The video shows the in-charge of the Inderlok police post in Delhi, kicking two men from behind when they were offering namaz and were in sajda (a position of prostration).
Speaking to the media, locals said that because the mosque next to the road was filled to its capacity and to avoid missing the congregation prayers, the men ended up performing namaz on the road. In another video in circulation, the cop was also seen shoving the men who tried to talk to the cop. By late evening, the officer was suspended.
The incident has once again created a divide with those supporting the police officer accusing the men of blocking the traffic and those supporting the men accusing the police officer of crossing the line of duty. The divide is not based on the legal, ethical or moral basis but on religious sentiments.
In the recent past, the country has witnessed a growing trend of intolerance not just amongst people of different religious identities, but also the political ideologies that one supports or is affiliated to or a social group that people engage with.
The poison of hatred and divide has seeped into campuses, housing societies and the worst outrage is witnessed online, where people are trolled for the food they eat, the clothes they wear, or the stand they take on a particular issue.
Last month, on February 20, a video of a Sikh Indian Police Service (IPS) officer posted in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district went viral on social media, when the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly reportedly labelled the police officer a ‘Khalistani’ during the party’s protest against the Sandeshkhali incident.
The history of India’s Independence and the post-Independence are marred by communal riots, which to a large extent stopped in the 21st century. However, with easy access to the internet and social media, political parties have been rolling out the agenda of divide-and-rule through the new age of technology and inciting anger and hatred against communities. India which has been known globally for its multi-religious and multicultural coexistence has been shadowed down by communal and often self-centered authoritarian politicians.
Friday’s incident should put anyone to shame because while the country takes pride in inaugurating a temple in a Muslim country such as the United Arab Emirates, back home we disrespect other religions. The vicious cycle of hatred amongst citizens will lead the country from being the ‘mother of democracy’ to a rogue State that does not respect the rights of its citizens.
Time and again to gain political mileage fiery speeches pitching one community against another have become the norm in the political discourse of this nation, especially every now and then when elections are knocking on your doors.
However, Friday’s incident should ring alarm bells in the corridors of power and in the minds of those who have a vision to safeguard the secular fabric of this country. Individuals and organisations pitching themselves against each other are believed to be in a race to gather eyeballs and achieve the pole position. But when the pillars of democracy begin to differentiate between its citizens based on religion, foregoing the rights enshrined in the Constitution and the ground realities of coexistence, then these are signs of destruction.
The pillars of democracy ought to execute caution while fulfilling its duties keeping in mind the future of the country. Short term individual or organisation benefits should not be overshadowed for the long-lasting future of the nation. As Leo Tolstoy said, “If you want to destroy a country make its citizens fight among themselves in the name of religion. The country will perish on its own.”
