups; who are openly promoting caste system and
ancient scriptures apart from calling from demonization of minorities in the
worst possible way. We have seen the issues like Ram Temple creating massive
violence followed by strengthening of communal forces in the country. The
issues like Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Krishna Temple in Mathura are dominating
the political scenario apart from the issues related to beef, holy cow, non
vegetarian food and love jihad. Muslims are being demonized in ever increasing
intensity.
The Christian community, which is
miniscule (2.3%), is faced with sub-radar violence in the form of attacks on Convent
schools, attacks on prayer meetings and propaganda against their activities of
alleged conversion by force, fraud and allurement.
At the same time the poor of the
society are facing the uphill task of survival. We witnessed big miseries
suffered by lakhs of them when sudden lockdown was imposed. The poor management
of Corona crisis led to the dead bodies being burnt enmass or being thrown in Holy
Ganga. The section of Corporate has run away to distant lands amassing huge
social wealth of the nation, while other section of Corporate is flourishing at
rapid speed at home and controlling the social wealth. The country is falling
down in the global indices related to health, nutrition, freedom of expression,
freedom of religion and democratic norms.
At political level the Hindutva
politics is not only ruling at center and many states, its parent RSS if flouring
rapidly and has already infiltrated in different wings of state apparatus and floated
hundreds of organizations to spread the communal thinking in the society. There
are also organizations associated with this which are trying to co-opt the deprived
sections, particularly dalits and Adivasis through social engineering.
Communalism in India
Communalism in India began during
colonial period when the changes related to Education, New Administration,
Modern Industries, and modern transport changed the social dynamics at big
level. This led to the rise of newer classes in society: Industrialists,
workers, modern educated classes among others. Their associations started being
formed and these associations were having nascent Indian nationalism at their
core. The main representatives of these organizations were Bhagat Singh’s (Navjavan
Bharat Sabha,), Ambedkar’s (Republican party of India) and Gandhi, along with
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Annie Besant, Sardar Baldev Singh’s Indian National
Congress
The two major processes which accompanied
the political changes were the process of social reforms; the high point of
which was education and organization of dalits (Jotirao Phule and Ambedkar) and
education for women (Savitribai Phule along with Fatima Sheikh). The struggle
of dalits led by Phule and Ambedkar; also found its echoes in Gandhi’s massive movement
against untouchability. The national movement led by Gandhi also brought the
women forward into social space, Sarojini Naidu and Aruna Asaf Ali are among
the few who were part of the massive change which women were undergoing.
At this time the older classes of
landlords-Kings felt that their social-political power is declining and they
exclaimed ‘Islam Khatre mein hai’ (Islam in danger) or Hinduism Khatre mein hai
(Hinduism in Danger). The newer classes dreamt of secular, democratic India
while from the old classes (Muslims, and Hindu landlords-kings) came up Muslim
League and Hindu Mahasabha. Savarkar of Hindu Mahasabha brought to forefront the
word Hindutva, which called for Hindu nation. In parallel Muslim League talked
of Muslim Nation. Initially only Kings and landlords were part of these
organizations, later affluent upper class/caste Hindu and Muslim elements also
joined these streams, much later sections of middle class also came under the
sway of these organization.
British Policy of ‘Divide and Rule’
It was British policy of ‘Divide
and Rule’ which led to partition of the country. As such British had introduced
this policy right from beginning but it was implemented with great intensity
after the 1857 ‘First War of Independence’. The communal elements picked up the
communal historiography introduced by British. In this version; history is
presented through the religion of the Kings. It is King centric history, with
religion of the king being the determinant of their policies alliances and war.
Both Hindu communalists and
Muslim communalists picked up this version. Muslim communalists presented as if
Muslims were the rulers and British should hand over power to them when they
leave. Hindu communalists regarded Muslims as foreigners, who had attacked Hinduism,
destroyed its temples and converted the people through violence. Both these
versions are parallel and opposite to each other. The National and Rational
history was out lined by Gandhi and Nehru among others. Gandhi in his book Hind
Swaraj points out that both Hindu and Muslim kings ruled for power and had
subjects from both the religions.
Nehru on similar lines pointed
out the great synthesis of Hinduism and Islam in his book ‘Discovery of India’.
He underlined the word Ganga jamuni Tehzeeb and described the Indian traditions
of acceptance prevailing here from centuries. He also presented the richness of
ancient India in all its glory.
Communal Organizations
Communal organizations started
spreading hate against the ‘other community’ (Muslim League against Hindus and
Hindu Mahasabha-RSS against Muslims) and this formed the basis of communal
violence and polarization of society. In the beginning the communal violence
was provoked around issues of pig in the mosque, beef in the temple, music band
in front of mosques and random rumors related to violation of women’s modesty
of ‘our community’.
While Muslim League continued to
demand for the rights of Muslim community in Hindu majority country, the Hindu
communalists kept harping that this country belongs to Hindus alone and Muslims
have a secondary place in the nation.
Savarkar’s formulation of
Hindutva, Hindu nation formed the ideological base of formation of RSS. RSS
came up in the backdrop of threat perceived by upper caste due to rinsing
participation of average people in freedom movement led by Gandhi and by the
struggles of dalits for their rights. Dalits were inspired by Jotirao Phule and
Ambedkar in their struggles. RSS founders were inspired by European concept of
Nationalism, particularly that of Hitler and Mussolini. Savarkar was more
inspired by Mazzini who was also the ideologue of fascism.
