Changing times

 

I grew up in a pluralistic Keralam that echoed Sri Narayana Guru's message of "whichever the religion, it suffices if it makes a better human being." It pains me to see this ethos fading. Fascism in the name of nationalism is still very insidious and imperceptible but we are slipping down slowly but surely. The signs are in the Islamophobic fake news in WhatsApp groups, mean remarks about migrant workers, changing palate, reluctance to openly denounce Israeli or American acts of war in the Middle East, snide remarks of threat of "love jihad" or religious conversion. The subtle shifts are evident everywhere if we have our ear to the ground. We may have dodged the bullet this election but the landscape is fast shifting. Malayalis have to work seamlessly across the religious divide to educate, to clarify, to dispel doubts and forge and renew our respect for each other. Unless we want a repeat of the mayhem that Bengal is witnessing now.