Do not let this giant fall!

Time draws nigh for the second freedom struggle--freedom from poverty, freedom from corruption, freedom from prejudices. The first served its purpose well but now half a century later, we must hurry on to the second without a moment to spare. Gandhiji envisaged this emancipation but his mortal body could not endure to oversee it but he lives on in us as the flame of Ahimsa and compassion, the tools that he wielded well, which can act as the catalysts for the alleviation and eradication of poverty and achievement of social and economic parity. Let our love for the country pour over us, binding us together, so that while acknowledging and encouraging every diversity, we must simultaneously work towards its advancement and unity.

This soil has witnessed philosophies and movements as varied as Shaiva Siddantha, Kartabhaja movement, Advaita Vedanta to name a few. Dazed by our variety and unable to compare with their singular model, it was the British Protestant missionaries who for their convenience categorized this multifaceted way of life into a sweeping generalization called Hinduism to contrast with Islam and Judaism that they were already familiar with. In reality, all faiths including Islam, Christianity to Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta as it exists in India are assimilated and indigenized versions and are not really competing entities but complementary and make India complete. This unparalleled conglomeration of assorted ever-transforming beliefs that we call Bharat has to now act as a coherent unit and walk the straight path of progress.

Masked menace

Terrorism by definition is the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. Counter-terrorism measures employed by concerned governments often victimize the very citizens they must protect. Thus civilians are the casualties of both terrorism and ‘war on terrorism.’

The primary tactic of the terrorist is to locate an unsettled score and inflame passions, exploiting human frailty. The terrorist defines the identity of his victims in a manner that benefits him and tries to establish legitimacy by aligning himself with an existing benign ideology and moulding it to suit his goals thereby mutilating its fair face. Consequently he tries to generate the image of a rift between the original ideology and the targeted power structure whereas in reality none exists. This in turn maligns the former and taints the reputation of its adherents. It produces a climate that is of advantage to the terrorist in that it draws out rogue elements on the targeted side who subvert the institutions of the state which were holding them in check. They incite violent measures, which instead of containing terrorism actually oppress a hapless community and curtail civil liberties. The constant suspicion and perceived banishment from the mainstream hangs like a Damocles’ sword over the beleaguered community. Meanwhile the terrorist hides behind the garb of the ideology that it owned to serve its ends and perverts it further and finally hopes to eradicate the original values and substitute its corrupt version in its place and spread its tentacles throughout the population. The rival messiahs of hate on the opposing side are not too far behind and they too strive to overthrow the existing structures and mobilize support. Thus the innocent citizens of two communities are pitted against each other by extremists on both sides and needlessly get drawn into an endless cycle of violence.

The terrorist needs a cause to feed into the undeveloped fears and prejudices of the people. Naturally an egalitarian and prosperous society without grievances cannot become fodder for the terrorist. Strengthening the instruments of justice and welfare hampers the efforts to create strife and promotes belief in existing traditional structures like courts and governments. In short, social and economic equity and integrity is actually the greatest threat to terrorism.
Because terrorism is waged by a few erring minds, it is always impossible to completely eradicate it but instilling confidence in citizens and strengthening their hand always serves to isolate the terrorist. The terrorist should not be allowed to usurp the identity of any community and media focus should always be on exposing the true nature of the terrorist and not validating his claims.

Responsibility cannot exist where there is no freedom. When ordinary citizens are convinced that they will not have to bear the brunt of excesses on the part of governments, they will readily divulge information and become willing partners in locating illegal activities and apprehending miscreants and wiping out adequately the self-perpetuating ogre of terrorism.

Whether perpetrated by invisible individuals of a particular community or illustrious figures of the state apparatus, terrorism knows no empathy and is never justified. Power is the single-most compelling motive for terrorism. The violent acts are always committed to ensure that a few mighty can flaunt their clout, wrest complete control, stifle diversity and churn out mindless zealots in multitudes to implement a warped world view.

An idealistic and unifying vision that is at first inviting metamorphoses in the hands of the terrorist into an intolerant and elitist propaganda that knows no compassion. Truth is often the first casualty but the innocent blood that is cheaply shed leaves an unmistakable clue to the ugliness behind the alluring visage.

A conscientious media goes a long way towards ensuring that the common man is not enticed by divisive forces which promises distracting quick fixes to their daily woes. After all, as Gandhi wisely remarked “Pure goals can never justify impure or violent action.”

