Is Secularism an Obiter dictum?

- By Najmuddin A. Farooqi

The declining secularism and the secular values are no more a secret now۔ Over a decade ago there used to be a covert attempt to redefining secularism۔ After coming back to power in 2014 with a strong mandate BJP, the Hindu nationalist party pretend all along promoting cultural nationalism, de facto the party pursue an objective of Hindu appeasement and redefining secularism. The party makes all out efforts to projecting themselves as the custodian of Sanatan Dharma and the true saviour of Hindu interests. The only party has full command and control over internal security and as well as national sovereignty like never before effectively taken care of in the independent India. Here the underlying message is, if someone intends anti Hindusthan and anti Hindu activities, will be dealt sternly ( the glaring example is Bulldozer politics of UP CM ). In the recent past the gulf of social divide has substantially increased۔ Hindutva politics intensified with the progress in Ram Janma Bhumi movement and that has also given a fresh lease of life to hindutva.

In the past when ideological polarization was palpable the successive Congress governments continuously ignored the alarm bells and failed to curb the rising acts of violence perpetrated by the right wing extremists. Though the congress party may attribute the failure to socio cultural and political compulsions and rightly so, but can't absolve themselves from the responsibility of prevention and control over the mishaps instead of soft peddling the situation. Interestingly the alleged Hindutva fringe involved in anti Muslim hate crimes claim themselves to be the true champions of Sanatana Dharma۔ Question arises whether these groups belong to the mainstream Hindu organisations or foot soldiers of ruling party ?, the government has to answer. Nonetheless the morale of lumpen elements in the name of hindutva is high. In number of cases the police administration turn a blind eye, if the culprit is booked chargesheet not submitted or the framed charges are registered under mild bailable sections of IPC eventually the conviction rate is low and slow. The socio economic disparity, failing institutions and the biased judiciary are the main areas of concern today۔

The polarization of Hindu voters in favour of BJP is worrying and has compelled me probing Hindu social psychology and how on earth why do they believe the myth of Islamophobia, surreptitiously propagated by a section of media. Today Muslim youth suffer the most by the hate filled atmosphere which they have never witnessed before. People like me advise the Muslim youth to stay calm and never give up. The soul of India is her ethos the shared value system tolerance non-violence ingrained in the Body Politic and enshrined in the constitution provides enough reason to keep our hopes alive. The number of fringe groups indulged in hate crimes is not too high to disrupt peace or disturb social harmony. Here I believe we need to remind ourselves the successive invasions of Muslim rulers during the mediaeval period, considered one of the main causes disturb the psyche of antagonists of secularism.

There were early arrivals of Arab traders through sea route entered from North-west Indian borders in 712 AC the first ever foreign people came to India. There are historical references of mediaeval period that most of the foreign invasions limited to Sindh and the invaders were of turco-mongol or afghan origin. It was after 300 years that the Sultan Mahmood of ghazni made successive attempts to invade India occupying the small part of north India limiting to Punjab & Sindh in 1000 AC and couldn't go across Kashmir or Rajputana. That was the beginning of successive foreign invasions. In 1192 Shahabuddin Ghauri captured the Delhi throne. In 1400 AC there was the most barbaric attack of the warrior Taimur but the rule was for a short period and limited only to Delhi and Punjab. In 1526 Zaheeruddin Mohammad Babar another turco-mongol of Taimur dynasty, invaded India and established the great moghul empire stayed for the next 200 years. Noticeably during the mediaeval period the rulers were not recognised by religion but by their origins. Their aim was expansion of territory and looting the wealth. With the advent of Europeans coming to India in the early 17th century, the power and glory of moghul empire began declining and strengthening the hold of British conquest. It was close to the end of 15th century that a Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama navigating through African coast, the first to re-establish trade links. Portuguese East India Company was established in 1628–1633 and captured 'Goa'. British East India Company was established in 1600-1714. 1612–1947 and remained functional more or less during the entire period of British Raj.

In the pursuit of embarking a journey to discover India, a book unarguably the best and a relevant read is the clasic "Discovery of India" by Pundit Jawahar Lal Nehru۔ Is that not a miracle the book was written from the confinement of Ahmadnagar jail barrack when the only material available with the author was pen and paper. The book unravels the hidden treasure of knowledge reminds the people of the ethos and the traditional value system in other words understanding in the true spirit of a country as vast as India. Following relevant excerpts extracted from the book;

• "Sometimes as I reach a gathering a great roar of welcome would greet me with Bharat mata ki jai (victory to mother India) I would ask them unexpectedly what they meant by that cry who was this Bharat mata and whose victory they wanted ? My question amused and surprised them, at last a jat says that it was the dharti".
• "But what counted ultimately were the people of India, people like them and are the Bharat Mata, essentially these millions of people and victory to her ( Bharat Mata ki jai ) meant victory to these people. You are part of this Bharat Mata, I told them you are in a manner yourselves Bharat Mata and this idea slowly soaked into their minds, their eyes would light up as if they had made a great discovery".

