• Dr. Udit Raj

After the settlement of Babri Masjid dispute, it seemed that we would now see the emergence of developmental politics. Even the people of the country had been dead-tired of the Hindu-Muslim imbroglio. For this reason, the decision of the Supreme Court was accepted and no comment was made. The Muslim side of the tussle fell silent, giving tacit consent, and considered it appropriate to get out of the discord. This made enough room for those who had been eyeing such an opportunity to benefit from polarization? Communalism exacerbated in this way due to issues related to cows at one time and Rohingya Muslims at the other, and CAA-NRC at yet another time. It was expected that the people of the country would give a befitting reply, but that too could not happen. Those who talked about development, harmony and peace were started to be labelled as ‘Anti-Nationals’. The common Hindu remained silent. The disease has been mortifying and there is dearth to say as to where and when it will stop.

The order of the lower court to survey the Gyanvapi mosque was a major setback. The court had no constitutional powers to do so. The Places of Worship Act was introduced in 1991, which provided that the places of worship built before 1947 cannot be converted into places of worship of another religion, i.e., the status quo will be maintained in such cases. Even the Supreme Court held the same view in the verdict of Babri Masjid. There are limitless cases like that of the Gyanvapi controversy. Highly tumultuous situations can be created out of such cases in a country, spanning over a fifty or even a hundred years. It is not difficult to conceive as to what will happen to the country in such a situation. Earlier, the society was so divided on the basis of caste that the responsibility of protection rested with a particular caste and the rest remained mere spectators. Society kept on giving opportunity to others to attack because of the division among people on the basis of caste or religion and we were thus enslaved. At present, being financially weak is a kind of slavery. We have an economy of 2.5 trillion dollars in which there is foreign debt of 1 trillion and 30 lakhs which is also ever-increasing. Earlier, this was not the case because economic international dependence was negligible but now it has increased dramatically. The country has become economically weak. China has occupied Ladakh and Arunachal but one does not have the courage to speak against it, let alone thrust China back. Those who are happy to harass or boycott innocent and ignorant Muslims, do not understand that they are harming themselves in the process.

The question is how far the disputed cases will be uprooted. Today, the followers of Buddhism are few and if the situation changes in the coming times, then even they will demand that the temples that were built by Pushyamitra Shunga by destroying thousands of Buddhist Monasteries, should also be excavated and handed over to the Buddhists. Such demands have also started to arise. Renowned historian D.N. Jha says that the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang has written that Shiva devotee Mihirkul destroyed 1,600 Buddhist stupas and monasteries and killed thousands of Buddhists. Should Buddhists also do what is happening with the Gyanvapi Mosque? Is there any end to this? Swami Vivekananda and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee had both said that the Jagannath temple was initially a Buddhist temple. Shouldn’t they be surveyed? Is there any end to such controversies?

America had dropped atom bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in World War II. Did anyone hear Japan hurling insults at America? Japan’s vision lies in shaping the future, not in cultivating votes by spreading hatred. A 3,000 years old history lies in front of us. The country was attacked over time and we could not win even once. The only reason was the division of society into castes. Could a caste protect the whole country? We are divided on the basis of caste even today and if there emerges yet another schism in the name of religion, then the posterity will definitely pay the price. The material of a temple’s idol and relics has been used in the construction of Qutub Minar and it is no surprise. There were no machines in the past and there was very little production of goods. So, in such a situation, old material was used. There are many temples in which relics of Buddhism, Jainism and Islam are found - so should they all be demolished? If we embark upon this mission, then this will be the biggest industry which will leave behind the manufacturing of cement, cloth, iron etc.

The biggest question of today is that even people say that it has been wrong but who stands in the opposition? People ask the opposition - why they don’t do anything? Shri Rahul Gandhi’s name is discussed as an alternative but only with ifs and buts. RSS and BJP have spoiled his image, but one should think that what is lacking in all the things Shri Rahul Gandhi has said till date? He said that there would be a tsunami of Corona and was ridiculed. Due to ‘Namaste Trump’ and in order to form the government in Madhya Pradesh, the lockdown was imposed abruptly. When Shri Rahul Gandhi said that testing must be ramped up to fight Covid, then there was opposition to it too. In order to ensure that the economy does not collapse, it was suggested that people should be given cash, but that too did not happen. People take a stand in other countries of the world. The latest example is from Sri Lanka. We have a hero-worship mentality and we want someone else to fight for our cause. Religion is the opium for the masses, caste is no less the opium. The public has been trapped in this double drunkenness, so it is impossible for it to come forward and take to the streets. Earlier, there used to be agitations. Even governments used to bow down and listen. The public should also ask itself if a leader or a party is a magician? The Constitution has to be saved. If we do not wake up now, we will not get the opportunity in future. A lot damage has already been done. Now is the time to stop. History will neither be erased nor be created, but humanity will continue to perish.

The Author is a National Chairman, Unorganized Workers and Employees Congress (KKC), and All-India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations