By Mohammed Naseeruddin,
The Constitution declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. Hence secularism is an essential part of our “official Ideology”.
The secular or communal political parties, whoever is in power, are constitutionally bound to follow this dictum. But for the past six months, it has been noticed that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the parent organization of ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) dictates its own agenda to diminish our ‘Official Ideology’ that relies on participative democracy and religious neutrality.
Photo used for illustration purpose only (Courtesy: kanchangupta.blogspot.com)
The secondary leadership of BJP is carrying out a deliberate propaganda of hate while the core leaders of party – strutting about the so-called inclusive development – are allowing them to do the divisive politics. One BJP Member of Parliament Sakshi Maharaj says Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse was a patriot; another MP Yogi Adityanath says Taj Mahal was a part of temple.
Additionally, a junior minister called Muslims are bastard (Haramzaade) and a senior minister demanded Bhagwad Gita should be declared our national book. Moreover, when asked about the growing influence of RSS, the Home Minister Rajnath Singh himself said on record that RSS is not an external force. He and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are “both from the RSS, so where is the question of RSS influence?” he countered.
It clearly depicts that the RSS is running the show at the Centre with the ambitions of a Hindu Rashtra. It could be a disaster for the roots of our Constitution if the RSS succeeds to impose its ideology at the administration level, whether it is saffronization of education or the recruitment/appointment of likeminded people on key constitutional posts.
Being a Prime Minister, Modi has to rebuke all this nonsense publicly, but he chooses to be a mute spectator. Modi has a responsibility to consolidate India rather than Hindus. If he believes in “India First” and “Sab Ka Sath or Sab Ka Vikas”, then he has to restrain his colleagues from such controversial statements. Otherwise, questions will be raised about his statesmanship.
Our secular country celebrates all religions, but Hindutava forces are tarnishing its religion-friendly image and doing the conversion and reconversion on the basis of inducement. They have given the name ‘Ghar Wapsi’ for this forced proselytization. Ironically, the ruling party, instead of curbing it, is suggesting enactment of a law to stop conversion.
The RSS is a champion of religious nationalism, which is a mirror-contrast to the secular nationalism. Would the state ruled under RSS+BJP be neutral among religions? Does the Modi-led NDA government uphold the country’s official ideology? Does BJP promotes participative democracy? Will NDA government include Muslims and other backward groups into its flagship inclusive development programme? Will Modi protect the socio-economic rights of the ethnic and religious minorities and take them into the mainstream of development?
The growing Hindu communalism, which is flourishing in the name of nationalism and culture, will destroy the secular image of our nation globally. In the name of unity, they separate and destruct the plural ethos of this great country.
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(The author is Hyderabad-based multimedia & multilingual journo, writer & contributor to the Times of India; News Editor 4tv & Sr Reporter at Etemaad, Alumni of TRF & IVLP )
His works: http://naseergayas.blogspot.in/