POLITICAL MURDER OF SECULARISM

POLITICAL MURDER OF SECULARISM

The political discourse has turned vapid and so-called ‘secularism’ is nothing but a myth. 

The non-secular politics vs secular politics of the so-called secular Mahagathbandhan is nothing but a political mirage and bluff called upon the people of India. Their claim that the ruling party practices and preaches a communal agenda is nothing but an insult to the whole country as a whole. The thumping mandate given by the people in the last elections to this philosophy is painted as nothing but communal. How is it possible that the majority of the country is communal and only these parties are practicing secular politics? Are we all the people of India communal?

A little closer look at their policies will lift the veil out from their hidden agendas. One may brandish oneself as a secular party, but still take stands that polarize the people on the basis of caste, creed or religion; what kind of politics is this? It is just fooling the people. 

The prince of the dynasty decides on contesting from a seat, which is a minority dominated constituency; isn’t this polarizing the people on the lines of religion? What signals are you sending out  to the people? How can you call this as secular politics? And he has the gumption to label the ruling party of practicing the politics of hate and religion. It’s nothing but tomfoolery!

The ‘Samajwadis’ as they call themselves, are neck deep into the politics of caste. They have no right to talk about secularism when the whole ideology is based on differentiating people on various lines of religion and caste.

It is sad that the political discourse turns to divide people in one way or the other when the election times approach. This has to stop and people should see through this fog of pseudo-secular agenda of these parties.

Something is seriously wrong when the majority community starts going on the defensive when the political parties start clamoring for votes of the so-called minorities. It is communal in nature to ask for votes on these lines.

Let there be only one agenda- development of the country. And let it be done unitedly. The political parties should put out their plans to achieve the best through their manifestos, and let the voters decide who suits the bill. Let us all be united in fighting all these divisive forces.

Time for media to introspect

Time for media to introspect

After the Pulwama terror strike and it’s aftermath, there was a huge 

outcry against the media: it's time they do some course correction.

Photo credit : Laura Lee Moreau, Unsplash

After the dastardly terrorist strike in Pulwama, where in the security forces martyred more than forty of their men, the nation was in deep shock and pain. There was a voice across all segments of the society calling for some action to stop this barbarity. For once, the political establishment spoke in one voice, and stood by the government. The government responded by the air strikes with an aim to send a clear message to our enemy, enough is enough. The nation applauded the action of the Airforce and that of  young Wing Cdr Abhinandan. We all welcomed him home with abated breath.

What was most striking in all this, was the role and behavior of our media, especially television. It was disgraceful, insensitive and shameful. The kind of war mongering, expert opinions with the  shrill and cacophony shown on television was horrific and unacceptable.

The media needs  to be reminded here that their job is to provide unbiased reporting. Some amount  of debate and discussions are welcome, but sticking to the boundaries of civility is warranted. Let people be the judge of what is right and what is wrong. There is no reason to spew out venom against each other and try and push your own agenda.

If the media does not behave itself, it will become like the political class, which to a great extent has lost faith of people. It is high time that they come together, chalk out a pledge and mend their ways.

Already we have a situation wherein the viewers have assigned tags to the channels. Pro-establishment or anti government, leftist, rightist and so on. It is a very unhealthy sign and implies a decay in the system. It's high time that such crass behavior is stopped.  Time is ripe to  introspect and course correct; before it is too late.

What is the answer ??

The sudden increase in the number of incidents of suicide missions targeting innocent civilians is horrendous and scary. What is it that is driving these people to take up arms and massacre fellow humans? What reasons can justify these actions taken with no respect for one's  own safety? What is the thought process that goes in the minds of these normal looking people who suddenly turn violent and commit these barbaric acts. Time has come to start thinking and  tackle this thought process so as prevent these mass murders.

The first reaction of the world community is to immediately establish the ISIS link. True, but these attacks are not limited to only one radical organisation. There have been instances in the past wherein other groups have resorted to these methods, whether it is the LTTE , Naxalites or the Lashkar. The point is, it is not just confined to one radical school of thought namely ISIS. So then is it  the dream of going to heaven that motivates these madmen. Yes it can be only madnesses that can drive you to take such drastic steps. But what about the present life. Is it not worth living. What is the point in sacrificing something you have in bargain for something which nobody is even sure of ... Something which nobody has seen !! 

The fight for a bigger cause, freedom from oppression, freedom to live without fear, fight for your motherland..... the causes are endless and the list is endless. But when such acts are carried out for one of these reasons again the same question comes in. What is the point in sacrificing your present when you can not be part of the end result? Maybe it is the glorification and the celebration that is attached to the "sacrifice" of the person in question that makes him do what he does. So it is the society at large which is responsible for this thought process. We have to stop the glorification of these acts which drive people to do wild and weird acts. Had this been the case we as mankind would not have seen endless wars fought for always the "right" reasons!!

The aim of establishing various religions over time has always been to promote a healthy and pious lifestyle. But ironically it is religion which has  been used to radicalise people and urge them to take up violence for achieving the ultimate goal. It is religion which is responsible for deep fault lines that lie within our society today. They have been exploited by one and all. Politicians, religious leaders or godmen. So this glorification of religiousness has to stop. The blanket sanction that people take for granted when propagating their religious beliefs, must go away. The notion that whatever you do in the garb of religion is fine must be done away with. We should stop taking religion too seriously!!

People argue that what is required is spirituality for the society. It has all the answers. The Nirvana, the Moksha, The Heaven, Jannat.....the promise is the same. Again one is being asked to sacrifice his present for something which nobody has seen. Nobody is sure whether it exists. So is it in any ways different. The thought process remains the same. Aim for the ultimate "truth". So do we really want to follow this unknown path. The pursuit of this path ultimately leads to a path of self destruction. A family has to pay the price of the renunciation. So should it be encouraged. Should it be preached. Isn't it a form of violence against the gift of nature. A life which we have been blessed with. So why not lead it in the most simplest form. As it is. Without any complications due to all these factors. As Osho famously said that  , "first we have to learn to live in the present". Leave aside all these vague and unproven goals.

How about a scientific analysis of the brains of all such affected individuals. Can we find a clue as to what triggers the mind to act in such a rash and violent way? Can genetics provide an answer? Can we brain map the individuals and find clues. Or is it nature's way of controlling the human species. A method to control the population and limit the damage we inflict on nature. An auto control mechanism. Maybe it was destined to be....by the "Creator" !!  Nobody knows the truth. Till then we have to keep asking....What is the answer ??