It’s easy to become popular using religion, region and caste instead of a political ideology. People won’t recognise a person or organisation just because of their political ideology. Unfortunately, caste and creed are the most powerful weapons to rouse the electorate. The country’s political atmosphere is somehow getting influenced by forces which specialise in provocation. The cadres of most political parties seem to be adopting the practice of influencing people through provocative things. Strictly speaking, few people appear to be influenced by things like religion, region and caste. All these are considered to be social evils by progressive people. Even the rising literacy rate could not stop this menace. This clearly proves that there is no connection between literacy and wisdom. A well-educated person might become a fanatic, but an illiterate might act with tolerance. Fanning differences among people using religion is a serious thing, and its impact on society will become more and more as years pass. Of course, those who perpetrate this might get political mileage. But they have far-reaching consequences and are capable of paralysing society. Mutual mistrust among people belonging to different sects is more dangerous due to the possibility of communal disturbances. This is likely if events now taking place throughout the country continue.
If a progressive mind takes a look at the current atmosphere prevailing across the country, he would get a strong feeling of disgust. As already mentioned, provocation can get political mileage for political parties. The serious incidents that have occurred in the name of caste and religion can’t be equated with a sensible society. Attempts to draw dividing lines based on religion are more dangerous than exploiting caste. But the perpetrators will not consider incidents that have occurred due to the influence of religion and caste. For example, the heinous incidents that seriously damaged India’s image have not been considered from a common man’s perspective. The infamous burning of a railway coach at Godhra carrying Hindu pilgrims, followed by the mass killings of Muslims in Gujarat almost a quarter century ago, is not viewed uniformly. Society gets divided while responding to these incidents. The group which condemns the Godhra incident won’t come forward with the same spirit regarding the killings of Muslims.
The influence of caste is more powerful than religion in South India. An incident which had a serious impact on society was the brutal killing of a legislator in Vijayawada 37 years ago. Congress legislator Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao aka Ranga was brutally killed when he was on an indefinite fast. This incident was followed by large-scale destruction of private property, which claimed dozens of innocent lives. Society got divided along caste lines due to these two incidents. Those who condemned the first incident were not interested in condemning the second one. Ultimately, it became a flash point between the Kapu and Kamma castes. Even after 38 years, there are still strong divisive feelings in the minds of people. Due to the instilling of caste and religious feelings, the impact of this incident is still considerable in public minds. Many areas in South India witnessed clashes in the name of caste, but that was limited to that particular state. But the impact of a communal carnage can be permanent and is even capable of breaking up the country. The Hindu-Muslim conflicts that erupted during colonial rule had destroyed India’s unity. This led to partition whose effects lasted for a long period. One million innocent people were killed in communal clashes on both sides, and millions were displaced. These wounds are still painful even after 77 years.
Religion is considered to be more powerful than caste as it is capable of uniting people irrespective of caste. The conditions prevailing across the country can lead to another catastrophe. Famous writer Bertrand Russell described the partition of India as the biggest tragedy in human history.
Religious intolerance is increasing due to fanatics on both sides. Religious intolerance is growing as those who disturb tolerance are getting mileage for their infamous acts. The brutal killing of Australian missionary Graham Stains by fanatics in Odisha 26 years ago badly damaged India’s image. Another incident that shocked the nation was the killers of Graham Stains getting a rousing reception after their release from jail. Such incidents can reopen old wounds in public minds. The abetment of violence towards minorities has sparked widespread discussion among people of different backgrounds. While maintaining silence on the attacks against minorities inside the country, these groups show much interest in the violence against minorities in neighbouring countries.
Religious intolerance appears to be increasing in Indian politics. Fanatics are now focused on Christians as their capability to react is low. The world was ashamed to see two young women being paraded naked in Manipur. The violence against Christians in Manipur exposed the religious intolerance in India. The poor Christians of Manipur did not get any consolation from the country’s political leadership. As there was no strong action against the perpetrators, it gives the impression that fanaticism is slowly gaining acceptance in India.