Another renowned book "History of modern India" by Bipan Chandra, Former Chairman NBT, an accomplished historian, leading scholar on Gandhi Ji's life, the writer who chronicled Indian independence movement. Following relevant excerpts extracted from that book ( mentioned Paras from a to d ) :

1. a) Along with the rise of nationalism, communalism too made the appearance around the end of the 19th-century and posed the biggest threat to the unity of Indian people and the nationalistic movement.
2. b) It is not true that communalism was a remnant of, or survival from the mediaeval period. Though religion was an important part of people's lives and they did sometime quarrel over religion there was hardly any communal ideology or communal politics before the 1870s. Communalism is a modern phenomenon. It had its roots in the modern colonial socio-economic political structure.
3. c) Communalism emerged as a result of emergence of new modern politics based on popular participation and mobilization.
4. d) Modern political consciousness was late in developing among the Muslims. As the nationalism spread among the Hindus and parsis of the lower middle class, it failed to grow equally rapidly among the muslims of the same class.

In the late 19th century Indian Muslims lacked nationalistic fervour contrary to the sentiments prevailing in the Hindu populace. The beginning of 20th century had seen emergence of ideology contrary to the existing ancient Indian traditions of "Dharmik Sadbhav"۔ Eventually the neo nationalistic ideology gave birth to Hindu Mahasabha in 1905 and two decades later in 1925 to Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh as a loose entity of Hindu think tank. In early days RSS was operating underground from Nagpur. The cadre expanding steadily but surely and was financially dependent upon the donations of rich, upper and middle classes. The propoganda tool of RSS were its own publications "Panch Janya" and "Organizer". In later years Sangh flourished, made deep inroads and penetrated into the corridors of power.

India's independence was the victory of people of India belong to all walks of life, regions, castes ethnicity and religion under the umbrella of nationalists movement led by Indian National Congress۔ Then there was partition gave birth to a new country. The aftermath of partition was worst. The birth of Pakistan was boon or bane to the migrated Muslim majority is still debatable and that may go on say for another fifty years. Nevertheless it was a shot in the arm of the RSS think tank that gave them a new lease of life. The post partition successive congress rules were secular to the core but lacked the will to deal with the hard-liners thus by default fascist forces found substantial space to grow. Nearly nineteen years later Indira Gandhi by the constitution (42nd amendment) Act, 1976 amended the constitution preamble adding the words "Secular" along with "Socialist" to make India a "Sovereign Socialist Secular democratic republic. However the amendment had far reaching impact on Indian political structure. A paradox that certainly have its deep social impact felt even today. A blow to congress ? Or to the neo nationalists ?, still questionable. The later events took place were Rama Janmabhoomi, UCC, article 370, displacement of Kashmiri Pundits, population control so on and so forth having one thing common in those issues that it had directly or remotely "Indian Muslims" were a party. This added fuel to the fire. Removing the locks from Babri Masjid Gate was again a momentous occasion for BJP's politics and eventually led to the criminal demolition of Masjid on Dec 6, 1992. The aftermath was horrendous killed over a thousand innocent lives across the country further weakening the social fabric and of course revolutionized the political dynamics of the country, yet again a boon to the already strong ultra Hindu nationalists. The minorities, Muslims in particular, feel insecure targetted by the people who claim themselves belonging to Hindutva organisations and their hate crimes are unstoppable becoming order of the day. The government machinery and the police administration are either biased or turn a blind eye, further emboldens the devil's malicious activities. Now the present is in shamble and despair, not showing any visible sign of remorse. BJP and associates claim themselves the ultimate secularists in the true sense of the term. Thanks to RSS for acknowledging at least Dr APJ Kalam a true nationalist Muslim ( Gita knowing and a Vina playing Muslim" was the headline of the editorial published in Organizer newspaper and mouthpiece of RSS).

In the hour of gloom and darkness the responsibility of civil society increases manifold and also heartening to find them in plenty who honestly believe in 'Unity In Diversity', and come forward genuinely in the support and take stand for Indian Muslims in the hours of crisis.

• As a return gesture Muslims are advised to acknowledge and express their gratitude and work along with the civil society and the non partisan political parties, raising voice at the plight of the oppressed weaker and vulnerable sections of society.
• Removing the notion of Islamophobia, which the divisive forces indoctrinated in the Hindu psyche by spitting venom, is tough task but equally essential.
• Violence and hate crimes should have no place in any civilised society. The rulers are duty bound to maintain ever lasting peace and tranquility all across the country.
• An act of terror must be unequivocally condemned in the strongest words by one and all.
• Social media should be dealt with all seriousness caution and diligence.

We may help and support the following issues as when come before us dealing them either in individual capacity or joining hands with an NGO engaged in similar humanitarian causes

• Violence against vulnerable and oppressed
• Crime against women
• Local issues like for example high electricity rates
• Support farmer's movement if find just
• Issues related to saving the biodiversity, pollution control, water resource management, Healthcare, volunteer to take up sanitation drives in and around the vicinity
• Good neighbourly relations.
• All Indian citizens should be registered in the Electoral Roll of India. The eligible age is 18 & above (the first timers please check the cut of date for the eligibility of Date of birth from the voter helpline app before applying)