Unholy agenda

The communal conflagration that is being insidiously fanned in Jammu & Kashmir by certain vested interests to further their electoral prospects has to be doused expeditiously lest it consumes the whole country. During the freedom struggle, there were exemplary leaders who set such high moral standards that they were able to elevate ordinary people above partisanship and chauvinism of all hues. There are weighty issues that demand India’s immediate attention like eradication of poverty and enhancement of infrastructure that are being neglected in the endless rhetoric of violence and hate. Where are the visionary leaders who can steer the dialogue gently back into the sphere that matters-that of social and economic welfare? When will the limelight be on the millions who languish in hopelessness and hunger? When will India rise to her potential and its sons unite to build an egalitarian and prosperous society? Religion is a tool, which if wielded responsibly can inspire honesty, kindness, dharma, and Ahimsa. It should not become a colorful but lifeless shroud that smothers compassion.

An inconvenient truth

People in Haiti are eating mud cakes (yes, real ones made of mud). More than one quarter of America's food or about 96 billion pounds of food a year goes to waste.

India, the land of contradictions, contains within it many Haitis and many Americas. In India, the upper class and urban middle class reveling in their newfound wealth have forgotten that more than 220 million people are living below the poverty line, not to talk about millions more who barely hold themselves above it.

Our eyes fall on their face everyday but do we really see them? How can we wrap ourselves in the latest brands and zoom away in fast cars when barely a few houses across, maybe even at our front gate, someone is struggling to have a clean glass of water? Does that mean we have to give away all our wealth and become equally poor? Does it mean that every time I put on a new dress, I have to be ashamed of myself? No one will readily part with their wealth (even I will not) but I am not talking about that kind of self sacrifice which only a few are capable of (I salute those who can).

Let us at least do what we can. Let us not waste any resources. Let us be prudent about what we spend beyond our basic comforts or future security. If a certain amount of food is going to waste everyday at your house, make it a habit to give that to the poor instead of throwing it in the dustbin. Isn’t one lamp enough to illuminate the book that you are reading? Please switch off the rest. If we have enough clothes or shoes that we need, please let us not buy more to satisfy our vanity. Let us only buy things that we need. If you have the money to invest in rainwater harvesting, bio-gas, solar energy and other clean technologies while building your home, go for it. Let us spend on our essentials while bearing in mind that an ostentatious display is highly insensitive to the millions dying all around us of poverty. At least after you have assured yourself that you have kept enough money for your great grandson, please start thinking about others! This is not satire. I am being serious here. Just because we are not capable of that level of altruism that is commendable, we should not shy away from at least our brand of social conscience. Remember, everything helps and something is always better than nothing.

Man has at his disposal the bounties of nature. How he chooses to use them defines his own destiny.

Understanding the other side

When dealing with terrorism allegedly wearing the garb of Islam, what we must bear in mind is that the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful and law-abiding citizens. In fact, I have personally not come across anyone who is not. Despite this, the persistent terror attempts in Gujarat certainly leads to the sad conclusion that there are a handful of gullible youth disillusioned by Islamophobia and anti-Muslim pogroms who are enticed by the thought of taking the law into their hands. Witnessing mass murders of Muslims is certainly a traumatic event that could lead to an unbalanced psyche and thirst for revenge in some immature individuals. The presence of opportunist elements ready to fan such fires is definitely a dangerous trend. Let us not forget that these tendencies are not isolated to any particular religion or ideology (just remember environmental terrorist groups whenever you feel like bashing religion).

What is the solution? Apparently prompt apprehension and punishment of miscreants by the government could have averted many disasters. Sadly the wheels of justice turn in an excruciatingly slow manner. Meanwhile the sane majority (of all religions) can make a difference by reassuring those affected and providing physical, financial, and most important of all, psychological help to the victims. Respective religious leaders should invite them to walk the tougher path of forgiveness and forbearance and illuminate the portions of the sacred texts that enjoin such a response.

For beginners here are verses from the Quran (Chapter 5 Verse 8) - “Let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.” (Chapter 5 Verse 2) “Let not the hatred of some people lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour.”

A stumbling block to such efforts would be half a century of religious apartheid and ghettoization of Muslims in Gujarat that has bred a virulent climate of mistrust. There should be encouragement of intercommunity interactions and transactions until it becomes the norm and the question of the “other” becomes nonexistent and all are known and understood to be simply human, blood to blood, brother to brother.