Tackling communal violence

Ugly faces of communalism surface frequently in this secular country. Many a time, it is the hidden agenda of certain groups, political as well as religious, to create communal tension in the society and obtain benefit out of it to capture political power. Communal violence has become a way of life in certain parts of our country and the innocent people - Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, etc - everyone is compelled to live under the darkness of fear. Good neighbours have become worst enemies of each other for no fault of their own.

There are certain politicians and religious leaders in this country, who strongly feel that although they are the majority religious community – the Hindu community which consists of over 85% of the total population in the country - they have not succeeded in converting this state as ‘Hindu Rashtr’. In fact the voters of this country have not fallen prey to the machinations of these leaders and hence this country stands tall among the nations of the world.

When India’s independence was announced on 15th August 1947, it was on that day that in every corner of the country Hindus and Muslims shed each other’s blood. The inhuman behaviour seen during these communal riots has probably no equal in the history of the entire world. Houses were set on fire and sons of the same soil killed one another mercilessly. Millions were rendered homeless and millions more lost their property and earnings. In spite of such a dreadful and outrageous experience, communal tensions have not only continued but have become more frequent in the recent past. Killings in Godhra, Gujarat are awful examples of communal violence in this 21st century. The communal tension in Sanvordem, Goa in the recent past also shocked the whole world because Goa was considered all over the world as the most communally harmonious state of India. Why do people resort to communal violence?

There are numerous causes for communal violence to erupt in different parts of the country. People belonging to different religions live in separate sections in the same area. They are different from one another in their lifestyles, in their daily habits and in their religious practices, which many times give rise to communal tensions. History also plays its role in the eruption of communal tensions. Muslims, Christians, and some other religions came to this land from other countries. There were conversions from one religion to another. Sometimes these conversions were done with the might of brutal force. These acts have created hatred in the minds of the concerned people. The hatred continues till date. In present times, in areas where communal tensions prevail constantly, fear and distrust of each other has created a psychological disturbance in the minds of the people which prompts the eruption of communal violence due to any silly reason including just rumours. In our social lives too, we are not very comfortable in the company of persons belonging to other religions. This is because the customs and traditions observed by different religious communities differ from each other largely. Sometimes it is exactly the opposite of another. These unseen walls also prevent the union of different cultures. Many a time they became the cause of communal tension. Political and religious leaders who are bent on establishing Hindu Rashtr in the country go to any extent to widen the divide between different religions with the sole aim of uniting all Hindus of the country in order to achieve political mileage. This has resulted in serious communal violence in various parts of the country.

In spite of all these odds, our country stands tall in the community of nations only because overwhelming majority of our fellow citizens believe in ‘unity in diversity.’ All Indians, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, believe in the Constitution of India which describes India as ‘Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic’ and assures to all its citizens to secure ‘Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.’

To strengthen the Constitution and to promote the spirit of our constitution among the people of the country there is a need to take immediate steps in that direction. We will have to eliminate those parts of history which propagate hatred among the people of different religions. On the contrary, history should focus on those acts which promote friendship and brotherhood among different people of this country. Youth organizations may be formed in villages and cities and youth from all religions should be a part of these organizations. All encouragement to work together for the betterment of the society may be given to such organizations. Communal political parties or communal social and religious groups need to be banned so that there is no opportunity for emotions of communal nature to flare up. Print and electronic media must act responsibly so that a healthy national public opinion is formed. Festivals and cultural traditions of all religions should be encouraged without any discrimination so that any citizen belonging to any religion does not feel ignored and sidetracked.

It is very easy to suggest ways and means to lessen communal tensions but we must admit that it is very difficult to put them into practice. India is a great country but it is unable to display its greatness due to our internal weaknesses. And one of the major weaknesses is the communal disharmony. It is not the government alone but every citizen of India will have to play his/her role in bringing communal harmony among the people of India. Mind you, a communally harmonious India can be the greatest power in the world.

(The writer is former Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly)