Why only mutton and chicken and not also fish and eggs?” asks the Bombay High Court in reference to the ban during the period of fasting of the Jains. If it is about the practice of non-violence by the Jain community, then why not also fish and eggs? A good question, otherwise isn’t it an intrusion into the eating habits of Indian citizens?
The Maharashtra State government and promoters of the ban need to answer the question or the majority of Indians who respect the High Court and accept its position of authority within the framework of the Indian Constitution will have to conclude it is nothing more, nothing less, than fascism as articulated in the media. And, since the promotors of the ban would not like to appear as fascists they should answer the question clearly. Millions of Indians are confused and now living in wonderland with regard to this issue.
We Indians are proud to be the world’s largest democracy and guard our sacred legal rights jealously. We know how Adolf Hitler came to power in a German democracy – a cautionary tale – at the time we Indians were fighting to rid ourselves of the yoke of colonialism with the great Mahatma Gandhi as our leader. The British government relented, and gave us Independence. At last, we Indians were free! Is the elected Maharashtra government going to take away the hard-won freedom and legal rights of the people of Mumbai?
Jainism is a non-violent religion and so is Buddhism. Both religions originated in India but the Jains are extremely rich today unlike Buddhists who are poor and belong to low castes.
Why did it happen this way? We know how famous the Jains are for not wanting to hurt even an insect. The vision and teachings of Jainism strongly limited the possibility of people becoming soldiers or even farmers over a millennium, at least. The clever Jains chose the path of the merchant, trader and shopkeeper. In this way, they did not have to become violent, and yet could become rich. They are a wealthy community in India today, aren’t they?
Buddha was no match for the Brahmins. Although he was a prince, and had a number of Brahmin rebels as his followers, they were all against caste, inequality by birth. India, in fact, can claim to have the first practitioner of democracy and equality in the history of the world, millennia ahead of Europe, the UK or the USA. However, his view of equality went beyond politics and, though it was the first step, enlightenment was the final.
The government needs to promote Buddhism, the other great ancient Indian religion even though it is against caste, the ugliest form of discrimination in the world. Nowadays, the majority of Indians despise caste, it is not only Dr. Ambedker and low caste people. And, believe it or not, so do some politicians too.
