It is barely six months since the last general elections were held in our country. The electorate irrespective of their casts creeds or religions voted for a change despite being warned by various non-BJP parties about the safety of secularism being at stake. People’s expectations and aspirations were towards an India where one could “Hold his head high” as prayed for by Rabindranath Tagore.
However, it appears that the ‘EVIL ONE’ is in a hurry to destroy the faith placed by the people in the BJP. In Goa itself during the previous regime of the BJP under Parrikar, we experienced the then government’s intention to create an upheaval among Goans by making Good Friday and St Francis’ feast days as working days. Numerous places considered sacred were desecrated. The BJP taking advantage of the people’s short memories and the goodness of their forgiving attitude came back to power this time in Goa even with the tacit support of the very MLA’s who chose to forget the hurts inflicted earlier upon their voters.
And now we have some major developments taking place at the National level. This is surely some food for thought. The burning of the St Sebastian’s Church in Delhi under the very nose of the Central Government is not only an incidence of hurting sentiments but also an act of challenge and defiance to the BJP. The government’s intention to use December 25 as a day of activity towards good governance for various schools is obviously antithetical to the principle which the BJP proposes to promote and can only incite a feeling of ‘divide and rule’.
As regards the introductions of bill against forced conversions, it must be remembered that conversions cannot be forced. There are enough laws to ensure this. If at all any forced conversions are being practiced these are under the so called “Ghar Vapasi schemes”.
Instead of a new law against forced conversions, it is high time we bring about a law against infringement of rights – rights that ensure one’s freedom to choose religious practices, food habits, dress standards, cultural activities, right to study in any medium of instruction and so on.
One can see the organizations like the Taliban creating havoc in some of the areas in the world where countries used to be peaceful a few years ago. Any fanaticism is bad for a nation. If the present government permits the various Sangh Parivar outfits to have their way it won’t be long before they take the law into their hands and turn against the very hand that feeds them — as its has already happened in our neighbouring nations.
