THE SHRINKING HINDU POLITY AND THE POSSIBLE HINDU RENAISSANCE ... 2

THE SHRINKING HINDU POLITY AND THE POSSIBLE HINDU RENAISSANCE ... 2

Indian Muslims and many Indian Hindus, atheists, communists and Christians are most eloquent about the dangers to India from its possible becoming a Hindu rashtra. Why are they not vocal about the dangers to the world from so many countries being Islamic states? Hinduism is all-inclusive whereas Islam is completely exclusive and intolerant. Then why this selective concern about the dangers of India becoming a Hindu state when they are blissfully unconcerned about some 57 countries globally being Islamic states? Why are Christians not vocal about secularising the Vatican City when they are so much against the age-old Hindu country of India becoming a Hindu rashtra? Today there are about 20 counties worldwide which are officially Christian states. Let the Indian Christians start a movement for their secularisation. Israel is a Jewish state. Let liberals strike hard at that reality as well then and secularise Israel. Why select India and be vociferous about the perceived threat of its becoming a Hindu rashtra in the foreseeable future?

These questions I am raising only by way of pointing out the glaring inconsistencies of the case and not because I personally am in favour of India becoming a Hindu rashtra. There must be a parity to the whole thing and not such a one-sided approach. Hindus have historically never oppressed believers of other faiths for they believe in the equal validity of all religions. It is they who have been persecuted by adherents of others faiths such as Islam and Christianity in their very own homeland (India). Now this oppression continues unabated in Pakistan and Bangladesh which are severed parts of undivided India post its partition in 1947. India has suffered dismemberment thanks to the demands of Islam and even now men are impervious to these harsh realities that have affected the Hindus. When will they wake up if ever?

Written by Sugata Bose