India is changing fast. It has transformed into a modern-day ‘economic miracle’. The country has been doing extremely well in almost all spheres except for one - social advancement. Of late, there have been quite a few social developments in the country which seem to be having an adverse effect on the cultural growth of India.
The country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and his government seem to be oblivious of certain developments, which are making the masses communal-minded. This is resulting in poor sense of nationalism. And communities are turning against each other. For years, India moved forward as a civilisation that saw people from diverse religions and cultures, coexisting in peace. India was exemplary in its tolerance. Secularism has always been the link that unites the nation and gave its people a sort of unity and oneness.
But the country’s present leaders - some of who are allegedly Hindu revivalists, seem to be standing against the unity of the nation - the one solid India we have grown to love, whose pillars were based on the concept of tolerance and secularism.
India is a nation whose principles are non-violence and pluralism and it is unfair to use Hindu nationalism to lead a country that is blessed with many religions and cultures.
It is time the intelligentsia of the country stood as one for the betterment of the country and arrest those who cause unhealthy developments. Movements like cow vigilantism and activities to control the beef trade need to stop. They are creating intolerance bordering on communalism. These could take India to a condition, wherein its ideal of secularism can be put in considerable jeopardy. To keep our ideals of ‘socialist secular’ republic alive, there have to be more efforts from the Modi government. Indians need to remember that democracy is all about tolerance and broadmindedness. Not narrow political thinking based on communalism.
The reader is a teacher and freelance journalist based in India.
