By : Fazal Hakeem
BJP government in Delhi seems determine to force Hindutva in the country. It feels no qualm or fear in executing and promoting Hindu Taliban in violation of the constitution and trampling upon minorities, the Muslims in particular. It has willfully taken out the cat from the bag. Congress exploited the secularism as political mantra since independence. BJP swept to power this year in May with the support of other fanatic religious organizations pledging reforms and revival of the economy.
Nonetheless, BJP/RSS open exention of Hindutva to the length and breadth of the country has put a question mark on fundamentalist government agenda of forceful and incentivization of religious conversion to Hindu Dharam. Muslims is the major religious minority having more than 180 million population and around 12% of total Indians. The opposition has thrown the parliament into disarray on 16 December over the forceful mass conversion of 350 Muslims in Agra. This hateful process was the handy work of rabid Hindu Taliban organizations-Bajrang Dal and Dharm Jagran Manch holding religious ceremony- “ Purkhan ki ghar Vapsi” (home coming for ancestors). 22 years ago “Bajrangis” fanatics had brought down the historic Babri Masjid. In the Sub-Continent perspective, with few exceptions perhaps all non-Hindus are the decedents of Hindu forefathers who adopted other religions shedding Hinduism out of sheer state of despondency to get rid of the cruel shackles of caste-based religion.
On one hand the fundamentalist Hindu Sarkar at New Delhi is working on a dangerous agenda to implement Hindutva. The so-called champions of democracy, human and religious rights have not shown any concerns about BJP, promoting Hindu Taliban. Rather high profile visits including President Barrack Obama forthcoming yatra on 26 January, 2015 are parable. USA is urging upon India to bolster its role as a global power to ensure regional security. US Secretary of State John Kerry and then Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visits in August this year were undertaken to advance its economic interests. Hagel while supporting Indian global role had hinted that India may provide security from Indian Ocean to greater Pacific to (i) contain China’s rising power and (ii) enhance defense equipment sale including co-production and co-development and freer exchange of technology. According to Reuters, India has spent US$ 9 billion on defense equipment from USA since 2008. Albeit, USA had banned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s entry in the country for his dubious role in Gujrat massacre.
Hindutva process did not spare sports. Indians at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar openly supported the Germany Hockey Team in the final against Pakistan on 14 December. India even compelled the International Hockey Federation to ban two Pakistani players for making objectionable gestures. Similarly, India won Kabbadi final beating Pakistan through all possible unfair means. Pakistan team captain threaten not to play on Indian turf if remedial measures were not ensured. BJP government though claims to work for India’s economic revival. Religious forced conversion, for sure will catapult the entire game. Hindu Taliban is worried about non-Hindus roots but remain criminally oblivious to their young helpless and innocent women. Women’s safety is being deteriorated with every day passes. An AFP report quoting Hindustan Times Survey, 97% women are victims of some kind of sexual harassment.
BJP zealots had shed down the historic Babri Masjid 22 years ago on 6 December, 1996. Now RSS hopes to erect the Ram Temple when their party occupies New Delhi. In addition to Babri Masjid, BJP has upped it ante about Taj Mahal claiming it was built on a Hindu temple. And also weighing the option to declare Bagwand Gita a national scripture. High profile Hindu zealot and Indian Foreign Minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj have thrown her weight behind the move which sccording to Minister Sushma provides answer to every problem.
Certainly, whatever words’ jugglery is played by Indian politicians, intellectuals, media and opinion makers, supporting the Hindutva mean to play with fire. No law of the land can be implemented if the community does not support it. Today, India is a peculiar example of religious intolerance. Any talks of development, peaceful environment and coexistence will prove mirage, if no break is put to the agenda.
—The writer is Islamabad-based political analyst.
@pakistan observer