B L Saraf
To an ordinary citizen the signals were loud and clear : that something awful has permeated the country’s age old congenial atmosphere. Supreme Court has confirmed it. That : ” climate of hate prevails in the country.” While hearing a petition seeking direction to book a Delhi politician for making an alleged hate speech when he , reportedly , called for a boycott of a particular community, Supreme Court lamented “Where have we reached in the name of religion what we have reduced religion to is tragic.” It called for an action to be taken against those who make hate speeches, irrespective of their religion, “to preserve the secular fabric of the nation.” The Bench issued notices to the Governments of Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand to file responses to the petition filed by a journalist.
Examples galore that we live in a “climate of hate” and how diminishing it is for the great country like ours which aspires to be the World Leader. Reference is restricted to the following . In summer we had to face protest of West Asian countries over a remark made by a spokesperson of a political party which they found derogatory to the Prophet. There were violent protests within the country as well which resulted in loss to the property and brutal death of an innocent tailor in Rajasthan. We are reminded of the defeat that Indian Cricket team faced at the hands of Pakistan Cricket team, in the ICC T20 Championship played in UAE . Many Indian fans singled out a player of a particular faith as a fall guy who wrecked Indian teams’ chances to win. Thousands trolled him with most derogatory comments. While others looked the other way, his captain stood by the trolled player and in strong words he castigated the trollers. The so called ‘nationalists’ didn’t even spare the Captain and choicest abuses as also threats to molest his two year old daughter were ‘showered ‘ on him.
It is pertinent to recall here what UN Secretary -General, Antonio Gutterres told a gathering at the Indian Institute of Technology -Bombay, on 19th Oct. He said ” Diversity is a richness that makes your country great. That understanding must be nurtured, strengthened and renewed every day by practicing the values of Gandhi : by securing and upholding the rights and dignity of all people, especially the vulnerable: by taking concrete action for inclusion, recognizing the enormous value and contributions of multi-cultural, multi -religious and multi ethnic societies; by condemning hate speech unequivocally.” India claims to be a ” Vishvaw Guru ” – a global leader- whom people around the world look up to for ‘guidance ‘. For that claim to be accepted it has to be shown, as Secretary -General UNO says, whether India has “increased investment in an inclusive, pluralistic, diverse community and society.” India, according to the Secretary -General, is in a position to highlight ” values and vision of a developing world. It has to renew the commitment to pluralism, sensitivity, empathy towards different religions, languages and cultures : celebrate diversity and not be afraid of it .
RSS Chief has rightly appreciated the situation when he opened up to the Muslims and expressed faith in the values which are the corner stone of India’s constitution. One is tempted to refer to a piece written by RSS ideologue Ram Madhav, for The Ideas Page of a national daily, 22nd Oct edition, wherein he has appreciated the efforts of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) – the largest Muslim Organization of Indonesia- and Muslim World League (MWL ) of Saudi Arabia who are fighting the extremists elements in Islam by emphasizing that Islam ” understands the existence of religions as a universal design that must be celebrated, since difference, diversity and multiplicity are characteristics of human nature.” It is in the interests of the nation that we get the right message.
Supreme Court is not alone in raising the question : thousands of the concerned countrymen have the same question. But nobody knows whether the Apex Court or the silent questioners will have an answer. One thing, however, is sure that these remarks are bound to resonate in the hearts and minds of vast majority of the country men/ women who have unwavering faith in sound human values the nation is founded on : who genuinely feel concerned on how the surrounding atmosphere is getting communally polluted. Nonetheless, one has hope in the Court when it asked police to take action on its own , without waiting for a FIR to be lodged- when hate is spewed ; or else be ready to face charge of contempt for disobedience of its order. It is more essential that our conversation is purged of the communally toxic vocabulary if things are to be set right in Kashmir, where situation is still in turmoil .
Having gone through the hell created by the rabid fundamentalists in that country the Pakistani writer Famida Riyaz’s pain drenched lines addressed to us may have a relevance :
Tum bilkul hum jaisey nikley
Aab tak khan chupay thay
Woh murkhta who gamand
Jismein hum ne sadian gwandhi
Akar pohanchey dwaar tuhari
Are badhia bhut badhia
(You have become exactly like us: where were you so far : the foolishness and hubris which consumed centuries of our lives have reached your door : stay felicitated )
P. S . Rishi Sunak’s elevation to the post of British PM shows what belief in multiculturalism and regard for the talent , unmindful of parochial and sectarian considerations means . How much we may detest Britain for promoting colonialism it has shown the world its capacity to carry a Colony borne person – of different faith – head high to a lead position . It is sometimes good to follow a colonial power rather than condemn it in a zeal to parade ” hyper nationalism .”
(The author is former Principal District &Sessions Judge)
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