Today is world environment day, a day for introspection and commitment to our safe and sustainable future. Two BJP spokespersons, Nupur Sharma and Navin Kumar Jindal had caused a different kind of vitiation of the social environment by their derogatory remarks on Prophet Mohammed during a TV debate. TV debates have become vicious and hateful attacks, often egged on by the anchors, who gleefully watch their TRP ratings go high and revenues peak during acerbic exchanges.
Nupur made the objectionable remarks on the Prophet during a debate on the Gyanvapi mosque issue on the 28th of May, and an FIR was lodged soon after that. On Friday, violence broke out in Kanpur, resulting in 800 booked and 40 arrested in arson over the remarks.
The BJP high command expelled their Delhi BJP media in-charge, Navin Kumar Jindal, from its primary membership and suspended Nupur Sharma while removing her as the party’s spokesperson. Nupur has since apologised. Nupur responded to mocking a Shivling as a fountain inside the mosque, which is a matter of sub-judice.
The prompt action by the party may irritate a few diehard Hindutvawadis but was timely and appropriate. Added to this is a weighty statement by the RSS leader, Mohan Bhagawat, advising Hindus not to search for Shivling or Hindu motifs in every mosque. The statement is far-reaching from the context of offering an olive branch to the minorities.
A silly few may shout that those minorities who cannot assimilate and adjust to Hindu ways of thinking and living must go to Pakistan. However, we must appreciate that such an option was open before them and their fathers and forefathers chose India over Pakistan. Therefore, the communities must find ways and means to live harmoniously, rather than imposing each one’s will on the other.
True, many temples have been ransacked during the Islamic rule of several centuries. Destruction of the religion of those vanquished was an established means of subjugation. Our kings also built temples in several South-East Asian countries as they foisted our victory flags. India did not suffer the fate of the vanished civilisations like Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, Inca etc. Hinduism survived and thrived and is alive and kicking now.
We must not hesitate to ask, ‘where went the Buddha viharas and Jain temples?’ How many temples were built on the demolished viharas and Jain temples? We consider that these could be normal or natural.
If proven a Shivling, the Hindu God of trinity must be given the respect and honour it deserves. I value the hurt sentiments of many Hindus, who think it is those minorities who are around now who are responsible for the arson and crimes perpetrated by the invading armies many centuries ago. Indians must exercise the two greatest human attributes, forgiveness and atonement.
The need to coexist in peace, with mutual admiration and respect, can happen only when the targeted killing ends and when people disengage from the wanton stone-throwing and violence.
India is different, tolerant and inclusive in its truest spirits, despite a few differing the fact.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