On one track Indian National
movement was integrating people of all regions, religions and languages in to single
thread of Indian-ness and the formulation “India is a nation in the making” was
coined by Surendraanth Bannerjee. Gandhi came to be called Mahatma and Father
of nation for his yeomen contribution of uniting the people as Indians and for
leading the anti-colonial struggle.
Communal organizations kept aloof
from freedom movement. They were supported by handful of elite in the beginning;
later many middle class sections also joined them. With partition tragedy most
of the communal elements left for Pakistan and Muslim League became a marginal
organization. Hindu Mahasabha members involvement in Gandhi murder them
discredited them. RSS was also discredited and remained in the shadows for some
time.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
RSS after its formation decided
to remain aloof from the anti British struggle and even from the active politics.
It focused on training the young boys-men into ideology of Hindu rashtra. Its core
unit is shakha, where the version of history which is taught is full of venom
for Muslim kings, along with glorification of the past where the values of
Manusmriti prevailed. In due course the number of its shakhas increased and
today they cover all the Indian states. It trained the volunteers into
Swayamsevaks (volunteers). Some of them were taken for more in-depth training camps
and designated as pracharaks (Propagators).
These pracharaks enter into the
field of education, media, and administration and also form organizations like
BJP, ABVP, VHP and Bajrang Dal amongst others. Today there are over 200 such
organizations affiliated to RSS which are pursuing the agenda of Hindu nation,
against the values of Indian constitution.
The hate taught and spread
through RSS shakhas was also picked up by the network of schools run by it-Ekal
Vidyalaya, Sarswati Shishu Mandir. Lately the social media has intensified the
spread of Hate through fake news and IT cell. Today the Hate has taken horrible
proportion and open auction of Muslim women, and call for genocide against
Muslims is being given openly (Haridwar Dharam Sansad).
It has taken up issues related to
emotions around religious identity. The moral values of religion are nowhere to
be seen in their political programs and actions. After the Ram Temple issue,
the degree of Hate and violence went up at big speed. At the same time policies
against rights of dalits, Adivasis, workers, farmers and women are in full
display. The other major issue it has taken up is the Kashi and Mathura.
Similarly lots of violence has been unleashed on the issues related to beef
eating, cow slaughter, love jihad, Ghar Wapasi. Lately it is very active in
undermining the role of Gandhi and Nehru in freedom struggle. It also operates
through word of mouth propaganda. It never takes up the issues related to people’s
welfare, bread, butter shelter and employment. It has nothing to do with
betterment of health services and educational facilities.
Its supporters have unleashed and
ideological battle against the contributions of professional historian, who
have seen Indian history as synthesis Hindus and Muslim. These new ideologues
of Right wing are attacking the presentation of Muslims Kings in proper light.
Threats to the Plural: Democratic India
Today we are in a situation where
the values of Indian constitution are being openly violated. Calls are being
given to undermine Indian Constitution. Freedom movement is being looked down;
Godse is being upheld along with worsening situation of the poor and deprived
sections of society.
Those who value, cherish and want
to uphold the democratic norms and participate in the process of social change
towards equality have a big challenge to face in the present situation. The
power of communal forces has increased much more during last over seven years.
The communal polarization and intimidation of minorities has gone up manifold.
The economic downslide of the average people is frightening. What can we do to
ensure that democratic values and norms are promoted?
Promoting Fraternity: Amity
We need to revive the spirit of
freedom movement. The fraternity which came up during movement needs to be
brought to the fore. Our groups working for social change and preservation of
rights of weaker sections of society are scattered while working seriously for
the causes they uphold.
A. We
need to form a loose federation of diverse social groups to coordinate our work.
Whatever be the area, type of our work, we have to take up the cause of defense
of democratic values as a priority. For this the organizations have to
coordinate their efforts.
B. All
our social workers need to spend some energy to disseminate the values of amity
and harmony. While citing kings and their religion a hate is constructed, we
need to revive the spirit of saint traditions-Kabir, Tukaram, Namdeo,
Nizammuddin Auliya, Khwaja Garib Nawaj, and Saint Guru Nanak. We need to revive
the spirit of amity promoted during freedom movement.
C.
We also put proposals for
forming workgroups for:
Social media with tasks of making small videos:
afresh or from the available sources like Anhad's ‘Reimagining India’,
Apporvanand's videos, Karavan-E-Mohabbat's videos or mine from my channel or
Satya Hindi series.
D.
A team to liaison with different local
groups of activists to disseminate it through their channels (Whatsapp, Instagram,
face book etc.)
E.
A team to work on exploring to
initiative weekly fortnightly meetings in localities: These centers can
have cultural programs, book poster readings. video screenings of available
sources- Anand Patwardhan's Vivek Reason and other documentaries, Ashok Kumar
Pandey and Jaga Bharat's full length videos, or mine from my channel and other
scattered one's. For this we need to liaison with different National
groups like NAPM, Aruna Roy’s School for Democracy, Prashant Bhushan's
Sambhabna Institute, Rashtra Seva Dal, Jaga Bharat, Irfan Engineer's Peace
Centers, and National Solidarity Forum.
F.
We need to form delegations to
meet political leaders to emphasize to have opposition unity in
forthcoming delegations.
These are some out
of the proposed measures; many more useful suggestions need to be brought to
fore and implemented.
