Exploding the atom of religious militancy

‘Islam is in danger’, shouts the Imam from the top of the ‘masjid’. The flock of the faithful goes more deep into regressive tradition and the tribe of ‘burqua’ clad gallops. ‘Hinduism in danger’, barks the Bajrang Dal, VHP, Ram Sene and Sanathan. The Hindu in danger and India unsafe is the cry of right-wing political brigade. This ignites Hindus to abuse people of other faiths and make derogatory references to their practices. It also injects the vice of tradition in an otherwise liberated Hindu. Threat to Christianity is perceived by Bishops and other faithful resulting in bringing religion in public spaces and discourses. Caste based organisations also make out risks to their core rituals and practices. Finally, as sum and substance, for everyone the nation is in danger. For the ‘hindutva’ brand of politicians, India is in danger because of minorities and the secular values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. For the minorities, the idea of India is collapsing due to communalisation of politics and growing majority fundamentalism.

It may look inconsistent and absurd that in today’s age of science, technology and democracy there are aggressive takers for religious and caste fundamentalism. The torch bearers of religion and caste-based organisations assert their arrogance through glorification of blind faith and take pride in gender discriminatory practices.

I wish to submit that the troika of science, technology and democracy is the cause of the present dark clouds of growing religious and caste militancy. It is the backlash of the positive social transformation that is visible in India and the rest of the world. The old order of religion and caste is under stress and challenge. They are gradually losing power due to advancements in science, technology and democratic politics. This ‘powerlessness’ is the factor of aggression and the consequent noise about dangers to religion. The threat is to the old order and the few in power, not to the people and common man. 

Democracy is not just about politics and elections. The extension and deepening of democracy as the modern and civilised way of life is contributing to social equality, equity and justice. Inclusive social development becomes the sine qua non of democratic government and civil society. Political machinery gears up for the less privileged, marginalised and backward classes.  The traditionally neglected sections such as SC/ST/OBCs get empowered with political positions in governance at local, state and national level. A daughter of an unskilled labourer makes it to the prestigious IIT and son of a rickshaw driver tops the IAS. Dalits establish their Chamber of Commerce. Inter-religious and inter-caste marriages are stealing the carpet on which the traditional institutions of caste and religion merrily rest.

The quest of science is to make the world and environment more intelligible to human society. The growth of pure, social and applied sciences has exposed the hollowness of traditional beliefs which is packaged as “knowledge”. The fundamentalist religious and caste organisations are losing the race. Technology fosters access and opportunity to all irrespective of economic status, caste, religion, region and nation. It links all creative and productive minds in business, art and literature to the whole world. The walls of narrow nationalism and parochialism seem to collapse with advancements in science and technology.

Technology is democratic and the weapons are used to facilitate access, productivity and quality of life. Modern technology has brought the world closer and enriched human life through global exchange and sharing in all spheres. However, the products of technology which are available to all are also harnessed by fanatical brigades to retain power. The same instruments are pressed into service to spread hatred, discord, regressive tradition and hero- worship. 

The cause of concern for our country is the current political governance machinery tilting towards the so termed “golden” past and almost acting as abettor in the crime of taking society to unscientific tradition and communal polarisation. The silence of the government and the instrumentalities of the state are doing the collateral damage. Of course, this calls for a political solution through the democratic process. However, the long-term solution is more of science and propagation of scientific temper. The effective anti-dote is further advancements and proliferation of technology. The political weapon should also take democracy deeper through greater equity, justice and people’s participation. These are the best pills against fundamentalism and the crusaders of the unscientific past. 

Religious militant organisations are fighting a losing battle which they are destined to lose. They may feast in the pleasure through murders of social reformers and humanists such as Govind Pansare, Prof. Kalburgi and Dr. Narendra Dabholkar. Men like Pramod Muthalik, the chief of Sri Ram Sene may temporarily gloat in likening the journalist-turned-activist Gauri Lankesh to a dog and the indoctrinated murderer to a hero. Honour killings or ‘fatwa’ in the name of Islam and the pride of caste are futile attempts to retain hold and power in the present day social order.

Instead of religion and culture being in danger, the growth of religious and caste militancy spreading inter-community hate and mistrust and attempts to uphold blind beliefs and practices mocking at freedom of choice is posing a challenge to Hindus, Christians and Muslims in their intellectual and scientific growth. Needless to say, these are roadblocks for India’s future achievements and prosperity.

(The writer is an educationist and political commentator)